Sleeping on the Couch: The Fut…
Sleeping on the Couch: The Futon Comes of Age
The modern futon has come a long way from the college dorms and efficiency apartments where they first became popular. It started out as a mattress on the floor that folded away during the day. Originating in Japan, they quickly became an overwhelming success among people who needed both a bed and a sofa in one small space.
Futons were first noticed and used by students of Asian culture because of their appreciation of the traditional role it plays in the Japanese home. They quickly spread in popularity because of their functionality. Later, someone came up with the idea of lifting it up off the floor and creating a foldable frame that would serve as both a sofa during the day and a bed with a mattress at night.
The design of the frame varies quite a bit between the different manufacturers. Quality futons are made of wood with the support slats placed close together. This provides comfortable support and prevents the mattress from being pressed between the slats. If it squeezes between the slats, you feel the pressure of the bars against your back causing discomfort and possible back problems.
Knowing where you will use the futon helps you choose the frame. Some models have to be placed away from the wall in order to serve as a bed. Since, in some instances, that distance can be four to six inches, you may need to choose a wall-hugger model. A special hinge allows it to fold out without hitting the wall much like the wall-hugger recliner.
A good quality futon also has a higher quality mattress. Originally, all those mattresses were very heavy. They were filled with only cotton and weighed up to eighty pounds. Although you can still find the all cotton variety, more modern mattresses are usually filled with a poly-cotton blend and weigh in between thirty and fifty pounds. This allows for superior support and softness without all the weight.