Five Futon Accessories You Can't Live Without

So, you've decided upon a futon instead of a couch. It's all set up. It's cushy. It does the job a futon's supposed to do. But futon living isn't all about the mattress and the frame. Here are five futon accessories you can't live without.

1. A spare futon cover. Got a cat? A dog? A kid? A husband who spills? Your futon may look clean and neat today, but that won't last. If you want to keep your futon in perfect shape, invest in a spare, washable futon cover. It doesn't have to be a fancy futon cover. Futon accessories like this can be made from plain twill. You can purchase this set of futon accessories on Ebay for as little as $11 if you keep an eye out. For daily futon use, keep the spare futon cover on to protect the mattress. When company is coming over, throw it in the wash. When it comes to futon accessories, a futon cover is one of the best purchases you can make.

2. The Futon Wedge. In the world of futon accessories, this is one of the most inventive. The futon wedge fits under seat to make a more level seating surface, so that your futon feels more like a couch when it's not being used like a bed. And because it keeps your mattress from sliding, there's no need to buy futon accessories like gripper strips and pads.

3. Futon Gripper Strips. But if, for some reason, while you're shopping for futon accessories, you can't find the futon wedge or you don't want one, you'll need gripper strips to keep the mattress from sliding off the frame. These will run you about $15, and they're not very attractive if your futon doesn't back up to a wall, but they hold the futon in place very well.

4. Futon Pillows. Whether they're square, round, or bolster shaped - futon pillows are great futon accessories. They dress up your futon to give it a more formal look. They pull colors in from your decor. They offer a more comfortable experience on your futon, and can more than make up for the exposed frames at each arm. In fact, if those hard arms are the only thing scaring you away from buying a futon, consider the overarm pillows a futon accessory you can't live without.

5. Futon Ottomans & Loveseats. Futons accessories come in more than one shape and size. If you're trying to furnish an entire room, and you're looking for design cohesion, consider purchasing a futon ottoman or loveseat (preferably both, since they can be ingeniously pieced together to make another double bed). A futon ottoman, in particular, offers you the greatest flexibility when it comes to futon accessories. When you're watching the big game, you can put your feet up on it. When you're entertaining, you can remove the mattress and turn it into a coffee table. In conclusion, when you buy a futon, don't forget the futon accessories that will make it your favorite piece of furniture in the house!