Futon Beds: Function and Style
It seems like everyone, at one point or another in their lives, has owned a futon bed. Oddly enough, not that many people are aware that futon is a Japanese term, and refers to an item very similar to the one we know in western cultures. In Japan, a futon is a mattress and quilt that is pliable enough that the owner might fold it up and stow it away when not in use. Really not so different from what we know. For some reason though, we have decided that the futon is something that should be on display even when we don’t have house guests invading our space. The westernized version, as I’m sure you know, is basically just what was described as the Japanese futon, but large enough so that when folded in half, it can provide both the seat and backrest of a sofa. Before we move on, I’ll just share a quick little fact I learned about futons recently. Apparently, according to Japanese lore, futons were originally constructed by samurai who couldn’t master sword play… pretty rotten consolation prize, haha.
Anyway, getting back to futons and why they matter to you. As mentioned, in western cultures, the common futon adjustable bed is one what doubles as a sofa. These futon sofa beds have a number of selling points. Chief among them is their cost. This product basically captures for you a guest bed along with a sofa at a price that is a fraction of what you’d pay for either one of those things. At roughly $300, it is no wonder that this product has made so much headway with the younger generation.
The next selling point, and this is a point of contention, is that they are very appealing stylistically. They may not be making headway in any of the top designer magazines or whatnot, but they offer a very simple design, and they don’t require a ton of labor for manufacturers to produce them; hence, they are a reasonably stylish option that can be had on a budget. Now, when we get into the futon bunk beds and so forth, it might be a different story, but for the most part their simplicity not only appeals to people on that fact that it is simple, but also the simplicity allows it to be dressed up with blankets, pillows, etc. for a more personal touch.
What isn’t so simple, unfortunately, is buying a futon sofa bed. There are a number of things to keep in mind. Chief among your concerns, like any other piece of furniture, should be comfort. But take your normal concern over comfort and multiply it by ten. Futons can be notoriously uncomfortable. They can be hard as a rock. They can sag to one side. Some have big lumps in the middle where the stuffing has bunched up. You name it, it can be a potential problem in a futon. And, again, just to be clear, we are not talking about a futon bunk bed that you might be considering for your kid’s room. Those will encounter all of the standard problems and then some, and you’ll need to be extra careful with a purchase like that.
Getting back to how you should go about buying a futon bed. The most important thing you can do is go sit on the thing in a store. Sit on it in various positions. Unfold the thing and sit on the edges of what was the backrest. Then lay down on it. Make sure to be thorough in your inspection. Look for any inconsistencies in the stuffing, and things that you know will bug you later. Trust me, they have tons of them. The salesperson will not be offended if you say, “you know, I like this style, but the mattress doesn’t seem quite right, do you have any more in back that I can swap out for this one?” Before you finish your sentence, he will have sent one of his co-workers to fetch a replacement. They are looking to make a sale, and they have a lot of wiggle room when it comes to stuff like this. So, be picky, and know that if you have a feeling something will bother you six months down the road, it’s much better to say something before you buy it in the first place.
Now, I also understand that not everyone has time to visit a futon store, or perhaps doesn’t have a store in their area that sells them. I have owned several in the past couple of years, and have friends that have owned others. I took the liberty of picking a few from Amazon to list here that I know are great. Again, just suggestions, and you’re welcome to take them or leave them, just remember to do your research. Check out these items listed below:
Baxton Studio Fabiana Tan Futon-Style Convertible Sofa with an Asian Flair
Taupe Adjustable Storage Sofa Bed
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