Hopefully, reading this, you’ll be emerging from a divinely comfy nest, invigorated by a good night’s sleep. Fact is, though, many of you aren’t getting what you need from that most private spot, the place you spend around a third of your life. But hold it just one dreamy, drowsy moment; did we just say a third of your life? In bed?

photo credit: Daniel Dale

Yup, indeed we did. Hell, we’d LOVE an eight hour session in the land of nod but, if truth be known, we’re lucky to grab a meagre six hours per evening. And that’s on a good night.

Sleep quotients aside, take it from us; we know about beds — we’ve been in more hotel rooms, after all, than the Gideon Bible. Not, you understand, as serial slappers, but because we spend lots of time on the road between jobs. From Paris to London and from New York to Brisbane, we’ve slept in some of the most comfortable (and some of the most uncomfortable) divans that the hospitality world has to offer. The better hotels, of course, get it right and their actions can help you dream up a little indulgence at home.

History fans will know the word mattress derives from the Arabic word matrah, which means “to throw down.” But matrah can also mean “mat” or “cushion.” During the Crusades, Europeans adopted the Arabic method of sleeping and the word eventually mutated into mattress. Whilst originally stuffed with horse hair, feathers and straw, things have changed. Today’s mattresses, thankfully, have an eminently more yielding fill and employ padding materials such as latex, foam and other soft fibres.

INNER SPRING

Perhaps most common, this variety is available in various types and styles. Generally speaking, springs are manufactured using steel while the mattresses themselves come in price brackets to suit most pyjama pockets. Before buying, though, you need to understand the nuances of the available categories, so here’s the sciencepart.

• Bonnell coil: Shaped like an hourglass, these are the least expensive coils but they’re susceptible to damage and they’re prone to wear and popping.

• Continuous coil: These are composed with a single wire system and use hundreds of interconnecting springs. Manufactured to extend mattress life, and favoured by many top hotels, they tend to avoid the incidence of premature sagging. And nobody cares for that, right?

• Pocket coil: Within a mattress such as this, independent springs are separately encased in fabric, foam and other soft material. The clever system provides varying degrees of support for different body zones (such as the head, chest or hips) but a distinct downside is that they can be expensive and can end up permanently dipped in heavily compressed areas.

Bear in mind that different manufacturers offer variations within each category, so shop around and throw yourself about to test the options. We’re not suggesting you spend the night in Sleep Country (or practise overt displays of “romantic gymnastics”) but, as you browse in store and spot something you like, adopt your typical sleep position and stay there for 15 minutes to analyze comfort. Our rule of thumb says spend as much as you can afford; the bed, after all, is the piece of furniture you use most, so don’t cut corners. Chosen carefully, a mattress should be good for 10 years, so do the math — a $2,000 dollar bed breaks down to $200 per year which, in turn, equates to less than $4 a week. Worth thinking about, huh?

MEMORY FOAM

Hmm. We’ll have the memory mob mafia after us for this one. Last year in the U.K., we product tested several and have to report we found them somewhat bizarre. A mattress, for us, just like a sofa, should yield and move according to how it’s moved upon. Memory foam — and remember this is just our humble opinion — is restricting in that it forms a shape which “holds” and then gradually fades after positioning is changed. This observed, memory foam remains popular with consumers.

Anyway, here’s a little more science; the mouldable membrane is created from a cocktail of synthetics, foam and chemicals. Structurally speaking, the mattress consists of a regular foam layer and it’s on top of this that the memory foam itself is located. Developed using NASA technology, this comfort layer is generally slimmer than the base layer and is designed with heat retaining properties, body contouring ability and — as marketers will pronounce — superior support.

LATEX FOAM

Brought to life using sap extracted from the rubber tree, this option offers similar support qualities to memory foam, albeit with a couple of simple distinctions; latex, its manufacturers will tell you, is more natural and retains less body heat. Consequently, this option is popular with “hot sleepers” and those who suffer with scent hypersensitivity.

AIR BEDS

If you’re thinking camp site shenanigans, it’s time to think again. Airbeds, you see, have come a long way in recent years. Our friend Mark, visiting last summer from the UK, swore blind that the blow-up mattress upon which we positioned him tempted his best night’s sleep ever. Hmm; guess the hefty dose of vin rouge consumed by the old soak also had an impact. That said, upon returning to London, Mark bought himself a top grade blow up and, by all accounts, hasn’t looked back since.

Ever more flexible, modern versions are often designed with the capacity to separately adjust firmness at each side. This makes them convenient for couples with different mattress preferences, although some users complain of air leaks during the night, especially in basic models. Air leakage? For reasons of decency, let’s move on.

WATERBEDS

How very 1970s. Or are they? Well, to be honest, the waterbed, of late, has enjoyed a new wave of interest as build structure has improved. Old school water beds provided limited lumbar support, poor comfort and limited motion-cancelling qualities. Today’s versions, on the other hand, allow a degree of firmness control as well as temperature shift on higher spec models. Are we convinced? Let’s see; throughout literally hundreds of bedroom projects we’ve yet to specify a waterbed, although this, in fairness, harks back to the memory of a U.K. neighbour who accidentally pierced hers with a knife while enjoying a romantic dinner under the duvet. The upshot was a soaked carpet and water damage to the apartment below. Little wonder, then, her boyfriend fled the watery disaster, never to be seen again.

FUTONS

An affordable option in most circumstances, futons are actually very comfy, and higher spec models, it should be reported, proffer similar support benefits to memory foam and latex mattresses. Today’s futon’s are constructed using a variety of fill — such as cotton, foam and synthetics — and, due to their lightweight nature, they make excellent nests for students or those who move frequently. Some models won’t be hypoallergenic, so assure yourself of “breathe” quality before investing. And consider the dreaded “false economy” — lower-end varieties may need to be replaced more frequently as they probably won’t be built with the same support characteristics as traditional mattresses.

Futons

“I live in Woody’s, and the rooms are pretty big but with two of us, we don’t have much space. My roommate and I decided to bunk our beds, and then we got a futon because we had more space,” said Erica Yong, a second-year ISyE major.

Many students buy cheap and versatile furniture such as futons or small tables from places like Ikea to make the most of their space. “I lofted my bed and put an Ikea futon underneath. I’ve also got a tiny TV so when I come back from class I can just sit in my chair and watch TV,” said Malika Zurich, a second-year MGT major.

photo credit: Paragon Apartments

Wall art, rugs and lamps can liven up a small room. “My roommates and I decided to     buy a bunch of posters for the living room. We felt that it would make the place feel more like home, you know? It’s nice because we can just make the living room our own,” said Jenny Burnett,  fourth-year BIO major.

Other students make their living space their own by rearranging the furniture provided by campus housing.

“I sleep on my mattress on the floor and then put all my boxes of stuff on the lofted bed frame. It’s so much easier this way because now I have space for my desk and chair and wardrobe and I don’t have to worry about all of my stuff,” said Emily Bell, fourth-year M.E major.

Other students who dislike living on campus and the small living quarters of campus housing get a little creative.

“My roommates and I hate the couches that are in the living room, so we took them out and put them in one of our roommate’s rooms. We bought new couches and put them in there and now he sleeps in the living room,” said Michael Blane, fourth-year CHEM major. “Some people who come over think it’s weird, but we all like it better that way, and now my roommate has a couch in his room.”

There are many ways to make better use of small campus space. Some students buy futons and loft their beds to increase space, while others simply rearrange the furniture that is provided. Putting up art and placing lamps makes the place more inviting.

Even though campus housing doesn’t provide fancy furniture or much room, with a little bit of creativity, any campus space can be transformed for the better.

Morale of the story – Futons are great for rooms without much space!

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.

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.

Charities and aid agencies working in the aftermath of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami have found futons to be invaluable when it comes to giving shelter and comfort to the disaster’s victims.

Since the earthquake hit eastern Japan on 11 March, thousands of survivors have been either made homeless or told to evacuate, due to the risk from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant. Futons originated in Japan, so it is perhaps natural that these portable yet highly comfortable beds are playing a vital role in relief efforts.

With town halls, churches, schools and other large public spaces being given over to housing evacuees, charities have brought in hundreds of futons, which journalist covering the aftermath have all reported on. Japanese charities have launched appeals for donations of futons from the largely unscathed western side of the country, and families have donated their own futons from homes and businesses.

To donate to the Japanese relief efforts yourself, just log on to www.redcross.org.uk, or donate by phone on 08450 53 53 53.

]]> http://www.futonsale.co.uk/blog/futons-play-their-part-in-japan-relief-efforts/15/feed/ 0 http://www.futonsale.co.uk/blog/japanese-vs-western-futons/11/ http://www.futonsale.co.uk/blog/japanese-vs-western-futons/11/#comments Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:57:37 +0000 Daniel Coysh http://www.futonsale.co.uk/blog/?p=11
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!

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.

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.

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.