Futon Design - Futons For Small Spaces

September 10, 2020

Create Futon Design - Futons For Small Spaces With Space Saving Design

One of the first steps in purchasing a new piece of furniture is knowing how you will be using your futon frame and which room will you be using it in. Select the room and determine how much space you have to work with. Will your futon frame be used every day in the living room, or will it be in a separate guest room that will be used occasionally? Are you purchasing a futon frame for a children’s room or a dorm room? These questions will help to determine not only the amount of space you have to work with, but also the type of construction your futon frame has. As an example, you would not want to purchase a pine futon frame for a child’s room as the wood is softer and more prone to denting and splintering. For a child’s room the better choice may be an all metal frame both for its durability and price. This same metal frame however, may not be well suited for a sofa bed in your living room. A solid oak wood futon frame may be a better solution as it is both durable and elegant. There are also futon frames that have been designed for outdoor use as well. These frames, made locally in the USA by JustLeanBack have been specifically designed to withstand exposure to sunlight and moisture.

With Futon Frames this can be extremely important as it can determine the style of futon frame that you purchase. There are two main types of futon: tri-fold and bi-fold models.

Trifold Futon Frame Instruction:

Bifold Futon Frame Instruction

Bi-fold frames come in two main sections or pieces and accommodate a standard one-piece mattress. Bi-fold futons are the most popular and are easiest to find. They have one crease that folds up or down to create two separate sections, called the seat and back deck. Typically, a bi-fold frames width (distance from arm to arm) corresponds to the mattress length. This is the amount of wall space you will need. For example, a standard bi-fold full size futon frame can range in a length from 77” to 80”. This is the amount of wall space you will need at minimum to accommodate this frame. If you do not have much wall space available, the tri-fold frame may be a better option.

Tri-fold frames were the first type that was widely available when futons were new on the market. As the name suggests, these futons fold in two separate places to create three sections: the seat, the back and a lower portion or foot. Within the tri-fold group, there are two types. These types are designated by a permanently attached foot portion or a separate ottoman portion. The attached version may be more convenient while the separate ottoman is more space saving. Whereas bi-fold frames typically need more wall space, a tri-fold frame uses more floor space. The width from arm to arm corresponds to the width of a futon mattress, rather than to its length as that of a bi-fold futon frame. A full size tri-fold frame may measure 55” to 60” in width.

A novel futon frame design has been developed by Strata Furniture. This futon frame has been called the “wall hugger” as it can be converted from a sofa, to a lounger, to a bed without having to physically move the frame away from the wall. The wall hugger futon frames have an innovative design that allows them to be converted while keeping the legs of the futon stationary. Traditional, “front loader” futon frames require clearance of approximately 10” from the back of the frame to the wall. So, if you are looking to save floor space, you will have to physically move the entire frame away from the wall in order to convert it from a couch to a bed. This is not so with Strata’s conversion mechanism. Strata’s wall hugger frames can rest directly against a wall and convert from a couch to a bed without having to be moved.

How Do You Save Space, While Still Creating A Healthy Space For Your Family?

“The Futon Shop has the same values and philosophy as I and other eco-minded moms and dads!”

- Nicki from @littleislandstudios

Take it from family, food, and design blogger Nicki at Littleislandstudios, “As a mom, organic living, color and play are all a necessary part of childhood (and adult) happiness! To me, a huge part of that is a green and eco-friendly environment - not furniture that emits toxic VOCs, "air fresheners" from a spray bottle and not fire-resistant chemicals added to...well....everything.” She created a beautiful and spacious family room with a white vintage style futon from the Wood Futon frames section. Just like Nicki, you can pick a mattress from any of our premium Futon Sofa bed Mattresses and lastly a futon slip covers cover that fits your interior style.

From The Futon Shop

(image Credit: @Littleislandstudios)

Simple Space Saving Furniture Design- Littleislandstudios Simple Tips

1) Simply, I kept things close to the walls! Nothing protrudes more than 12" away from the wall where I put in shelving.

2) I made sure to measure the depth of my counters to find an island that would not extend out any further. If anything jutted out, I knew it would make the narrow space look closed off and messy, so I stuck to creating vertical space by mounting shelves, aprons, and pans as one might do with a gallery wall in a living room.

“Creating a home that is free from these synthetic and toxic chemicals is extremely important to me and my children's health - now and their future health.”

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