Cheap Futon Covers

When looking for a traditional futon mattress there is only one direction to look – East! The humble traditional futon mattress originated in Japan, and even today when beds are just as popular as they are in the West, there is still a big demand for a traditional futon mattress in Japan. In minimalist traditional Japanese settings you will invariably find the shikibuton in its unchanged design dating back many centuries to the Edo era.

Comprising of three separate elements, the Japanese futon is used on the floor, usually with a tatami (mat). The proper minimalist traditional futon as mentioned earlier is called a shikibuton, the comforter is called kakebuton, and finally the pillow is called the makura. In Japan the futon is changed for each season, to provide a heavier one during the winter months and a lighter, more breathable futon in the summer months.

The shikibuton is quite slim compared to what people would normally expect from a futon, but this is one of the advantages as it allows the futon to be rolled up and stored away without taking up too much space. This small footprint means it is also feasible to take a shikibuton with you on your travels. A shikibuton also ticks the environmental box as it is entirely made out of natural fibers. The other pro for this traditional futon is that it is relatively  inexpensive because it is quite thin. Unfortunately this last advantage can also be a disadvantage as the lack of depth to a shikibuton means that not everybody will find it very comfortable. It is worth bearing in mind however that a good Japanese Futon is known for helping with common back issues, so sufferers may like to persevere with a shikibuton and see if it helps with their ailment.

The West picked up on the idea of the Japanese Futon around 1940, when a cotton filled version became popular in dorms and guest rooms. American futons tend to be thicker than a traditional futon mattress, on average around 200mm (7.8 inches) thick. There is a larger selection of materials available for a modern futon mattress, consumers can select from latex, various foams, and even sprung mattresses. Of course in the West we do not prefer to sleep on the floor as a traditional futon would be used, but rather in a bed-frame. For this reason western futons can be purchased with a folding wooden or metal frame which converts to a sofa, lounger or chair.

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When used as a sofa the mattress is usually protected with a mattress cover. Futon mattress covers are available in a number of different materials and styles to match demand as more and more western consumers find the flexibility offered by a futon to be a big advantage, especially in situations where space is at a premium. For example, guest rooms where the bedding is removed during the day to make space for seating benefit greatly from the multi-purpose futon, or from the small area required for storage.

The one difference that remains between the two cultures is that for westerners rarely is a futon the primary sleeping arrangement, where as in Japan this is still very much the traditional sleeping arrangement.