A futon combines a wooden or metal frame with a thin, foldable mattress, designed so the whole piece converts between an upright sofa position and a flat bed position. The design originates from a traditional Japanese sleeping mat, though the Western futon frame and cover style is quite different from the original.
Compared with a spring or foam based sofa bed, a futon's mattress is usually simpler and thinner, which makes the frame lighter and often less expensive, but the sleeping surface is generally firmer and less cushioned. Futons suit occasional guest use or compact living spaces where a single piece needs to do both jobs. Our sofa bed guide compares futons with other convertible options.
