The History of Futon Frames

March 6th, 2009

History & Details
The word “futon” is the English spelling of the Japanese word which describes their bedding system. This system includes the “shikibuton” (floor cushion) on which a person sleeps and the “kakebuton” (duvet/comforter) which covers the sleeping person. The floor mat (shikibuton) is the part of the system which has been transformed into the American futon mattress/sofa-bed concept.

The American version of the futon mattress started out on the floor. As time passed many futon makers began to see the potential of the futon frame as a new design alternative to the conventional, dual-purpose sofa-bed. Although a multitude of futon frames now exist, in the futon industry’s early days it was the team of Irv Wieder (of Arise) and William Brouwer who developed the first convertible futon frames. Brouwer won the 1983 Daphne Award (sponsored by the Hardwood Institute) for his Brouwer Bed as the best new design in the Bedroom/Retail Category. Two frames were introduced to work with the futon mattress; the bi-fold and tri-fold futon frames.

We’ve Got You Covered, Futon Covers That Is….

February 23rd, 2009

Futon covers are a decorative casing used to protect your futon mattress and to personalize your futons appearance with color and texture. It is an essential component part shielding the futon mattress from everyday uses. Covers make decorating easy.

Fabrics used to produce futon covers vary by grades. They can be sewn from fine linens, tapestry cloth, micro fiber suede and even leather, just to name a few. These grades will have a bearing on the cost of your futon cover. They are reasonably priced and you are sure to find the one that expresses your individual taste and lifestyle.

Your futon cover will be easy to care for. Just remove the cover and follow the recommended cleaning instructions by the manufacturer. Most fabrics will either be machine-washed, dry cleaned or spot cleaned.

Futon covers will come in different sizes. The most popular sizes: Full 54” x 75”, Queen 60” x 80”, Twin 39” x 75”, Loveseat 54” x 54”, Loveseat Ottoman 21” x 54”, Chair 28” x 54” and Chair Ottoman 21 x 28”. Generally speaking, if you can buy the futon mattress, a cover can be purchased whether it’s off the shelf or customized to fit.

Construction of futon covers will vary. Covers may have sewn in zippers or a velour closure. The most popular construction is the box style cover. It has a top and bottom panel with a depth border and three sided zipper closure. It gives your futon mattress the appearance of upholstered furniture. You will find covers that have the same fabric all over. A solid back cover will have the main panel and border of the same fabric and back panel of a solid coordination fabric. A front print cover will have the main panel of one fabric and the border and bottom panel of a coordination fabric. One other cover is end capped. The main panel is centered and capped with a coordination color. That coordinating color is then extended to the border and bottom panel. These different constructions are significant because fabrics vary in width and cost. Offering various assemblies of futon covers provide affordable decorating options.

Redecorating has never been so simple. A futon cover can be changed to suite your new design trend. Economically transform your style by merely removing the previous cover and replacing it with a new one.

TODAY’S FUTONS, Volume 3

February 19th, 2009

TODAY’S FUTON is definitely a more affordable option for any room of your home.  Each component is made with dual purpose in mind (for both sitting and sleeping.)  The comfort you find appealing in your living room can be retrofit into your bedroom (or any other room). Shopping just became easier to outfit your home.  Futons are a decorators dream.  Plus they eliminate the time consuming and expensive hand-skilled process of fitting an upholstered cover with their easy change, tailored upholstery covers.  Much of the cost of a traditional sofa is tied up in the cutting and fitting of a fabric covering you cannot change. The futon is by far the hardest working piece of furniture in your home!

TODAY’S FUTON, Volume 2

February 9th, 2009

TODAY’S FUTON is more versatile because one can opt to place a futon on a convertible futon frame to make a fabulous sofa sleeper, or you can place it on a platform bed, in a chest, on a boat, in an RV, or you may even tuck it away in a closet until needed. Consumers can change the look of a room with new upholstery grade covers. Reupholstering a traditional sofa can cost hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars. Not only that, but futon beds can be easily moved in and out of a home, apartment, or room, unlike the bulky and often very heavy traditional style mattresses and sofa beds.

Today’s Futon, Volume 1

January 30th, 2009

TODAY’S FUTON is more comfortable because futon mattresses are manufactured in more hi-tech facilities and with a new focus on ergonomics.  Incorporating new flexible innerspring designs, and by using the latest synthetic and natural latex and temperature sensitive (visco elastic) foams the Futons of today are made for comfort and have increased dramatically their viability as a stand alone primary sleep surface in the bedroom.  Futon naturalists can rest assured that even the “original” cotton futon has evolved, but remains to be a great option for those with allergies.   Futons, even more now than ever, compete “comfortably” in the specialty sleep and sofa bed worlds.

From Traditional To Contemporary: Futon Furniture Fits Your Lifestyle

January 12th, 2009

Decorators are uncovering the real futon furniture and are placing them inside countless homes, office buildings, and as props for popular sitcom and movie sets. Futon furniture adapts well in many rooms. Today, the comfortable and stylish futon and its matching furniture is one of the best value options for the bedroom, living room, home theater, home office, guest room, and is a mainstay in the den or TV room. Futons have not exactly been lying down on the job over the past several years.

 

Futon sofa sleepers can meet the needs of any shopper who wants a comfortable place to sit, sleep, and entertain. Surprisingly, the futon mattress can even be stored in closets, dressers and underneath beds if you need added space during the daytime hours. The mobility of a futon is incredibly desirable because futon furniture can follow you anywhere—even in those tight walkways and narrow stairways.

 

Futon furniture—whether purchased at high-end bedding/furniture stores or specialty shops— has been called a decorator ’s dream for several reasons:

 

• Comfortable: A range of comfort from plush to firm in any size is available.

 

• Functional: Futon furnishings are great for any room of your home to fit your lifestyle—a new meaning for one-stop shopping.

 

• Versatile: You can put a comfortable futon mattress on a convertible futon frame to make a fabulous sofa sleeper; or on a platform bed as a primary sleep surface, on a boat, in an RV or even tucked away in a closet or chest until needed.

 

• Stylish: You can change the look of a room quickly, easily and inexpensively by changing the cover or the frame!

 

• Value: Futons generally have a cost savings when compared to conventional mattress sets and sofabeds.

To learn more, visit www.futon.org.

Futons: All Grown Up and Ready to Leave the Guest Room

December 29th, 2008

Versatile Home Furnishing Item Suitable for Every Room in the 21st Century House

Americans can be forgiven for thinking the translation of “futon” is “spare bed” or “dorm room.” While the closest translation of “futon” is “bedding,” the futon and its accompanying frame is much more than just a bed. Simply put, a futon is a mattress, though it does not have the rigid construction of a conventional mattress.

The outer layer of a futon tends to be a sturdy, canvas-weight cotton, and the filling is commonly densely-packed cotton batting. Other fillings can be foam or Visco (also known as “memory foam”) or even spring coils. It is the futon frame and cover that allow this sleeping surface to easily transform into a beautiful piece of furniture.

Wood and metal futon frames are available in every imaginable style. Rustic wood evokes an Adirondack lodge and is an ideal seating choice before a great room’s stone fireplace. Polished aluminum’s clean, minimalist lines are at home in an urban loft-inspired seating area. Futon covers complete the transformation: velvet flocking, textured weaves, sleek microfiber, bold stripes, solids in hundreds of colors and fabrics.

Futons, frames and covers are available at all price points, making ownership of futon bedding and seating within the reach of nearly everyone’s decorating budget. Additionally, a wardrobe of covers can be had for many hundreds of dollars less than the cost of reupholstering one sofa. The futon is at home anywhere.

Welcome to the futon.org blog!

December 22nd, 2008

Welcome to the futon.org blog. We look forward to using this format as a way to regularly update the retail / e-tail consumers of futons, specialty sleep products, and other home furnishing categories.