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.