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Futons have established themselves as
mainstays in the home. While they started out as a simple mattress on
the floor, they have evolved into a substantial piece of furniture
providing a wide range of flexibility in use and design. Futons are
found in children’s rooms, family rooms, offices, and dens.
The range of materials used in the construction of the frame and the
mattress varies and the number of choices for futon covers is great. It
is a good idea to sit down and really think about how your futon is
going to be used, analyze the space it will be in, and determine what
style will best fit your needs. This guide will help you focus on what
you really need.
The
History of Futons
Futons
originated in Japan and the style of a Japanese futon is quite
different than the style of a Western designed futon. The Japanese
futon is used for sleeping but is much thinner—it does not
have a frame and is designed to easily fold and be tucked away during
the day. Futons started gaining momentum in America in the 1960s and
were much more like the traditional Japanese futon, but then in the
1980s, frames started to accompany the futon mattress. They are no
longer just for a guest room or a college dorm room; they have evolved
into high-quality pieces of furniture that can easily be a focal point
of a living space.
What
to Consider
How will the futon be
used?
The first thing you need to do is decide how the futon will be used.
Will it be used as a sofa or as a sofa and a bed? Will it be used as a
bed occasionally or every night? If it is used as a sofa and a bed, you
want to make sure it’s comfortable for both
purposes. If it is used as a bed nightly, special
consideration should be given to the quality of the mattress. Be sure
to look at the bunk bed futons if you have children, since they are
perfect for sleepovers.
Size
The size of the space is also important. Measure carefully the area you
have to work with. If the futon will be used as a bed, you want to make
sure that there is ample room once the futon is laid
flat—enough leg room to comfortably walk around the futon is
ideal.
Style
What style are you looking for? If you want the futon in a living
space, you probably want to consider a traditional hardwood that has a
more formal look. A metal frame might be perfect for a
child’s room where it can be easily moved around and perhaps
transition with them into a college dorm room. An office or den can
easily pull off a more casual look, such as a combination wood and
metal frame. No matter what your style, you can find traditional,
casual, modern, and formal options. Be sure to read about futon covers
as they can greatly influence the style of the futon and help you
achieve your desired look.
| The frame
and the mattress both encompass the title “futon.”
The futon frame has two main parts — the back rest and the
seat rack. The back rest is just as it sounds, the part of the futon
that your back rests against when in a sitting position. The seat rack
is the part the bottom half of your body rests on when in a sitting
position. This is referred to as a bi-fold futon. |
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The first
futon frames were made of wood and there are many beautiful hardwood
frames on today’s market. But you will also find metal and a
combination of wood and metal. Metal frames offer a more modern look,
are easy to move around, and are traditionally less expensive. Hardwood
frames are sturdy, high-quality, and if you're willing to pay the
price, you can have the look of a traditional sofa. |
| Some of the
more advanced futon frames offer features like built-in springs on the
back rest and seat rack. Other options include grippers that keep the
mattress from moving around and seamless back rests (no slats). This
seamless look makes it easy to incorporate into a traditional or formal
living space. Several models have built-in storage for keeping linens
and pillows. |
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Another type
of futon is a tri-fold futon. They are typically seen in a smaller
frame (what would equal a twin-size bed). With the extra fold it offers
four different positions: the regular sitting position, a lounge
position where the bottom folds out to act as a ottoman, a recliner
position where the bottom folds out and down, and finally the bed
position where all folds are laying flat. This requires a mattress that
can easily move with the tri-fold (a traditional cotton futon mattress
is best). |
| Futon chairs
can easily work alone or as part of a living room set. When laying
flat, they are not as large as a twin bed, but if you add an ottoman
they can be used as a bed. |
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| Once you have your frame
selected, you can focus on the mattress. With your budget and needs in
mind, you should be able to select one with ease. The futon mattress
falls into three main categories: traditional, innerspring, and memory
foam. Futon mattresses typically range from 6 to 8 inches and be sure
to err on the thicker side if it will be used as a bed. |
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Traditional futon mattresses are filled with a cotton or polyester
filling. They are a good standard choice that will perform just fine.
If you’re going to be using the futon as a bed, consider
giving yourself or your guests an extra level of comfort. An
innerspring mattress contains springs, acting more like a regular
mattress and works best on a traditional bi-fold frame. Another great
choice for sleeping is a memory foam mattress that is designed to move
with your body. They easily fold for use on a bi-fold frame.
In
addition to the material of the frame you choose, the futon cover is
where you can complete your desired look. With literally thousands of
fabrics and colors to choose from, you want to feel confident in your
style before you go searching. From micro fiber and chenille fabrics to
animal and Asian inspired prints, futon covers offer great flexibility
for those who like to change the look of a room often. The ability to
easily remove the cover and wash it adds to the appeal of futons.
And don’t forget to accessorize. You can add to the design
and comfort with great bedding and fun, decorative pillows will polish
off the look of your space. |
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Price
Ranges
In
the $100 - $250 price range, you are looking at either just the frame
itself or just the mattress. The frames in this price range are
probably metal or a combination of wood and metal. Metal frames are
lightweight and easy to move. Check out the metal futon frame by Elite
Products for under $150. It is metal, but the mission style
makes it appear as though it is made of wood. You can also find a
wooden convertible chair frame—the Portofino chair frame by
Elite is under $250.
For less than $500, you can find a mattress that will provide maximum
comfort for both sitting and sleeping. The Visco Memory futon mattress
by Elite products is a good choice. You’ll also start seeing
futons that look more like a sofa bed. Skyline futon offers a fully
upholstered futon for about $500. In the middle of this price range,
you can find a hardwood mission style frame that will fit any
traditional space for just over $300.00.
If you’re able to go up to the $500 - $1000 price range, your
choices and flexibility greatly increase. A popular choice is a futon
frame with underneath storage—a great place to keep the extra
sheets and blankets for your guests or yourself. Newport has a nice
dark cherry futon frame with underneath storage for around $600, but
the drawers and mattress are sold separately. You also see more variety
in the types of materials used, like rattan.
In the top price range of $1000 - $2000, you’re going to find
full sets that include the frame, mattress, and drawers for underneath
storage (if applicable). They will also be constructed with
high-quality hardwood, not a combination of wood and metal. Futons in
this price range can easily hold their own in a living space and may
even go unnoticed as having the label of “futon.”
It’s an economical way to create a very stylish, warm space.
Top
Manufacturers
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