When people hear the word futon, they may conjure a specific image in their minds. A wood slate frame, wooden arms, and a bulky cushion are the first thing that people may imagine when they hear about futons. It may surprise them to learn that modern futons are different. The word futon is used to describe certain types of furniture that may not resemble a traditional piece of furniture. Other times, manufacturers have different terms to describe what people would think of as a futon.
What is a futon?
Leather Futon Sofa
Traditionally, a futon is a wooden frame that can be transformed into a couch or a bed. This piece of furniture has been altered by manufactures so that the word can be defined as a piece of furniture that serves more than one purpose.
No longer made only out of wood and cotton mattresses, several different types of futons can be purchased and used to create a living room suite or furniture for a family room.
One example would be setting pieces next to one another to create a sectional. A lounge futon can seat one or two people and has no armrests. The only piece that bends is the one that supports a person's back or shoulders and is arranged so the person is sitting up or lying down.
A lounge sofa can be placed next to a two-seat futon. Then, an end table can be placed in the corner, and a three seat futon can be placed at the long end of the room. This creates a sectional look out of individual pieces of furniture that are more functional separately than a traditional sectional.
A futon bunk bed is a two-seat futon that is connected to a loft bed. This creates additional space for a dorm room or a child's room. As a couch, students can use the futon to entertain or watch TV. Then they can open it for guests to sleep on.
For dorm rooms, modern futons can be used as a way to diversify a space. Used as a couch during the day and a bed at night, the dorm room can look like a living room or a bedroom depending on what a student wants to have at any one time.
There are also outdoor futons and swing futons for patios or porches. While many company's call lounge chairs futons, a more traditional futon can be used to create an outdoor living room. A swing futon is a rocker swing with a futon as the seat. This can make a nice hammock when in the reclining position.
Not all futons are equal
Some products that resemble futons have other names. Click-clack bed looks like a traditional sofa, love seat, or chair. It has a metal frame covered with cloth, suede, or leather and transforms into a bed using a series of hinges. Some click-clack beds have traditional arms that are removed, while others are designed so the head and foot of the bed bend up to create armrests when it is in a couch form.
Some types of furniture are incorrectly called futons. Often, manufacturers call a platform bed a futon. These types of futons are sold for pets as well as humans. Futon mattresses are mattresses stuffed with a cotton blend. One company makes a line of infant futon mattresses. There are stuffed mattresses that can be used with a bassinet or layette.
When a person wants to buy a futon, they should understand the differences. Modern futons include different styles, and some of these types of futons may not be what the person is looking for. It is important to see a picture of the item or view it in person before buying it to make sure it is the type of futon that the buyer has in mind.