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.