photo credit: Mr Wabu

Not only are the values of homes dropping, the size of our living space is decreasing too as the builders try to get as many homes into their plots as they possibly can. These smaller living spaces let the buyers with smaller budgets get onto the ladder, increasing the builders customer base. The biggest problem with this is that most of the furniture we use in the West is not going to be able to fit into the small spaces. Regardless of what material is used to make it, the furniture is bulky and cumbersome.

This doesn’t mean that the situation is hopeless. Western furniture might be bulky, but Eastern furniture isn’t. The futon sofa bed is a prime example of this. The first futons that were used in Japan many years ago were basically just roll up beds. In Japan they have different uses for their rooms compared to us in the West, most of their rooms have multiple purposes. They don’t see why you should only use rooms for short parts of the day. It wasn’t long before a folding frame as added to their beds to make a true futon sofa bed.

These beds are actually made using two main parts. The futon mattress and the frame. Each of these parts can come in different types and styles and made from a number of materials. Though the favoured and traditional material is bamboo,  you can get futon beds made from oak, pine and many other woods. Metal futons are available too, but not as common.

You can add a futon to any room in your home, they can give you a number of other options. Instead of having a small bedroom and living room, you can have two bedrooms, with the living room converting into a bedroom when ever it is needed. Have a look at your home and see how much space you could save.

photo credit: erichhh

Now, you may think that a futon mattress can only be used in two ways specifically as a bed and as a sofa or couch. Well, you’re dead wrong because this type of mattress can be used in a wide array of different and exciting ways that you and your family will surely enjoy. With this given fact, you will no longer need to throw away some broken old futon mattresses that you have stocked inside your garage because they can still be of great use to you.

First among the different uses of a futon sofa bed would be as a sleeping space. Futon mattresses were basically inspired from the futons of the Japanese people. A lot of people say that if futon mattresses are used without their frames and are just placed on the floor, their shapes will be able to last for a longer period of time. Furthermore, this will also increase the level of comfort that the mattress provides on a person’s body and back. If you have a futon sofa bed at home that has a broken frame, you can use it as a sleeping space on the floor in case you run out of sleeping space whenever a lot of guests come to stay at your house.

On the other hand, you can also use the futon mattress as a sleeping space for your kids. This will be a good idea because of the reason that a lot of kids find it hard to climb up their beds. This is particularly true for very small children. Another good use for the futon mattress would be as a play area. You can reuse old futon mattresses by placing them in your kids’ play area. Your kids can use the futon mattress as a playing surface where they can crawl and lie down during play time. With a futon mattress, you can help prevent the occurrences of injuries inside your kids’ play area. Futon mattresses are not typically made with innersprings so they won’t be bouncy. This makes them easier to play on.

• There are two types of futon frames, and these frames are partly responsible for the versatility that futons, such as futon sofa beds, futon bunk beds, and other futons boast. These are the bi-fold, and tri-fold frame. The main difference between the two is that the tri-fold frame takes up more space, considering the fact that it folds twice and uses the width of the mattress for the couch, while the bi-fold frame is more convenient space-wise since it only folds once and uses the length of the mattress for the couch.
• Contrary to popular belief, the thickness and elevation of the mattress does have an effect on the overall quality of sleep experienced when sleeping on a mattress. As to why, it is important to choose a mattress that is between 6-8 inches thick, and should be elevated 3-4 feet from the floor.
• The different materials used in the stuffing of the mattress have an effect on how long the mattress will be able to last. Some mattresses, such as cotton-wool combinations are not well-suited to be flipped and reclined frequently.
• The heavier the mattress, the better it will be for sleeping purposes; as to why, it is important to purchase a thick and heavy mattress if it is to be used primarily for sleeping.
• There is no main difference between a wood and metal frame, aside from the aesthetic appearance. Both are durable and will last for years and years to come and both have proven to be effective frames.
• Covers are as important as the frame and the mattress itself, because, it protects the mattress from dust, dirt and stains and spills.