- The futon of Japan is a mattress of cotton batting thin enough to fold up and place in a closet when not being used. To western eyes, it resembles a thick quilt or comforter more than it does a mattress. One reason Japanese can sleep on a mattress so thin is the floors of their homes. Rush mats called tatami are the traditional flooring for a bedroom in Japan, providing a softer floor than those in most western bedrooms.
- A western futon mattress is generally 4 or more inches thick. Simple mattresses are stuffed with cotton batting, while the more advanced designs include spring-like cells of cotton coils, or actual interior springs. These mattresses don't fold up for storage, but can fold in half for transportation or conversion to a couch.
- The flat frame is a common choice for a futon mattress intended primarily for the bedroom. It consists of a series of slats laid over two or three parallel rails. The slats provide support for the mattress -- since it lacks rigid interior structure, a western rail bed frame would not hold it up. The spacing between the slats allows for air flow to prevent mold and mildew. Some flat frames have hinges that allow the futon bed to convert into a couch or chair. In these cases, part of the mattress often folds over the back of the seat.
- A glider futon frame sets the mattress on a hinged platform that allows it to easily convert from a bed frame to a sofa. With these models, the mattress folds in half along its length, so the whole bed can be used when in sofa mode. Glider futons are less expensive and easier to move than hide-a-bed sofas, and are often more comfortable because of the significantly thicker mattress. Futon bunk beds often have a glider bed on the bottom bunk to allow even more floor space.
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