Are you confused about whether you can substitute a normal mattress for a futon one? While futon mattresses and normal mattresses are the same size, they don’t have the same function.
A futon mattress will come in all of the sizes that a normal mattress does. However, be careful as this doesn’t mean they are interchangeable. In this article, I’ll walk through key differences in a futon and normal mattresses. I’ll also go through the most common possible sizes for normal and futon mattresses.
In This Article We'll Discuss
What is a Futon?
Nowadays, most people associate the word futon with a bed that transforms into a sofa. These are the American style and are amongst the most popular in the world. However, they are not the only kind of futons.
Japanese style futons are low laying mats. You can place them on the floor to provide comfort and providing a barrier between a person and the floor.
Before deciding what size futon mattress you need, make sure you know which type of futon to buy.
Both of these futon types have different functions. The American style is better if you’re going to have guests, especially those that want to stay over. The quick change between sofa and bed means you can get two pieces of furniture in one. This saves space and can be incredibly handy.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a sleeping space, a Japanese style futon is the one for you. These are comfy and you can easily style them into unique spaces. Especially in modern homes, these add a great aesthetic quality.
What Size Mattress Should You Use for a Futon?
The size of the futon mattress that you’re going to need will change with the size base you have. If you have a larger base, you’ll need a larger mattress.
The best way to find out exactly what size mattress you’re going to need is to measure your base. This only has to be rough, as mattresses only come in a few select sizes. Often, the correct mattress size will also be on the label of the futon.
Open the label and check on the inside, sometimes you can find the information you need there.
The different sizes of mattress, both normal and futon, are named and sized as follows:
Twin – 39” x 75”
Twin XL – 39” x 79”
Full – 54” x 75”
Full XL – 54” x 79”
Queen – 60” x 80”
California King – 72” x 84”
Alternatively, if you are buying a Japanese style futon, you may want a different size. If you have more space in your home, I would advise going for a medium size. The Full is a good size that will not take up too much room.
However, if you don’t have much room in your home, I would suggest going for the Twin size. Although the smallest mattress size, when it comes to futons, this size is actually plenty of room. You don’t need as much space on a futon as a bed, so these measurements will be great.
Alongside that, a smaller futon won’t clutter up the floor space of your home. You can position them to create comfy corners of the room. Pair a futon mattress with throw pillows for extra comfort. Throw in some blankets and you can create an effective reading nook!
Can You Use a Regular Mattress on a Futon?
You are traditionally meant to be able to fold a futon and put it away. They often take the form of a flat surface, taking after the Japanese form. Alternatively, your futon could follow the American-style, which is a sofa-bed combination.
Both of these structures allow you to fold up the mattress and remove it or make it into a sofa. Due to this, your futon mattress will need to be able to fold in several places.
Most commonly, futon mattresses will have thinner points throughout the mattress. These are points where the mattress can fold up. That means that a regular mattress won’t be a great substitution for a futon mattress. Without the locations that can fold, the normal mattress is difficult to manoeuvre.
While you can use a mattress to replace a futon mattress, it definitely won’t work as well. If you have a Japanese style futon, these will work slightly better. Considering that these don’t need to become part of a sofa, removing the normal mattress will be a better fit.
If you want to use a normal mattress as a bed in an American style futon, get some extra support. You can do this by placing slats under the mattress. These slats will distribute the weight and provide stability to the futon.
What is the Difference Between a Futon Mattress and a Regular Mattress?
The difference between a futon mattress and a regular mattress is its ability to fold. A normal mattress will be uniform in straightness, without any folds. On the other hand, a futon mattress will have small incisions at the bottom of the mattress.
These small areas will contract and move together, meaning the futon can fold up. The use of these change depending on your style. In a Japanese style futon this allows one to remove the matt. In an American style futon, the folds mean it can transform into a couch.
These points of folding mean futon mattresses are often thinner than regular mattresses.
Final Points About Futon Mattresses
A futon mattress can be whatever size you want, mirroring any normal mattress size. However, although they are the same size, they are not interchangeable.
A futon mattress is thinner than a normal mattress. It also has points that can fold, helping in retraction and folding.
If you’re looking for a new mattress, make sure you get the right type for your furniture. Stick to futon mattresses for futons and normal mattresses for beds.