How to Make Futon Beds Comfortable

You’d probably add a mattress topper to a regular mattress, so why not take the same route when trying to make a futon bed as comfortable as possible? Check out traditional egg carton-style foam mattress toppers, or see our FAQs About Memory Foam Toppers to consider whether they might be your best choice. Slip your mattress topper inside the futon cover, or layer it on top of the mattress, and cover both the futon mattress and the topper with a fitted sheet to hold everything together.

Sometimes the best way to make a futon comfortable is not to add something on top of the mattress, but to support it from underneath. Sofa sleepers of all kinds, including futon beds, often could use a little extra support. So once you’ve properly assembled your futon, consider adding wooden bed slats to provide firmness and prevent any sagging in the middle of the mattress or around the edges.

A comfortable futon mattress can make all the difference when you want a good night’s sleep. Futon mattresses come in different thicknesses, with thicker mattresses obviously being more comfortable. However, take a look at the material making up the mattress as well. Foam mattresses hold their shape over time better than cotton ones do. If your mattress has to fold up when you turn your futon bed back into a sofa, make sure that your new mattress fits your sofa in its folded form. To narrow your search, read How to Choose a Futon Mattress.

Bring the best of multiple cultures together when you combine your Japanese futon with the European tradition of a featherbed. A featherbed is like a down comforter that you sleep on top of rather than pulling it over you at night. Usually a featherbed is divided into sections to keep the down from migrating to one side of the bed or the other. To add a blissful layer of softness and warmth between you and your futon mattress, read How to Set Up a Featherbed.

Another way to add comfort to your futon sofa is to be literal about it, and turn to a comforter. Whether you prefer the airy lightness of down or opt for a down alternative to avoid any possible allergies for your overnight guests, layering comforters on top of your futon’s mattress can give you that extra layer of cushioning that makes all the difference. An extra benefit of this method is that, if two people are sharing the futon bed, you can customize the extra padding to the preference of each of your guests. For their maximum comfort, read How to Fluff Comforters.

Futon beds are often only a foot or less off the ground, and some people find it difficult to sit down that low. To help out your guests who need a more comfortable futon experience, consider placing an air mattress on top of your opened-up futon. This combination can provide a double dose of comfort and support as well as adding that extra bit of height. Look for an air mattress that fits your futon perfectly, and opt for a model that inflates and deflates automatically to make your guest room chores as easy as possible. To get the most out of your air mattress, read How to Make Your Air Mattress More Comfortable.