A prewar Sapporo housewife would probably not recognize the adjustable couches which we currently refer to as futons. The original Japanese futon was a lightweight, folding pad stuffed with cotton or wool. This lightweight bed used to be laid on the floorboards and converted to a bed, or aired outside in the fresh air, or stored in a cabinet. The whole reason for this item, from a Japanese perspective, is to own a bed which pretty much is gone any time you're not sleeping on it.
From the perspective of an American college student, a futon was an affordable piece of furniture which could be configured as a bed or a sofa. This furniture became extremely popular in the course of the 70s and 80s with young American adults, who swiftly discovered that the pads were much more comfortable when placed on an adjustable frame.
These days, the futons available in Europe and North America are flexible but stationary contraptions, designed like a folding couch. Western futon pads are a great deal thicker than their traditional Japanese ancestors, and they are sold with frames intended to be adjusted to hold the mattress in a seating position or to rest flat for sleeping. Unsurprisingly, though westerners are quite willing to adapt to the theory of multipurpose furniture, we may not be really prepared for furniture which vanishes altogether when not needed.
To further complicate the scenario, western-style futons are now quite popular in Japan. The Japanese continue to favor lighter mattresses and plainer frames, and will typically go for a pad packed with cotton or wool in lieu of the synthetic stuffing which is preferred here.
Futons are today offered at most contemporary furniture stores within the US and Canada, and there are whole websites which are all about futons and complimentary futon furniture pieces like fold-down chairs or ottomans. Although futons are still far more inexpensive than the living room furniture and classic beds they are designed to supplant, many of them are accessible in price ranges which might be over and above the means of a normal college student.
Certainly, if you only would like an economical and adjustable piece of furniture, you might easily locate a futon mattress combined with a metal frame for not quite $200. If you favor your furnishings to be green and created from soy foam, virgin wool and unbleached cotton, you may discover the perfect mattress accompanied by a sustainably harvested hardwood frame for not quite $1000.
Futons are not just for Japanese residences, and are not even restricted to professional students and starving artists. These multi-talented furnishings are extremely attractive and practical for everyone who likes practical, space saving furniture.
From the perspective of an American college student, a futon was an affordable piece of furniture which could be configured as a bed or a sofa. This furniture became extremely popular in the course of the 70s and 80s with young American adults, who swiftly discovered that the pads were much more comfortable when placed on an adjustable frame.
These days, the futons available in Europe and North America are flexible but stationary contraptions, designed like a folding couch. Western futon pads are a great deal thicker than their traditional Japanese ancestors, and they are sold with frames intended to be adjusted to hold the mattress in a seating position or to rest flat for sleeping. Unsurprisingly, though westerners are quite willing to adapt to the theory of multipurpose furniture, we may not be really prepared for furniture which vanishes altogether when not needed.
To further complicate the scenario, western-style futons are now quite popular in Japan. The Japanese continue to favor lighter mattresses and plainer frames, and will typically go for a pad packed with cotton or wool in lieu of the synthetic stuffing which is preferred here.
Futons are today offered at most contemporary furniture stores within the US and Canada, and there are whole websites which are all about futons and complimentary futon furniture pieces like fold-down chairs or ottomans. Although futons are still far more inexpensive than the living room furniture and classic beds they are designed to supplant, many of them are accessible in price ranges which might be over and above the means of a normal college student.
Certainly, if you only would like an economical and adjustable piece of furniture, you might easily locate a futon mattress combined with a metal frame for not quite $200. If you favor your furnishings to be green and created from soy foam, virgin wool and unbleached cotton, you may discover the perfect mattress accompanied by a sustainably harvested hardwood frame for not quite $1000.
Futons are not just for Japanese residences, and are not even restricted to professional students and starving artists. These multi-talented furnishings are extremely attractive and practical for everyone who likes practical, space saving furniture.
About the Author:
Ravinder Arshad offers tips & advice to consumers on futon furniture. Visit his site to learn more.
