Futon Mattresses and Covers: Futon Facts
Have you ever wondered where the Japanese lay down to sleep? In traditional Japanese houses, regular beds are not usually found in each of their rooms. You can only see a wide space in the middle, with some furniture such as a table and a cabinet carefully placed in the corner of the room. Even in the movies, they sleep on the floor using that soft mattress, not the typical beds we used to see. These are called futons.
Futon, originally from Japan, is its traditional term to refer to the mattress padded with quilted fabric and pillows that are mainly used as beds. The Japanese culture used these futons for several years in a row. Filled with soft materials such as cotton, wool and synthetic wadding, the Futon is comfortable to sleep on. Futons are usually placed on the floor for people to sleep on, however, people find it soft and cozy, just like regular beds placed on bed frames. Futons are often seen in Japanese specialty stores sold in packages that include the quilted futon mattress and quilted comforter or blanket.
In addition to the softness and comfort that it provides to the person using it, futons are useful in keeping the room more spacious and serve other purposes than the bedroom. These can be folded up and stored in a cabinet when not in use. Also, by storing them, dirt and environmental dust are kept away from them.
As they become popular, futons are already adapted to western culture. It is based on the Japanese bed, but with some difference. First, Japanese futons are placed on the floor for sleeping. Now Westerners built futon frames, usually made of plywood or metal frames where the quilted mattress sits. This makes the futon dual purpose. It can be used as a bed at night and a sofa during the day as the frames can be adjusted to sit or recline.
Western-style futons are also made with multiple layers of foam and batting, making them much larger and thicker than Japanese futons. They come with beautiful futon covers. Futon covers clean up the mattress and are available in different designs and colors to match the theme of the room. Futon covers also keep the quilted mattress durable for many years to come.
Today, futons are used not only by the Japanese, but by all kinds of races around the world. People find the futon to be the best form of bed, especially for families living in a small house or apartment where there is limited space for some furniture and beds. Perhaps, instead of saying “I’ll go to my bed”, people will prefer to say “I’ll go to my futon”.