Futons today
Although the futon remains popular in Japan and China where they originated, most westerners would find these futon mattresses a bit thin for our sense of comfort. Today, even cheap futons tend to resemble ordinary mattresses; they are somewhat thicker, sometimes built up from a latex or foam core and covered with layers of wool.
Types of futon frames
Most futons frames other than those built like an ordinary bed are of two types, trifold and bifold frames. A trifold is folded twice and folds across the width of the mattress as the couch. These are often used as chairs, loungers, or loveseats. A bifold is folded once down the length of the mattress as an ordinary couch, providing more seat room.
Futons and futon covers
Today, most futons come with some kind of cloth cover to protect the futon. Even cheap futons can be enhanced by covering them with quality fabric covers. When you shop for a futon, don't forget to pay attention to the futon cover. You might even want to spend a little more here, but whatever you do, try to get one that is easy to take care of, preferrably machine washable.
About futons
The futon has its origins in the far east, in China and Japan. Futons have been in use for over 4.000 years. Today, many of the things that made futons popular in the past are still true. They arerelatively inexpensive. One can buy a cheap futon for far less than a regular mattress. Also, futons can save space. Many futons today can spend their daytime hours as a couch or chair.
Selecting futon platform bed frames
A futon bed has a certain light feeling to it that is one of its charms. But if you're shopping for a futon platform bed frame, you want something substantial. While metal frames are available, hardwood is more pleasing to the eye and can be more than durable enough for your needs. Futons tend to get moved around a lot, so you need something that can stand up to being shifted and moved now and again. Avoid softer pine frames.
Assembling futon furniture
Okay, you've just arrived home with your new futon bed, futon sofa bed, futon chair bed, or bunk bed futon. Chances are that there is ¡°some assembly required¡±. Here are some tips to keep you sane during this process. First, take your time. Assemble the item when you have a whole afternoon or evening to devote to it. Allow twice as much time as the instructions say you need. Second, make an inventory and make sure that all the parts are included. Third, read the directions before you even begin. Better still, read them twice. It will help enormously. Finally, be wary of using power tools in assembling the frame. Some power tools are so strong that they will over-tighten or even strip out the hardware used to hold the frame together.
Futons and frames
Most futons today are sold with some kind of futon frame, unlike in the far east where a futon is rolled up and pushed to one side when not in use. Discount futons are often available with a frame of some kind that allows the futon to act as a bed, chair, couch, or loveseat. Many of these frams are adjustable and are assembled at home. This saves money on shipping and can reduce the overall cost of already cheap futons.
Shopping for futons
Some discount futons are made with more environmentally friendly materials. For example, in contrast to using foam as a filling - a widely used material that requires a lot of fossil fuels to produce, once worn needs to be burnt, some manufacturers use coco fiber, a bio-degradable material which is grown and allows good air-circulation and support for the body.