Buying Guide

We would like to make your experience shopping for furniture enjoyable, rewarding, and successful. We realize that purchasing furniture can be quite a daunting task without receiving the necessary help and information. In order to make your experience easier, we offer a furniture buying guide to give you the information you need on all of our products, from Bedrooms to Patio furniture, and everywhere in between. Search through our offerings and learn more about each category of furniture it pays to keep some basic facts in mind before you begin shopping for furniture.

Futon / Sofa Beds

Finding the right futon for your needs depends on several futon components; the frame, the mattress and fill materials, and the size. Read on about each to find that ideal futon:

Futon frames
There are two types of futon frames available on the market today: bi-fold and tri-fold. Bi-fold futon frames are the industry standard and the ones you're likely to find everywhere.

Bi-fold futon frames
Higher-end futon frames look much like sofa beds. They have arms and legs and, unlike lower-end futon frames, which sit directly on the floor, are much more comfortable. Some bi-fold futon frames use a simple one-point pivot at the connections of the seat and back rest, which requires a pin through the back of the arm to keep the futon in a sitting position. Most of the bi-fold futon frames you'll find now have a more sophisticated system of rollers that allows the futon frame to be converted from the sitting position to the sleeping position smoothly. This is known as a "slider" mechanism.

Wall-hugger futon frames:
A disadvantage to the traditional convertible bi-fold frame is the need to pull the entire frame away from the wall to make ample room for the back-rest to drop down into the sleeping position. Because of this, wall-hugger futon frames have been created that convert from sitting to sleeping without needing to be moved. Wall-huggers are very easy to use and, for small spaces, are ideal.

Tri-fold futon frames
Tri-folds were actually the first frames on the market. These futon frames fold three times, instead of two. Some have legs, and some sit directly on the floor (picture someone kneeling and sitting on their heels). The higher-end tri-folds have legs and unfold into a nice large sleeping area, as do those that sit on the floor.

Futon frame construction and material
Unlike a sofa bed, futon frames have an exposed exoskeleton, either metal or wood.

Wood futon frames: Wood futon frames are made from clear wood, which means they have no knots or bark, to keep the aesthetic value of a wood frame. Because of this, wood futon frames can be a little more expensive, especially finished woods.

Metal futon frames: Metal frames are durable and attractive, as well as being less expensive than wood frames. While you're online shopping for a metal futon frame, beware of cheap futons. Cheap futons and discount futons are different, especially in quality.

Futon frame tips:
Because futons can be converted from sitting to sleeping differently, choose the futon which converts easily and know the mechanisms:

Kicker: The "kicker" is a mechanism where a small piece of wood or plastic wedges itself between the seat rack and back so the futon frame can be converted from a sleeper to a sofa in one fluid motion. You pull or push the seat back to a 90-degree angle, then once the kicker locks, the back can lay flat.

Ratchet/click-clack: This mechanism is very European in design and converts easily from sitting, to reclining, to sleeping and back again from the front.

Sliding or moving pivot point: This mechanism is used largely on wall-hugger futons. The design allows the futon to convert from sofa to sleeper without moving the entire frame away from the wall.

Futon mattresses
When futons were first introduced, an all-cotton futon mattress was the only choice. Now, futon mattresses are softer, plusher and better in quality. Select your futon mattress based on the level of firmness, rigidity, flexibility and the weight of the filling materials.

100-percent cotton futon mattress: This is the traditional futon mattress. All-cotton futon mattresses are heavy, and the thicker the mattress, the more difficult it is to fold. This futon has great flexibility and medium rigidity, but can sag after prolonged use as a bi-fold sofa. The firmness starts out soft, but becomes firm after a few months of use due to compacting.

Cotton and foam futon mattress: These are the best selling futon mattresses which combine the comfort of foam and the firmness of cotton. Cotton/foam futons are lighter than 100-percent cotton, have excellent rigidity and they don't sag.

Cotton and polyester futon mattress: Polyester and cotton-poly blends are a light-weight choice for futons that keep loft better, are flexible and soft. With cotton-poly blends, the more polyester added, the more rigid the futon is.

Cotton and wool futon mattress: An all-wool futon is the closest you can come to "sleeping on a cloud." Wool is resilient and provides great support. It is light weight and has great rigidity, but not much flexibility. For the best of both worlds, try a cotton/wool futon with a wool top and bottom and cotton middle. Wool futons will be more expensive.

Innerspring futon mattress: This design is targeted to consumers who are comfortable with more "familiar" furniture. These offer a level of comfort that you can only get with an innerspring mattress construction. They are a bit heavier than most other futons and are a bit more expensive than other futon mattresses.

Futon mattress sizes
Futon mattresses are very similar in size to regular mattresses. When online shopping for a futon, take into consideration the mattress size and seating size. Make sure that, no matter which function your futon is currently in, the sitting and sleeping areas will be sized well for you.

Mattress sizes:
Twin/single: 39 inches x 75 inches
Full/double: 54 inches x 75 inches
Queen: 60 inches x 80 inches
King: 78 inches x 80 inches
California king: 72 inches x 84 inches
Seating sizes:
Chair: 28 inches x 54 inches
Full/double loveseat: 54 inches x 54 inches
Queen loveseat: 54 inches x 60 inches
Ottoman: 21 inches x 28 inches
Full/double ottoman: 21 inches x 54 inches
Queen ottoman: 21 inches x 60 inches

The measurements listed are the standard sizes for all mattresses as designated by the International Sleep Products Association.

Futon covers
Futon covers have many advantages over leaving your futon mattress as-is.

In homes with kids, furniture will get dirty. Having a futon slip cover over the mattress will make cleaning your futon a snap as well as hide any preexisting stains.

These removable covers also look fantastic. If you decide to change your home décor, all you'll need to do is change your futon cover to match.

For furniture protection, nothing beats a slip cover. Use a futon cover to protect your new futon from daily wear.
Futon slip covers come in many colors, fabrics and styles. Browse online and find the color, size and fabric that will work best in your home:
Micro suede is easy to clean; just wipe off the spill.
Chenille is soft, but more difficult to clean.
Tapestry is comfortable and durable and a heavy fabric.
Jacquard refers to the fabric weave. It is heavy, but not as heavy as tapestry.
Cotton and cotton blends are generally machine washable and, depending on the weave and blend, durable.

How do I care for my futon mattress?
Caring for your futon will extend its life, which is what you want from your furniture. Following a few common sense tips will keep your futon in great shape.
Use a futon cover.
Use a mattress pad or sheet protector if futon will be used mainly as a bed.
Flip your futon mattress once a month if used as a sofa and rotate it each time you change the sheets if used as a bed.
Hang your futon outside in the sun about every 6 months to keep it fresh.
Air out the futon mattress each morning if used as a bed to prevent moisture buildup.
Vacuum the mattress to remove dust.
Spot clean it when dirty and allow to dry outdoors.
Avoid leaving damp towels or clothes on your futon mattress since this will add moisture.
Investing just a small amount of time each week can really do wonders for the life of your futon.

What is the difference between a futon and a sofa bed?
Sofa beds look just like sofas on the outside, but hide a bed frame inside. They are heavy and expensive. Sofa beds either excel at being a sofa or a bed, but not usually both. With a futon, the bed frame is the sofa frame and is exposed. The same mattress you sleep on is the one you sit on, so you usually know right away if you'll be comfortable. Also, unlike a sofa bed, a futon only needs one person to convert it from sitting to sleeping; sofa beds require at least two people to even move it around the room. Sofa beds are nice if you want the look of a traditional sofa.

To gain acceptance in the retail market, some futon manufacturers have been calling their futons "futon sofa beds," and many even look more like sofas.