Stuck Sleeping On The Couch? The Futon Mattress Comes of Age

The futon mattress first became popular in efficiency apartments and college dorms, but the modern futon has come a long way since those early days. The futon started as a mattress that you placed on the floor and then folded and put away during the day. They were a great success among people in Japan where they originated, especially among people who needed a sofa and a bed on a small area.

Students of Asian culture first noticed futons in appreciation of the role they played in a traditional Japanese home. They popularity grew quickly because they were so functional. It wasn't until later that someone came up with the great idea of picking it up off the floor and created a foldable frame that could serves as a bed with a mattress during the night and a couch or sofa during the day.

Frame designs vary wildly depending on the manufacturer. The best futons are wood and have support slats close together. This allows for comfortable support and keeps the mattress from being pushed down between the slats. If the mattress squeezes or gets stuck between the slats, the result is the uncomfortable feel of the pressure of the bars on your back. As a result, back problems become a real possibility.

When choosing your futon frame, it is important to know where you will be using the futon. Consider a wall hugger model. Much like a wall hugger recliner, you can place it against a wall and a hinge will allow it to fold out without touching the wall. If you do not select a wall hugger, chances are you will have to place it a good 4 to 6 inches away from the wall when unfolding it out as a bed.

Another thing you'll notice about a high quality futon is the quality of the mattress. Initially, all futon mattresses were heavy, filled with cotton and weighing as much as 80 pounds. There are still cotton mattresses available for the futon, but the more modern ones are typically filled with a poly-cotton blend. They are much lighter, weighing only between 30 and 50 pounds. You'll still get softness and great support but without all the weight.

As their popularity continues to grow, you'll now find many of the top mattress manufacturers producing futons. There are even innerspring versions that are quickly becoming more popular. These will sleep better and more comfortably than a traditional mattress, but are a bit trickier when used as a couch. It's a great option for a futon that receives daily use, but they tend to be costly, maybe too much so for a guest room.

Of course nobody wants an ugly piece of furniture in their house. If you've chosen a neutral frame there are countless choices for dressing up your futon. Anything from silk to cotton can be used to cover the mattress, and it's easy to match the rest of your decorating choices. Leather and fake leather covers are gaining in popularity among consumers.

Chances are you have a few preconceived notions about futons. Don't let them scare you. The futon is a very versatile furniture choice. No longer is it the lumpy cotton mattress and the hard metal bars that you recall from when you were a college student. Just look for quality and you can both sleep and sit in comfort.