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.
Evolution of the Futon Mattress
If you intend to change your old futon mattress with a new and comfortable one, you have to know that on the market there is a wide range of models that you can choose from. A mattress should first be able to make you relax in peace. Over time, mattresses have evolved and manufactures have produced different categories in order for you to choose the one that you think will be most comfortable.
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.