If you are searching for a futon in Perth, you are looking for more than just a place to sleep — you want a piece of furniture that works harder than a standard sofa or bed, occupies less floor space, and does not compromise on comfort. A futon sofa bed converts from a comfortable sitting position during the day to a proper sleeping surface at night, making it one of the most practical furniture choices for Perth apartments, small homes, studio spaces, and guest rooms. At Back To The Futon, Australia’s dedicated futon specialist based in Melbourne, every futon is locally made using quality materials and ships reliably across Australia — including Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Canberra, Tasmania, and beyond.
This guide covers everything you need to know before buying a futon — from understanding the difference between futon styles and mattress types, to choosing the right timber base, maintaining your futon for long-term comfort, and knowing exactly what to expect from a quality Australian-made product.
What Is a Futon and Why Do Australians Love Them?
The word futon comes from Japanese, referring originally to a foldable floor mattress used for sleeping and stored away during the day. In Australia, the term futon now most commonly refers to the western-style futon sofa bed — a timber or metal frame that folds between a sofa position and a flat sleeping position, paired with a supportive mattress.
Australian households have embraced futons for several practical reasons. Apartments across Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne are getting smaller, and multifunctional furniture is no longer optional — it is necessary. A futon sofa bed eliminates the need for a separate guest bed that sits unused for most of the year. It handles everyday lounge use and converts to a proper sleeping surface whenever needed. For renters and homeowners alike, that flexibility has real value.
Beyond space efficiency, many Australians choose futons because they appreciate the natural materials. Cotton and wool futon mattresses breathe well in Australian conditions, regulate temperature more effectively than synthetic foam, and avoid the chemical off-gassing associated with some memory foam products. These are genuinely practical benefits, not marketing language.
Western Futon vs Japanese Floor Futon — Understanding the Difference
When customers contact Back To The Futon asking about a futon sofa bed, they are usually thinking of the western-style product: a folding timber frame with a thick mattress that converts between sofa and bed. This is the most popular style in Australian homes today.
The traditional Japanese futon — often called a tatami futon or floor futon — is a different product. It is a thinner, foldable mattress designed to be placed directly on the floor or on a tatami mat. It is rolled or folded away during the day, freeing up the floor completely. Back To The Futon carries both styles.
- Western Futon Sofa Bed: Timber frame base that converts between sofa and bed. Ideal for living rooms, guest rooms, and studio apartments. Pairs with a standard or thicker futon mattress.
- Floor Futon (Tatami Style): Thin, foldable mattress used directly on the floor or tatami surface. Ideal for minimalist Japanese-style interiors, meditation rooms, or compact sleeping arrangements.
| Floor Futons (Tatami) at Back To The Futon Our floor futon range includes traditional Japanese-style mattresses suited to tatami surfaces, meditation spaces, and compact room setups. Locally made in Melbourne using quality cotton and wool for genuine comfort and durability. |
Choosing the Right Futon Base for Your Perth Home
The base — or frame — you choose determines how your futon functions, how long it lasts, and how it looks in your room. Back To The Futon manufactures a full range of futon bed bases in timber, each designed for specific living situations and aesthetic preferences.
Tri-Fold Bed Base
The tri-fold base is one of the most space-efficient options available. It folds into three sections, making it easy to store when not needed. This suits Perth homes where the futon will be used primarily as a guest sleeping option rather than everyday furniture. When guests are not visiting, the base folds away cleanly and the room returns to its original function.
Armless Sofa Bed Base
A clean, minimal frame without arms — works well in rooms where a streamlined look is preferred or where arm rests would create awkward positioning against walls or other furniture. The armless design also makes conversion between sofa and bed position faster and easier.
Tahani Sofa Bed Base
One of the more refined sofa bed base options, the Tahani features a solid timber construction with a styled appearance that sits comfortably alongside quality lounges and living room furniture. A good choice for Perth customers who want the futon to function as the central lounge piece rather than a secondary item.
High-Set, Mid-Set, and Low-Set Futon Bases
The sitting height of your base affects both comfort and the visual weight of the furniture in the room. A high-set base provides easier in and out movement and a more traditional bed height. A mid-set base balances visual proportion with practical access. A low-set base suits minimalist, Japanese-influenced interiors and lower-ceiling rooms where a lighter, lower profile looks best and creates a greater sense of space.
Day Beds
Back To The Futon also carries day beds — single sleeping and lounging surfaces that function as stylish daytime seating without the full sofa bed conversion mechanism. These work particularly well in reading rooms, sunrooms, and smaller Perth bedrooms used occasionally as guest space.
| Base Type | Best For | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-Fold Bed Base | Occasional guest use, small rooms | Folds flat for easy storage |
| Armless Sofa Bed Base | Minimal aesthetic, space efficiency | Streamlined, no arm projection |
| Tahani Sofa Bed Base | Quality living rooms, styling focus | Refined solid timber finish |
| High-Set Base | Everyday sleeping, easy access | Standard bed height comfort |
| Mid-Set Base | Balanced height, versatile use | Proportional visual weight |
| Low-Set Base | Minimalist, Japanese-style rooms | Low visual profile, floor-close feel |
| Day Bed | Lounging, occasional guest sleeping | Single surface, daytime versatility |
Futon Mattresses — Which Type Is Right for You?
The mattress is the most important decision you will make when buying a futon. The base determines function and style — the mattress determines how comfortable you are, whether for an occasional guest or every single night. Back To The Futon makes its futon mattresses locally in Melbourne, using Australian-quality materials suited to our climate and sleep habits.
Basic Cotton Futon — Student Futon
The entry-level option — lightweight, affordable, and suitable for occasional guest use or children’s rooms. Not designed for nightly use by adults but perfectly functional for occasional sleeping and a sensible starting point for students or renters furnishing a room on a tight budget.
Sumo Cotton Futon Mattress
A thicker, denser cotton mattress offering improved support and comfort over the basic range. Suitable for light regular use and a popular choice for customers seeking a natural fibre mattress at a practical price point. The Sumo Cotton performs noticeably better than the basic futon under more frequent use.
Foam Cotton Wool Futon
A combination mattress incorporating foam, cotton, and wool layers. The foam core adds resilience, while the natural fibre outer layers contribute to breathability and temperature regulation — a practical middle-ground option for customers who want some of the benefits of natural fibres alongside consistent foam support.
Sumo Wool Futon Mattress
The Sumo Wool Futon is one of the most popular choices for customers planning to use a futon as their primary bed. Wool is a naturally pressure-absorbing, temperature-regulating fibre that performs well in both warm Perth summers and cooler southern winters. It holds its shape better than cotton alone and provides genuine nightly sleeping comfort for adults across a wide range of body types.
Super Sumo Wool Futon
The Super Sumo is the thickest wool futon in the range — designed for customers who want maximum loft, support, and longevity from their futon mattress. If two adults will be sleeping on the futon regularly, this is the recommended starting point and the most suitable choice for replacing a conventional mattress.
Latex Sumo Wool Futon
Combining a natural latex core with wool outer layers, the Latex Sumo Wool Futon delivers responsive support that adapts to body shape — particularly beneficial for anyone with back sensitivity or who finds firm mattresses uncomfortable over extended periods. Natural latex is also hypoallergenic and resists dust mites, which is especially useful in Perth’s warmer climate where allergen management in the bedroom matters.
Camping Futon Mattress
A lightweight, portable futon mattress designed for outdoor use, camping, or floor sleeping. It rolls or folds compactly and is built to handle less controlled environments than an indoor mattress — a practical solution for customers who need a futon-style sleeping surface that travels with them.
| Futon Mattresses at Back To The Futon Every mattress in our range is made locally at our Nunawading premises in Melbourne. Whether you need a basic student futon or a premium Latex Sumo Wool mattress, all options are available for delivery across Australia including Perth, Sydney, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Canberra, and Tasmania. |
Is It Okay to Sleep on a Futon Every Night?
This is one of the most common questions customers ask — and the honest answer is: it depends entirely on the mattress you choose. A thin, budget futon mattress is not designed for nightly adult use and will lose its shape quickly. But a properly specified futon mattress — particularly a Sumo Wool, Super Sumo Wool, or Latex Sumo Wool — is engineered to handle regular nightly sleep without significant compression or loss of support.
Many customers across Australia use their Back To The Futon mattresses as their primary bed. The key factors are mattress thickness, fibre density, and the quality of the layering inside. Natural fibre mattresses like wool also breathe more effectively than synthetic foam, which matters during Perth’s warmer months when heat retention in a mattress becomes noticeable and disrupts sleep quality.
For anyone planning to use a futon every night, the recommendation is to pair a Super Sumo Wool Futon or Latex Sumo Wool Futon with a solid timber base — either a high-set or mid-set frame — that provides even weight distribution across the mattress base surface and prevents premature compression at stress points.
Is a Futon Healthier to Sleep On Than a Traditional Bed?
The answer is nuanced and depends on the individual. For people who sleep better on firmer surfaces — which includes many back sleepers and those with certain postural preferences — a quality futon mattress with a natural wool or cotton construction can support spinal alignment very effectively.
Natural fibre futon mattresses avoid the synthetic chemical composition of some conventional mattresses. They are breathable, moisture-wicking, and temperature-regulating — all of which contribute to sleep quality. Wool in particular has been recognised by The Woolmark Company for its natural thermoregulation properties, which can help maintain comfortable sleeping temperature throughout the year regardless of season.
That said, a futon is not a universal health solution. Anyone with specific orthopaedic conditions should seek individual advice before changing their sleeping surface. For most healthy adults, a quality futon mattress provides perfectly appropriate sleeping conditions and can outperform many mid-range conventional mattresses in terms of breathability, natural fibre benefits, and chemical-free composition.
Can Two Adults Sleep on a Futon Comfortably?
Yes — with the right specifications. A standard double or queen-size futon sofa bed provides adequate width for two adults, but the mattress selection is critical. A Basic Cotton Futon will compress quickly under the combined weight of two regular sleepers and is not the right product for shared nightly use. The Super Sumo Wool Futon or Latex Sumo Wool Futon is the recommended choice for a shared sleeping arrangement, paired with a solid timber base that supports the mattress evenly without flex points that create discomfort over time.
Customers in Perth ordering futons for two-person use are encouraged to call the team at Back To The Futon to discuss the right combination of base and mattress before ordering — particularly if the futon will be used as the primary bed rather than a guest-only solution, where getting the specifications right from the start saves money in the long run.
Futon Sofa Beds — Space-Saving Solutions for Perth Apartments
Perth’s residential property market has driven consistent growth in apartment and smaller home living. For residents in inner-city Perth suburbs and new apartment developments, managing floor space is a daily priority. A futon sofa bed is one of the most effective space-saving furniture choices available because it eliminates the need for two separate pieces of furniture — the sofa and the guest bed — in a room that often cannot accommodate both comfortably.
Unlike a traditional sofa bed, a quality futon sofa bed converts quickly and smoothly. The mechanism does not rely on a metal pull-out mattress that becomes uncomfortable over time and increasingly difficult to fold back. The futon mattress stays in place on the frame and the frame simply reclines flat. For guests staying in Perth apartments where space is limited, this is a genuinely comfortable solution — not a compromise.
Customers across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Canberra rely on the same functionality in their own compact living spaces. Back To The Futon ships its full range of futon sofa beds to all major Australian cities and regional areas, with same-day dispatch available when items are in stock at the Melbourne premises.
Futon Accessories — Completing the Setup
A futon works best when paired with the right accessories. Back To The Futon carries a focused range of futon accessories designed to protect and enhance your mattress and overall sleeping or lounging setup.
- Futon Cover: A durable, removable cover protects the futon mattress from daily wear, stains, and moisture. Futon covers also allow you to update the look of your futon without replacing the mattress. Back To The Futon futon covers are cut to fit their mattress range directly and make a significant difference to mattress lifespan.
- Pure Cotton Pillow: A naturally filled cotton pillow that pairs well with a cotton or wool futon mattress for a consistent, breathable sleep surface. Avoids the synthetic fills of imported pillows that can cause heat build-up.
- Small Bolster: Useful for supporting the rolled edge of a floor futon or providing lower-back support when using the futon in sofa position. A simple addition that improves everyday sitting comfort considerably.
Using a futon cover is particularly important in Perth, where dust and warmth can affect a mattress surface more quickly than in cooler climates. A cover adds a washable protective layer that is straightforward to launder and extends the life of the mattress considerably without any special care requirements.
| Do you put sheets on a futon? Yes — a standard fitted sheet in the correct mattress size fits neatly over a futon mattress. Most customers also use a futon cover beneath the sheet for extra protection and easier cleaning. Browse futon covers and accessories at Back To The Futon. |
Futon Maintenance — Keeping Your Futon in Good Condition
A quality futon mattress will last many years with straightforward maintenance. Here are the key habits that extend the life of a futon in Australian conditions and prevent the most common issues customers encounter with lower-maintenance approaches:
- Rotate regularly: Rotating the mattress end-to-end every few months prevents uneven wear patterns, particularly if one side receives more body weight consistently over time.
- Air it out: Natural fibre mattresses benefit from being aired in a well-ventilated space — outdoors in indirect sunlight or in a breezy room — every few weeks. This reduces moisture build-up and keeps the fibres fresh and resilient.
- Use a futon cover: A removable cover protects against surface soiling and is far easier to wash than the mattress itself. Washing the cover regularly is the single most effective maintenance habit.
- Avoid prolonged moisture contact: Keep the mattress away from direct damp surfaces. In Perth homes near the coast, this is particularly worth noting as humidity can affect natural fibres over time if ventilation underneath the base is restricted.
- Check the base hardware: Timber bases are durable but the connecting hardware should be checked periodically and tightened as needed to prevent frame flex that transfers unevenly to the mattress surface.
According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), furniture products sold in Australia must meet consumer guarantee requirements for acceptable quality and durability under Australian Consumer Law. Back To The Futon backs its locally made products with industry-leading warranties and responsive local customer support — a genuine differentiator in the Australian futon market where many products are imported without the same accountability.
What Are the Cons of a Futon?
Honest furniture advice matters. Futons are not the right choice for every situation, and understanding where they have limitations helps buyers make the right decision rather than the wrong purchase.
- Budget mattresses compress quickly: A very thin, low-density cotton futon will not hold its shape under regular adult use. This is a product-specific issue, not a futon category issue — a quality mattress from the Sumo Wool or Latex range does not have this problem.
- Not suitable for all body types on lower-end models: Heavier sleepers may need a thicker, denser mattress than the basic range provides. The Super Sumo Wool or Latex Sumo Wool is recommended in those cases and handles a wider range of body types effectively.
- Frame mechanism requires consideration: Some frame types require more effort to convert between sofa and bed positions than others. Back To The Futon’s frames are designed for smooth, reliable conversion — but customers should consider how frequently they will convert the futon when choosing a base style, as some designs suit less frequent conversion better than others.
- Adjustment period for some sleepers: Customers accustomed to a deep pillow-top mattress may find the transition to a futon mattress requires an adjustment period of a few weeks, particularly for side sleepers who rely heavily on surface softness for hip and shoulder pressure relief.
For the right buyer — someone who wants natural materials, space efficiency, long-term durability, and a locally made Australian product — these limitations are straightforward to navigate with the right product selection from the outset.
Futon Perth — Delivery and Ordering Information
Back To The Futon is based in Nunawading, Melbourne, Victoria — and ships its full range of futon sofa beds, futon mattresses, timber bed bases, and accessories across all of Australia. For customers searching for a futon in Perth, delivery is available with same-day dispatch for in-stock items, ensuring fast turnaround even for interstate orders where standard delivery timeframes apply for Western Australia.
The showroom in Nunawading is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm and Saturday to Sunday from 11am to 4pm. Customers are welcome to visit in person to test bases and mattresses before ordering, which many Melbourne-based customers take advantage of before committing to a mattress type. For Perth-based customers who cannot visit the showroom, the team is reachable by phone to discuss product recommendations, size options, and delivery logistics before placing an order.
The same reliable delivery service covers futon sofa beds in Sydney, futon mattresses in Brisbane, futon orders in Adelaide, futon deliveries on the Gold Coast, futon mattresses in Canberra, and futon orders in Tasmania — the full national customer base is served from the one Melbourne manufacturing and distribution location, ensuring consistency in product quality regardless of destination.
Why Choose Back To The Futon?
There are several online furniture retailers selling futon-style products in Australia, but Back To The Futon occupies a distinct position in the market. Every futon base and mattress is made locally at their own premises in Nunawading — not imported from offshore and relabelled for the Australian market. The manufacturing happens in Melbourne, which means the products are designed for Australian conditions, Australian home sizes, and Australian quality expectations from the start.
- Locally Made: Futon mattresses and bases are manufactured on-site in Nunawading, Victoria — not outsourced or imported. This gives Back To The Futon direct control over materials, construction quality, and consistency across every product that leaves the premises.
- Broad Product Range: From entry-level student futons to premium Latex Sumo Wool mattresses, from floor futons to high-set sofa bed bases — the full spectrum of customer needs is covered without requiring customers to shop elsewhere for complementary items.
- Same-Day Delivery Available: In-stock items can be dispatched the same day the order is placed, which is a significant advantage for customers who need furniture quickly or are working around a tight move-in schedule.
- Industry-Leading Warranty: Back To The Futon provides warranty coverage and responsive customer support from a local team — not an offshore contact centre. Warranty queries are handled directly by people who know the products.
- Full Accessory Range: Futon covers, pure cotton pillows, and bolsters mean customers can complete their setup in one order without sourcing accessories from multiple suppliers that may not fit correctly.
| Customer Review Absolutely love the quality and comfort of our futon from Back To The Futon. The craftsmanship is excellent, delivery was fast, and it fits perfectly in our apartment. Highly recommend for anyone looking for practical and stylish space-saving furniture. |
Styling a Futon in a Modern Perth Home
The practical case for a futon sofa bed is clear — but how it looks in the room matters equally to most buyers. A well-chosen futon can anchor a living room, add warmth to a studio apartment, or give a guest bedroom a clean, intentional look rather than the improvised appearance of an inflatable mattress or fold-out couch that looks temporary regardless of how it is dressed.
For Perth homes with a coastal or light aesthetic — open plan spaces, rattan accents, natural timbers, linen textiles — a low-set or mid-set timber futon base works particularly well. The warm, natural grain of the timber frames at Back To The Futon complements these interior styles without requiring any specific design direction or additional styling investment from the customer to make the piece feel at home.
For more minimal or Japanese-influenced interiors, a floor futon or tatami-style setup creates a clean, considered aesthetic that western furniture cannot replicate. The floor futon range at Back To The Futon is designed for exactly this use case — bringing a thoughtful, authentic Japanese sleeping tradition into an Australian home environment where natural materials and simplicity are valued.
In smaller Perth rooms, the choice of base height has a genuine visual effect that is easy to underestimate. A high-set base reads more like a traditional bed and suits rooms where the futon is the primary sleeping surface and visitors need straightforward access. A low-set base makes the room feel larger by keeping the furniture profile below the natural eye line, which works particularly well in studios and open-plan apartments where the futon is visible from the main living area during the day and needs to read as lounge furniture rather than bedroom furniture.
Additional Furniture at Back To The Futon
Beyond futons, Back To The Futon carries a complementary range of furniture and storage solutions suited to the same apartments and compact homes where futons make the most sense. The range has been selected to allow customers to furnish a complete living space without mixing furniture from multiple sources that may not align visually or dimensionally.
- Tables — dining and occasional
- Beds and additional bases
- Entertainment units
- Wardrobes
- Tallboys
- Lowboys
For Perth customers furnishing a new apartment or reconfiguring a smaller home, this means the futon sofa bed, the storage furniture, and the bedroom pieces can all come from one locally-operated Australian business with consistent quality standards and a single point of contact for enquiries, delivery, and after-sale support.
