Married!

Congratulations, your new bride gets to pick you out a mattress.  You bet your butt she isn’t going to sleep on that smelly old futon mattress, so you had better get your backside down to the mattress outlet to pick something nice that you both like, before she does it without your input.  The upside is, if you have been sleeping on a fifteen year old futon, anything she likes is going to be a bonus.

Leaving your campus behind can be kind of sad, but it does come with some perks.  If you are moving back home, your mom will have a decent bed for you.  If you are moving in with a girlfriend, she is going to insist on a better bed (and probably already has one) and if you got a job right out of college, you will be getting a pay bump and can afford something better than a futon mattress.

Divorce…

This is a tough one, many divorcees end up on a futon for some period of their lives, hopefully as short as possible, and the added insult is it may not even be your futon you’re sleeping on!  Regardless of the why’s, giving this up means starting your life over new and fresh, and better things are on that horizon, starting with a better mattress.

New Job and Apartment!

A new job is always exciting, and when it means moving up in the world, most people get a better mattress even if the old one isn’t a mustard yellow futon mattress.  Seriously, this is a great moment for someone to enjoy. As the saying goes,  “To the victor goes the spoils”.  In your case, it means  a comfier home and a sweet new (real) mattress.  So enjoy shopping for it and remember, your futon was there for you before you hit it big.

Remember, no matter why you are moving up in the world, or what you are moving up to, the change can be very exciting and you will likely look back fondly on the fun times you had while you were living on a futon mattress.  It is a phase of total freedom for most, for many kids the first item of furnishing they ever buy for themselves, and it will always keep a tender spot in your mind.  That said, the day you throw it out will likely be one of the happiest in your life too, so enjoy and remember, it all started on a futon mattress.

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First and foremost, they are an amazingly comfortable buy for the money nowadays.  They used to be a horrible product. People actually made fun of (and still do) how bad they were.  I am happy to say that this is not the case now.  A futon mattress will look great and feel awesome for your guests to sleep on.  Keep a spare handy in your home because you will never know who will crash on your doorstep and need a spot to snooze!

A Futon Mattress in the Home Office

To me this is a natural place for a futon mattress, being as I live in my office anyway makes sense to sleep there.  Add a water closet and I would never leave.  Regardless, many people use a spare room as an office and having multi use furniture there just makes sense.  Home offices are something almost everyone has.  Without a futon in there, it is  kind of wasted space. But with a futon around, your spouse can chat with you, and guests can stay over on it if space is tight.

A Futon Mattress in the Guest Room

Guest beds should not be too comfortable, or your guests will never leave.  That is my father’s advice anyway; but this fills both bills nicely.  Dad might not approve of how nice the futon mattress feels to sleep on, but at least when my guest leaves, I can turn the room back into a television viewing room or sewing room again without this huge bed taking the whole thing up seven days a week.

A Futon Mattress in the Den or Living Room

I kind of like these futons for kids, and the places kids like to dwell in my house. No matter how often you tell them to keep soda and food out of the living room, they are going to ignore you when you aren’t looking.  This means that the removable cover on the inexpensive futon is a good call for a parent throughout the house and is one you are unlikely to regret, especially when their friends come over.  Multi use furniture is also great for when the kid’s friends come over because they won’t have to sleep on the floor when they do, and as a kid with asthma, I really appreciated that staying over at someone’s house.

Unwanted guests all aside, you are likely to never regret the purchase of this product. Futon mattress cases are washable, they don’t have to be dry cleaned, and they come in more colors than my husband can see, as he is mildly color blind.  The point is no matter where you put it, the futon is going to look great and feel awesome no matter whom and how often it gets slept on.  The days of futons being a bad joke are over and a new era of comfort for them has now begun.  Viva la futon! In ten years, that is what people will say about them.

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The Case for the Futon

It is a great idea, provided the child’s room is big enough to support the sofa, to have a futon like piece of furniture in your child’s bedroom.  Kids tend to like to have their own guests. If you can cram them all into your child’s room, then you can grab yourself at least a small amount of peace and quiet throughout the house.  We used to do this when my cousins came over –  my aunts and uncles and parents would visit, we all would play together in our room and they would stay.  It worked great for all parties involved and amounted to very few issues.  Kids love having their own space, and having enough furniture in their room keeps them out of yours.  A futon mattress is affordable, easy to find, washable, and versatile, filling all of your needs beautifully.

The Case Against Daily Use

When you are on a budget, futons also double as bedroom chairs. If you put a futon mattress in a child’s bedroom and expect them to sleep on it day and night, that is kind of cruel, and do not complain to me when they have back problems.  This type of furniture is not meant to be used for years and years of daily use, and having spent my time on one as a young adult, I can tell you they do not make a good daily sleeper.  A cheaper twin mattress is a better idea in this case and you will have a better longevity out of it as well.  If you have a part time child, one who spends weekends at your home, these work pretty well for that, not killing the kid who is on it.

Many of us started out on a futon mattress.  We have seen the good in them and the bad, and fortunately they get better every single year. Technology works to improve an already pretty neat product.  Take a look in your area and see what the local mattress stores offer in sizes that will accommodate best the needs of both your kids and your home or wallet.  Don’t let them con you into something that will be a bad idea for both of you, and if you want to be real hardcore, go pick it out without them.  After all, you are paying for the futon mattress; if they want to buy it and put it in their own house, they can do whatever they want.

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When to Replace an Old Futon Mattress

When the stuffing is all crammed into the corners of the pad, that is a good time to replace your old futon mattress.  If, when you lay on it, you can count with your back how many support bars the thing has, you should probably get a new mattress.  If your guests make reservations at the budget motel in town claiming that the beds (roaches or not) are more comfy than your old futon, you should consider giving up the old futon.  There are many tell tale signs, those of you with wives will probably just be told that theirs is going the way of the dodo.

Where to Put the New Futon Mattress

Hooray, a fresh, unspoiled soda spill-free futon mattress for you!  Now where to put it?  How about the den –  those with a video game room will find it a welcome addition, mostly because the female of the house will not approve of any super nice furniture in there, and the kids will just get it icky anyway.

Futon mattress shells are machine washable, they look great for years, and short of lighting them on fire, they are about indestructible.  If you have a spare room for guests, it is nice because, like the mullet, it is business in the front, party in the back.  Or maybe it is business during the day, and party at night.  Either way, it beats a floor and a sleeping bag.  Besides, that is a cold way to sleep no matter how warm your house is (heat rises, you know). Sleeping on the floor is not something even the dogs in my house can do. We have all hardwood, no carpet, and no one is getting to sleep on our floor, especially the humans.

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This is the reason why you will need to measure the furniture you ought to cover. Get a measuring tape and start by measuring the length and the width or the other way around. There are three types of covers, and these are twin size, full size and queen size covers. Your measurement will identify the ones you will need. Take the size of a full size futon cover. The dimensions are 54 inches in width and 75 inches in length. If you have measurements close to that, then you should definitely buy that size for your convenience. Remember that the bigger the size, the pricier it is, so decide if you want to settle for a bigger cost than the one you really need. Futon mattress covers also come in different designs. You can choose between dozens of designs offered in the market today. There are some designs that fit one’s personality alongside with the space of living that you have.

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Thread count – This is the number of threads used to make the futon cover. Low thread count covers will wear out a lot faster and may even loose their color faster in the wash. I suggest you not buy covers with less then 200 thread count. 400 count is even better and will last longer, but you have to determine for yourself whether or not you think it is worth it.

The next important facter to consider is the size of the covers. Some covers are sold the are made especially for futon. This means that they will be more exact fits then regular sheet sets and that the fitted sheet will be less likely to come off the mattress. The size is also important. The most common size for a futon is a queen, but futons also come as a double, single and even other non standard sizes. 

The third thing to consider when buying cheap futon covers, is that you really don’t want the colors to bleed the first time you wash it. For this reason a recommend you buy a named brand futon cover from a company that has been around for more then a few years.

The fourth thing to think about is that you need to look at how the color you select will match with the futon and with the rest of the room as well. Avoid color the clash. The most common colors for futon covers are white and black.

Don’t stress out to much about buying cheap futon covers, after all, it really isn’t that difficult of a thing to do. When buying online there are two thing to remember. 1 – Prices drop around Christmas as internet retail competition is very fierce and another is to take into account shipping and handling charges. A lot of companies may offer free shipping and even though they seem more expensive, they will actually end up being a little bit cheaper.

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Futons have grown up

Futons have changed since they were brought from Japan to the United States during the 1980s. They used to be an inexpensive fad for college students or for those just starting out. Futons are now featured in decorating magazines and used in upscale homes, they walk hand in hand with the classy latex mattresses and beds. This is partially due to the more sophisticated and higher quality futons and futon frames. Futon mattresses are now made with higher quality craftsmanship and advanced technology. The surge in popularity is also based on the variety of high quality futon cover colors and styles.

Futons are being used as beds. However, they also serve a dual purpose of a stylish living room couch that can that easily convert into a guest bed. Futons can function as a seating area in a spare bedroom or home office. Then when an overnight guest arrives, they can be easily pulled out into a bed. The ability to fold out the futon when needed is a great space saver for small rooms.

Protecting Your Futon

Whether your futon is being used as a bed, a couch or both, it needs to be protected. A futon cover will sustain the life of your futon for many years. Futons are made of absorbent materials such cotton and foam. Most futon mattress damage is due to liquids directly on the mattress. Futon mattress covers protect the futon from exposure to moisture and liquids. A futon cover also protects the mattress from dirt and rips or tears in the futon mattress.

Affordable Cost

You can spend good money for your every night latex mattress topper. But if you’re looking for an affordable way to preserve your futon, futon covers are not expensive. The price ranges from $20 to $300 depending on the type of cover and size. The wide selection will insure that you find a cover that suits your personal preference and is within your budget.

Easy to Remove and Clean

Futon covers are very easy to put on and take off. Most have a zipper around the cover for a secure fit around the mattress and simple removal Button closures are also available but they are not as secure. If there is a spill on the futon, the cover can be removed in minutes to be washed. Most futon covers are machine or hand washable. The easy cleaning is a great advantage for families with children or pets.

Accommodates to Decor

Using a futon as a couch in the home is very convenient because it easily converts into a bed for a guest. The wide range of frame colors and styles will suit most home decor. If you are using your futon as a couch, the easy replacement of the futon cover with a different color or material can change the appearance of the living room.  Instead of spending a lot of money on a new couch, you can simply replace the futon cover. This is very convenient when you become tired of the color or want to coordinate the futon with a new living room decor. Another advantage is that over time covers wear out and can be easily replaced.

Futon Cover Materials

Futon cover materials come in a wide variety including leather, faux leather, faux suede, vinyl, denim, silk and most fabrics. A futon cover with stain resistant fabric or leather is useful if you are using your futon primarily as a seating area for entertaining. A silk, faux leather or micro fiber cover is a more sophisticated look. Fabric covers have a warm appearance and offer the largest selection of patterns and colors. The choice depends on your personal taste and decor. Organic materials and hemp are available for people who want environmentally conscious futon covers. Organic futon covers are beneficial for a futon in the bedroom. They are made with natural dyes and are free of chemicals. Organic cotton is made from cotton grown without pesticides.

There is specialty futon covers for specific types of protection. Waterproof futon covers offer stronger protection from liquids seeping through to the mattress. There are several futon covers made with hypoallergenic materials and dust mite protection. This prevents dust mites from invading your mattress. Dust mites can cause allergies and skin irritations in sensitive people.

Styles and Colors

Futon covers are available in a wide range of colors and patterns. The color and pattern choice depends on the desired mood of the room and your aesthetic preference. Most patterned futon covers have a solid color on the other side. This cover can be alternated depending on your aesthetic desires or mood. You can purchase a futon cover off the shelf or special order a color from a selection of swatches.

A skirted futon cover is an innovative design that gives an upholstered appearance to the futon. There is a skirt on both the front and back of the cover. This completely hide the front and back of the futon frame. The front cover can be tucked under the mattress to expose the front of the frame.

Selecting the Right Size

Futon covers typically fit a mattress up to 8 inches. If your futon is 6 to 8 inches this standard size will fit well. However, if you have a 9 or 10-inch thick mattress, you can special order a larger sized cover from the manufacturer. When you order, tell the manufacturer the exact thickness of your mattress and they will make it to your specifications. The width and length of your futon mattress will determine the size of the cover. You will need twin, full or queen futon cover depending on the mattress size. There are also crib, ottoman, loveseat and chair sizes available.

A futon cover adds style to your home and extends the life of your futon. There are a wide range of styles and colors to suit any home decor. One of the best advantages of futon covers is that you can change the appearance by replacing the cover instead of purchasing another piece of furniture.

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Your search online will give you many different types of results depending upon how you are searching for items related to your futon.

Not only must you consider how you will cover the thing, but also what it is made of and the type of bed frame you use. With the choices available to you, you may never have to get bored of your sofa-sleeper ever again.>Also, because there are chaise lounge futons and chairs that are made of futon mattresses, the various types of covering materials, patterns, styles, colors and choices are everywhere.

How You Will Be Using Your Mattress Affects The Type of Futon Cover

If you want to get a hip feel, use this type of animal print on your futon.

Here, we will discuss these various topics as well as cover some questions that come up in the process of owning convertible sleeper-sofas, overnight guests, home decor and such. Consider this article your introduction to the world of futon covers and their many benefits. Like with traditional couches, normal wear and tear is to be expected. Depending upon the uses that your futon sofa must endure, whether it is for mostly extra seating in an entertaining area or you have occasional, even frequent overnight guests, it will need to be protected.

Protection of your futon does not need to be strictly functional without fashion. Futon slipcovers come in a variety of patterns that can match nearly every taste. Again, depending upon the type of look that you are going for, you can use your cover to enhance the look of the space without overpowering. Covers come in varieties from basic solid colors of primary colors, muted tones on up to your favorite ’80s colors in bright pinks or neon. Patterns can also be found with animal prints, florals, and more elegant looking styles as well.

Think About The Function When Deciding On Fabrics For Your Futon Mattress Cover

Fabric choices will also be a factor when you are deciding on your choice of futon cover. It is suggested that you

Here is a sample floral print by Aya Fabric (www.ayafabric.com) that can be used to get a custom futon cover made.

match the fabric with its most frequent uses. For example, using a microfiber suede or linen type cover is not recommended where kids and animals will be jumping up on it. Common sense applies here of course. You might, however, opt for a leather option as it can wear quite well with pets and children. For a child’s play area, the best fabric choices are cottons and cotton blends with usually some kind of patterned print or something dark for obvious reasons.

With the resurgence in the popularity of futons in many homes, there has been a shift towards modern looks as well as the more traditional Japanese appearance. Futon beds and basic frames are still popular for college dorms and serve a much more utilitarian over fashion function. However, in finer homes, futon sofa-sleepers are the perfect solution for the empty-nesters who have the occasional house guests coming to stay for a short period. They work very well in a guest room or home office/guest room.

If the case is one where you use yours for extra seating in an entertaining area and crave variety, then futon covers are your perfect solution. When you put a slip cover on your futon, you give yourself options that didn’t exist before. If you are thinking ahead, you can even get several covers and have them ready to change out when the mood strikes. In times that call for more spark, go for the animal print or bold color or pattern choice. Trying to create that more intimate or subdued feel, then use a muted color or elegant pattern.

This is how restful and zen-like your space could be, you would need to consider this for your choice of the right futon cover.

Covers for your futon can be the ultimate expression of your creativity and personality. Green conscious home owners even have natural organic materials and hemp as possible options for futon covers. When it comes to something so seemingly simple as putting a cover on a sofa or couch, you might never know how much your personality can come through. It is cheaper and definitely much quicker than painting a room or buying new furniture. In fact, you can order your a cover for your futon online, have it shipped to your home, wash it and have it on your couch in under a week. Best wishes, thanks for stopping by and happy shopping!

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What Size Futon Are You Trying To Cover?

What particular size futon do you own or are looking to cover?  If it’s a bed you’re looking to protect or spruce up, you’ll find full futon covers and queen futon covers much more easily.  King sized ones do exist but for some reason they are harder to find.  It may have something to do with the fact that as people move up in bed size, they typically go for a more traditional mattress choice.  Not that there’s anything wrong with that….we’re just partial to the futon.  If you’ve got a twin, these are also popular because sometimes the manufacturers interchange full/twin language and/or combine them in description pages etc.  So, remember this as you search.

Do Futon Covers Exist For Other Pieces of ‘Futo-niture’?

Here is a futon chair covered with a royal blue cover.

If it is another piece of furniture for a guest room or lounge area, you are also in luck.  Many people choose futon sofa covers for areas where they don’t want to commit to painting or changing the whole look of a room, so they’ll opt to change out their slipcovers instead.  It’s much less effort and depending on if you go for, say,  cotton twill futon covers vs. more expensive suede or leather fabrics, it can also be less expensive than painting a whole area.   Many people will not even notice that it is the same piece of furniture if you have several different futon couch covers.  The whole look of your room can change so easily, that their attention can be drawn to the other elements in the room that you wish to highlight.

You may or may not be aware that there are many different types of furniture made in the futon way.  You may just own a mattress and frame and be unaware that futon chairs, loungers, and other styles existed.  These versatile pieces of furniture are actually making a comeback in homes where space is at a premium and people the flexibility they provide.  Some people entertain guests and this gives them instant sleeping options.  Now, with the myriad of futon covers to choose from, they can entertain often and not feel like their guests are ever getting bored.  In fact, some people buy several styles that match their guests’ interest and can change them out quickly and easily to add that personal touch for their guests to feel welcomed and at ease.  Remember, there are so many options, don’t limit yourself to one.

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Got bed bugs? Consider using a pest control service.

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What’s The Deal With Hemp As A Futon Mattress Cover?

Hemp comes in various ounce styles - this is a 14 oz. sample - that have different 'tightness' to the fabric. All hemp will feel rougher at first, then soften with use.

Now, because of its popular uses in health, nutrition and its ‘green’ qualities, it’s making a comeback.  Hemp material is making a big impact in the clothing and apparel business.  Because of this, hemp fabric has become much more readily available.  There was a time when hemp would have been much more prohibitively expensive, but not any more.  Some top designers and fashion icons have used hemp in some of their lines over the last several years.  Various celebrities have also been quite vocal about their support of hemp and wear hemp clothing to some award shows.  The obvious standout here is Woody Harrelson who – ahem – may also be indulging in the ‘hemp-related’ smoke-able product.

What makes hemp such a great choice for futon covers?  Basically, it is a plant whose properties allow it to be grown and created into fabric; not a totally foreign idea (hint:  organic futon covers).  Hemp is a quite hearty plant and can tolerate harsher growing conditions, making it less likely to need chemical treatment to produce a profitable yield.  The abundance of organic hemp fabrics are a testament to this.  Hemp is also very durable.  It can take a lot of abuse and still maintain its strength, shape and form.  These qualities make it great for futon slipcovers.

Another quality, just briefly alluded to is hemp’s propensity to be a greener product.  Just mentioned is its heartiness in various growing conditions.  Less chemicals are needed to grow it and thus less is put into the earth.  Another green property is its ability to grow quickly.  Much like bamboo, that can be grown and harvested rather quickly, it is a sustainable resource in some respects.

One unique property of hemp is that it wears a bit like denim.  Like your favorite pair of jeans that get better with age and wear, so goes hemp.  Hemp feels a bit more stiff or ‘abrasive’ at first.  But, with normal wear and use, will soften to a more comfortable feel.  This simple fact alone will cut down on any futon cover repair bills.  Many hemp fabrics will maintain their natural look at market and will have a light caramel or tan color.  The unique properties of hemp fibers give it a more natural and organic feel about them.  Much like their organic cotton fiber friends, hemp fabrics can be laundered similarly.  In fact, if your chair covers (or bed) ever get too ‘ripe’ you, rest assured your futon cover cleaning is a snap.  If the choice is between organic cotton or hemp futon covers for similar colors and uses, you might find hemp to be a great choice.

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