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Can you use a futon as a bed? Just the fact that futon beds are made to be easily folded could make people unsure about whether a futon can be used as your primary bed every night. You might have hated sleeping on a futon when you were a college student or when you stayed the night at your friend’s place, but that doesn’t mean every futon is a cheap lumpy mattress. Some out there are quite comfortable and can even help relieve back pain!
Can You Use a Futon as a Bed Every Night?
You surely can, but there’s a side note – it shouldn’t be old, too cheap, or incompatible with your needs.
Futon mattresses with simple construction and cheap filling typically have a shorter lifespan than better futons (and surely much shorter than the lifespan of a typical mattress). If they are cheap, they might only last for about two to three years before they become lumpy and completely uncomfortable.
There are ways that could make sleeping on a futon more comfortable, but there’s only so much you can do with an old futon mattress.
A futon can be incompatible with you if it’s very thin and firm, and you’re a side sleeper or a heavy person. It’s a bad idea to sleep on a futon for the following people:
- pregnant women,
- the elderly,
- anyone with hip and knee problems.
A quality futon mattress can serve you for up to a decade and can be used on a daily basis. Many people love sleeping on the floor and swear by the comfiness of their futons. Traditional Japanese floor futons are typically thinner than the Western ones, but they are made in such a way that allows them to be easily foldable and they also won’t get lumpy.
Sleeping on the floor can be great for your spinal alignment and posture. People who could benefit from sleeping on a futon every night are those with:
- back pain (especially sciatica),
- poor blood circulation,
- those who prefer minimalism and need more space at home.
Moving on to the futon that’s actually a sleeper sofa bed – it’s better for those who like sleeping raised from the floor, but whether or not it’s more comfortable depends on the quality and design. If you’re planning to sleep on it every night, search for futons that aren’t tufted, that is, that don’t have hard buttons pressed into the mattress – this makes for an uneven and uncomfortable sleeping surface.
Modern futons can be made of cotton, memory foam, and the wildest version is the innerspring futon. Some of them are too thick and sturdy to live up to their purpose, which is to be foldable and easily storable.
Finally, an important note for anyone who’s planning on sleeping on a futon mattress on the floor – you have to dry it out regularly. Throw it out in the sun, line-dry, or prop it up and let the air do the drying. Floor mattresses trap moisture and even the most expensive ones end up moist. To avoid mold, make sure your futon is dry.
Benefits of Using a Futon as a Bed
Here’s why you might want to get a futon:
- Saves space
- Low cost
- It’s easy to find sheets that fit
- Multifunctionality
Saves space
A regular bed might take up too much space in small apartments. Since people aren’t normally in bed during the day, it’s a lot of space occupied by a piece of furniture you’re not using. This is why more and more residents of small apartments find futons a great choice for their primary bed.
They can just fold it and keep it in a closet, or they might turn it into a sofa bed.
This also goes for people who need a guest bed only occasionally. Why would you want a bed that’s used once every couple of months occupying your space? If your guests don’t need a high-profile bed – for example, due to health issues such as limited mobility – a futon is a good choice.
Low cost
Futons are much cheaper than traditional mattresses. We’re talking about prices of about a couple hundred dollars for a sofa bed and even less for the mattress only.
This way you can save money – if you’re looking for a temporary solution, a futon is a much better choice than buying an entire cheap mattress.
It’s easy to find sheets that fit
Futon sizes are pretty much the same as regular mattress sizes, so you’ll easily find sheets (futon covers) that fit. Also, other bedding such as pillows and blankets is not hard to find.
Multifunctionality
Many people in compact homes love the idea that you can turn your bed into a sofa and use it as such. A futon is easier to move around than an actual bed and it allows for making easy changes in the living space.
Downsides to Using a Futon as a Bed
Reasons you might end up not actually wanting a futon:
- Less comfort
- Less support
- Takes time to get used to
- Shorter lifespan
Less comfort
A futon is not a regular bed. It’s not as soft, not as comfy, not as tall. It absorbs moisture, is closer to the floor, and, depending on futon type, quality, and design, you might also have these issues:
- uneven surface (tufted futon)
- lumpy or flattened futon
- back pain (due to issues in construction)
- shoulder and hip pain for side sleepers
Less support
As a rule, people who sleep on futons made in Japan say that those mattresses are very supportive, regardless of being thin. Those who’ve used Western-type futons tend to complain about their lack of support if used for a longer period of time. Sleeping on such a futon isn’t much of a problem if you spend a night or two, but after a few weeks, you really start feeling it in your back.
Takes time to get used to
A thin futon mattress is typically firmer than a 12″ foam mattress. As such, it’s not easy to switch to after spending your whole life on a really comfortable mattress.
The adjustment period can be painful and you might be waking up sore for a while. For some people, it isn’t worth trying. For others, this inconvenience was an introduction to really comfortable future sleep.
Shorter lifespan
Futon mattresses last for 2-5 years if low-quality, or 5-10 years if they are better quality and used less frequently. Either way, they last less than a typical mattress and require much more maintenance – airing/drying regularly, flipping and rotating, and even batting. Being thin and so frequently folded causes unevenness and you need to work for it to maintain its comfort.
FAQs
They are tolerable at the very least. If the futon you’re offering them is of good quality, it can even be a better choice than a regular guest bed. Those who tend to have guests who stay over for weeks might invest in an actual bed frame and a good mattress, because it can be hard for your guests to spend so much time on a type of bed your body isn’t used to.
The traditional Japanese futons are. That’s especially visible in people who spent their whole lives on futons. Those of us who haven’t would have to go through a bit of a painful period of adjustment which doesn’t mean it hurts our back, but rather that we need to get used to it.
Brand-new futons should be flipped weekly, and after about six months, you can start flipping it monthly. This is important because it allows different parts of the futon to get worn out equally and it prevents flattening the areas of the highest pressure.
Conclusion
The two main types of futons you should have in mind are Japanese and Western futons. The Japanese ones are specifically made for sleeping and they last longer. Western futon mattresses are typically thicker and harder to fold, but they also tend to lump up more easily, especially if filled with polyester. Also, Western futons are typically on a frame and are made to be a sofa that can turn into a bed, so their main purpose isn’t for sleeping but rather for lounging.
Futons have their benefits as well as drawbacks. They are good for people who need to save space and money, and who don’t mind the firmness of futons. However, they don’t last as long as a common mattress and they don’t offer the same comfort; furthermore, Western futons often can’t match the support level our backs need. You need to weigh in all the pluses and minuses before you finally decide whether or not to get a futon mattress, regardless if you’re choosing one for yourself or your guests.
Next step: Read our Airweave futon review. Japanese futons are designed to be placed directly on the floor. Out of all the brands we tried, Airweave is by far the most comfortable. If you’re looking for a new futon and aren’t sure which one to go with, we highly recommend Airweave.
With over 5 years experience writing about sleep and mattresses, she's considered one of the go-to experts on the topic.
She likes cycling, nature, art, and languages. She pays special attention to providing you with accurate and useful information when it comes to your sleep quality.
After solving her personal sleep and tiredness problems, she is on to help others by sharing this invaluable information.
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