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How Important A Mattress Can Be

by Michele in General Futon Mattress Info

Sometimes, it’s surprising how easily we can loose site of how important the very notion of sleep is.  Given the way we all have so many demands these days with regard to our work, personal lives, kids’ schedules, social lives, and the list goes on and on – it’s more important then ever to get a restful night’s sleep.  And, it’s even more surprising that some people haven’t discovered the joy that a futon mattress can provide in helping you get that perfect night’s sleep.  Did you know that sleeping soundly is actually high on many people’s lists of health complaints when they see their doctor.  It’s right up there with back pain, headaches, anxiety, and all the other stress-related conditions.  Why do you think that is?

Sleep is actually a necessary biological function.

Sleep is actually a necessary biological function.

That’s Because So Many Of These Stress Related Conditions Affect Your Ability To Get A Good Night’s Sleep

So, the last thing you need is another reason not to be able to nod off into oblivion each night.  Some people’s mattresses are over 15 years old.  If you had the same shoes for that long, do you think it would affect your feet?  Your legs?  How about your back?  Of course it would!  So, if you’re having trouble sleeping, why do you settle for that old bed of yours night after restless night?  Well, futon mattresses could be the answer to your prayers if your answer was cost.  See, you can get a very healthy nights sleep on a simple futon style mattress.

Another thing to consider for your good night’s sleep is the right pillow.  There are many to choose from and I would suggest that you try some out before sticking to one.  Some popular choices are the cervical spine contoured pillows and the memory foam pillows.  Some people complain that their pillow gets too warm when they sleep.  In this case, you may find that using a buckwheat pillow is the right choice for you.  These pillows contain hulls from buckwheat plant stalks and are chopped up to make the filling.

To many people, a bed mattress is one of their most expensive purchases in the home.  And, yes, it should last for years.  The problem is that they simply don’t last forever.  And, unless you have a very expensive and healthy one, you may be sleeping on some pretty nasty off-gassing products each night.  These are mattress products that have any number of chemical substances that are used in their production and manufacturing that you breath in each night.  Some futon mattresses are also guilty of this.  But, there are other options as well.  Just like the higher end traditional mattresses; you can get a futon organic mattress that has all the same benefits for much less cost.  You can ever place your futon on top of your traditional box frame and use it like a larger topper if you like.  You don’t have to settle for the dorm room futon mattress on the floor image.  Even if you do choose to put it on a low bed frame, there are so many modern and elegant futon mattress covers to choose from, it can have a very Zen-like, spa appeal.

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The Modern Home’s Mattress Choices

by Michele in General Futon Mattress Info

Whether it is for your own personal sleeping arrangements, for your company in a guest room, or a convertible sleeping/lounging unit a futon mattress could fit the bill perfectly.  Often, the choice of what to use in a small space or designated area can get confusing and downright frustrating if you don’t have the know-how or financial resources to drop a serious dime on a designer or to simply buy the most modern furniture set as it comes out each season.

That’s Why Today’s Modern Futon Mattress Might Be Your Best Choice

A contemporary looking futon mattress.

A futon mattress with frame in a contemporary modern room decor.

In the event that you actually want your space to be appealing and functional, then you’ll need to consider some specific choices that you will encounter.  How large do you make the sitting area?  In most cases, you don’t need a designer (though one could be helpful if you are clueless about such things) to determine this.  It is basically a pleasing to the eye sort of gut feeling.  If you feel crammed into the space with a king size futon mattress, then this is not the right choice.  Similarly, if you feel like you’re miles away from your company teetering on a too small twin futon mattress, then that won’t work either.  In most cases, it comes down to proportion.  In the other cases, it comes down to positioning.  Often, just moving the objects about in your room can dramatically change the overall feel it has as you enter it.  Sometimes, in lieu of a designer you can ‘employ’ a friend.  Go in another room and have your friend (or friends when you are talking about moving furniture) move things around for you.  Then, when you come back into the room, you can look upon it with fresh eyes.  Maybe they will have come up with the best futon mattress placement for you – and the price was right, too!

What About Firmness of the Futon Mattress?

This is something to consider, especially depending upon where you will be using it.   If you go with some of the more traditional infill materials like cotton/poly blends, you may find that they get too soft or sag prematurely.  A wool futon mattress will also have a bit of flattening occur but appears to hold up because of its natural firmness.  Also, remember that an organic futon mattress is really the safest bet if you are concerned about chemical off gassing in your sleeping quarters.  Finally, if you want to add that modern flair to the age old futon of yours,  get yourself a futon cover worthy of the times.  Your futon mattress can serve a very valuable function in your entertaining plans, just make sure that you take of it and it will continue to take care of you – in this era and beyond.

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A Futon Mattress Comparison

by Michele in General Futon Mattress Info

How do you compare futon mattresses?  You’ll have to choose between futon mattress sizes, materials, and – if you choose – futon covers.  You will choose a frame based upon the whole decor of your room or space, but that discussion can be found in a different article on this site.  For now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty or soft and fluffy if you will of choosing the best futon mattress.

Here is what some older futon mattresses felt like you were sleeping on, but not any more...

Here is what some older futon mattresses felt like you were sleeping on, but not any more...

What Size Futon Mattress Are You Wanting?

This is the first question you’ll either need to answer for your space or you’ve already got that one figured out.  Say you’re going with a queen futon mattress.  OK.  Now, what brand?  What materials for the mattress itself?  How about the cover?  Then, there are futon covers that can range from whimsical to elegant that simply slide over and zip around the bed mattress for extra appeal.  First of all, determine the best overall size your bed should be in your room.  Most designers prefer to use smaller beds (usually traditional beds are used but the same rules apply for futon beds) as models because it makes rooms look larger.  You can capitalize on this strategy as well, making sure your bed size doesn’t overpower your room or space.  Positioning your futon at an angle or away from the wall with a stand or lights behind it are also ideas that can make your room appear more spacious.

Do Mattress Materials and Brands Really Make A Difference?

About mattress brands.  More than the brand itself, what is most important is the quality of craftsmanship and also the materials used.  You’ll know what brands stand out as you begin to see what materials are used as fillers in the futon mattress itself.  If it is sold as a set, you can get an idea as to quality based upon the frame material as well.  As a general rule, quality hardwoods and nicely formed metal frame pieces indicate better quality than cheaper unfinished wood choices and poorly assembled metal frames.

The Secret Ingredient In Futon Mattresses?

Infill and cover materials for your bed are very important if you consider how your health can be affected by the materials you rest your head on and breathe in for nearly 8 hours each night.  Some of the cheap futon mattress manufacturers will use materials that have properties to them that create off-gassing.  This means that you are breathing in the toxic fumes for hours at a time as you are sitting or sleeping.  The best choices in this regard are the cotton futon mattress, wool, organic cotton and even latex foam materials.  You see, there are more choices than you might have thought.  You can choose from materials that often are not financially readily available even with traditional mattresses.  One choice that is becoming more and more popular is the choice of organic cotton.  Organic cotton is made without the use of pesticides and does not create any harmful off-gassing products.  The standard futon cover (the one usually stitched over the mattress) can be made of organic cotton as well.  In fact, a common choice is to go with a cotton or cotton/wool infill mattress with an organic cotton cover.

Then, there are literally dozens of more decorative futon covers that can zip around your mattress to add another dimension of your personal taste.  As mentioned, you can also get a latex mattress  (think futon memory foam mattress) and even inner coil mattresses that are comparable to your traditional mattress style.  The most important thing next to getting the right size and materials is to get the right fit.  The right fit between your futon mattress and you that is.  Make sure it is comfortable.  With the right materials and the proper fit, you’ll enjoy your futon chair or mattress for years.

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Futon Bed Frames To Match Your Decor

by Michele in Futon Bed Frames, General Futon Mattress Info

If step 1 of getting the perfect fit between your mattress, futon bed frames, and covers is deciding on exactly what type of mattress – material & size – then step 2 could be considered getting the proper frame to match.  In this case, there are several types to choose from.  Are you going with the futon lounger type of decor or with the more traditional futon couch type of look.  In either case, there are many to choose from.  It’s more likely that you’ll find a lot more variety with the traditional style of futon mattress.  Though, there are more and more frame styles becoming available with the resurgence of retro styled futon chair and lounger styles.  These can look like those old chaise loungers from the earlier half of the 1900s.  This style can be complemented quite well by using any number of retro-themed futon covers as well.

Here is the classic futon bed frame.

Here is the classic futon bed frame.

For now, let’s concentrate on the aspect of frame choices and worry about the covers and room decor for another time.  You’ve seen the older ‘dorm room’ style of futon mattress frame.  It’s the classic.  Actually, saying it’s a dorm room style isn’t really fair.  This traditional type of Japanese futon mattress frame is made quite elegantly and can utilize any number of exotic woods.  It’s mentioned as the typical dorm-room style frame because of it’s simplicity and ease of setting up.  It basically has wooden slats that are arranged horizontally across the wooden pieces that support the slats on the floor.  The slats are aligned perpendicular to your body as you sleep.  It can be painted, stained and adorned any way that you may think that wood could be.  You may only see the sides of the frame, so it appears more simple or spartan when measured against others in this frame category.

The next most popular style is the armrest style.  With this model – several variations exist – there are armrests which can support the hinged mechanism, in order to be able to fold the futon mattress itself into couch seating.  These armrest sides can be designed to hold magazines, remote controls or custom built to really be anything that you (the owner) wish to have designed.  Off-the-floor models will mostly be limited to magazine racks and the like.  You will also find different styling to the frames themselves.  Some lend themselves to more of a cabin feel, with larger tree trunk or post looking members.  Others have a Mission style to them, reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs.  These can be quite timeless in appearance and add a touch of elegance to any room.  Matched with other pieces of the period and you’d never guess that the futon mattress you were sitting on is not a contemporary of the others.

Getting custom frames built is really the next step towards having your headboard or bed unit exactly how you like it.  With trends that tend to dip back and forth between eras gone by, one such popular frame now is something that is reminiscent of the 1950s.  This bed frame is fairly simple with an area available for books or lighting.  You will usually find a nice bed-time reading book there and you can just flip a switch nearby and roll over and go to sleep.  Pair your headboard with one or two glass retro table lamps and you will be back in time.  Better yet, you will have the hippest bedroom in the neighborhood.

There is another subset of bed frames or styles that should also be mentioned here.  These are the futon bunk beds or loft style of futons.  While they are less popular in terms of how many people have them in their homes, if you have the need for a bunk bed, these are the perfect fit.  They are just like any type of bunk, but they utilize a child’s futon for the mattress portion.  They come in the standard twin up top and twin mattress below set up.  Then, there is the twin on top and full size down below.  Basically, the same but with more room for a larger child or for more comfortable seating for visiting friends.  Finally, there is the loft style of bunk which has the mattress on top and then space below.  This type of bed frame can be great for allowing you to put a desk or some organizational products in your child’s room and still leave room to move about the space.

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Futon Mattress Help

by Michele in Mattress Help

As you will notice fairly quickly as you shop online for your futon mattress, it is nearly impossible to know exactly what you should be looking for.  You may know the size you are interested in, you might even know the materials you’d like, or what type of bed frame you will use, but there will likely be something that you could use help with.  That’s where we come in.  You can tell that we don’t have any futon mattresses for sale here.  Why?  Because this site is strictly for information regarding all things futon.

We’ll give you a basic run-down on what you need to know.  As you’re online, you can search for the specific missing links in your search criteria.  You’ve got the futon frame – check.  You know you want a full futon mattress – check.  You get the point.  That way, all you have to do is basically check pricing, shipping, and some other basic details and you’ll be sleeping on cloud 9 in no time.

A futon can give you a clean look like this.

A futon can give you a clean look like this.

So, first of all, we’ll need to start at the beginning.  No doubt, you know what a futon mattress is at this point.  Not trying to insult your intelligence, it’s just that people find our site searching several different ways.  What you might NOT know, is exactly what is in that mattress your head (or your guests) will be resting on for hours at a time.  There are many different qualities in these, just like in traditional mattresses.  That’s why there is a tremendous price range (and mark-up if you’re not careful).

Make sure you know what your futon mattress is made of.  The most common is a cotton futon mattress, occasionally a cotton/poly fill.  This is the most basic type and still the least expensive most times.  You’d be wise to check for any off-gassing materials that may be present in the particular brand you are considering. Off-gassing refers to the fumes/gasses that are emitted from certain materials.  If you’re buying a cheap futon, check this out for sure.  Some companies get their products from overseas where certain guidelines may be a bit, shall we say, looser.

Also, just like their traditional mattress cousins, a futon mattress can include latex foam materials often referred to as a memory foam mattress.  These latex materials can often be less of a bother to some as they are hypoallergenic.  Another common material for in-fill in a futon mattress is wool.  Again, a natural material and makes for a wonderfully supportive, yet dense sleeping surface.  They are quite comfortable and can help with moisture control as wool is capable of maintaining warmth when wet, unlike cotton.  Newer to the futon market is the coiled spring mattress.  These are the most like a traditional bed mattress with innerspring coils, often individually covered in fabric ‘tubes’.  This helps to keep noise and movement transfer to a minimum.  Well, that will get you started on your hunt for the perfect futon mattress.  Now, you can check out our site for info regarding the right frame choice for your new mattress.

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