A bit more about futons-direct

Your futon sofa bed or futon mattress will be supplied by a futon company that has more than 30 years experience with futons. We opened our workshop in 1985 & have also been selling on the internet for 13 years. In that time we have shipped and sold thousands of futons and futon mattresses througout the UK. We try and introduce the best new products when they arrive on the market and will help you select the correct model for your situation and all our futons are fully guaranteed.

Why buy from a smaller futon company?

It is better to buy from a specialist company who know the products they are selling. We have only sold futons (no other products) for 25 years and use them in our own home. We will advise which model makes the best sofa and which makes the best futon bed. And unlike the big chains, when you contact us ( we are contactable Monday to Saturday, 10am till 8pm) you won't get a call centre.

Price comparison?

Some of our futons are £200 less than the high street price. Also regarding price, please beware of internet sites selling cheap pine and metal futons with a thin mattress for what seems to be a bargain price. These items are uncomfortable, unsuitable and a waste of money. For value and comfort, when buying, shop in the middle, avoiding inflated high street prices, but also avoid trash disguised as a bargain.
For quality offers please see our futon mattress offers page and look for the offer banner on selected futon sofabeds.

How quickly can you deliver?

Futons and futon mattresses that are in stock can be delivered in the Oxford area in 24-48 hours, nationwide UK deliveries take 4-5 working days from ordering and verbal confirmation of delivery date.

Will my delivery be taken upstairs?

All our delivery companies are only contracted to deliver to the front door of a house or flat,
they don't have time and health and safety rules don't allow them to bring things upstairs. Also please make sure, before ordering that it is possible for a delivery vehicle to stop close to your building without getting a ticket, blocking a major route etc. If you have any questions about delivery please call 01865 880005 Monday to Saturday 10am till 8pm.

Can my futon be collected?

You can visit us to pick up, please call 01865 880005 to arrange a collection time. We are in the village of Eynsham (5 miles west of Oxford), there is a map on the contact us page of the website. All our frames are flatpacked and will fit into a hatchback or estate car.
You can also collect pre-ordered futons and futon mattresses from the factory/workshop in Exeter.

Is my purchase guaranteed?

All our futons are guaranteed against fault or defects for one year. They are also covered in the unlikely event of damage incurred in shipping.

Can my futon be returned?

Returns are at our discretion, futon mattresses which have been unwrapped at not sellable by law so can't be returned. It might be possible to return a base if it is put back in it's original packaging and arrives back to us undamaged.
It is better to ask questions (we are contactable by phone Monday to Saturday 10am till 8pm)
before ordering if you aren't sure which model to purchase.

What's special about your futon mattresses?

All our futon mattresses are constructed using the latest, much improved fillings and are much more comfortable and better quality than most being sold online. Our trifold futon mattress is still 10cm thick after being compressed in the workshop, our bifold is 15cm when delivered, we are now selling futon mattresses in 5 sizes with 8 different combinations of expensive fillings. See the two futon mattress pages to help decide which futon mattress and filling is the most suitable. Our new range of bedframe futon mattresses are ultra comfortable and only use the best quality fillings available in the UK.

What size futon mattresses do you sell?

Our mattresses are available in 5 sizes, king size, double, small double and there are also two single futon sizes. The smallest size is a 76cm single for a child, the larger 91cm single is for an older child or adult.
If you are ordering a replacement bifold mattress for a 3 seater futon frame you will probably need a 137cm double, measure your base in bed mode to make sure. If you measure in the sofa position you will get an incorrect measurement.

Which replacement futon mattress do I need?

We sell bifold, trifold and bed frame futon mattresses.To decide which futon mattress you need, first look at and measure your futon frame or bed base, a trifold futon mattress is used on a narrower type of frame where the mattress folds like an s shape, you sit on a double section whille one section is behind your back. This type is always thinner, otherwise it wouldn't fold into shape, so a trifold futon mattress is normally used as a guest bed. A bifold futon mattress is made for a longer, 3 seater frame and only needs to fold into 2 (down the middle) so they contain more filling and can be used as a main bed.There are two types of bifolds, the superior bifold is softer and bouncier, the ultimate foam futon mattress makes a firmer and more durable sofa and bed. We have now added a new range of luxury bed frame futon mattresses, see the bed frame futon mattress page for more information about the fillings.

Why are your bifold futon mattresses better?

There are many companies offering thinner bifolds with a purchase of a bifold frame, some then give you a chance to upgrade to a supposedly higher grade mattress, but often even the upgrade isn't suitable. We never offer an unsuitable futon mattress as bait. On a 3 seater futon frame you won't have the mattress doubled underneath, so it is very important that the futon mattress has the correct amount and mixture of fillings. We believe our superior bifold and the new ultimate foam bifold futon mattresses are the best on the UK market, both in terms of quality and price.

Do you sell futon covers?

We sell separate, dry cleanable futon covers for all the futon sizes that we sell. Covers cost £70 for drill fabrics and £20 extra for chenille or faux-suede fabrics. The new futon cover simply zips on over the mattress and the only difference will be a smooth surface as opposed to a buttoned finish. Since the original fabric is good quality many customers only purchase a cover if something is spilled or they want a new look in the room.

Is there a choice of fabrics and colours ?

Your mattress can be covered in a wide choice of colours, heavy duty cotton drill is the most popular fabric, but it can also be finished in tactile chenille and faux-suede fabrics for £20 extra. Please see our mattress colours and fabrics page.

What's special about your pine futons?

Our Oxford frame is made from high quality New Zealand pine. We believe that in terms of thickness of the wood, general appearance and lack of splinters and sap pockets this is the best pine futon on the UK market.The Oxford is always supplied with the same comfortable, premium tri fold futon mattress as our more expensive 2 seaters, if you want a comfortable permanent bed, this frame can be supplied with a superior bi fold futon mattress or ultimate foam for £30 extra.

What about your hardwood futon sofa beds?

The best hardwood futons are made in Malaysia & we have also selected futon frames that are easy to assemble and operate,

Which type of double futon do I need?

Besides considerations about cost and style, you need to think about your use of the futon.
Some people leave the futon out as a main bed & others mostly need a sofa. If you have enough room a bifold double futon is the most versatile, they make large comfortable sofas and only take a few seconds to convert into an everyday bed. For a smaller room, a trifold double futon is still comfortable but meant to be used as guest bed.

Why are your metal frames better?

There are many metal futons on the market but most are unsuitable due to inferior metal
or they are often supplied with a thin, uncomfortable futon mattress. We always supply our handmade, comfortable, superior bifold futon mattress on our 3 seat metal frames. For examples examples of high quality metal frames check our Nordic and Oslo 3 seaters.

Are your futon sofa beds easy to operate?

All our bifold futons take 2-3 seconds to convert into a double bed and are the best models for frequent or everyday use.They convert using a simple roller system or easy clic-clac mechanism. The easiest 2 seaters are the Boston and the Tokyo which convert effortlessly from the front, using one hand and don't need to be moved away from the wall. Normaly a 2 seater futon sofa bed needs to be pulled forward, away from the wall, more difficult, but not so bad for occasional us

How do I order and make payment ?

Futons-Direct offer 24 hour secure online ordering & payment by credit or debit card. You can also send a cheque in the post made out to us.

Should I read your futon blog?

Our blog has the latest information about our special offers, new products and new futon models.
Some new futon sofa beds and futon mattresses will appear on the blog before the main website.

Can I buy a futon frame without a mattress?

Any frame can be purchased seperately, prices are shown in the text about each futon sofabed. All futon frames can now be ordered online using our secure online payment system.

What size single futon do I need ?

If the futon mattress is for a child, the 76cm single is best, a 91cm large single futon is best for
an older child or an adult. The mattress can be purchased seperately or supplied with our Oxford Pine frame.

I had a futon at college, it was horrible, why would I want another one?

Futon furniture has improved beyond all recognition in the past few years.
When a futon frame is designed properly and the mattress has enough and the proper
combination of fillings they are a great product. Some are suitable for everyday use (see
our 3 seaters and our bifold futon mattresses. Sadly there is a lot of junk still
being sold, look at an earlier FAQ about prices and not buying at opposite ends of the price range.