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.

Origin Of Futons

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. These Japanese beds would 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 at 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”. The mattress is generally filled with cotton and wool, but these days you will find some 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 the way. To keep them fresh and stop them from smelling they need regular airing and sunlight, normally they will be taken outside and will be beaten with a bamboo cane, which is similar to the western carpet beater.

Use Of Futons In The West

In the west though, they are quite different, we have adapted the futon bed to suit our needs. When the word “futon” is mentioned a lot of people will automatically think of a futon sofa bed. Where instead of the futon mattress being folded away and kept in a cupboard during the day, the futon frame 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, 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 futon bed, these are more like the traditional mattress used in western beds.

The  main reason for the popularity of japanese sofa bed 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. The Japanese futon bed has 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.

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.

Futons are a style of bedding originating in Japan, which are basically a padded mattress which can be easily folded for storage. A futon mattress is normally filled with cotton, wool or a synthetic material. In Japan you can find futons in almost all department stores or dedicated stores called "futonya". In western countries over the years they have become increasingly popular.

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.