So, you are now confused in choosing between futon vs bed? You have come to the right place! Below, we will see the pros and cons of both futons and beds to help you choose the best bedding solution for your living space. Futons are great for tight spaces, since the convertible couch/bed combo doesn’t require lots of room. Beds, however, offer distinctive benefits that are certainly worth the money.
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What is a Futon?
In order to understand the pros and cons of futon vs bed, we need to understand first what a futon is. The word “futon” actually refers to a Japanese traditional bed which consists of a mattress and a duvet. These elements of a “futon” are pliable enough in order to be aired, folded, and stored inside a closet or cupboard. In other words, you can put the bedding away and use the room for other purposes in the day when you are not sleeping.
However, modern futons sold in the market today are much more sophisticated. Most futons nowadays are Japanese-style mattresses that can easily fold into couches. A futon makes a great choice for a tight living space. You can use it as a couch in the day, and roll it down to sleep on it in the night. The accessibility and space-saving properties have made futons incredibly popular in the home furniture industry.
There are, however, various models of futons. A futon can be a quilted mattress or a very large pillow top. Futons also vary by their thickness. Futons are common to be found in smaller apartments, day rooms, dorm rooms, and practically any living space that can benefit from an additional sleeping option.
Pros of a Futon
Obviously, the first and foremost benefit of a futon is that it can very effectively save you some space. With a futon, you don’t need dedicated spaces for a couch and a bed. Simply use a futon, and you can have both a couch and a bed in one place. A futon easily pulls out to form a bed. Nevertheless, note that different products have different sizes, thickness, and materials, so make sure that you choose the one that will work best for your particular needs and condition.
The next advantage that a futon can offer is, of course, cost efficiency. A stand-alone couch and a real bed together can cost you quite a lot of money. Getting a futon is often much more affordable and budget-friendly. So, if you want to limit your expense as much as possible, a futon makes a great choice.
Finally, the benefit of a futon is that it can add a modern touch of style into your living space. Modern futons look, well, modern. They are rather minimalistic yet classy and elegant. In addition, futons are very flexible that you can change the cover and add various kinds of throw pillows.
Cons of a Futon
Indeed, a futon is an awesome space saver, but it is neither very thick nor very large. Due to the relatively low thickness, a futon will not give you a serious degree of support. In addition, the mattress may wear down quite quickly from constant movements. If you are the type of person who moves a lot in your sleep, the futon mattress may eventually get bunched up and create lumps, thus reducing the comfortability.
The relatively small size of a futon also means that it is only suitable for a single person. It is way too narrow for two people.
What is a Bed?
A bed is definitely the most familiar concept of sleeping. It typically includes a metallic frame, a box spring, and a standard mattress. Beds are available in various sizes, ranging from twin-sized to XL to california king. There are also different types of beds, such as regular foam, memory foam, and spring beds. Each has different pros and cons.
One major consideration when choosing between futon vs bed is that beds are typically larger and heavier. Because of this, beds are commonly found in rooms with adequate space. Then again, the actual size of a bed may vary depending on the type, materials, and thickness. You can find beds with multiple levels of back and joint support.
Pros of a Bed
A bed offers a wide array of sleeping benefits. First and foremost, beds offer much better support for your back and joints. There are beds of different thickness and firmness, so you can choose the one that suits your needs and preferences best. There are also beds specially designed for kids, older people, and back pain.
Beds, more specifically spring beds, are bouncier due to having internal springs. These bouncy beds are especially great for night activities. They are generally more comfortable, too. Meanwhile, if you prefer to snug into your mattress and enjoy the hug-like feel, a memory foam mattress will suit you best.
Beds are available in various sizes. You can get a larger bed if you need something that can accommodate two people or even more. There will be plenty of space to move around. Thanks to the frames and box spring, beds are generally more durable, too.
Cons of a Bed
Beds are large and heavy, and they are quite difficult to move around. If you are moving every once in a while, a bed can be quite a hassle. In addition, a bed will require a dedicated space in your living space. Even the smallest bed still requires a considerable space. Not great for a tight room.
Beds are also relatively expensive. Well, there are indeed affordable models available on the market – you can even buy cheap mattresses online, they are actually quite comfortable. But, purchasing a bed and a stand-alone couch usually costs more money than a futon.
| Futon | Bed |
|---|---|
| - A convertible couch that can be pulled down to form a bed | - Typically consists of a frame, box spring, and mattress |
| - Very space-friendly, suitable for apartments and dorm rooms | - Requires a dedicated space, suitable for dedicated bedrooms |
| - Poor support | - Great support |
| - Relatively more affordable | - More expensive, especially if you also want to buy a couch |
Conclusion
So, which one is better, futon vs bed? A futon is great for tight rooms such as an apartment or dorm room, if you only need an additional sleeping option, or if you need to move every once in a while. A futon is much more space-friendly and cost-efficient. However, you should choose a bed if you are ready for a more permanent bedding, or if you need real support to prevent back or joint pain. A bed makes a more suitable choice for a couple.