Futons are a popular choice among college students and young professionals furnishing their first apartments. A futon converts from a sofa to a bed and is a practical and convenient choice for home furnishings. However, because of their low cost and basic set-up, futons usually arrive in several pieces which you will have to assemble. You can choose to purchase either a metal or a wood futon, but the set-up does not vary greatly between the two.
Instructions
1. Organize the futon pieces. Your futon should have come with the basic metal pieces necessary to create the back, bottom, legs and arms of the futon; the exact pieces will vary by model. However, for most models, you will need the materials mentioned above: 2 plastic sliders, 8 clevis pins, 8 barrel nuts, 8 screws and 8 cotter pins.
2. Attach the futon's arms to the stretcher. Take one of the arms, with the grooves facing toward the base of the futon. Insert the barrel nuts into the stretchers and the screws inside the nuts. Don't tighten the screws yet, but leave them in place for the moment.
3. Attach the futon's seat to the back. At this point, you will be working with the hinges. Locate the holes on the back of the futon's base and at the edge of the futon's back. Align the sliders with the top of each side on the back of the futon to allow the futon to fold and unfold.
4. Take the seat and back piece you just assembled and place it inside the stretcher and arm piece you assembled earlier. The sliders should go into the grooves below the arm rests. Test the futon to make sure it bends open and closed; after it does, tighten all the screws with a screwdriver.
5. Set the futon mattress on top of the frame, tying the strings on its bottom to the metal slabs on the base and back of the futon.
