For me, at least, there’s something just a bit repellent about the idea of sleeping on some stranger’s used mattress. Used chairs, used tables, used bookcases—these I’ll take gladly if the condition is good and the price is a steal. But with beds, buying used simply isn’t an option. And since the traditional box spring/mattress combination is just too posh for tight budgets, that leaves just one solution to the bedding problem: the futon.

Futon mattresses come in a wide range of qualities: the cheap, thin ones may be fine for sofabeds that get limited use, but if you’re sleeping on one nightly, it’ll have a big ditch in the middle within months. A decent, well-made futon will have foam in it, be at least 8" thick, and cost around $180-200 [buying a similarly good quality box-spring/mattress set would cost nearly twice that]. Some futon mattresses are better for sofas, others for bedding; make sure you buy from a store that specializes in futons [look under "futons" in your local yellow pages to find one near you], and ask the salesperson for advice.

Frames come in a wide variety of options. The most basic futon frame, a bi-fold made of unfinished pine, will should cost no more than $100 for a full-size. If you live in a studio and expect to be converting between bed and sofa frequently, consider a uni-fold frame, which is easier to manipulate and better for the mattress.

Once you’ve purchased your futon and set it up in your home, it’s best to leave it in its flat position [rather than folded up into sofa mode] as much as possible, and to rotate the mattress at least once every other month … this will ensure that your mattress stays lump-free, ensuring night after night of restful beauty sleep.

Here, again, the futon may be your best friend. Futons that will be used primarily for sitting need not be as cushy as those used for sleeping, so you’ll certainly spend less than you would on a bed. And used sofas don’t carry the ick-factor associated with used bedding. If you live close enough to a college campus, just wander over to campus and check out the bulletin boards; chances are good that there’s someone trying to get rid of their futon, and for cheap, particularly in December and May. Don't bother buying a futon cover, however, as you can easily save money by making one yourself.  Just sew together two sheets of whatever color matches your decor [you'll need twin-size sheets for a full-size mattress].

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