Futons have always been a popular choice for the style and space-conscious adult – and not just in its native Japan. Students were probably the first adult demographic to cotton on to the convenience, comfort and compact nature of futons, but now research suggests that more and more parents are also opting for baby futons, after losing confidence in cribs and baby mattresses.

Cribs are increasingly being seen as unsafe, as young babies can sometimes wriggle between the slats. In comparison, baby futons provide a more secure environment.

There is also the added bonus that baby futons are not quickly outgrown in the same way that a crib is. For years longer, the futon can be used by a growing child and the parent can sit on it with them to read them their bedtime stories.

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One of the trends to look out for in the world of futons is the increasing interest in alternative and organic materials for the production of futons and other bedding.

At the moment the biggest buzz is in hippie strongholds such as San Francisco, where organic futon suppliers are based. They say that consumers are increasingly asking for natural materials for their futons, such as bio-based soybean foams, natural chemical-free latex, wool and organic cotton in order to help the environment.

Adherents to the “eco-futon” also insist that they are more rejuvenating, although in typical Californian style they argue that this is down to honouring the bedroom as a “sacred” space. For the rest of us, we mostly want to combine comfort with great style and economy of space.

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photo credit: Tim Patterson

When choosing a futon for your home, there are several choices to be made. Luckily, the first decision is the biggest – whether to go for a traditional Japanese-style futon, or a “western” futon.

The most basic definition of a futon is a small couch that unfolds into a bed. The word is Japanese, and in Japan, as well as department stores, there are speciality outlets throughout Japan that sell futons, known as futon-Ya. A full traditional futon set is made of the mattress, or shikibuton, the quilt, known as the kakebuton, a blanket, or mōfu and the pillow, or makura.

The makura is often stuffed with plastic or wooden beads, or sometimes chaff from buckwheat, while the shikibuton is flat and stuffed with flock and cotton. The futon set is meant to lie upon a traditional Japanese straw-packed mat known as Tatami and folded away when not in use.

By contrast, a western futon is much larger and thicker, with the mattress filled with layers of foam and batting and much more similar in design to a standard European sofa-bed. The bedding fits on a configurable wooden frame which can fold into a couch or a bed.

The big decision is which of these futon styles is best for the space in question. Ultra-modern, minimalist homes often have a “Japanese” feel to them, and the sleek look of a Japanese futon will appeal to anyone trying to avoid clutter. They are also useful for small flats and student residences for that reason.

Western futons are more hardwearing and many people find them more comfortable. They also fit more closely with the furniture and décor of an average western home.

The next stage in buying a western futon is choosing the right frame – a Trifold frame folds lengthways, while a Bifold frame folds in half, making it better suited for a sofa bed. For people who want a western futon for a small space, the Loveseat frame is best.

Happily, once the “traditional vs. western” dilemma is overcome, and the frame shape decided, the rest of the decisions are relatively simple – just a matter of picking the right colour and design for the mattress covers and cushions!

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With mounting consumer concern over the balance of the world’s resources and the effects of the global economic downturn, futon manufacturers and retailers have a number of challenges to face up to over the rest of the year.

Chief among these is the tricky question of what types of futon will be the most popular and what are the most desirable materials for the construction of futons – both when it comes to both comfort and sustainability.

Hardwood bases remain among the most popular kinds of futon base, and these have tended to come from Malaysia. However, demand for this kind of wood across Asia and the Far East is increasing, especially from within China, meaning that European stockists and manufacturers are going to have to raise their game if supply levels are to be maintained.

Many stockists in Europe are seeking out rubber wood and pine frames for futons as an alternative. Provided the quality is high enough, these can compete with the best of the hardwoods, and pine has the added advantage of being more readily sourced from Europe itself. Once again, though, increased demand will result in competition hotting up.

Another factor with the potential to drastically affect the importation of futons is the looming changes in the container transport industry. Goods from the Far East are mainly brought to Europe using container transport shipping via the port of Singapore, where a massive computer-controlled logistical operation is in place.

However, the global economic downturn has hit the container transport sector hard and many such shipping companies are under strain, with many vessels currently out of service for cost reasons and others requiring costly upgrades before they can be considered energy efficient. As a result, the amount of sailings is down, and – yet again – competition for their cargo is up.

The good news is that quality futon stockists are constantly striving to anticipate and work around these challenges to ensure that the very best futons are always available to the customer.

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photo credit: OakleyOriginals

Pet owners in the US have long been known for their pampered pooches. Perms, dye-jobs and designer pet coasts have all been known. But now dog owners are getting all excited about the latest word in canine comfort – the outdoor dog futon.

If you thought futons were just a great way for humans to combine luxurious comfort, orthopaedic health and style, then think again. American dog owners have been raving about these mini futons that allow their pet to recline in comfort in their garden or backyard.

The pet futon comes in a range of sizes and is designed to resist the weather, with mildew and moisture-resistant padding and fully washable covers in a wide variety of styles and colours, which helps them fit in with the décor of a garden.

Of course, something has to have been sacrificed in this item’s descent down the food chain, and the pet futon is not exactly the same as the futons that we two-legged types have come to know and love. They are essentially glorified cushions, designed to fit in dog baskets or crates, and do not have a wooden or metal frame.

A good thing too – as the day that we start providing our pets with the same level of creature comforts that we have come to expect is the day that the doggy takeover really begins. For now, the slightly lesser pet futon is the limit of luxury for a dog, and that will do just fine.

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For sufferers of back pain or joint troubles, getting a good night’s sleep can be a tiring and frustrating business.

Many traditional beds are fitted with mattresses that are too soft to support the body’s joints, which can lead to limbs, backs and heads being stretched throughout the night because the collagen fibres which protect their ligaments are overstrained, resulting in a cricked neck or back ache.

A good futon has a yielding, yet firm mattress, which will not allow the sleeper to sag too much over the course of a sleep cycle. The design of a futon also has another advantage over the more traditional divan bed, because the mattress rests upon a series of wooden slats, helping the sleeper in several ways.

The greater circulation of air provided by the slats helps the mattress to be better ventilated and thus reduce the amount of perspiration that the sleeper emits. On average, a sleeper can lose half a pint of water overnight, leading to dehydration and headaches in the morning.

Sleepers also shed skin cells overnight, and it all mounts up – scientists estimate that a pound of skin scales can be dropped during a year’s worth of sleep periods. This helps breed dust mites and can aggravate conditions such as asthma. A slatted futon base will both reduce the amount of dust and the presence of dust mites.

For the maximum health benefits, the conscientious sleeper should be aware that, unlike many standard mattresses, those of futons are filled with natural fibres, which are far less likely to exacerbate asthma or other disorders because of the presence of chemicals.

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