Handmade Futons

Futon Plans

• Futon plans provide you with step-by-step instructions for making your own futon frames. A frame consists of a solid base and a back that tilts or slides. As the back slides down, it creates a flat surface that serves as a bed. Most home improvement stores and hardware stores sell woodworking plans for furniture. The plans include designs for creating Craftsman-inspired frames, futon chairs and frames with additional storage drawers or a storage container underneath the futon.

Buying Handmade Futons

• When you buy a pre-made frame, you skip the hard work but still get the beauty of a handmade piece. The companies and designers sell the futon frames in smaller stores, furniture boutiques and sometimes from their own homes. Look for pieces made from strong and durable wood that will not break down from regular use. Visit the shop for yourself, and test the pieces by sitting on the futon and adjusting it into the different positions. If the frame wobbles or you notice any shaking, it’s a sign of a design flaw or poor wood choices.

The Components

• The frame is just one component of a futon. You would not sit on a couch without any cushionsand the mattress is the cushion for a futon. You have the option of buying a mattress or making one yourself. The futon mattress typically consists of individual layers of cotton or wool batting arranged in a rectangle and covered with a cotton case. When you make the mattress yourself, you sew fabric around the batting. You can also make or buy a mattress cover that has a zipper on it. The cover comes off for cleaning.

Considerations

• The choice between buying a homemade futon and making one depends on your own experience working with wood. Futon plans consist of intricate steps and specialized tools, including wood saw blades and a jigsaw or circular saw. The cost of buying those tools and the supplies for the project will likely cost more than buying a pre-made futon from a store or designer.