A futon bunk bed is perfect for teens and college students who may want to use their room as a den as well as a bedroom. It allows seating as well as sleeping in a small area and can be used to provide extra sleeping space when needed for overnight guests.

This type of bed, although it comes in a number of styles, always offers a conventional twin size bed on top and a sofa that makes into a bed on the bottom. It is a space saving and trendy choice, allowing you to create a multifunctional environment in any bedroom. Most bedrooms, especially in newer homes, are not large enough to accommodate a bed, a sofa, and computer desk. This is especially true if more than one person will be using the room. By utilizing one of the many styles of futon bunk beds the smallest room can handle these pieces with space to spare.

How Does a Futon Work?

The upper part of the bunk bed is the same as any traditional bunk. The bottom part is a futon, a frame that is covered with a soft, bendable mattress. When in the upright position this frame and mattress form a comfortable sofa for sitting, relaxing, or reclining. When the back is released the futon is flat and forms a full sized bed.

You can get these in two sizes:

• Twin futon bunk bed- a twin sized bunk over a futon. This style will sleep three people if necessary.
• Full futon bunk bed-a full sized bunk over a futon. This will sleep four in theory. These are not easy to find, although you may see one or two in a more expensive price range. If this is something you really want you may be able to do it less expensively by getting a full size loft bed and putting a separate futon underneath.

A wood futon bunk bed is a sturdy choice. Wood always adds a special touch of warmth to any room, and whether painted or stained, it looks great in bedrooms.

Because wood is so versatile it is easy to match almost any bedroom décor with one of these beds/couch combos. A duvet is the perfect choice for covering the futon since you won't want to deal with a lot of sheets and other bedding.

Some of the styles that you can find in a bunk bed with futon are:

• Arts and Crafts
• Contemporary
• Country
• Traditional
• Cottage

The style will be determined by the finish and the details of the individual piece. Prices with the wood futon bunk bed combinations are sometimes a little higher than the metal ones, depending on the manufacturer and style. Wood is a sturdy and durable choice if the room will be getting a lot of traffic from younger children.

Metal futon bunk beds are often made from tubular metal and have a contemporary look. They are usually available in several bright colors in addition to black or white. If you are looking for a cheap futon bunk bed then metal is a great choice.

Metal is easy to clean and care for but you will want to keep an eye on the screws and bolts. They can loosen over time and become a safety hazard.

This type is generally available at local brick and mortar stores including:

• Wal-mart
• Big Lots
• Target
• Sears
• Penney's
• RoomStore

You can expect to pay anywhere from one hundred dollars on up.

You can also find hundreds of styles, combinations, and colors on the Internet. Shop carefully because like any furniture futons are heavy. Shipping can cost more than the bed itself in some cases. Many online stores offer free shipping and that can translate into a hefty savings. Be sure that you understand the return policy, and read the shipping terms carefully. Some places ship only to your address and have curbside delivery. This means that you have to actually get the futon in the house and set up.

One of the most popular, unique furniture designs in the past decade has been the futon. Bunk beds combined with this innovative design can create a spacious living area from almost any room. This type of bed is almost a requirement for comfortable dorm rooms, and works well in a home office, too.