Futon covers are neat little accessories than can prove to be very useful to today’s futon owner. Here’s a list of why.
Futons by nature are simple pieces of furniture that have a basic frame and a foldable mattress on top.
The mattress is usually either a solid color or pattern, and you can buy the mattress color they show on display or order one special from the manufacturer.
But what if the mattresses are all colors that you don’t like?
Don’t throw out the baby with the bath water, meaning you should still buy the futon an its mattress if you find it comfortable and then buy a separate futon cover in a design you do like.
You’ll find this frees you to buy based on comfort and not color. By getting a separate futon color you’ll also be protecting the mattress underneath from basic spill stains and the occasional fabric tear.
You can extend the life of the mattress itself by protecting it with a cover. You will also have the option to change the cover and give that large piece of furniture a new look, thereby also changing the decor of your room.
For instance you could use that cover to decorate for spring, and then change again in the fall with a more autumn type pattern.
The covers are available in a nearly limitless range of colors and patterns. Depending on what the fabric is made of it can either be cheap or expensive, but be careful as you’ll get what you pay for.
You don’t want a completely flimsey cover, but you also don’t want something stiff and uncomfortable. If you buy online read the reviews by other shoppers.
If you buy in the store test the weight, read the sizes to be sure it will fit your mattress and that it feels good to your hands.
Fortunately these are the model of convenience. They are easy to remove and put back on, most are machine washable and they can look expensive without actually costing a lot.
Related: best mattresses of 2026
Related: top mattress brands compared
Related: mattress sizes guide
Getting the Most from Mattress Accessories
Mattress accessories — including toppers, pads, protectors, and covers — can transform your sleeping experience and extend the useful life of your mattress, often at a fraction of the cost of buying a new mattress. Mattress toppers (2-4 inches thick) are the most impactful accessory, capable of significantly altering the comfort level of an existing mattress. A memory foam topper adds contouring pressure relief to a too-firm mattress, while a firm latex topper provides additional support to a mattress that has become too soft with age. Mattress pads are thinner (typically under 2 inches) and focus more on surface comfort and protection than fundamental firmness adjustment. The key to maximizing the benefit of any mattress topper is matching the material and firmness to the specific shortcoming of your current mattress rather than simply adding more cushioning.
Maintaining and Replacing Mattress Accessories
Like your mattress itself, accessories require regular maintenance and eventual replacement to continue performing effectively. Mattress protectors should be washed monthly in hot water to eliminate dust mites and allergens, and replaced every 1-2 years as the waterproof membrane degrades with washing. Memory foam toppers cannot be machine washed but should be spot cleaned as needed and aired out every few months; they typically last 3-5 years before losing their supportive properties. Latex toppers are more durable, maintaining their feel for 5-7 years. Rotating your topper along with your mattress helps distribute wear evenly. When a topper is no longer effectively improving your sleep, it is usually more cost-effective to replace the topper (a $100-$300 investment) than to continue using a degraded one — poor support from a worn topper can actually make sleep quality worse than sleeping directly on the mattress surface alone.
