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.

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.

If you didn’t know, futon products that are an important part of this sleep category, have also evolved. What used to be considered more of an item for a teenager or college student is getting more and more likely to show up in modern homes. Initially, a futon mattress was simply a cotton and foam pad, essentially. The major transformation of futons happened sometime in the 1990s on a wider scale, when manufactures decided that was time to infuse the cotton futon with different combinations infill materials. This included things like coiled springs and other foams.

Of course, the technology continues evolving and so is the futon mattress. Manufacturers try to make them more comfortable and more durable by using high quality materials. The most important advantage of futon is that they this is a very flexible material that molds perfectly on any platform. There are a wide variety of products made based upon this type of futon base. Things like futon chairs and chaises are also available. Who would have known, right?

These types of futon mattress can still be found in teenager’s bedrooms and college dorms but only because they are so flexible and inexpensive, it isn’t because of poor quality. But before you purchase this type of mattress, it is good to keep some details in mind. A futon bed has some specific points worthy of mentioning; key to these are durability and size. It is most common to find futon beds in sizes like fulls and twins. It is possible to find them in queen sizes, but you will have a very hard time finding a king-size futon.

About the durability. While the materials and manufacturers are producing a quality product, it is still possible that you will find a traditionally made mattress will likely outlast your futon. This is due to a variety of reasons. One reason is that synthetic materials are often used to make traditional mattresses and frames. They also utilize a different spring structure and padding. However, you will likely pay hundreds more for a traditional mattress, so the cost-benefit will often favor a futon. There are, after all, certain applications where a traditional bed and frame will simply not be possible or convenient to use.

Also, before you make any decision to purchase a futon mattress, you have to think how you will use it. In other words, where will it be going in your home; a home office, guest room or your primary sleeping arrangement. The answer to this question will have a big influence on the type of mattress that is recommended for you to order. If you think that the futon will only be used as a primary sleeping bed, you are advised to find one with a thick mattress and more supportive springs or memory foam. Thinner mattresses, while still useful for other applications may cause you an uncomfortable night’s sleep. You might be interested to learn that the traditional Japanese futon is made of two different parts, the bottom part and the top quilted portion. These combine to make the style used in many Asian countries – they don’t use them as sofa-sleepers.

If you think that the futon that you intend to purchase will be used as a sofa-couch most of the time, you have to take into consideration that the mattress has to be very flexible. That’s because it will be folded very often. In this case, you might be more inclined to purchase a futon with a thinner mattress profile with a cotton or wool and foam infill mix. Mattresses that have different types of foam in their composition can also be easier to keep their shape with continuous opening and closing. This type of mattress has the property that it can conform very fast to the different shapes.

There are many companies from which you can purchase a futon. Even the big names, like Beatyrest™, Simmons™ and Airlay™ just to name a few, are in the futon market, so you shouldn’t be timid about making a purchase. These mattresses range anywhere from $120 USD to upwards of $500 USD or more. Some, on the lower end of this range do not include a bed frame, so that is something to consider as well. You can purchase them directly from the manufacturers in many cases or a simple search online will reveal sources as well. As you might imagine, places like Ebay and Amazon can be great places to read reviews and even make your futon mattress purchase.

Cotton Mattress

This is the original futon mattress. Simple and comfortable layers of cotton. Cotton mattresses come in 3” to 9” deep variants. The thicker mattress you go for the heavier they will be and hard to move around. When you first get your new cotton twin mattress it will be soft, but over time it will begin to get firmer. Although they are old school, many people still opt for a good old cotton mattress.

Cotton Foam Mattress

Foam was added to the cotton mattress to extend the life of the mattress. Adding foam has some advantages over pure cotton. The foam core is much lighter than cotton therefor decreasing the overall weight and making it easier to handle and move around. It also keeps the mattress in the correct shape when the futon is folded up into the sofa position. It also makes the sofa more natural feeling when you sit on it. The foam core also lets you choose how firm you want the mattress to be, going from soft to medium and cushiony feeling and up to very firm. There are many advantages to cotton foam and many options available.

Inner Spring

The innerspring mattress is relatively new to futon beds. New designs have made it possible to use sprung mattresses on futon sofa beds. The spring mattress is totally different from cotton and foam. It offers a more natural sleeping surface, somewhat closer to a traditional beds mattress. The springs help it to keep shape and doesn't suffer from indentations so there are no dips or impressions on the surface. They are also very comfortable when folded up in the seating position. They are slightly more expensive than the cotton and foam mattresses but they are well worth the extra cost.

The best way to figure out what mattress you want for your futon is to go and try them out for yourself. Any good retailer will have a wide selection to choose from and to try out. If you know what you want try the online stores and you will probably find some great deals.

A futon bed can also be used for decorative purposes, there are many covers with different patterns and material choices available. Futon mattress covers come in at almost every price range. They can be as cheap as 20 or 30 dollars and go all the way up to and beyond 100 dollars.

They often come with Zippers, Velcro or poppers for ease of use. Unless you opt for a more delicate material they are easily machine washable. There are dozens of different styles, patterns and fabrics available for your covers. Some have prints. Some come as solid colours. And then there are both options, along with others. They can come with coordinating print and colour to give the cover a little something extra.

Once you make your choice of material and pattern of your new cover they can be an exact match for the room they will be going in, going with the other furniture and decoration. Clearly the more extravagant the decorations the higher the cost of the cover.

If the cover doesn't go over the whole mattress then this is known as a slip cover. Or they can come with elastic edges that make the cover fit well around the entire mattress. Both styles come organic materials such as wool and cotton as well as synthetic fabrics.

A good cover can help to extend the life of the mattress underneath it. Saving it from unnecessary damage from children playing on them or people with dirty clothing or footwear and in turn saving you from unwanted extra bills or repair costs in the future.

To find the cover that best suits your needs do a bit of browsing, either online or at your local store. There are literally thousands of covers on the market and you are guaranteed to find something that matches you needs.

A futon bed is a great addition to any room in your house, be it your family room, living room or spare bed room. They are extremely adaptable pieces of furniture to have at home.

There are hundreds of futons on the market, there will be one to suit every room and be a fine addition to your home. If you struggle for space to have a spare bed in your house then having guests over for the weekend or for holidays could be a struggle, a futon bed is a handy and comfortable solution to your problem. They take up considerably less room than traditional pine bedroom furniture.

A futon mattress can be folded away when its not in use and be kept in a cupboard, or if you opt for a futon sofa bed then it can be folded up into a comfortable sofa. When needed they easily fold out into a comfortable bed.

Futons are very versatile, they can easy be changed and adapted to convey many moods. a simple switch of the futon cover and you have a new mood. Or even move it to another room with a different colour scheme. There are literally thousands of possible options when it comes to changing your futon cover, go to any furniture store and see the vast selections available.

It also makes keeping your futon sofa clean, simply swap the covers and clean the old one. There is no rushing around trying to clean and dry one cover when you are expecting guests any minute.

When buying your futon you will no doubt be given an choice of cover finishes to choose from, obviously you need to choose one that matches your décor. Or buy several to keep you room looking fresh. There are many choices of style available, from modern to classic designs. Pick one to work with your room. If you cant find a futon that you like the look of you may want to have a look at a platform bed. If you don't need your bed to fold away then these beds are another great option.

Have a look at the stores online to get an idea of the options available to you regarding the futons and finishes available and what will suit your home best. There are several big name stores online that you can order your new futon from and have delivered right to your door. Make sure you know who you are buying from before you give out your details online.

Futons are great in the home, when you have one you will see that you have added freedom to your home allowing friends and family to stay without worrying about where they are going to sleep and whether or not they will do so in comfort. A good mattress cant be stressed enough though, spending the extra on a high quality item is well worth it, and your guests will thank you for it.

Normally a futon bed comes as part of a set consisting of the futon mattress its self (shikibuton), a comforter (kakebuton) or blanket (mōfu), a summer blanket (taoruketto), and a pillow (makura). They come in the usual standard sizes - single and double. In Japan the futon is normally placed on the floor or "tatami" floors. In the west however a bed frame is used to lift the mattress off of the floor.Also, they are used as permanent bedding and not stored away during the day, so are used instead of traditional beds. If you struggle for space for a spare or guest bed then a futon may be the perfect solution. When in use they are very comfortable and when they are no longer needed they can be easily folded away and kept in a cupboard.

People look for longevity and comfort from their mattresses there for cotton is a good and popular choice for a mattress. Although polyester is also very durable and can work out cheaper.

In the west futons also double as sofas, if you don't have space for a bed all the time but could fit in a sofa then a sofa bed is ideal.

In comparison to a normal bed, a futon has some great advantages, which has made them a top selling product. They are easy to move around, the futon mattress and the frame can be separated in moments. Compared to a standard bed, the mattress is substantially cheaper and can save you a lot of money if you are on a strict budget. If the futon sofa bed is too plain in design for your room you can easily make it more attractive using throws, covers and pillows to make it more of a match with your room. There is an infinite variety of options available to you so making it match would be a problem or too costly.

When it comes to buying a futon mattress it should be around 6 or 8 inches deep to be the most comfortable when sleeping. There are hundreds of mattress options, no matter how much you want to spend there will be an option available to you. Have a look in your local bed store or at the shops online to see the vast number of options there are available.

Storage Beds

This is where cabin beds come in, they appeal to families for this exact reason. A cabin bed is basically a bed raised off the ground to allow things to be stored underneath, if you don't have the space for a fitted wardrobe then a cabin bed might just be for you. They come with a ladder to help the little ones get up into their bed. As well as rails around the sleeping area to keep the children safely in their bed at night.

To appeal to every child, cabin beds come in many different styles and designs. Some come with drawers and cupboards underneath to make storage of toys and books easy. These beds are great at keeping clutter and mess out of sight using wonderful colours that appeal to children. A futon bed may be great for saving space regarding the bed, but a cabin bed gives you great storage too.

More Than Storage Beds

If you want something more than just storage then cabin beds can also come with an additional desk attached. It is a very handy way to get all the furniture you requite into a small space.

If your childs room doesn't have room for a desk or seating, then some cabin beds come raised higher up and allow a computer desk and small sofa to fit underneath it. This is very handy for when the children have friends over to play. You could also add, book shelves or book cases, making books, pictures and favourite toys easy to display.

If you want something a little more fun for your children then some models come with a fun slide or designed as a fort. Allowing for hours upon hours of fun for your kids and their friends, while keeping clutter easy to control.

Cabin Bunk Beds

If you have more than one child then extra space can be even more of a nightmare. A cabin bunk bed can solve your problems. These beds come in similar designs that I mentioned before, but because of the size of them are more limited in the storage department. Before the underneath area was used for storage, but now that space in occupied by a bed. Though this doesn't stop the cabin bunk bed from being useful and space saving, there is still room to keep things hidden away in drawers and some even come with a desk attached to the side of the bed.

Cabin Bedding

To finish of the look of the bedroom you will need some cabin bedding. As with the cabin beds, the bedding comes in a multitude of styles to suit every childs tastes. It could be a more traditional look. Or, something based on your childs favourite super hero or cartoon character. There are unlimited choices and they go from young childrens all they way to teenages designs.

There are many places to buy a cabin bed. The best thing to do is research the companies before committing to anything with them, there are, as usual, companies that offer much higher quality work that others but at similar prices. You could visit a local retailer and see each bed in the flesh and see how it would fit into the room you require it for. Or alternatively you can source what you need online and maybe save some money at the same time.