Futon Beds- One Item, Two Purposes
Futon beds were originally created in Japan. Now we use them all over the world and are very popular for their versatility. There are many benefits of a futon bed and they can be found from France to Australia. You can buy a futon bed anywhere from high street stores to shopping channels.
A Brief Background of the Futon Beds
As we said before futons originate from Japan. The traditional futon consists of a padded mattress and a slatted base. The mattress and covers should be easy enough to store away for day use yet comfortable enough to use as seating. These can be folded away during the day as seating and pulled out for a bed at night.
The western futon is based on the Japanese original, with several major differences. They are almost always placed on configurable wood or metal frame for dual use as a bed and a chair or couch. Typically, the frame folds in the middle allowing the futon to be used as a couch and flattens to be used as a bed.
Different Features of Futon Beds
The mattresses that come with futons are usually made from foam and are layered. They are much thicker than traditional futon mattresses because of comfort. Futons in the western world are often much cheaper and this makes them an ideal alternative to bedding or seating. You can buy them separately or in a set which will include the base and the mattress.
You can also buy futon covers for the mattresses. This makes it easier to clean them and change the style. They are easily removable. You can always make your own futon covers as the mattresses are 5cm thick.
They are sold in Japan at specialty stores called futon-ya as well as at department stores. They are often sold in sets which include the futon mattress, a comforter or blanket, a summer blanket resembling a large towel, and pillow, generally filled with beans, buckwheat chaff or plastic beads. Futon are available in single, semi-double, and double sizes.
Futon beds are designed to be placed on the floors, and are traditionally folded away and stored in a closet during the day to allow the floor to breathe and to allow for flexibility in the use of the room.
In order to maintain your futon you should air it regularly in sunlight and if at all possible invest in a futon beater (these look like rug beaters and are made from bamboo). This is essential for keeping your futon beds in tip top condition.
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