How to Use a Futon: A Guide
If you are new to futons, here's a helpful guide that will teach you everything you need to know about how to use a futon. Click on each of the following sections to learn more.
- What is a futon and what makes them unique
- How to use a futon: Tips for opening & closing
- Futon uses
If you are looking for the best quality, Canadian-made futons, contact us.
How to Use a Futon
1. What is a futon and what makes futons unique?

A futon is a versatile piece of furniture that can be used as both a sofa and a bed
Futons are an incredibly ingenious piece of furniture that can be used as both a bed and a couch. They originate in Japan where they were used as a space-saving type of bed. The Japanese futon was made up of two parts: a mattress and a duvet. They were often stored in a large closet during the day and brought out at night for sleeping. These early futons were usually laid out on a rush mat.
The main difference between traditional Japanese-style futons and the modern versions you see today is that modern futons are placed on slatted frames to lift them up off the floor. Instead of storing your futon away in a closet, like the Japanese futons, Western futon frames can be folded up and used for seating during the day.
The term futon refers to the mattress part of this multipurpose furniture. Futons are made of cotton batting that is covered with cotton ticking. They are they sewn together using through-thickness stitches, called tufting, to hold the material in place.
2. How to use a futon: Tips for opening & closing
It is quite simple to learn how to use a futon. Most modern and well-made futons are very easy to operate and convert from a seating position to a sleeping position and vice versa. There are different types of futon frames and each one opens and closes differently. Here are some of the main types with a brief description of how to operate them.
A-Frame Futon



It is easy to learn how to use a futon, especially an A-frame futon
An A-frame or trifold futon frame is made up of 3 parts. Two sections form the backrest and one section forms the seat. To open an A-frame futon, do the following:
- Move the futon frame away from any walls so that you will have enough space to completely fold it out.
- If your futon is designed with a safety latch, undo it.
- Grab the bottom rung of the backrest frame and pull it towards you until it lays flat on the floor.
- Unfold the mattress and stretch it out along the base.
When you want to close up your futon, take the following steps:
- To fold up your futon, you might find it easier to remove the mattress.
- Lift and fold the backrest of the frame until it makes an upside-down "V" shape.
- Fold your mattress under itself and place it on the frame.
- You can also make your A-frame futon into a longer chaise lounge-style seat by simply folding only one end up and leaving your futon frame in an "L" shape as in the picture above.
A-frame futons are especially good for really tight spaces because they take up very little room.
Bifold Futon


A bifold futon frame has two parts: the seat and the backrest
A bifold futon has a two-part frame. One part will form the seat of your futon and the other forms the backrest. Here's how to open up a basic bifold futon frame:
- Make sure that you have enough space between the back of the futon and the wall for it to lay out flat. If not, move your futon away from the wall.
- If your futon has a latch, make sure that it is undone, before you try to open it.
- Grab the frame under the seat section at the front of your futon with two hands. If you have a very large futon, you may need a second person to help you.
- Start lifting up the base and pull it towards you. You will need to be moving backward as you are lifting and pulling.
- Set the base down on the floor once both it and the backrest are completely flat.
To close your bifold futon, do the following:
- To close your futon, first, take off all of the bedding and pillows so that nothing will get caught in the frame.
- Go around to the back of your futon and start pulling up with two hands on the top bar until it is upright and secure it in that position.
- Adjust the mattress so that it lines up properly with the seat and the backrest.
If your futon has a latch, make sure to secure it.
Bifold Futon with Spring-Loaded Mechanism

It is very easy to learn how to use a futon with a spring loaded mechanism
If your futon frame has a spring-loaded mechanism, it will be especially easy to open and close. Here's how to open one:
- Make sure your futon is pulled out far enough from your wall so that it can fold out easily.
- Place your hand underneath the middle of the front bar of the seat section on your futon (above the stretcher rail).
- Lift up and over in a rainbow movement (like an arc) to open the frame. You don't have to use a lot of force because the spring-loaded mechanism does all the work for you making it very simple to operate.
Here's how to close it:
- Move over to the side of your futon and place one hand on the mattress and one hand on the back of the frame. Alternately, you could place one hand on the arm and one hand on the back of the frame if you find this easier.
- Push down on the mattress or the arm and lift the back up at the same time. The springs will also help you to lift up your futon.
The following video will show you how to operate this type of futon sofa.
This video demonstrates how to use a futon
If you are still unsure about how to use a futon, contact us and we'd be happy to help you.
3. Futon Uses
Futons are multi-purpose pieces of furniture that can give you options when it comes to additional sleeping and sitting solutions. You can put a futon in a variety of rooms in your home such as:
- Home Office
- Bedroom
- Living room
- Basement
- Garage
- Attic or Loft
- Family Room
- Den
- Cottages
They are a great way to optimize your space in your multifunctional areas. When you have extra overnight guests, they can turn into your room into the perfect extra bedroom.
Because of their small size and versatile design, they also make a great option for
college dorms or even trailers.
The Futon Shop: for the Best Futon Canada Wide

If you are looking for the best futon Canada has to offer, at the best price, contact The Futon Shop. At The Futon Shop. We know how amazing our futons are because we are both the manufacturer and the retailer! Since 1984, we have been manufacturing our line of high-quality futons in a wide variety of styles and sizes. If you prefer, we can also make a custom size to meet your exact requirements.
All of our futons are crafted right here in Canada at our Burlington Ontario location, so you can be sure that you are getting a quality product that will last. We are the largest futon manufacturer in Canada and we even build our own line of high-quality futon mattresses. You can come to see our incredible lineup at our Burlington location or you can shop for all of our products online. We ship all across Canada.
Looking for a small futon? Here are a few options to choose from. Click here to see our full gallery.
"I am very happy with my futon/frame purchase. I called the store and someone helped me find a frame that was in stock and was able to ship the futon to me in a couple of days. And received it 3 business days later, right before Christmas."
- Diego Borja




