Futon mattresses are used to create a comfortable seating or sleeping arrangement on any futon. They are most commonly bought individually or as part of a futon set, which would include the frame mattress and mattress cover. It you only have a futon frame it is useless without a comfortable futon mattress.
Futon mattresses are available in various sizes. Depending on the size of your of futon frame, you will want to get a corresponding futon mattress. Usually, futon frames and futon mattresses run in the same sizes as bed sizes, so you will most likely want to look at queen size or full size futon mattresses. These are the two most popular futon sizes, but it is possible you own a twin or king size futon. If you have yet to buy a futon frame, then you will want to get a futon frame and mattress based on the size of the person who will be using it most. If your futon is going to be used for sleeping purposes, test it out by lying down on it and making sure it is big enough for you, or whoever else will be using it.
Here is a quick breakdown to the different dimensions of futon mattresses.
If you are looking for a futon for your child or young teenager, you may want to look at twin sized or full sized futon mattresses. A standard twin sized futon mattress is 39 inches by 75 inches, while a full sized futon mattress is most commonly 54 inches by 75 inches. If you want more room on your futon or the futon is going to be used by two people, a queen sized futon mattress is most likely what you need. Queen sized futon mattresses are 60 inches by 80 inches. The price of futon mattresses goes up as the size of futon mattresses get bigger, so decide which size you want prior to beginning the selection process.
There are a number of brands that are known for selling high quality futon mattresses. Most manufacturers of bed mattresses also make futon mattresses, such as Simmons, Serta, Sealy and Tempur-Pedic. You can find futon mattresses at any location where futons are sold, which includes Futon World, Ikea, West Elm and others. You may even have luck finding discount futon mattresses at regular mattress suppliers such as 1800-MATTRESS or Sleepys.
Another important thing to decide when looking at different futon mattresses is what degree of firmness you want from you mattress. The different degrees of firmness can loosely be broken down into soft, medium and firm mattresses. Soft or ultra soft futon mattresses are generally made of feathers or foam and have very little resistance. Firm mattresses on the other hand, have very little give. Medium-soft, medium and medium-firm are all very good options and common as a result of the fact that they are not too soft, but not too firm.
When purchasing a futon mattress, you may also want to look at futon covers. Often times, a futon cover is included with the futon mattress, but in the case that one is not included, you will certainly want to buy one. Futon covers can cost anywhere from $30-90, depending on the size of your futon frame and mattress.