The first time I bought a futon, I had company coming and did not have enough beds for everyone. I really did not want to buy expensive bedroom furnishings that I would rarely use, particularly since my extra room served as an office and I needed the space.

I visited a store in Phoenix and bought two futons, one for my extra 'bedroom' that was actually a home office and one for the living room. Twenty-some years later, I still use those futons. By day, they fold into a sofa and at night, I can use them as full sized beds for guests.

Basic Futon Components: The Frame and Mattress

The old models that I have each consist of a metal frame and mattress. The original mattresses were only about four inches thick and not very comfortable, so I replaced them a couple years ago with 8-inch mattresses with coils.

Nowadays, there are more than simple metal futon frames. You can get wicker frames, wood/metal combo frames, oak frames and other wood frames, all of which are easy to "flip" open into a bed when needed. Quite frankly, with the right mattress and cover, some of the new futon designs look like elegant pieces of furniture.

Mix and Match the Covers for a Whole New (or Clean) Look

Not only are futons nice to have around for house guests, but you can easily re-decorate your living room or spare bedroom on a whim and not have to spend a fortune in buying new furniture or re-upholstering what you have in order to do so. There are a breathtaking array of futon covers on the market, in all sizes so that they'll fit your futon chair, couch or ottoman. They are very easy to use -- just remove the old cover and zip the new one on. Some of these covers are solid, others are printed fabric. Depending on your particular design tastes, you can get beautiful American southwest designs, country floral patters, or rich, solid colored fabrics. I tend to prefer the solid colors and then spice them up with throw pillows, using a combination of solid colored pillows and patterened designs. It is not uncommon for futon vendors to give a couple of free futon pillows with each cover purchase.

Aside from the interior decorating aspects, futon covers are practical. Many of them are machine washable, so if you have an indoor pet that is shedding hair or the kids spill something on your furniture, it is easy to clean the cover. Just throw it in the wash and the mess is gone. I like to keep a couple of extra sets around in case unexpected guests arrive or I don't have time to wash the covers. I have purchased futon covers for less than $40, which is a bargain, considering the cost of hiring a professional upholstery cleaner to take care of occasional spills.

Economy of Space

If you have an odd-shaped room and a tiny little spare bedroom, futons are an excellent way to furnish the space. I have a really small spare bedroom upstairs with a narrow door, and it is impossible to get a full-sized bed in there. I was able to put a futon in there quite easily because the frame is lightweight and I could maneuver it through the door. The mattress is also light and flexible, so it was not difficult to get it in the room. It is a bit crowded when I convert the futon into a bed, but none of my guests have complained. When folded back into a couch, there is enough space to walk around in the room and use it as a work room.

I don't personally have one, but a clever space-saving futon design is something called a "FuChest." It's an attractive faux chest of drawers that folds out into a futon bed.

The Test of Time

Futons last for years and years, and once you have one, you'll probably keep it. I personally don't believe that futons will ever go out of style. If you have a ghastly looking cover design that may have been popular years ago, it is inexpensive and easy to replace the cover and create a new look. With today's elegant frame designs, futons no longer have that college dorm, room "cheap look" . . . although there are cheap futons on the market that are perfect for a dorm room.