The Test

I picked 5 top brand inflatable mattresses for under $300, then slept on each for a couple of nights, picking the overall best value and returning the rest. Since I didn’t have my garage handy when I am traveling, it needed to have a portable air pump included. Also, since traveling means trucking around all our stuff along with my family, I also wanted it to be relatively portable and not take up too much of our valuable trunk space. I graded each inflatable mattress with 10 points for comfort, 5 for portability convenience, and 5 points for ease of set-up and tear-down.

Here is a summary of my findings:

• Aerobed Full Size Classic Plus $149.99
  • Points: Comfort: 8, Portability:3, Ease:3, Overall:14/20
• Coleman Queen Size Double High Quickbed (with pump) $84.99
  • Points: Comfort: 3, Portability:4, Ease:4, Overall:11/20
• Wenzel Flocked-Top Insta-bed Airbed $64.89
  • Points: Comfort: 5, Portability:4, Ease:2, Overall:11/20
• Simmons Beautyrest Sky Rise Express Air Bed with Pump, $109.49
  • Points: Comfort: 8, Portability:4, Ease:4, Overall:16/20
• Home Trends Raised Air Mattress With Built-In Pump $59.82
  • Points: Comfort: 10, Portability:3, Ease:4, Overall:18/20
• AeroBed Premier Raised Queen $275.99
  • Points: Comfort: 10, Portability:2, Ease:5, Overall:18/20

Details:

Aerobed Full Size Classic Plus $149.99

Points: Comfort: 8, Portability:3, Ease:4, Overall:15/20

So I was a little nervous about sleeping on these beds and possibly sacrificing some quality sleep over the course of the experiment. But I was on a mission to avoid my parents hide-a-bed this year. To my surprise, this air mattress had a lot of promise. It inflated quickly in a matter of a minute (and consequently was even faster during deflation) with absolutely no hassles. The firmness could be controlled via the remote which made it easy to find the right support level. There was no air leakage in the morning and I felt pretty good. Getting out of it was a pain however as it only sits a few inches off the floor. Since I can hardly move in the mornings, having to get up from a low position like that provides a challenge, one in which I felt I was paying to avoid.

Being the first one I had tried, I was optimistic that I would find a good one. I thought that the price was reasonable for what I was getting, I just wished it sat a bit higher off the floor. It also didn’t store very well which encouraged a slightly lower score on portability.

Coleman Queen Size Double High Quickbed (with pump) $84.99

Comfort: 3, Portability:4, Ease:4, Overall:11/20

This is a very compact inflatable mattress and would have been very easy to transport around. Unfortunately, it quickly became apparent on my first night that my sleep was going to be sub-par.  You can buy it with or without the pump, I bought it with the pump (for an extra $15 of course) which took under five minutes to inflate. The little bag attached is pretty easy to fit the mattress back into and it deflated pretty painlessly. I just couldn’t get comfortable on it as there seemed to be support in all the wrong places. Everything was great with it, except the main thing… comfort!

Wenzel Flocked-Top Insta-bed Airbed $64.89

Comfort: 5, Portability:3, Ease:3, Overall:11/20

The air pump that it comes with is battery operated which is nice so you don’t need to find a plug in. It inflated really fast (2 minutes or so), and also had a reverse switch to deflate it.  I wondered what would happen if you forgot to pack extra D sized batteries though, and although it says it can fill and deflate up to 20 times on one set, an optional AC adapter would be nice.

The sleep itself was better than my previous night on the Coleman, but it certainly wasn’t premium. I woke up with a sore back and grumpy. The other thing is that it didn’t come with a storage bag. So I would have to get a seperate duffel bag to carry it around. That annoyed me. I would rather sleep on my parents broken hide-a-bed than this.

Simmons Beautyrest Sky Rise Express Air Bed with Pump, $109.49

Points: Comfort: 8, Portability:4, Ease:4, Overall:16/20

It’s Simmons right, so it must be a pretty decent bed, right? Well, it wasn’t bad. For the price tag, I thought it was really a good value. My sleep was similar to the Aerobed that I tried the first night and it was pretty easy to use. It comes with a duffel bag and repair kit which is a benefit since my kids will likely come and come on the bed when I’m not looking. Really easy to adjust the firmness level for finding the right support and all in all, it was the best mattress I had tried yet. Since I didn’t want to spend too much on a mattress if I could avoid it, it was certainly top of my list at this point.

Home Trends Raised Air Mattress With Built-In Pump $59.82

Points: Comfort: 10, Portability:4, Ease:4, Overall:18/20

When I was at Wal-Mart picking up the Simmons inflatable mattress, I happened to come across this Home Trends mattress which was super cheap. I pulled out my iPhone when I was there to see what I could find for reviews on it and low and behold, there were some very positive reviews for it. So I picked it up out of convenience and to my great surprise, this is one hell of a mattress. Comfort was comparable to my permanent latex mattress and everything from the pump to the height was spot on with what I was looking for. Ease of operation was fine once you figure out how the dial works and the portability was easy for folding up and came with a little carrying bag.

For the price, this was taking the cake hands down. I was pretty confident that this would be the one, and in the end, it won out.

AeroBed Premier Raised Queen $275.99

Points: Comfort: 10, Portability:3, Ease:5, Overall:18/20

So I had really liked the first bed I had tried, the AeroBed Classic Plus, and I thought I would give the brand another chance to see how good they actually could get. After all, I did want to find the best inflatable mattress and I really thought that this one looked promising. All I can say is wow. This bed certainly is comfortable. Similar to the Classic Plus, it had the firmness adjustment device which was easy to calibrate to support requirements. But, why does it have to be so cumbersome to set up and transport? If I was using it as a guest bed, I would probably have gone for this model. It was really easy to use and superior in comfort. The other factor was the price. For one quarter of the price, I could keep the Wal-Mart special which was also comfortable and convenient for travel.My wife really liked this AeroBed model and we debated whether the extra price was worth it.

Conclusion

In the end however, comfort, portability and price were the winners for the Home Sense inflatable mattress. We’ll see how it goes over the holiday’s. My only concern is whether the Home Sense inflatable mattress will be as durable. Mind you, I doubt I will go through four of them which would justify paying the premium for the Aerobed Premier.

I hope this helps you pick the right inflatable mattress for you!

Guest Beds with a Spare Bedroom

If you have a spare bedroom, there are some very clever designs for guest beds to accommodate multiple person sleeping situations. Chances are you want some extra floor space in the spare room for times when you do not have guests over, so ideally you could have a single bed, however this is often not enough sleeping spaces. That is where a bed like the Kozee Sleep Supremo comes in. It has an extra single mattress that stores under the bed and can be brought up to make a double bed bed. This is a great option if you have a couple that wants to sleep together. It is also convertible to two single beds for convenience.

There are also many similar styles of beds that have an additional single bed that either rolls or slides out from under the other bed, called a “trundle bed” and sometimes “day bed”. However, many of them do not have a way to lift the lower mattress up higher. This is problematic if you want a couple to be able to share a bed. The other problem is that it is not great for elderly guests as getting up and down from a low bed might cause issues.

Guest Beds Without a Spare Room

There are a number of other available beds that can be set up directly in any room and folded up for storage after. There are metal frame “cots” which will fold up easily and can be stored in a closet or area in your basement. These are convenient because your guests remain elevated from the floor. Spring count can be pretty minimal since they need to be able to fold. The mattress area which is folded has a reduced spring count which unfortunately is the area which should have the most support for maximum comfort. Some higher quality models have an actual “crease” where two separate mattresses are joined together. This provide better comfort and is the ideal style.

A trifold style is designed to be laid out on the floor as well. These are generally more convenient to store and are a bit more supportive, since the creases are in two areas where little support is required. Again, one of the problems is the on floor design which is a problem for older guests.

There are also stowaway and fold out beds from chests. Essentially, a futon frame is folded up within the contents which can be unfolded when required. If you have some space in your living room or rumpus room, then this is a great alternative as you essentially end up with a full on futon bed when folded out.

Good Luck!

Folding beds come in a variety of forms. There are metal frame models which will fold up on the easily and require a closet or area in your basement to store. These are nice because they keep your guests elevated from the floor. The main problem with these types of beds is the spring count possible. The folded area when in storage mode requires the springs to be more sparse near the middle of the bed so it is easier to fold. Unfortunately, this is the area of the mattress which should have the most support for maximum comfort. Better models will have an actual crease where two distinct mattresses are sewn together. This provide better comfort and is the ideal style.

Another type of folding bed is the trifold design which typically is designed to be laid out on the floor. These are easier to store and are generally more supportive then the metal frame fold up beds. However, the downfall is that it needs to be on the floor. This is generally not to much of a problem unless the guests are elderly and have a hard time getting down to it.

The notable style is the wall or cabinet fold up beds. These look like a chest, dresser, or cabinet and have a futon frame folded up within it’s contents. These are sometimes called bed chests, bed in a box, stowaway beds or bed cabinets. Probably the most comfortable of all the options but requires that you have space for a cabinet.

Regardless of your spacial constraints, there are many different types of beds that can add additional sleeping space capacity to your home. Check out places online to find the design that would be suit your needs.

Good Luck!

There are a few different designs that should be noted:

The classic duel twin and the twin over full size is the cheapest models available and will not help much in maintaining some degree of organization aside from promoting a bit more floor space for playing. This design is of course the the classic one bed on top of the other with a ladder on the side. This model is only recommended if you cannot afford a better design. If two kids are in a single room, it will be difficult to find adequate space for toy boxes, dressers and desks to keep the toys/activities at bay.

Nowadays, there are a several childrens bunk beds that have drawers built into them. Every nook and cranny of the bunk bed is filled with necessary drawers and spots to organize, be it toys or clothes. This model attached has drawers designed into the stairs to the upper bunk, in addition to under the lower bunk. There are many beautiful woods and colors that the beds are available in and are great for adding some storage to the room.

Desk attached bunk beds for kids are also available, and are useful for a lots of different activities like  lego,  drawing, coloring, homework and others. New generation children are quite computer savvy and a cheap computer can be great for reducing noise in the rest of the home. The shown bed has the attached desk and as a bunk bed with a full size bottom bunk.

Another style of bed is the hidden lower bunk with a computer desk built into it. If you have only one child using the room, but have frequent visits from cousins and/or friends for sleep overs, this is a great asset for adding more sleeping places. There are many drawers, cupboards and spots for storage which will maximize the bedroom floor space for play areas. It is fundamentally a full dresser and desk built into the bunk which similar to a captain’s bed. The lower bunk pulls out and is easy to tuck away when not in use. This makes it really easy for having kids for sleep overs. For a teenager and adolescents, this is a great design to give them their own functional space for alone time.

Bunk beds is a great way to add bedroom space and open up many available activities for your children or teenager. A bed the last example is a great kids bed and transforms well into an adolescents captain bed. Which ever childrens bunk bed you buy, ensure it is easy to dismantle and set up, but remains structurally sound. Children are well suited to find the Achilles Heel of everything they own and a well built bed will eliminate many headaches for the parents.

Good luck!

Let’s look at the best prices for cheap bunk beds on the internet. To buy a new bunk bed, the cheapest you are going to find is around $200 with most costing $500 or more. Ikea has a cheap bunk bed called the Mydal which costs $159 for the bed frame only. The Sultan Snarka is an accompanying mattress for this bed, each mattress costing around $35. This would mean a total cost of $230 for a complete set.

Most cheap bunk beds are going to be closer to $500. These will be better quality and probably last longer, and if you can really afford it, it might be worth it. However, if you can’t the Ikea Mydal will last you for a while. If you have some handy skills, cheap Ikea furniture can last with some minor repairs, but these pieces of furniture should be inspected on occasion to ensure that no problems will be caused due to parts becoming loose.

Another good option is to find a quality used one. There are many second hand stores like the Salvation Army which often have furniture. If you have time but not so much money, finding a quality bed in these stores is often possible. Expect to replace the mattress however as these are often worn out being repair. The Ikea mattresses (which are relatively low quality and rather uncomfortable) can provide a place to sleep in a pinch, however if you can afford a bit more, get a better mattress. If you do buy a low quality mattress, you will be able to upgrade with an additional foam or mattress cover which can add a significant amount of comfort at a later date.

There are also sites like Kijiji which is making it much easier to find quality used furniture for reasonable prices. Often times you can get excellent prices simply because the previous owner no longer has room, needs to move, or the children have outgrown the old bed. You’ll even find free stuff being given away if you can pick it up fast. The mattresses may even be salvageable, but expect to at least need new mattresses. If you are on a tight budget, find a bunk bed which may be more then you are willing to spend in the advertisements. Take a look at the bed in person and offer them a little less then you have to spend. Research how to dicker and you will be surprised how good of a deal you can get if you ask for it.

Found on Kijiji for $50.

God knows it is tough to make ends meet and provide everything your children needs as they grow. Almost everywhere you look online will expect that you have loads of disposable cash or are ready to go into debt. I’ve had to go through periods when I was scraping enough together to buy a kid’s bed. If you are on a tight budget, your best bet is to buy it used. The Ikea furniture, although some higher quality are good, their cheap products do not last long. There are lots typically available on buy and sell websites like Kijiji, sometimes even for free. Expect to pay $50 for a good used bed, plus the cost of mattresses.

Good luck and God speed!

Let’s look at a couple of the different designs:

The first of the bunk beds is the classic duel twin and the twin over full size. These are the cheapest models available and do not help much in the maintaining some degree of organization within the bedroom. It is the classic one bed on top of the other with a ladder on the side. I would only recommend this bed if you cannot afford a newer design. With two kids in a room, you will have a difficult time fitting in adequate toy boxes, dressers and desks to keep the toys at bay.

There are a number of bunk beds for kids that have drawers built into the designs. Every aspect of the bunk bed is filled with useful drawers and spaces to put things, be it toys or clothes. The model shown here has drawers built into the stairs up to the upper bunk as well as under the lower bunk. This are great for adding some storage to the room.

There are also many desk attached bunk beds for kids, which is useful for a myriad of activities like playing with lego, coloring, drawing, homework and many others. The new generation is also quite computer literate and having a cheap computer can be beneficial in reducing noise in the rest of the house. This bed has an attached desk as well as a bunk bed with a full size bottom bunk.

The last bed I would like to show is a hidden lower bunk with a computer desk built into it. If you have only one child but have frequent cousins or friends that sleep over, this is a great bed for adding additional sleeping places in your home. There is a ton of drawers and spaces for storage which will allow a lot of additional space within the bedroom for play areas. It is essentially a full dresser and desk built into the bunk which could almost be classified as a captain’s bed. The pull out lower bunk is easy to tuck away when not in use and very convenient for having kids over for sleep overs. It is also a great bed for a teenager as adolescents often like to have their own functional space for alone time.

A bunk bed is a great way to maximize bedroom space and can open up many opportunities for your children or teenager. A bed like that last one is a great kids bed that is easy to transfer as the child becomes an adolescent. Whatever the bunk bed you buy, make sure you get one that is easy to dismantle and set up, but is still structurally sound. Children have a way with finding weaknesses in everything and a well built bed will eliminate many headaches.

Happy hunting!

First of all, what the primary use of your futon?

1. Is it a futon sofa bed for your living room, or;
2. Is it a permanent futon bed in a bedroom.

This makes a big difference on what type of futon frame and mattress you will want to select.

Futon Frames

Futon Bed Frames

If it is a permanent bed, you can select almost any kind of regular bed frame you like. There is only the requirement of allowing the futon to breath. This means that the frame will need the ability to have wooden slat’s under the futon to provide support and allow breathing. You should not have the futon on a solid flat surface like a floor for long periods of time. Aside from that, any bed frame can be used.

Of course, there are specifically designed futon frames that can be used, but you should not feel limited to those.

Convertible Futon Frames

This is one of the dominant benefits of futons in that they are quite easily convertible between a sofa and a “hide-a-bed”. In bedrooms these can be used to provide additional space as well and are not limited to living rooms. In fact, spare bedrooms are a great candidate for these types of frames as well to allow for the room to be used as a sitting room when it is not being used by guests.

There are 2 groups of convertible frames:

1. Bi-Folds

Bi-Fold

These are fold in the middle designs and are typically easier to convert between the bed and the sofa configuration. These can look like regular sofa’s and come in a wide variety of designs for converting between the sofa configuration and bed configuration. Wood frames and metal frames are available however, wood frames tend to be a bit pricier. Most frames require you to move it away from the wall prior to folding it down, however, there are models called “wall huggers” which can fold down directly from the sitting position without sliding it out.

There are a few different conversion mechanisms.

1. Ratchet – This is controlled from the front of the futon which lets you push against a spring to fold between sitting, reclining and sleeping easily
2. Kicker – This is essentially a small wedge at the back of the futon from which lets you slide the sofa into a bed position with relative ease. A bit more work then the ratchet design.
3. Sliding Pivot – This is primarily used in the “wall hugger” designs which allow the sofa to sit directly against the wall and does not require moving the frame away from the wall during conversion. If you are planning to convert often, this mechanism would be worth the premium.

2. Tri-Folds

Tri-folds are one of the original designs. These require the frame to be folded twice in two places rather than one like the bi-folds. Many of these frames sit directly on the floor and can be really cheap if you are looking for a inexpensive solution. These designs allow for the beds to be larger since the futon is often folded onto itself. So the width of the couch can be the width of the bed rather then the length. There are similar mechanisms as listed above. However, the designs which sit directly on the floor often require the futon to be completely removed. These are not recommended if you plan to convert between a bed and sofa frequently.

Futon Mattresses

There are many different kinds of futon mattresses with varying factors. The cheapest mattresses is likely the lowest quality, however the opposite is not necessarily true. A good Cotton/Foam futon mattress can be relatively inexpensive and rival the most expensive models available.

There are essentially 5 types of futon mattresses:

1. 100 % Cotton Futon Mattress – This was the original design. Although extremely flexible it will certainly begin to sag in a short period of time and compresses the cotton making the be much more firm as time goes on. High levels of maintenance is required to keep it in good shape for regular sleeping. These are often a bit cheaper. It is only recommended to use this if it is not to be a frequently used bed. They are also very heavy and hard to move.
2. 

   Cotton/Foam Build-Up

   Cotton/Foam Futon Mattress - This is a better alternative than the 100% cotton mattress since it will resist sagging because of the foam. This is probably the most common futon mattress. It is quite economical but still adds additional life span and continued support with lower maintenance. There are several different combination’s and construction methods depending on foam location, density, type of foam (ex. Latex).

3. Cotton/Wool Futon Mattress – Wool is quite soft and allows for a softer mattress without the compaction over time and sag issue like the 100% cotton mattresses. It also has antimicrobial properties to avoid mold and moisture wicking characteristics which allow you to have a better sleep. This is a bit more expensive but might be worth it if you are sleeping on it regularly.
4. Cotton/Polyester Blend Futon Mattress – Like the 100% cotton, it has a greater tendency of sagging over time. However, it is considerable lighter and will last longer than a pure cotton futon.
5. 

   Inner Spring

   Innerspring Futon Mattress - There has been quite a bit of advancement in inner-coil technology into futons in recent years. Many of the big mattresses producers like Simmons, Sealy, and Serta are all making different versions of these trying to combine the best of both worlds of futons and spring mattresses. As a general rule, you will not be able to use the tri-fold design with any of these mattresses as they do not fold as well. They are quite a bit more expensive, but probably the most comfortable of all the futons.

Futon Covers

There are lots of different materials available for futon covers. Typical ones are cotton, corduroy, stain resistant, faux suede (usually made from polyester). You will want to ensure that whatever you buy is machine washable and has a strong stitch. Ripping of the covers can be quite common during moving of the futons since the cover is often what is used for leverage.

There are thousands of places to buy futon covers on the internet making it easy to match the decor of any room.

Additional Details

No matter what kind of futon you get, there will be some maintenance that you will need to do.

1. If it is a regular mattress that you sleep on nightly, the futon mattress should be flipped monthly to reduce the likelihood of sagging and compaction.
2. Periodically (once every year) hanging it somewhere and beating it like a rug will enliven the comfort and maintain freshness.
3. Try to allow the mattress to get as much open air as possible. This means taking the covers off completely for an afternoon to let any moisture dissipate. Each morning, leaving the covers off your sleeping spot will also help.
4. Use a futon cover to protect the mattress.
5. Protect the bed from moisture. If it does get wet, allow lots of air circulation with a fan to let it dry out.

Futon mattresses have a typical lifespan of about ten years if cared for properly. This is similar to coil mattresses. Most quality manufacturers will offer a warranty, however, it is a fight to claim the warranty just like the coil bed market. However, try to find a mattress with at least a year warranty which will protect you from primary defects. The mattress warranty is almost impossible to claim, but the frame should not have any problems.

Recommended Futon Bed and Mattresses

If you are feeling a bit over-whelmed, check out the following suggestions to help you with your search.

Recommended Sofa Bed assemblies:

The first one is a modern Bi-Fold that has a convenient storage space under the frame. This is perfect for blankets and pillows for making it up in a hurry. This is a perfect Futon sofa bed for a condo or as a space saver. It is for a pretty good price as well, listed for approximately $500.

Storage Sofa Bed

This is a simple futon set with Serta Mattress. It’s cheap (~$400), good quality and should last for a long while.

Serta Bi-Fold Cotton/Foam

Recommended Futon Mattresses:

This is a quality 8″ Loft Cotton/Foam Futon Mattress for ~$175. It has a double foam interior to reduce the time related sag.

Cotton Foam Mattress

This one is a Loft Pocketed 9″ coiled futon. Independent springs allow for the “do not disturb you partner” technology found in modern spring mattresses. This one retails for approximately $300.

9" Loft Coil Futon Mattress

Another exceptional design is this premium inner spring mattress.

Evolution Spring 2

Good luck and Happy Hunting!

Futon sofa beds provide excellent back support but also are extremely comfortable when folded up as a sofa. There are several different types of futon sofa beds available on the market today which can be divided primarily into 2 categories:

• Bi-folds, and

• Tri-folds

Bi-Fold Frame

The bi-fold design only requires the futon to be folded into two sections when converting it to the sofa. The frame usually has a similar single fold line. These are often the easiest to maneuver when converting between the sofa and bed configurations. In addition to this, many of the mechanical versions (spring assisted folding) use this frame type, as well as the “wall huggers”.

Tri-Fold Frame

Tri-folds on the other hand require the futon to be folded into three sections but often allow for an alternative lounge style seating in one of it’s arrangements. Although the tri-fold often requires more work to convert to the sofa or into the full bed configurations, having the ability to have a lounge configuration is sometimes beneficial.

With either the bi-fold or the tri-fold, there are a few other considerations when selecting the right type of futon sofa bed for your room. First, if you are going to be converting it between the sofa and the bed configurations often, you might want to find a frame that converts easily. Some frame models come with a spring assembly to assist in the converting process for example.

Mechanically assisted frame

With most futon sofa bed frame models, you will be required to pull the frame away from the wall prior to switching to the bed configuration. However, if you are planing on doing this often, you might want to consider a “wall hugger” frame which allows you to keep the sofa against the wall and will switch to the bed configuration without needing to pull it out. This can be extremely convenient, especially if you do not have someone around to help.

Futon mattresses themselves can weight 50-100 pounds and be very awkward to maneuver by yourself. Many of the models require you to reposition the futon after switching configurations. Try to find one with easy operation should you not have frequent help.

The last thing that should be mentioned is the mattresses themselves. If this is going to be a primary sleeping place for someone, an 8″ mattress is likely a better choice as they are a bit more comfortable. However, for futon sofa bed that is primarily used for a sofa, a 6″ thickness is plenty. However, they can also be found in a 4″ thickness.

If you have ever slept on a fold out bed, you will know that they are not usually comfortable. Futon mattresses are comfortable and will provide your guests with much more comfort than a standard fold out sofa bed. When comparing the two side by side, the futon sofa bed wins hands down in comfort and price. Just make sure you find one you like.

Good luck.

#1: Are you going to have the bottom bunk convertible into a futon couch?

#2: What sizes will the top and bottom bunk be?

Futon bunk beds are a great choice for kids and teens alike. The nice thing about the futon is that it provides great support for growing people and they are relatively cheap. The convertibility factor of them is pretty handy as well since kids turn into teens and for some reason they just don’t like the same things anymore.

If you look at a model like the one below, it has the ability to transform the lower bunk into a full size futon chair. So, as the kids turn into teens, they will love the ability to turn that over. Video games (should you have it in their room) are also better to play with some back support, or reading a book, doing homework, listening to music, self loathing, whatever it is that teenagers like to do, it gives them the opportunity to do it without having to buy a new bed.

Futon Bunk Bed

The other thing, is that kids typically don’t get the master bedroom. So, to save on space, futon bunk beds are a great addition to their room. It gives them the flexibility to modify the room for “individuality” purposes as well as be functional as well.

Your teen might not like the lion stuffed animal on the bed, or perhaps not even the camouflage. Fortunately, futon covers are also available to modify and customize the futon for pretty cheap.

This bed is great because it allows the bunk bed to grow up with the kids. I call this, a win-win situation because my teen is expensive enough. He eats more than the rest of the family combined and his need to be an individual costs a fortune.

Although my son does not have a futon bunk bed himself, it would have saved me earlier on. I ended up buying a futon couch for his room instead which is working really well.

I highly recommend futons for teenagers in specific. If you can get one when kids are younger, I would strongly encourage that. It’s really been a good choice for us.

Good luck.

Futon chairs in particular make great lounger’s which is great for reading a book, taking a nap, or putting on one of your favorite movies. With multiple configurations it is extremely functional in addition to looking great. The appearance can be diverse from antique to modern looking and since most have optional futon covers you can purchase, the futon chair can be made to suit any room.

There are advantages over the futon couch for its ease of conversion. The futon couch is often much heavier as the mattress is much larger in size.This can be frustrating when converting between the two which often leaves the frame never being fully used! If you have some help, futon furniture in general can be simple to transform.

They are also widely available in a number of different frame designs as well as some differences in the futons themselves. If you plan to convert the layout often, it may be in your best interest to get the mattress with the rigid bottom. It allows the mattress to be more firm making it easier to switch between each of the styles; (a difficult to modify mattress is a common complaint among futon users). A futon mattress can be floppy and help is often needed to move it between the convertible styles.

Baxton Studios Sophie Convertible

This design by Baxter Studios is a good example of how slick the these can be. Great for times when you need an extra bed, cuddling up with a good book or movie, or put it up to save some space during the day. The choice is yours.

Futon chairs also have the benefit of being easy to repair should they have rips, tears or problems with cats peeing, etc. Each component is usually available to purchase individually. So replacing a mattress after one is worn out or spoiled is a simple transition.

With many of the population moving to condo’s and apartments these days, futons offer a convenient way to utilize your space. They are comfortable, diverse, simple and trendy.

Check on websites like us-mattress.com for a great selection and find one that fits right with your home.

If you are a handy person, the frames for futons can also be made really simply to accommodate your particular living space. Look for construction plans online!

Good luck!