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About FutonsFutons have been a traditional form of bedding in Japan for centuries. During the 1980s they were "discovered" by the West and have become increasingly popular. Early Western futon beds had a well-deserved reputation for being uncomfortable and - as with much of '80s culture - were often more of a fashion statement than a sensible choice of furniture.Things have moved on a long way since then and the best of the modern futon beds you buy today can be both convenient and comfortable.
What is a Futon?EasternThe Western style futon has little in common with the oriental original. Japanese futons arose in part from the need to make the most of limited space. They are in essence a thin mattress - little more than a pad - that is laid on the floor for sleeping then rolled up and put away to store during the day. This allows the same space to be used both for sleeping at night and for living during the day.Recently this Japanese style Shiki Futon has been gaining in popularity in the West with a number of retailers selling them online.
WesternIn the West, the term futon has come to refer to a particular style of sofa-bed. They usually consist of a wood or metal frame and a thin mattress with a cover. The frame can be configured either for use as a bed at night or as a sofa (couch). You can also buy a futon chair which seats and sleeps one.It's the space-saving versatility of futons that makes them so popular as an alternative to a conventional bed, even here in the West where pressures of space are less extreme than in Japan. They're usually bought as a spare bed but some people like them so much that they use them all the time. Another Western innovation is the futon bunk bed. This usually consists of a futon on the bottom that is used as a couch during the day and an oridnary bed above.
ChoosingEarly Western futon mattresses tended to be thin and cheaply filled, hence their reputation as uncomfortable. Since then the market has matured. A good quality futon mattress today will still tend to be rather thin but will be filled and/or sprung as well as a conventional mattress. Many futon mattresses today are foam filled, some even contain memory foam.As always, shop and buy for quality not just price. Make sure you know what you're gettng for the money - are you buying a full set of futon frame, mattress and cover? Or simply the bare frame? Or perhaps just the accessories?
All original material Copyright © Trevor Mendham 2003-2008. See home page for contact details. This is not a medical site. Nothing on this site constitutes personal advice. Please read the site terms of use. |
