It can be a couch, it can be a bed or a chair or a comfortable floor pad – there is, perhaps, no more versatile piece of furniture than the futon. However, you definitely want to make sure that you get the right piece for your home so you can use your futon to its best advantage! Here are a few things to consider.
It's easy to think of futons as a staple of a college student's dorm room, but futons can be incredibly useful in every home.
Futons, as opposed to mattresses or regular couch cushions, are known to hold their shape better over the long term, making them excellent choices for regularly used sitting rooms or even bedrooms.
Note that many futons will come in split sizes, meaning that the length of the futon will encompass a chair and an ottoman piece for reclining.
How to select a futon cover?
Here are the best fabrics for futon covers:
- Cotton or cotton-polyester blend: This is the most common futon cover fabric and it's available in a wide array of patterns. If you're planning on using the futon often, go for a heavier cotton or cotton-polyester blend.
- Wool: For a more soft, nubby texture, choose wool – but know that it may be more expensive. Wool gives your futon a luxurious feel.
- Linen: If you're all-in on a natural look, choose linen for its durability and gorgeous, tactile texture. Careful with food and beverages though. Linen is relatively difficult to clean.
- If the futon's going to spend most of its time outdoors, consider a water-repellent cover material, or one made of outdoor fabric like duck canvas or denim. How to select a futon frame:
A futon may not be the most attractive seating option, but if selected right, it will definitely be one of the most comfortable sleeping choices.
Caroline is a young, New York-based interior designer and home decor writer, obsessed with textiles and designer furniture. Backed with rigorous training from a prestigious design school, as well as a profound understanding of material quality and fabric care, she offers spot-on advice on how to furnish your place with reliable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing pieces.