Futon Bedroom Ideas

Guest Room

• A futon is an economical choice for a guest bedroom. Compared to the cost of a headboard, mattress and box spring, you will come out a lot cheaper with a futon. And don't think that a futon will make the guest room look like a throwback to college days. You have many sleek designs and styles to select from to give the guest room a contemporary and sophisticated look.

Mixed Use Bedroom

• A futon styled as a convertible sofa is a good way to make a bedroom convertible too. Convertible futons look more like a sofa than a bed, which will allow you to use the bedroom for a number of purposes. You can create a relaxing library, a media room and convert the room to a spare bedroom for planned or unexpected guests. Sofa-styled futons often have contemporary and very stylized wood or chrome legs. The mattress will often be covered in very nice upholstery, easy-to-clean microfiber materials or ultra suede.

Home Office

• If you have to choose between a guest bedroom and a home office -- don't. Use a futon, and you can have the best of both in one bedroom. The bedroom can be an "on call" guest room and a most-of-the-time home office. Use the futon during the day as a sofa so you have sitting furniture for family members or business associates. Add a television to the bedroom so you can catch the evening news and your favorite programs. Shift the function of the futon to a bed when company calls. After all, guests come and go, but the benefit of having a room that is primarily a home office will be a big plus.

Authentic Japanese Futon

• Show off your love of Japanese-inspired minimalist styles and décor by purchasing authentic Japanese bedding for the futon mattress and bedcover. In Japan, the futon frame is covered with a shikibuton and a kakebuton. The shikibuton is the futon mattress, which is usually about 4 inches thick. An authentic shikibuton is stuffed with natural fibers such as cotton and wool, never synthetic materials. The shikibuton is then covered with the kakebuton, which is a very thick bedcover. The kakebuton is known for keeping sleepers very warm at night. Purchase a silk kakebuton, and you will really demonstrate that you know how to put together an authentic Japanese futon.