Futon Beds
Futon beds have become very popular in western countries over the years. Though many people may not know what exactly a futon really is. From their Japanese origins to what we see today there are some differences, we are going to have a look at them.
Incase you were unaware, Futon beds originated in Japan where they are also referred to as “Futon” and are said to have been first used by samurai's. Futons generally consist of two main parts, the “Shikibuton” - the bottom mattress – and a “Kakebuton” – a thick quilted bed cover - similar to goose down comforters. They are made to be slept in a night then folded up during the day and stored away so that the room they occupied can used for other purposes.
Futons are flat mattresses which a laid out on a traditional Japanese floor called “Tatami”. They are generally filled with cotton and wool, but today they can also be filled with synthetic fibres. The pillows or “makura” are normally filled with either beans, buckwheat chaff or plastic beads.
When not in use the futon is stored in a cupboard out of harms way. Though they do need regular airing and sunlight to keep them fresh, they are beaten with a bamboo cane, which is similar to the western carpet beater.
In the west though, they are quite different, we have adapted the futon bed to suit our needs. To many when the word “futon” is mentioned they automatically think of a futon sofa bed. Where instead of the mattress being folded away and kept in a cupboard during the day, it folds up into a usable sofa or armchair. If it is to be used as a full time bed, they generally wont be placed on the floor or “makura”, but will have a fixed wooden bed frame to lift it away from the floor, normally to keep the user away from any drafts and cold air on the floor. In the west we also use much thicker mattresses on our futons. They a more like the traditional mattress used in western beds.
The main reason for the futon beds popularity in the west is the fact that they are very cheap. They appeal to the masses who want a simple, fashionable and comfortable bed.
Futon beds have come a long way from their origins in Japan. They have been embraced by many countries, even if they have been modified along the way. They are a great option if you are short on space, need to save money, or even if you just like the look of them. There are plenty of them out there for you to choose from.
Bedding Ensembles for Your Futon Bed
A futon bed is so useful as it makes a perfect sofa during the day and then can turn into an impromptu guest bed at night without much hassle. If you have a futon, however, you do need to think about what to do about bedding. Many people make do with whatever is not being used on other beds and is just lying around the home, but it is a pity to do that when you could make your guests feel so much more welcome by providing one of the beautiful new bedding ensembles around. These generally include everything you need to make a full set of bedding including sheets, pillow shams and either a duvet cover or comforter.
If you choose the colors of your bedding carefully, you could also make your temporary guest room look much more than an afterthought. Many people put a futon in the study or den and match the futon covers (which you see most of the time) to the decoration there. But why not buy matching bedding too? For example, if the room has a red, white and blue theme, think about buying a similar red, white and blue bedding set. There is a great blue bed in bag by Tommy Hilfiger available just now, which incorporates those colors and would suit perfectly. If, on the other hand, your room has a Japanese theme to go with your futon, you could choose a bedding set with oriental characters or even one embroidered in cherry blossom, the national flower of Japan.
It is best to store your bedding as close as possible to the room where it will be used. If you think that storing all this new bedding will be a problem, one solution is to buy a large wicker storage basket that can double as a coffee or a side table. These generally come in natural wicker but they are also available in white or painted in all kinds of shades. They will take a lot of bedding including pillows as well as a comforter and sheets (and probably storage for a few other things as well). When you are ready to turn your futon into a bed, everything is then available right there without having to scout around your home looking for the spare pillows and duvet.