A bunk bed is a type of bed in which one bed is stacked on top of another. They are typically used as furnishings in children's rooms, or university residence hall bedrooms allowing two people to sleep in the same room while maximizing available floor space. They normally are supported by four poles at each corner of the bed. To get to the second bunk a ladder is used, though taller children often find other faster, more creative methods of climbing into them. The top bed normally is surrounded by a railing to prevent the sleeper from falling out. Because of the need for a ladder, using the top bunk of a bunkbed is not recommended for children under six years old. The space saving nature of bunkbeds leads to them also being used in places with limited floor space, such as ships and garrisons or in places that wish to maximise bedspace such as a dormitory in a hostel.

An adjustable bed (also called a Semi-Fowler bed) can be adjusted to a number of different positions. For individuals with certain types of back problems, sleeping on an adjustable bed that is at a slight incline (e.g. 30 to 45 degrees) may be comfortable, with the upper body positioned higher up than the lower body and some support under the knees to bend the knees at a slight angle. The combination of upper body incline and the knee support can help take some of the stress off the lower back. Provided that the person is comfortable sleeping in this manner through the night, this position can support the curves of the spine and relieve pressure on the entire body. While most popular in hospitals or other medical facilities, adjustable beds are becoming widely used in homes to provide support for sleeping in a variety of positions.

A futon is a type of mattress that makes up a Japanese bed. They are sold in Japan at specialty stores called futon-ya, and are also available at department stores.

Japanese futons are flat, about 5 cm (2 in) thick with a fabric exterior stuffed with cotton or synthetic batting. They are often sold in sets which include the futon mattress (shikibuton), a comforter (kakebuton) or blanket (mōfu), a summer blanket resembling a large towel (towelket), and pillow (makura), generally filled with beans, buckwheat chaff or plastic beads. Such sets can be purchased for under 10,000 yen.

Futons are designed to be placed on tatami flooring, and are traditionally folded away and stored in a closet during the day to allow the tatami to breathe and to allow for flexibility in the use of the room. Futons must be aired in sunlight regularly, especially if not put away during the day. In addition, many Japanese people beat their futons regularly using a special tool, traditionally made from bamboo, resembling a Western carpet beater.

Western futons are only loosely based on the Japanese original, with several major differences. They are usually filled with foam as well as batting, often in several layers, and are almost always much thicker and larger than Japanese futons, resembling a traditional mattress in size. They are usually placed on a configurable frame for dual use as a bed and a couch, but are not intended to be stored away during the day. Western-style futons are a cheap alternative to a bed or other furniture, and are often sold in sets that include the mattress and frame. Most Japanese people would not recognize a Western-style "futon" as a futon.

There is, however, a growing market in Japan for high quality bedding made in the Western style. While still not traditional futons, they lack the springs and synthetic casings of traditional mattresses and tend to be constructed primarily out of cotton. Additionally, these alternative futons tend to be hand-made. Quite often these futons are marketed as "earth friendly," especially since they do not contain the chemicals with which some conventional bedding is manufactured.

In Japanese, a zabuton (za, sitting + futon) is a cushion for sitting on. Zabuton are often used for sitting on tatami floors.