Posts Tagged ‘futon bed’

Futon Bunk Beds – Metal or Wood?

Posted in Furniture on July 20th, 2010 by Jim – Comments Off

Futon Mattresses, as we all know, have slowly gained a reputation all around the world for being one of the most convenient and flexible mattresses around. No, they are not as thick as other mattresses, but, they are cheaper, making them more affordable, plus they can be used in a variety of ways and them being thinner does not necessarily mean that the overall quality of sleep of a person is jeopardized.

One of the key furniture or beds, rather, where a futon mattress is used is a futon bunk bed. These bunk beds, just like others, are very convenient to use, and can be converted to a sofa or a couch anytime and anywhere. They also are very space-savvy. However, the problem lies within choosing what materials they are supposed to be made of – metal or wood?

Both materials are almost exactly the same. The main difference is the fact that while metal rusts, wood doesn’t. It degrades in quality. However, in both cases, they become junk. But, when it comes to wood, such as hardwood, these types of wood doesn’t degrade for a long period of time, and sometimes, they may last even longer than a person’s lifetime.

As far as design goes, metal bunk beds are best used in rooms or places wherein the overall theme or the design of the furniture is modern. Considering that metal has that futuristic and metal look, as compared to wood, where it still has that traditional, and old-age design to it.

All in all, it depends upon the person which of the two will he/she choose. However, if one plans on building the bunk bed, it is important to remember that metal bunk beds are much more of a hassle to build, albeit, they are cheaper. Wood bunk beds are quite easy to build, but, can become quite expensive, especially if the more durable hardwood is used.

How to Pick a Futon Mattress Cover

Posted in Bedroom on May 3rd, 2010 by Jim – Comments Off

When shopping for futon mattress covers, many people often get overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices they need to make. They need to decide on a pattern, the color,  if there is a certain material they prefer, the size they need, and finally what price range they have.

One of the most important factors when choosing a futon cover is the design of the cover. Look for something that goes will with the decor in your house and something that you will be happy with. You don’t have to settle for something plain as there numerous designs to choose from. Covers are made in contemporary patterns, floral patterns, youth patterns, and everything in between. Search around online and in stores and see what kind of design works best for you.

After deciding on a pattern, make sure you don’t forget to check the quality of the material of the cover you are thinking about buying. Is it a light weight cotton that will tear easily? Remember, sometimes cheaper is not always better so make sure that you are getting a quality product. In particular check the zipper. Is it made of plastic? If so, there is a good chance that the zipper is likely to fall apart. Look for a good quality zipper made of nylon or metal. Essentially, when looking at the costs of a cover, find something in your budget but also make sure to not skimp out on quality. A good cover will last a long time but a cheap one will likely only last a year or so.

Another thing to think about is if you will have pets and children around your futon or not. Some fabrics are meant to have pets near them and some definitely aren’t. Leather fabrics wipe off easily and are a good choice for kid and pet friendly environments.

One final consideration is regarding size. Covers for futon mattresses come in all the standard sizes (twin, queen, king) but there can be slight variances depending on your mattress so be extra carefutl and measure twice to ensure you don’t have to return the futon cover you finally decided on!

What Are The Origins of The Twin Futon Bed

Posted in Bedroom on March 17th, 2010 by Jim – Comments Off

Over the last few years the futon bed has become increasingly popular in western countries. As popular as they are, many people don’t really know what they are or where they come from. They are originally from Japan, but there have been a few changes from these origins to what we see today.

As I just mentioned futon beds originated in Japan where it is believed they were first used by the samurai’s. Futon isn’t a western word for these beds, they are still called “futon” in Japan. They are normally made up of two main bits – the “shikibuton”, which is the bottom mattress, and a “kakebuton”, which is a thick quilted bed cover, used to add comfort. They have been designed so that they can be slept in at night, then during the day they can be folded away out of sight, to keep the home tidy and free to be used for other things.

A traditional futon is a flat mattress laid out on a “Tatami”, which is a traditional Japanese floor. The futon mattress is normally filled with cotton or wool, but the modern mattresses we use today are also filled with synthetic fibres. The pillow, or “makura” as it is known should be filled with beans, buckwheat chaff or plastic beads.

When a futon is not being used it is stored tidily in a cupboard out of the way. To keep them fresh though, they do need a good airing and sunlight along with a beating with a bamboo cane, or carpet beater.

Things are quite different in the west though, we have made a few changes to the twin futon bed to suit our needs. Today when someone mentions this piece of furniture, most people will think about a futon sofa bed. If you don’t know what this is, it is a mattress, that instead of folding away into a cupboard, it folds up to be used as a sofa or armchair. This is not the only option, we also use them as full time sleeping areas, but these are not placed on the floor, instead the futon bed mattress is placed on a fixed frame to keep it off of the floor and away from drafts that come under the doors. We also have a tendency to use a much thicker mattress as it doesn’t need to be flexible to be folded away. They are very similar to the mattresses we use on our normal beds, in some cases they are exactly the same. One of the big reasons that futons are so popular in the west is that they are very cheap to buy. They are perfect for someone looking for a simple, comfortable bed.

Japanese futons beds have come a long way since their beginnings in the East. Many countries now use the wood futon bed, even if it has been adjust to suit their needs. There are plenty of great reasons to use one, whether you need to save space and go for a Japanese sofa bed, or need to save a bit of money. There are plenty of choices out there, so you will find one you love without any problem.

Choosing A Bed For A Small Space

Posted in Bedroom on March 17th, 2010 by Jim – Comments Off

Finding furniture of an ideal size when we live in a small apartment or a studio apartment can be a challenge, especially when you are trying to fit a bed in a tiny bedroom. Here is a way to do it successfully.

Be careful not to buy a bed too big that would occupy too much space making it difficult to move easily in the room.

Don’t necessarily choose the area with the most light for the bed, and be careful not to obstruct important electric plugs.

To save space choose a futon bed, it can serve dual function and save you a lot of space. It can be a good investment if you plan to make the place convivial for friends.

You could also use a bunk bed, ideal if you need a place to study or to store things. Sleep in the high bunk and leave the space below open for a sofa, a desk, a stereo or cabinets. Some are sold with all sorts of space saving built in cabinets.

Tips and trick

You can buy beds from online stores like Ikea and many other online or local stores. Shopping around does make a difference, if you want to save money. If buying on line it might save you money to order your bedding at the same time.

We spend many hours of our day in bed, so it is not wise to be penny wise and pound foolish. Do not skimp on the quality of the mattress or the support. If you really need to pick up a bargain then you might want to check out home fairs and shows which can be great places to find quality furniture at cheaper than average price.

Do not hesitate to try a mattress before buying it. Once you know the one you want you can search for it online to see if you can get it delivered to your door for a better price.

An important thing to keep in mind is not to buy used beds or mattresses. They usually have a limited lifetime, and old beds are often breeding grounds for mites and germs.