New futon furniture on the market today are simply getting better every year. There are several reasons that you might be interested in them, and this article is set to help you figure out the best futons furniture for your room.
Futon beds provide excellent back support but also are extremely comfortable when folded up as a sofa. There are several different types of futon furniture available on the market today. There 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 furniture 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 switches between the two easily. Some frame models come with a spring assembly to assist in the converting process for example.
Mechanically assisted frame
With most futon furniture 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 furniture that is primarily used for a sofa, a 6″ thickness is plenty. However, they can also be found in a 4″ thickness.