Written by Jill Zwarensteyn, Editor
When you think of a futon, do words like ‘college’, ‘bachelor pad’, or ‘uncomfortable’ come to mind? If that’s the case, you’re not alone.
Many times, people may purchase these products if they’re looking for something more budget-friendly for temporary living situations or for putting up guests who stay overnight. Despite their popularity and convenience, they aren’t always ideal for sleeping, but there are ways to spruce up these products to offer more comfort.
Whether it is for you or your guests, this guide will show you how to make a futon more comfortable.
The More Minimalist – The Better
Shopping for a futon can be a feast for the eyes. Festive, trendy designs are sure to get our inner decorator drooling with excitement. Unfortunately, all those pretty buttons, zippers, and decorative themes may detract from the product’s overall comfort.
If you’re trying to sleep on a product with buttons or zippers in particular, you may find that you’re constantly being woken up by those items digging into you. Plus, the stark contrast from the softness of your pillow, blankets, and mattress may keep you up at night.
The good news is that the more minimalist, comfy options can still work with your home’s decor.
Read More: Minimalist Bedroom Ideas
How to Make a Futon More Comfortable to Sleep On
Let’s walk through the steps we can take to make a futon more comfortable. From support to pressure relief, there are a few options to choose from.
Add Slats Under the Futon Mattress
Adjusting the bed from underneath can make a major difference when it comes to comfort. If you notice your mattress sagging, adding more slats could help increase support and alleviate a sagging bed.
If you’re concerned about price, this could be an easy, DIY fix. Head to your local home improvement store to purchase some 1×4 pieces of lumber, then drill in the additional slats alongside the existing beams to fill in the gaps and provide more consistent support.
Learn More: Tips On How to Fix a Sagging Mattress
Add a Mattress Topper
Mattress toppers can be a big help for traditional beds and the same goes for these types, especially if yours is on the thin side. Your first step will be to choose the right mattress topper based on your sleep style and needs. If you’re concerned about how adding one will look, you could tuck your topper inside the cover, providing a comfortable sleep space without turning it into an eyesore.
Put a Featherbed on the Top of the Futon Mattress
If you’re new to using a featherbed, here’s your chance to get acquainted. A featherbed is a mattress topper filled with feathers as a means of extra support to relieve pressure. Although it looks similar to a down comforter, you are supposed to sleep on top of it.
Featherbeds designed to help support pressure points like your shoulders, hips, and back, making this also a good choice for side sleepers.
Put an Air Mattress on the Top of the Futon
An air mattress can also be an easy solution for making a sofa bed comfortable. You can pull the product out and inflate the air mattress when the occasion calls for that extra layer of support.
Another benefit is that they add more height. Futon beds are not known for being very high off the ground, so the additional height from the air mattress could help you or your guest feel more comfortable as long as the mattress feels stable.
Want to know more? Read our guide for the best air mattresses.
Layer Comforters on the Top of the Mattress
If you’ve got extra comforters around your home, here’s your chance you use them – an excuse to buy new ones. We usually associate comforters as something we put on top of us while we sleep, but they can also be a way to add some plush comfort when sleeping on a futon. If you plan to have guests use the product, you might want to consider buying comforters that are hypoallergenic to accommodate any sensitivities.
Think About Buying a New One
No matter how hard we try, sometimes our current futon just doesn’t cut it. That’s when you have to start thinking about buying a new one altogether. Perhaps you purchased that chic futon with all the bells and whistles thinking it would look fantastic in your apartment.
However, if every time your in-laws come to visit you’re reminded of the less than ideal sleep situation, it might be time for a change. The good news is that there are some fantastic choices for you to purchase that could help you and your guests feel great.
Check Out Our Guide: Best Rated Futon Mattresses
Frequently Asked Questions
How healthy is it to sleep on a futon?
Futons originated out of Japan, which is consistently ranked among the healthiest countries in the world. Japanese-style futons are considered to be good for spinal alignment and posture, and while there are cool options out there, sleeping on the floor may not be your cup of tea.
So, how does a westernized futon stack up? Because they aren’t ideal for regular sleep, futons likely won’t be as good for your body as a regular bed. However, you can tweak your product so that when it is in use, it feels more comfortable.
Conclusion
If your futon isn’t comfortable, try any – or all – of these six easy steps to increase support and alleviate pressure while you sleep. From adding cushioning on top to improving the structure below, you can choose the solution that best meets your needs – or buy a new one! Futons can be a terrific, suitable addition to any home and you deserve to make the experience of using one as best as possible.
You may not be saving them from a bank robbery, but you can be a superhero to your guests – and yourself – by saving them from a sleepless night. Doing what you can to make a bed more comfortable isn’t just a courtesy though, it’s a health investment and well worth the effort.
Jill Zwarensteyn
Editor
About Author
Jill Zwarensteyn is the Editor for Sleep Advisor and a Certified Sleep Science Coach. She is enthusiastic about providing helpful and engaging information on all things sleep and wellness.
Combination Sleeper