How to Make a DIY Foam Futon Bed
With spare bedrooms a luxury for most UK households, you may be wondering how best to accommodate guests in the space you have. A popular choice for many decades is a trusty fold-away futon bed. Unlike air beds, futons offer better support and comfort, and of course don't suffer the deflation that often affects air beds regardless of their cost or quality.
Why make your own futon?
Many futon suppliers looking to cash in on demand create products using poor-quality and often toxic foam. A way to avoid this is to make your own futon bed using cut to size foam from eFoam. We are proud to offer high-quality foam at an unbeatable price, in a range of non-toxic types manufactured in the UK without harmful chemicals.
Choosing the right foam
For a DIY futon, we recommend a high-density polyurethane foam for thinner beds (between 3 and 4 inches), as these maintain structure under a typical adult's weight. For children's futons, a medium-high density foam offers heightened comfort for those who aren't as heavy as the average adult. For a more luxurious feel, use high-density foam topped with a 1 to 2 inch layer of memory foam. All of these make an easy-to-clean futon bed that folds and stores away neatly. If you'd like help comparing densities, see our first-time buyer's guide to foam.
Futon design and measurements
The most popular futon design is the standard adult single, made from two or three square polyurethane foam blocks depending on how long you want the bed; three parts is the most popular option. First, choose the fabric you wish to cover it with. For durability and longevity, we recommend a dense, weighted material such as heavy cotton (the higher the thread count the better – ideally 800 TC plus), or a heavy, wear-resistant polyester.
Next, take your measurements. A UK small single – a popular size for futon beds – is 75cm by 190cm. Split this into three rectangular shapes measuring 75cm long by 63cm wide. Using our online cut to size calculator, enter your measurements as instructed and select your foam.
How to make the covers
Your covers need to accommodate the foam inserts. Using your measurements (or those above, if you're following this guide to size), add 1 to 1.5cm to the width and length. This makes the foam easier to insert and allows room for stockinette covers and movement when the futon is in use.
After cutting your fabric into three identical shapes, stitch three sides of each rectangle together to form three pockets. Stitch a small zip to each of the three remaining open sides – this is where you'll insert the foam and remove it to clean the cover. Then stitch the sides opposite the zips together to make a connected three-part futon. Your zips should sit on the left- or right-hand side of the bed.
Should you need any advice when sourcing foam for your DIY futon bed, please contact one of our friendly advisers.
Frequently asked questions
What foam is best for a DIY futon bed?
For thinner beds of 3 to 4 inches, use a high-density polyurethane foam to keep its structure under an adult's weight. For children's futons, a medium-high density foam is more comfortable, and for a luxury feel you can top high-density foam with a 1 to 2 inch layer of memory foam.
What size is a futon bed?
A popular size is the UK small single at 75cm by 190cm. This is usually split into two or three square foam blocks, with three parts being the most popular fold-away design.
Is eFoam's foam non-toxic?
Yes. eFoam supplies a range of non-toxic foam types manufactured in the UK without the use of harmful chemicals, which is a safer alternative to the poor-quality foam used in some cheap futons.
