A futon can be a great way to save space in your home, enjoy a minimalist aesthetic, and still remain comfy and ready to relax. In some cases, however, your futon may fall slightly short of your requirements – and this typically occurs when you purchase a futon that doesn’t come with arm rests.
The good news is that there are solutions available: read on for everything you need to know to transform your futon and make sure that you are comfortable and happy every single day.
What Are The Benefits of a Futon?
Before we take a closer look at adding arms to your futon, it is worth considering the benefits of this type of furniture – and there are plenty to choose from!
Ease and Effort
One of the biggest benefits of a futon comes from its versatility and ease of use; futons are, by their very nature, versatile pieces of kit. They can double up as a bed and a couch, allowing you to combine sleeping and seating areas in one convenient location.
In addition, switching the function – for example, from sitting to sleeping – is far easier and less painful than converting a sofa bed.
Space Saver
With a futon, the dual function of the design means that you can also save valuable space. Rather than having to find floor space for a bed and a sofa, you can combine two in one and enjoy more room – this makes a futon an ideal choice if you are strapped for space in a smaller apartment or home.
No matter the square footage that you have available, you can stay super comfortable.
Lower Cost
The cheaper cost of futons is another huge benefit – they tend to be far cheaper than more traditional beds and sofas. This is even true for those at the higher, more luxurious end of the market – even a fancier futon is typically far cheaper than even budget beds and sofas.
If you are furnishing your first home, moving house, or are simply a little strapped for cash, this can be a real lifesaver.
Easy To Move
The versatility of futons is also a major part of their appeal – not only do they have the ability to serve multiple functions, but they are also simple and easy to construct.
This also means that they are easy to take apart and rearrange – this is ideal for getting your futon up and running quickly, and for moving your furniture around your room. Want to transform the look and feel of your space?
Then there is no need to worry about lugging heavy furniture from place to place – your futon can be easily disassembled and reassembled in your new desired location. In addition, this also makes futons super easy to move if you change residence – and can seriously cut your moving costs and fees!
Change Your Design
As well as being easy to take apart and move as desired, futons also benefit from being chameleons. It is super easy to change and transform the appearance of your futon depending on your design needs; update the cover (for far less than a mattress cover!) or add a throw or cushions to totally transform the look and feel of your space in just a few short steps.
Why Does Your Futon Need Arms?
A large part of the appeal of futons for many users is the smooth, streamines finish, and the lack of extra detail. This means that futons are perfect for smaller spaces, or for creating a calm, soothing and minimalist aesthetic – and for many, arm rests may feel like the antithesis of this.
There are, however, a number of advantages to adding armrests, and many of these come from benefits to posture and positioning while sitting. Some of the main benefits of using armrests include:
Prevent Muscular Pain And Tension
Armrests help to provide support to your upper body, and this can play a large role in alleviating a great deal of muscle pain and tension, especially if you are sitting for an extended period of time.
Not only will this help to keep you more comfortable and relaxed while you are enjoying your futon, but it also reduces the risk of developing strain and stress in the upper body, which can cause more serious problems down the line.
Keep You Relaxed
As well as reducing the tension in your upper body, armrests also actively work to force your arms to relax in the right position. This is ideal for reducing the amount of stress that you experience in your neck and shoulders – this stress can be very painful if it is not corrected over an extended period of time.
In addition, keeping your arms relaxed and rested also places you in an ideal position for the optimum postural alignment, and this offers a huge number of benefits for your body and overall well being, including stabilizing your spine, strengthening your core muscles, keeping the neck safe and reducing your risk of injury.
If you are reading or typing a lot while sitting – for example, on a laptop or tablet, this is even more important, as it encourages the arms to stay in a beneficial position.
It is important to ensure that you choose a futon with armrests that do not interfere with free movement between you and the desk – all armrests should be positioned to allow you to rest your elbows comfortably, and with minimal effort.
Comfort
Many users also report that a futon with armrests is simply a more comfortable experience, offering support, stability, and a sense of security that is missing with futons that do not include this feature.
Can I Buy Arms For A Futon?
If you are looking to add arms to your futon, there are two main options available to you: purchase a futon that comes with arms already attached, or create your own using pillows and cushions.
The former is the best option, as this will offer the security and stability that you need – just be aware that these do tend to come with a slightly higher price tag.
If you are strapped for cash, however, you can use long, solid pillows and cushions to pack the sides of your futon and create your own DIY arm rests – this can also be a great way to find out if you are comfortable with arm rests before you invest in a more expensive futon.
Final Thoughts
Adding armrests is a great way to upgrade your futon experience, and has the added bonus of offering a number of benefits to your health, comfort, and wellbeing.
