Futon Bunks

As futons have become more popular in the West, they have taken new forms. One of the most interesting combinations of Japanese simplicity and Western preferences for furniture has been futon bunks. These combine ways of saving space from both worlds to create a very practical and efficient way to provide comfort and practicality at the same time. From the kid’s room to the guest room, futon bunks make a great choice for those who know what to look for.

The futon bunk marries the idea of a futon and a bunk bed to provide you with the best of both worlds. You have a sleeping configuration that consists of a bunk bed layout where the top level is used as a bed and the bottom level is used as either a sofa or can quickly be folded down to serve as a guest bed when needed.

If you are living in a house or apartment where space is a problem, or you are part of a growing family, then a futon bunk might be the perfect answer to your space dilemma. Your children will have the grownup feel of having their own sofa to chill out on during the day and read or play their games, but they still retain the childlike charm of sleeping in a bunk bed at night. At the same time, they will have more space to spread out their toys on the floor.

Futon bunks could also be used in a guestroom (as could a futon) where you can make the absolute best use of all the space at hand. This is especially useful if your guest bedroom is the "box" type of room where there is not much extra space in your house or apartment. A traditional bed would take up pretty much every ounce of space in this type of room, whereas a futon bunk will leave you some room to play with - literally in the case of a children’s room.

The futon bunk bed will come with either a metal or wooden frame and in a variety of finishes. Which one of these you choose is going to be down to your personal decor choices. A natural wooden finish on a futon bunk bed is always going to feel warmer in most rooms, but if you're opting for a very modern interior decor or plan, then the steel frame might be more suitable. Note that the steel is powder coated and will come in a variety of colors.

With this type of bunk bed, you will also have the choice of a separate ladder or a ladder that has been integrated into the side of the frame of the bed itself. Make sure the ladder is sturdy and the top bunk has good guardrails, especially if the bed will be used by children.

What type of fabric works best in a futon bunk? Ideally, you should try to get a natural fabric if it is available and also try to get a coil sprung mattress if possible. More and more of the futons you find in stores or online will have this type of mattress anyway.

If the bottom bunk is going to be used as a chair, then the top and bottom mattresses will likely be different sizes. This is because the lower mattress is usually folded over when it is being used as a chair, and it is folded out to make it larger when used as a bed. Therefore, the bottom mattress is normally a full sized while the upper is twin sized.

A futon bunk can be the ultimate space saver for your home, and you can be sure that both your kids and your house guests will love the comfort and style on offer too. In terms of price, you are looking at a price range of around $300 - $500 for a quality futon bunk bed.