This is what we refer to as the 'elegant futon chair'.

other words, the same great qualities that you know and love about your sofa-bed can be found in chair form as well.

Before we talk specifically about their qualities and styles, it might be helpful to realize that there are a wide variety of applications for having one in the home. Your particular use might be more for a home office or den where you can accommodate a guest on short notice. However, you might also be someone who enjoys a little afternoon rest in a cozy little nook of your home with a book and a cup of tea nearby. The chair futon can also be a great option in a child’s room for the occasional – or frequent – sleepover guest. Paired with one of the futon bunk beds on the market and you can actually get quite a bit of extra sleeping space in a relatively small room.

Styles of the Futon Chair

The styles range from the simple to the elegant. What we would call ‘simple’ means that the chair resembles a very basic style of futon unit – essentially, the mattress folded over that fits on a wooden slat frame structure. The twin or single is what is used for these chairs.

This is a more modern looking futon chair bed.

In some cases, the chair takes on more of a chaise lounge style or like one of those old day bed looks. In more elegant styles, the chair has a more formal look about it; proper arm rests and a back and really resembles a chair more than it does a fold-away bed. For the latter of these two styles, you can expect to pay somewhere between $250-500 USD. They come in a variety of wood choices and stains as well as covers for the chair mattress. Just like with any futon cover, these can be cleaned and come in a variety of styles to suit your home decor.

Chair Function

While the main functions are obvious, sitting or sleeping, we can take just a minute to highlight some of their benefits. While you might be looking for one only to use in a guest room, as you just read, the more elegant looking chairs can be displayed and used comfortably in your living room. The more relaxed or simple style of chair can fit right in with a retro or post-modern decor theme and allow for great lounging. You can even pull this one outdoors in the right season to enjoy some great outdoor living with yours. Enjoying futon chairs is as easy as what you have come to expect from the flexible and adaptable futon.

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Look at the photo to get a better idea of what it is that we’re talking about. While you are certainly not unfamiliar with the concept of a bunk bed, there are some specific features that may make a futon bunk even more of an attractive option. There are also several different styles of these bunks available making them even more suitable for a host of different bedroom arrangements. We’ll discuss those different options here as well.

To begin with, let’s discuss some of the main features that make a futon bunk bed a better choice than a traditional mattress bunk. For the most part, the reason has to do with the futon mattress itself. Because of the wide variety of enhancements in mattress design and materials, the futon has some unique advantages. There is the traditional futon mattress material like a foam core with cotton or wool wrapped batting. This is probably the least expensive kid’s futon option and can give a child a very supportive and comfortable sleeping environment. Just make sure that your child’s mattress is made of the higher quality foam and that the cotton-poly blend or wool is thick enough to maintain its shape and padding over time. What gave the older futons their bad rap was the way that they would flatten out rather quickly, leaving you with the ability to feel the futon bed frame itself digging into your back. We all know how those sofa-couches have that notorious metal bar that jabs into your back – avoid this problem at all costs!

The most popular style of the futon bunk is with a twin futon mattress up top and the same size futon bed down below. The one below is the sofa-bed style that has made the futon such a comeback in recent years. There are additional styles as well, as alluded to above.

There are also loft style bunks. These are similar to the full size mattresses above, on an elevated frame, with space below. Often, this area can be used for a desk or other storage area. It makes for an elevated bed and a way to keep the other items that accumulate in a child’s room out of the way when not in use.

The last type of futon bunk is quite similar to the ‘original’ model but it uses a twin up top and a full size futon below. This allows for an older or taller child to sleep on the bed below.

All of these traditional bunk bed styles range in price, depending on the type and size of mattress, in addition to the bed frame materials and brand. However, they are roughly in the $350 – 750 USD range. In a child’s room, the bottom sofa-bed portion can be used as an area for friends to hang out on when playing. In this situation, you’ll want to make sure it is covered to be protected as much as possible. There are futon covers that are made especially with a child or teenager’s interests in mind. You can find these covers in a variety of colors and themes to match most any type of decor or bedroom theme. Since you know about the futon bunk bed, maybe you are ready to consider a futon chair purchase as well. These chairs can further compliment a room with a bunk or make an adult’s room or study more flexible as well.

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The size of the futon cover depends on both the mattress size and thickness - the thickness is really something to pay attention to.

whatever taste you need to please. We want to help you consider some additional ideas you may not have thought of and that will help you pick the ideal futon covers.

You need to line up the following facts and figures about your futon in order to do a successful hunt: what is the particular size of your futon that you need a cover for? If you are looking for bedding for futons, and you have a king size futon mattress, then those are somewhat uncommon and may be tougher to track down in a great variety of fabrics and colors. Single or queen futon covers are more common and you will find a wonderful selection available for those sizes. Most king or California king bed mattresses are traditional types, rather than futon, a very understandable decision for those who are not ardent futon fans like some of us. The twin size is really easy to locate online because makers tend to mix full/twin language at will when describing their products in catalogues.

When you start hunting for the right cover, keep in mind this question: What kinds of furniture or you may say “futo-niture,” have futon covers made just for them? Are you furnishing the guest room, the living room or an entertainment area where the kids can play their games and hang out? These are very popular choices for futons and futon sofa covers allow you to effortlessly coordinate your futon with everything else already in the room where you plant to locate it. For example, cotton twill futon covers and very attractive, comfortable and easy to care for. They are much less costly that suede or leather – you can have several in different colors or patterns so your futon can have a different look for different occasions or times of the year.

Coordinating your futon couch covers with other decorating themes enhances the overall effect of the room. If you have a fun theme or a holiday theme, the couch can make or break it. The futon’s practicality and attractive appearance have led to its being used as the manufacturing style for more than the typical futon mattress with frame.

There are futon chairs, futon loungers and other furniture items that embrace futon’s multiple use format. Their versatility is becoming more and more popular in the current economy as people need to get more out of everything they buy, and can’t invest a fortune in any one item. When more people are living or visiting in a dwelling, there is no need to go rent a room at a motel or rent furniture, or invest in a bunch of furniture. The futon can be used non-stop whether there are guests in the home or not. Guests feel more welcome when they know the futon is always available, and their visit is not going to create a hardship. You can have covers that cater to your different guests’ color preferences or interests. If you need a full futon cover, there is room for a large colorful theme on it for a visiting couple. Visitors will think your guest room has been furnished with just them in mind. The wonderful variety available in futon furniture, covers and bedding gives your artistic imagination plenty of freedom, so enjoy.

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your visitor’s bedding. For example, there have been reports in the media about potentially harmful or irritating off-gassing from chemicals used in manufacture. Many people are not aware of the health effects of mites and dust that accumulate in certain environments. Their effects could be seen in unexpected areas such as snoring, although this is not definite. Some treatments for snoring include oxygen tanks and uncomfortable masks to wear all night. It is possible that simply having cleaner, healthier air might alleviate sinus and similar air passage issues caused by inflammation and irritation.

It is a fact that common, well know and frequently purchased “traditional” type mattresses are manufactured with techniques and products whose chemicals and materials create off-gassing, particularly when they are brand new and not had time to “air out.” The vast majority of mattresses purchased are new. Futon bed covers are not going to be the solution to prevent these products from generating their gas by-products. They are porous, being fabric, and permeable to air and gas. However, if you have invested in a health-smart organic futon mattress, then you want your futon slipcovers and bed covers to enhance the total benefits of your organic mattress.

You may wonder what is different about the materials and manufacture of these organic sheets, covers and bedding, compared to non-organic ones. There are plenty of other brands and kinds of futon slipcovers. However, organic ones, made of natural cotton, have genuine health benefits you and your guests should want to enjoy. If you have certain guests who you don’t want to get too comfortable, that is a separate issue – can’t help you there, sorry! But honestly, you spend a great deal of your life on your futon, whether using it as a couch or for sleeping or for your friends. Your face, mouth, eyes, the air you breathe while laying down and your skin will be in the close environment of your futon many hours each day.

Constant contact with some inorganic fabrics or out-gassing materials can cause irritation whose origin may have been a mystery. Bedding made with organic cotton, free of pesticides and chemical fertilizers will make these close areas less irritating, safer, more comfortable and more inviting to you and those who you have invited to use them. You are also doing your part – and every contribution is important–to expose the environment of everyone on the planet to toxic chemicals, since pesticides and chemical fertilizers pollute the air and soil as well as the plants they are used on.

Organic does not equal dull – most companies who specialize in healthy, earth-friendly fabrics and materials make them visually appealing, with natural dyes and lovely embroidery or stitching, so they are truly a pleasure to own. Responsible companies who care about the environment, and cater to consumers who care, are generally better employers, who do not run “sweat shops,” but form closer partnerships with their employees, who appreciate that their jobs are valuable in many ways. The effects of your going organic and natural reach beyond just the healthy effects in your own environment.

There are choices of manufacturers for these futon covers so you need to do a little online research to find out which ones are truly conscientious about keeping their products genuinely “green.” Other tips to keep in mind, so you will enjoy your slipcover more: make sure the metal used in zippers is brass for superior performance. Also, when measuring your futon mattress to determine the cover size, add 2 inches to the height, since you can expect some shrinking when you wash and dry the cover. When washing futon covers, use a detergent that is mild, biodegradable, and that contains no bleach. Tumble dry in the low heat setting and remove promptly to prevent wrinkling.

There is a wonderful variety of futon cover prices–online is your best source for checking out the various prices, and what higher price merchandise may offer in the way of higher quality, or what special deals are available. Prices should never exceed a few hundred dollars. The size of your futon mattress and the materials of the futon bed cover are the greatest determinants of the price.

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The futon mattress originated in Japan as stowable bedding to be easily stored away during the daytime. This concept was introduced to the western world and evolved into this space-saving furniture as a chair or sofa with the capability of flattening out into a bed. Frames are made from wood, metal, or incorporate both into the design. Mattress sizes tend to be slightly larger than that of standard mattresses. The thickness of the bedding is also much thicker and is offered in a range of 4” to 10” thickness. More comfortable and less expensive than an air mattress, this bedding features soft, medium, or firm support. The Japanese version consists of an interior of cotton, wool, or synthetic batting. The Western style uses batting with multiple layers of foam, memory foam which shapes itself to the body, extremely soft latex foam, or coils as utilized in standard mattresses.

Purchasing a removable futon cover protects the mattress from dust, dirt, food and beverage spills, pet hair, fleas, and other insects. This durable bedding will last even longer when a slipcover is used. It is also an inexpensive way to change the decor of a room at a moment’s notice.

Futon mattress covers  are available in endless colors, prints, themes, and materials. The futon slipcover can be manufactured from cotton, cotton and polyester blend for less shrinkage, durable corduroy, and 100% cotton denim which is a heavier material offering extra durability. Hemp coverings are also very durable yet more costly than other materials. Leather futon covers are made from flexible vinyl which stays cool for a comfortable night’s sleep. Its realistic leather grain appearance repels water and is easy to keep clean. Even faux suede and animal print covers are available. Many covers also include a set of matching pillows. Most coverings are machine washable and can be line dried or tumbled in the dryer on a non-heat setting. These covers fit over the bedding and zip closed on three sides. Even with the covering in place, the furniture can still be easily folded back into being a chair or sofa.

This innovative furniture is not just for the bedroom or den. Many people enjoy its benefits in the living room, home office, or enclosed porch. One futon cover or multiple coverings can be easily purchased from department stores, specialty stores, or online for very reasonable prices. Preparing an area for an out of town guest is as easy as changing the slipcover in a matter of seconds.

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A cover will help this futon last much longer. It doesn't need to be decorative, however, since this futon will be covered in sheets.

Regardless of why this shift in mindset has occurred, the fact remains that now, more than ever, the modern homemaker is searching for stylish futon covers to match their interior decor. Fortunately, there are several choices when it comes to selecting fabrics and futon cover patterns for your home.

One of the advantages of having a futon is the ability to instantly transform the look and feel of any room just by changing the futon mattress covers. Plus, the possibilities are endless when it comes to choosing size, fabric and style and you will be able to find something to fit absolutely any budget. Your standard cotton cover in a solid color or with a basic pattern will be priced at a very reasonable $30, give or take. If you have your heart set on something luxurious and special, you can pay $300 and even more for quality leather futon covers. 

Another advantage with futon slipcovers is how easy they are to use. Changing the cover is so easy, anyone can do it and it takes not time at all to give the room an entirely new look in just a few minutes. 

The hardest thing about using a futon cover is choosing which one you want to buy. That is where this website can be invaluable to you. We can tell you everything you need to know and if we happen to miss something, just stay tuned right here because we will get it covered in another article sometime in the very near future. We will be discussing anything and everything that you can imagine that is even remotely related to futons.  Plus, since we are not selling any particular one, odds are you’ll get a fair assessment of the basics.  Just because you use the internet as a source for your discount futon cover, that does not mean you have to sacrifice quality. 

Other posts on this site focus on various fabrics and their specific advantages and disadvantages, as well as the styles of futon mattresses and other futon bed accessories. The items we discuss may not be cheap futon covers but they are not made of gold either. Even if you have already made up your mind about which fabric you want, you really should wait before you make a purchase. If you have your heart set on leather, we probably will not be able to sway your opinion, and besides, we think leather is pretty cool, too.  People are choosing futon covers for their own bedrooms as well as their guest rooms for many different reasons. 

Our goal is to make this site a place where you find out everything you need to know about selecting and purchasing affordable futon mattresses and chairs to furnish any room in your house. You can have them covered in virtually any fabric you like including cotton, satin, leather, velvet and, silk or even hemp. The best fabric is something that is easy to clean and very durable. A cover that is easily removed can be thrown in the wash and replaced with very little effort on your part. Try to choose a cover that has a zipper to make cleaning even more convenient. Simply unzip the cover, remove the mattress and launder the cover. 

Even if you have a tight budget, you can still get a quality cover. One thing you can do is purchase ordinary cotton sheets and a durable futon cover. You can then cover that with a discount satin cover. This bargain item can make your futon seem more luxurious. Luxury does not have to come with a high price tag when you are looking for bedding, a comforter and a futon mattress. 

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all know how that went for them – remember those clear plastic furniture covers?  Their sofas never aged, but you had to bear the uncomfortable feeling of sitting on plastic stuff that had the tendency of sticking or sliding during the summers months.

The brand new covers are far from being like those old plastic ones grandma used to have.  Your search on the internet will yield various types of sites depending upon the method in which you are searching and the specific accessories you are looking for regarding your futon.  You must decide how you will place the cover on the item, find out what it is manufactured from, and discover what style of frame you are using now. There are so many different choices available for your selection. You may never experience boredom with your sofa-sleeper again.  There are also chaise lounge futons, futon mattresses, and futon chairs that have different types of patterns, colors, styles, and covering materials.

How You Will Use Your Mattress Will Have An Influence On The Style of Futon Cover You Select

Now, we will cover different topics and address some questions that surface when owning a convertible sleeper-sofa, home decor, and entertaining overnight guests. Consider this brief article your entrance to the spectrum of how a futon cover can provide you with its vital benefits.

Normal tear and wear is expected with your futon.  Your futon sofa may not need that extra protection.  It mostly depends on its usage.  Are you constantly entertaining guests?  Do you only have guests come over periodically?  The answer to these questions will determine if you need that extra protection.  Protecting your futon should not be strictly related to what function it serves, but also how fashionable it is.  You can add a flair and your personality to this aspect of the bedding accessories.

Futon slipcovers are available in different patterns that is suitable for a variety of tastes.  You can easily use the cover to improve the appearance of the room without being too overbearing. Covers are available from  solid colors that are related to primary colors, muted colors, and eighties colors such as neon or pink. Patterns are also available with flower designs, animal prints, and more sophisticated styles as well.

Consider The Function When Choosing Certain Fabrics For Your Futon Mattress Cover

Choices on fabric will also play a role when you are selecting your style of covers. It is wise if you go with a fabric that blends well with its most common uses. For example, going with a linen type or microfiber suede cover is not a good idea when you have kids and animals in the home.  This is where common sense should start to kick in. You will probably be better off with leather as it will bear the pressure and force of kids and pets.  Cotton blends and cottons with a patterned print is a favorable selection that will stand the test of time in a play area for children.

A recent surge has taken place with the popularity of futons in homes.  A shift towards contemporary and even that traditional Japanese look is currently taking place globally.  Basic frames and futon beds are very popular for collegiate dorms and provide a more utilitarian purpose versus a fashion cause. However, in more expensive residences, futon sofa-sleepers provide the perfect answer for singles and newlyweds that seldom entertain or have house guests. They function extremely well in a home, office, and guest room.  The futon is great if you happen to use yours to seat extra guests in a room that is used for entertaining.

Putting your slip cover on the futon gives you some options that you have never thought of.  Planning ahead should encourage you to purchase several covers.  You can change them whenever the mood hits you.  Select the cover with a bold color, patterns, and animal prints when you are looking for more spark in your home.  Selecting an elegant pattern or muted color is great when you are attempting to create a more subdued or intimate feel.

Covers for your favorite futon can be a reflection of your personality or creativity.  Home owners that are green conscious can choose from natural organic materials such as hemp as an option for a futon cover.  One’s personality will influence their creativity when its time to make a final decision for covering a couch or sofa.  Using covers is less expensive and less frustrating than painting the room or purchasing new furniture. You can easily order your cover, have it shipped expediently to your home, clean it, and start using it within one week.

Whatever your tastes are, you can shop confidently knowing that there are futon covers that will work perfectly for you.  Wishing you well!  Happy shopping!

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Some organic cotton ready to be used for your futon.

place where we rest our heads each night should be as healthy as any other.  This is especially true if we are talking about a child’s bed.  Photo credit

Your kid’s bed is the place where they will fuel up and heal and do all the other magical things that happen to the body with restful sleep.  The last thing that you would want is for you or your child to be breathing in toxic fumes or gasses each night.  Of course you don’t want this, however, you might not even know it exists.  There has been a large trend in children toward more cases of asthma and allergies than ever before.  The scariest part about it is that we don’t always know why this is the case.  There are theories and we know that air pollution, pollens and other airborne issues are part of the problem, but this is not the complete answer.  The real question is what can you do to help with the outcome.

One thing you can do is use as clean a bed as possible.  Clean not in terms of having the sheets washed thoroughly, though this helps, but having the mattress be as healthy as possible.  This is often referred to as a natural mattress.  It is really nothing more than a mattress constructed of materials that have not been treated with chemical agents to make them more easily grown or processed.  There are other ‘natural’ choices, too, like a latex futon mattress made of natural materials.  Another term for this could be organic.

This organic futon looks just like any other - it's what it's made of that matters.

In this case, an organic cotton futon is a very feasible and popular choice.  While these are not quite yet the mainstream way to buy a mattress, they soon could be.  If you knew how healthy organic mattresses were, you would be more than willing to pay slightly more for them.  In terms of a conventional organic mattress, the price tag might be in the thousands, not hundreds, even for a queen.  If we’re talking about a futon mattress that is constructed of organically grown cotton or other organic materials, like hemp, the cost is still higher than that of a traditional futon, but much less than the conventional style.  An organic queen size futon is more likely to fall within the $500 USD range – much less than a traditional bed!

Just like with our foods, organic properties ensure that at least you are starting with a chemical free product.  This doesn’t mean that you will end up with something that is completely free from agents that may or may not affect sensitive folks, but the chances are much more in your favor going organic.  A natural mattress implies that these materials were harvested and grown in a way that Mother Earth intended.

There are also organic clothing items that are reported to help people in the same way that we are discussing here.  So, whether you fear the off-gassing that has been anecdotally reported to cause a wide range of health disturbances or you just want to get a great night’s sleep resting your head down on an all natural mattress, maybe even covered in organic bedding, either choice ends with a great result.  You can’t go wrong with a natural organic cotton futon as your primary bed or in a child’s room.

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When it comes to topics that are near and dear to people’s hearts, it is hard not to include great sleeping on that list.  And if you are wanting deep, peaceful sleep, then I would recommend a futon mattress as a great choice.  We will discuss why through this article and on this site.  If you find that you have a particular question about owning a new futon, search our site.  I’m sure it is covered somewhere.

One of the most important ideas regarding your sleeping futon will be its comfort.  This seems like an obvious statement but it actually encompasses several points.  One of the greatest steps that has taken place more recently has been the comparability between traditional and futon mattresses.  In other words, in the past you would have had to sacrifice some of the modern comfort conveniences to own a more flexible option in the futon.  Now, this simply is not the case.

A Futon Has Much More In The Way Of Convenience Than A Traditional Mattress

If you are new to the futon world, then you might only be aware of the old notion of what they were for.  In the past, these beds were relegated to the college dorm room or poor student set.  Now, because of the advances we will get to in a moment and because of the flexibility that a sofa-sleeper allows, they have come back in vogue.

Probably the most arguable point in favor of owning a futon-sofa-couch is its ease of use and convenience.  When you do a fair amount of entertaining or hosting, it is likely that you may have some unexpected overnight guests.  This is not a problem with a futon sofa-sleeper type bed.  This can easily convert from couch at the party to bed for the evening.  And, the best part is, it does not lose anything in the way of comfort doing so.  If you have ever been a guest at someone’s home who had one of these fold-out couch beds you know how that bar always seems to hit you right in the middle of the back making a good night’s sleep all but impossible.  Not so with a futon bed.  These are very comfortable and easy to convert.  No worry about removing the cushions, folding it out, getting the sheets on, stooping over or stubbing your toes or banging your knees on that hard metal frame.

Another Thing To Consider Is Futon Mattress Material Options

You might be thinking that this is where the old traditional mattress will win out.  Granted, there are definitely more options in general when it comes to brands and models of the normal types.  However, what has happened is that the manufacturing of mattress materials have changed quite a bit and this has allowed for greater parity between the two.  Where you once only had access to spring coils in a traditional bed, now is offered in futon styles.  The futon mattress actually has the lead in some categories now!  They also have more natural materials offered at reasonable prices, as well as memory foam and toppers.

A futon mattress will help avoid feeling like you're sleeping on a bed of nails.

You could look long and hard for the downside, but you may come up noticeably shorter these days.  The old futon that had problems with flattening out after just a little use and becoming landfill material with a short life span is gone.  The in-fill now is made with better quality and longer lasting materials.  I never thought I would see the day of the individually wrapped inner coil spring futon bed mattress.

Many of the more traditionally produced mattresses contain chemical agents either used in production or for fire resistance that can cause some people health problems.  Many times, this is due to the off gassing created by these volatile compounds being released into the home and, specifically, breathing them in while your head is rested and sleeping for hours.  Since, they make crib mattresses this way too, if you are looking for your child, you might consider this.

The Traditional Japanese Futon Mattress

No initial discussion about futons would be complete if we didn’t mention a bit about the history of this type of mattress.  In a traditional sense, the development of the futon was from a floor-sleeping type of approach.  That is to say, there was a mat – tatami – that was used beneath the mattress itself.  This mattress portion of the futon is called the shiki or shikibuton or shiki futon.  Then, there is an often quilted, soft upper cover portion.  This piece is known as the kake or kakebuton or kakefuton.  So, what you would have is a two part system that would combine these to give you a traditional Japanese futon mattress.  There is more history to this futon story, but you can read more about that by following the link above.  The point is that we have adopted the futon and then adapted it to fit our own Western lifestyle.  There is nothing wrong with change, in fact, it is sometimes how the most innovative home products come about.

One Closing Thought About Your Futon Mattress

Because of the nature of the flexibility of a futon bed, you may be researching one as a sofa-sleeper for an additional room or as your main sleeping bed in your master bedroom.  In each case, a different type of frame could be considered.  Because most temporary guest sleeping arrangements require a smaller sized bed, the frame will usually only afford you the flexibility of some minor storage of magazines and such or have armrests.  On the other hand, if you go with a queen or king size, you can opt for more elaborate headboard designs that incorporate various shelving and storage.  Likewise, the futon frame itself could lend itself to storage options.  So, the next time you hear the words “futon mattress”, you don’t have to think that someone is short changing their guests.  They might actually be designing quite a flexible yet comfortable and elegant space.

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I’m sure that you already know that there are many different styles of futon mattresses available on the market.  If not, we’ll introduce you to some of those here.  If you did know this, then maybe you are just looking for a little more clarity on which one might be the best choice for you.  Hopefully, you’ll have a better idea by the end of this article as well.

Futons come in the ‘older’ cotton, poly, and wool blended foam infills as they always have.  These styles are more often than not the most inexpensive ones. These are the ones that used to get such a bad rap back when they first appeared on the market in the West.  You see, futons have been used for hundreds of years in Asian countries.  They are most popular in Japan and it is the traditional style of mattress there.  However, the Japanese futon mattress is actually quite a bit different than the style we use in the West.

The Traditional Japanese Futon

A traditional looking Japanese room with futons.

The traditional futon consists of two parts:  an upper quilted part called the kake-buton and the bottom, mattress portion, is called the shiki-buton.  The way that this system works is that they are both laid on a mat, a tatami, and slept on.  In the morning, they are both beaten, traditionally with a bamboo cane, to clean and then aired out to dry.  This allows them to be refreshed each morning.  It also allows the room in which they were used to be open and ready for other needs.  It is part of the lifestyle in countries like Japan where a more minimalist design is appreciated.  Photo credit

Like with many great designs, they become adapted over the years and with different cultures.  This is just as true with the traditional mattresses as it is with futon design.  In the West, we have taken the futon and made it into a more functional piece of furniture.  Here, we use them as both sofa-couches as well as beds.  The types of bed frames that can be used with a futon vary as well; we’ll discuss this below.   

The style of mattress that we have built is a stretch from this traditional style.  What we done is make them more like a conventional mattress; adding inner coil springs, memory foam and even toppers.  So, the futon of today is nothing like the kind that you may remember from your high school or college days.  The reason why those got such a bad reputation was because of poor infill materials leading to a very thin mattress that quickly flattened.  This ultimately led to the mattress being uncomfortable and non-supportive, as well as having the bed frame pressing into your back.  It wouldn’t be too uncommon to wake up with back pains or other aches related to sleeping on a poor quality mattress.

Futon Bed Frames

The more common types of frames are made of wood.  Some manufacturers or mattress stores will include a bed frame with your purchase.  These are often less desirable in terms of quality, but this is not always the case.  Some frames are made of tubular steel and powder coated to help them resist rusting or corrosion that could damage your futon cover.

A custom mahogany frame with storage.

You can always have a custom bed frame built just for you.  These will almost always be more durable and fit your needs and specifications more precisely.  Often, these incorporate storage or shelving.  They may also include headboards and or other unique features like under-mattress storage.

These frames are typically found in bi-fold or tri-fold styles.  The difference in frames comes down to how they will be folded to create the sofa position.  It affects the mattress as well.  It will be much simpler to purchase a futon that you plan on using more for a sofa to get a tri-fold design.  The reason behind this is that it can fold easily into a smaller profile and the mattress will be made of the more flexible materials, like cotton and wool, with the foam inserts.  Photo credit

If, on the other hand, you plan on using your futon as your primary sleeping arrangement, then you can utilize either a bi-fold frame or a fixed-platform bed frame.  The material used for such a mattress could be one with the inner-coil springs or have a thicker profile.  This is what you should consider to make the mattress a more comfortable and longer lasting one.

It is still more likely that your conventionally manufactured mattress will last longer than a futon.  Some factors that go into this are the in-fill materials, synthetic fabrics and the frame of the mattress itself.  More often than that, however, you will likely be considering a futon mattress as a secondary sleeping situation or for extra seating in a home office or entertainment room.

Alternative Futon Bed Choices

If you share the concerns of many about these off-gassing ideas and threats, then you should examine some of the different alternative forms of futon beds and mattresses.  These include things like the organic cotton futon and materials made with hemp.  The organic cottons are the easiest to come by and have the  most trusted names in the field supporting them.  The materials like hemp, bamboo and even choices like wool or latex foam are also available.

You might even be considering a kid’s futon for your child’s first ‘big boy’ or ‘big girl’ bed.  This is an exciting time for both the parents and child, so it should be a special bed.  The more popular choices for these first beds are the themed beds; cartoon characters, movies, or playful frames made of race cars, princess carriages and the like.  These are more for the child than the parent, but the mattress is an important thing to consider as well. Another option is a bunk.  There are futon bunk beds that serve the same function and work in just the same way as a traditional bunk bed does.  This could have also been included in the discussion of the futon frames above.

You can start with a twin and move up to a full futon when they grow or their room space allows.  There are many options here and considering which one is the healthiest way to rest your little one’s head down on each night is of the utmost importance.  Research does show how important sleep is and it is even more important for it to be free of gaseous by-products and other harmful chemical residues, regardless if it is for you or your child.

Cost

One main factor affecting cost will be the size of the mattress.  The smaller it is, like a twin, the less expensive.  There are queen size futons, but you will be harder pressed to find a king size mattress in this style.  There are custom orders available for larger individuals, though.  In fact, you might be surprised to know that many athletes prefer futons because they can be custom ordered to fit them.

For the more simple versions of this type of bed, you can think in terms of the low $100s USD.  This would include styles that are made of just cotton, cotton-poly’s and wools with the various styles of foam padding.  For a more luxurious type of futon, with inner coiled springs, memory foam, toppers and the like, you can expect to pay upwards of $500 USD or more.  Also, you’ll pay more for the organic cotton futon beds and the alternative materials because they just aren’t as heavily sought after as of yet.  These things will change as well.

As your browse around, consider what it is that you really want to use your futon for and then find the manufacturer or site that can best deliver that for you.  Brand names, such as Sealy™, Simmons™ and Beautyrest™ all make futon mattresses, so you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable with the quality that is available.  Also, you can shop the larger online retailers like Amazon and Ebay to find a better deal.  Thanks for stopping by and get a good night’s rest.

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