Before buying a futon bed it is useful to know a few thing to make the right choice. A futon is a traditional Japanese bed, but for most of us it is really a cotton mattress. In Japan it is taken out at night placed on the floor and in the morning it is rolled to be stored in a closet for the day. In the US and other occidental countries it is sold with a wood or metal frame for support.

It is clear that for small spaces a futon is an ideal bed, if you want to use it "Japanese style" your room can serve double duty, even if used with a frame it can serve as a sofa during the day and a bed at night, but a futon can also be a mattress that remains as a bed during the day, as in any traditional bed.

As we already mentioned traditional futons are all cotton, but today's materials are also available and you can buy foam futons, and high density foam futons.

For a small space or for easy portability an all cotton futon is recommended. Several thicknesses are available, a fairly thin one is about four to five inches and can be rolled and taken anywhere. It is ideal for an occasional bed or for a camping trip. The next thickness will reach six to seven inches and is very well suited to be used as a regular bed and as a sofa seat. The advantage of this futon is that you can fold it or roll it as many times as you want without ever damaging it or causing an uncomfortable crease in it. If you only have a small apartment and your space is limited this is the way to go.

A rolled futon takes little space

Space saved is not the only advantage of a cotton futon, it is ecologic in that it is composed of natural fibers, although most have been treated against bugs and bacteria. You can also buy totally organic materials that have not been treated. Organic bedding whether the mattress or the linens are considered to be healthier, and is highly recommended for people who suffer from allergies.

Can someone with back problems sleep on a futon? This is a commonly asked question. Many health professionals recommend futons for people with back aches, however depending on your condition this is a decision that should be made in accordance with your treating physician or physical therapist. For mild non medical back ache conditions it is best to sleep on a firm mattress.

Futon sofa on a frame that folds down for the night

Is the frame important to a futon? In Japan where people sleep on a futon laid out on the floor, floors are made of rice straw called "tatami". A tatami is resilient and not a hard floor as we have. Unless you use your futon only for occasional sleeping it is recommended that you do not place it on the floor. Frames add style to your room as well as providing a seating or sleeping area. Metal, wood or plastic, colorful, dramatic, or muted styles are as varied as there are people, and you will have no difficulty in finding the perfect futon sleeper sofa for you.

You will not only have a wide selection of styles, you will also find that prices vary greatly with quality. Today's futon are affordable and many online sellers will ship them directly to you.