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]]>Decks:
Decks are the platforms on which the futon rests for both convertible futon sofa-bed frames and stationary platform beds.
Seat Deck:
The seat deck is the deck on which the user sits when a futon sofa-bed is in the sitting position.
Back Deck:
The back deck is the deck which the user leans back on when a futon sofa-bed is in the sitting position.
Tri-fold:
A convertible futon sofa-bed frame that utilizes three decks. The futon mattress can hang over the back of the frame, be folded under itself on the seat deck, or lay flat as a chaise lounge style seat. The tri-fold allows the futon mattress to fold twice along its usually shorter width.
Bi-fold:
A convertible futon sofa-bed frame that utilizes two decks. The bi-fold allows the futon mattress to fold once along its length.
Kicker:
The kicker is usually a small piece of wood or plastic that wedges itself between the seat deck and the back deck so the frame can be returned from a sleeper to a sofa in a simple, fluid motion. Several industry patents have been granted for the kicker.
Wall-Hugger:
A wall-hugger is a frame that can open to a sofa-bed without moving the base of the frame away from the wall. We categorize wall-huggers by their tolerance. A zero tolerance wall-hugger can be placed directly against the wall and still not touch the wall when converting. Other wall-huggers must be placed a short distance from the wall. These are called two, three, four etc. inch tolerance wall-huggers. Be sure to ask your manufacturer about the tolerance of their wall-hugger.
The arm designs have the looks and design characteristics found in traditional furniture. Today it is hard to distinguish between the looks of a conventional sofa and a futon. The futon also has a great advantage over its counter part the sofa bed in that the mattress is much more comfortable to sit and sleep on. Futon frames are unfolded from the front or the back. It takes only seconds to convert from a sofa to a bed.
]]>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.
]]>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.