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The Evolution of Futon Convertible Sofa Beds

There are many styles of convertible sofa beds available on the market today. They have greatly evolved from the early click-clack beds to pull out hide-a-beds to the Japanese futon and back again to the beginning. All of these styles can still be found, greatly improved upon their early predecessors, being more comfortable and stylish than ever before. But today, lets take a look at the history and evolution of the futon and the revolutionary new styles available.

As you probably know, the traditional futon is from Japan. The original futon was not designed to be folded up into a sofa, but was designed to be folded and put away so that the room could be used for other purposes. The futon was more of a bedding set that had two main parts: the bottom mattress (shikibuton) and the thick quilted bedcover (kakebuton). The mattress is only about 2.0 inches thick and is filled with a cotton or synthetic batting. This makes them easy to fold away and store in a closet. The Japanese futon needs to be regularly aired out in the sun and are often beaten using a special bamboo tool similar to a carpet beater.

I am not sure when the futon was introduced in the US, but I remember first seeing them in the 1980’s. However, the western futon has some major differences from the original. The primary difference is that they are put on a wood or metal frame that folds in the middle, allowing them to be used as convertible sofa beds. During the day they can be folded up in the sofa position, and then they can be flattened out at night to be used as a bed. Almost all of these that I have seen have wooden arm rests.

The next major difference is the mattress. First, it is thicker. A high end futon will have a mattress that is up to six to eight inches thick. A cheap, discount store futon’s mattress is usually only about 4″ thick. Though this is still twice the thickness of the traditional Japanese futon, it is often needed because of the metal frame it rests on. Besides being thicker, the mattresses often have a removable cover for easy washing or replacing. The cheaper mattresses are made of foam and batting. The thick mattresses have multiple layers of foam and batting. Some of the higher quality futon mattresses actually have coils like a real mattress.

The latest evolution in the western futon I had never seen before until today. This type of convertible sofa beds are called a futon, but looks just like a regular sofa. The ones I saw were made by Handy Living and had a really nice microfiber upholstery with full padded arms and throw pillows. You can get them in a full sofa size or the smaller love seat, and in a whole variety of colors to suit any decor. Besides looking like a regular sofa, these convertible sofa beds not only fold flat for sleeping, but also can be partially reclined. They also claim that they easily convert from one position to another, using just a touch of a hand. This sure beats the wood or metal framed futon! We have a fairly nice one, and though laying it flat is not a problem, it is a two person job to get it upright again. One last improvement worth mentioning is that the back and seating area is 10″ thick with coils, so very comfortable – especially since there is no bar in the middle of your back as in the cheap futons!

Yes, the futon has come a long ways in different styles from the traditional Japanese style. So, if you are looking at convertible sofa beds, consider the latest innovative style to see if it would work for you.

Metal & Wood Frame Gun Metal / Acron FULL Size BED $529.00

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Heavy Duty 7-Leg LINENSPA Adjustable Metal Bed Frame with Center Support and Rug Rollers - (Queen, Full XL, Full, Twin XL, Twin) $56.99 Support your mattress with a heavy duty steel bed frames engineered to support today's thicker, heavier mattresses. A 1-1/2" center support bar offers extra support through the middle of the bed and fulfills mattress manufacturers' support warranty requirements. Four 2-1/2" extra-wide rug rollers (two locking rollers). One center support glides allow mobitily when desired. Headboard brackets will ...

Heavy Duty Adjustable Metal Queen & Full Size Bed Frame With Center Support $39.99 ...

Heavy Duty 6-Leg LINENSPA Adjustable Metal Bed Frame with Double Center Support and Rug Rollers - UNIVERSAL (Cal King, King, Queen, Full XL, Full, Twin XL, Twin) $56.99 Support your mattress with a heavy duty steel bed frames engineered to support today's thicker, heavier mattresses. A 2-1/2" center support bar offers extra support through the middle of the bed and fulfills mattress manufacturers' support warranty requirements. Four 2-1/2" extra-wide rug rollers (two locking rollers). Two center support glides allow mobitily when desired. Headboard brackets will ...

851 Series Leather Canopy Bed Size: Queen $2,310.00 851-1 Size: Queen The royal sleeping chambers of the famed Grandees are revisited in the Moroccan-inspired Spanish Hills Collection. From the intricately carved columns, posts and feet to the wrought iron bed canopy and sumptuous, hand trimmed and sewn leather upholstery on the bedstead and cabinet doors, each piece radiates Mediterranean warmth and historic majesty. Features: -Bed. -Hand trimmed...

851 Series Leather Canopy Bed Size: Eastern King 851K-1EK Size: Eastern King The royal sleeping chambers of the famed Grandees are revisited in the Moroccan-inspired Spanish Hills Collection. From the intricately carved columns, posts and feet to the wrought iron bed canopy and sumptuous, hand trimmed and sewn leather upholstery on the bedstead and cabinet doors, each piece radiates Mediterranean warmth and historic majesty. Features: -Bed. -Ha...

851 Series Leather Canopy Bed Size: California King 851K-1CK Size: California King The royal sleeping chambers of the famed Grandees are revisited in the Moroccan-inspired Spanish Hills Collection. From the intricately carved columns, posts and feet to the wrought iron bed canopy and sumptuous, hand trimmed and sewn leather upholstery on the bedstead and cabinet doors, each piece radiates Mediterranean warmth and historic majesty. Features: -Bed. ...

Adjustable Luxury Bed Frame Size: Full $1,409.00 Bed-4101+F Size: Full Shown with Premium Mattress which is sold separately -Adjustable Luxury Bed Frame. -Weight Capacity: 400 lbs. -Material: Wood trim skirting. -Available in Twin, Full, Queen and King size. -Featuring the ultimate in style and comfort. -Available in all sizes, this luxury adjustable bed features iindependent foot and head operation controlled by a single, low voltage, whisper q...

Adjustable Luxury Bed Frame Size: King $2,458.00 Bed-4101+K Size: King Shown with Premium Mattress which is sold separately -Adjustable Luxury Bed Frame. -Weight Capacity: 400 lbs. -Material: Wood trim skirting. -Available in Twin, Full, Queen and King size. -Featuring the ultimate in style and comfort. -Available in all sizes, this luxury adjustable bed features iindependent foot and head operation controlled by a single, low voltage, whisper q...

Adjustable Luxury Bed Frame Size: Queen $1,469.00 Bed-4101+Q Size: Queen Shown with Premium Mattress which is sold separately -Adjustable Luxury Bed Frame. -Weight Capacity: 400 lbs. -Material: Wood trim skirting. -Available in Twin, Full, Queen and King size. -Featuring the ultimate in style and comfort. -Available in all sizes, this luxury adjustable bed features iindependent foot and head operation controlled by a single, low voltage, whisper ...

PIR Alarm $90.85 Product Details of the PIR Alarm The ideal bed alarm for restless patients that move around in bed. Eliminates sensor pads that can get wet and have cords that get tangled. When activated, the PIR alarm transmits an invisible beam down the entire length of the bedside. Unlike weigh triggered sensor pads or cord activated pull cord alarms, the PIR's infrared beam sounds and alarm when any part of...

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