Choose a Mattress

• The futon mattress is, in addition to the frame, the more important component of this piece of furniture. Choose a mattress comfortable enough for sitting, durable enough for sleeping and flexible enough for regular conversion from couch to bed. Use the same criteria in choosing futon mattress as you would a traditional mattress. Depending on your personal preference, choose from a range of soft to firm mattresses. The filling material will dictate the level of firmness, with futon mattresses offering cotton, wool, foam, latex, foam and even innerspring fills. The more the futon is used for sleeping, the higher the filling quality should be.
  
  

Find a Frame

• There are a vast variety of frames available, all offering different styles and functions. The main frame types are the bi-fold and tri-fold. The industry standard for most futons is the bi-fold frame, which only requires the mattress to fold once. Meanwhile, the tri-fold frame requires the mattress to be folded twice. Moreover, the tri-fold uses a shorter width of the futon for seating purposes. The bi-fold frame uses the length of the futon, which actually makes the futon look more like a traditional sofa sleeper. If you plan to use the futon as a couch/bed, converting it often, then the bi-fold is probably the best choice.
  
  The material of the frame is a factor as well, with wood such as cherry, oak, pine or maple being optimal choices. Wood not only looks nice, but is durable and heavy enough to withstand frequent wear and tear. It can also be painted or stained to match the cover of the futon; however, it is fairly expensive. Metal is another common option for frame material, but it is less durable and doesn't look quite as sophisticated as its wood counterpart. However, metal is much less expensive than wood.
  
  

Don't Forget Accessories

• Similar to traditional beds, futons also come with a vast array of accessories to incorporate your personal style. In addition to bedding options, futons also have mattress covers to ensure your futon still looks great when it is functioning as a couch. Mattress covers can be found in different colors and patterns, meaning you can change them often, which is a huge benefit of using a futon as a couch-like furnishing. You can also dress up your futon with stylish comforter sets and lots of extra throw pillows for comfort and sophistication.