The Single Futon: Zen Sleepware

Those who are into no-frills, minimalist goods for living know that less can be more- sometimes much more.  The peace of mind and joy of use that comes from owning a simple, well-designed product is far greater than you can get with a product cluttered with useless features.  By the same token, simple things also generally have less moving parts that can break!  So it is with the single futon, the minimalist marvel of the bed that coverts to a sofa.

Actually, in that most minimalist of societies, Japan, the single futon didn't even come with a frame. Rather, it was used on top of tatami mats which provided some breathability and a warmer suface with some give for sleeping on. The convertible frame is a Western thing, and most people consider the single futon mattress to be just that- a mattress. They consider the futon to be a combination of both the futon frame and mattress.

You don't need to know the history of the futon to make a purchase, but it helps to know that futons are traditionally relatively thin and well-stuffed to provide a little softness against the firm support of the tatami mat. The same idea applies to futons with wood or metal frames that you buy from the store today. As the mattress depends on the surface underneath it for support, the frame is key in providing a good, comfortable night of sleep. The best frames are the ones that feature broad, closely spaced wood slats. The less variation in the surface the better, which is why many cheap single futon metal frames will kill your back- wires sage while metal poles dig into your body while sleeping, and the thin mattress does little to soften the effect.

So be prepared to spend a little more for a decent single futon bed. The price might be comparable to buying a quality bed, although you could look at is as buying a single futon chair that can be used for sleeping in. A single futon sofa bed that fits the criteria we've discussed will almost certainly be more comfortable for sleeping in than any pull-out sleeper sofa, and will probably cost a lot less. Some people don't like to sleep on anything else, especially those who always had troubles sleeping on mattresses.

One more tip is to get a good single futon cover for your futon. A fitted cover meant for the futon is a good idea, as though it may cost more, it will be a lot more user friendly than using any old sheet you have on hand. The covers can be somewhat pricey, but they are usually worth it because they protect the futon and can be removed for washing. The biggest benefit is that they won't keep slipping off the futon like most sheets will!