Whether you are old, young, adventurous, or are more comfortable at home, there is one place that everyone likes and that is your own bed. It is extremely comfortable and an incredibly safe place to be for us.
However, there comes a time when the spring no longer provides that same support, the legs are worn away, and the slats underneath are broken.
At this point, no matter how many good memories we have on that bed, you need to find a replacement.
If you are the type of person who is pretty happy with what they have and feel no need to branch out from it, then fair enough.
However, if you are the type of person who likes to try new things, you may want to see what other types of bed are available, and you may go for something unorthodox.
Enter the futon. This strange bedding might be just what you are looking for, but can you use a futon as a bed? What even is a futon? In this article, we seek to find these answers out.
What Is A Futon?
A futon is essentially a traditional style of Japanese bedding. A futon set will typically consist of a mattress and a duvet with both of these being very soft and being very pliable, so that they can be folded and put in a cupboard or to the side of the room, so the rest of the space can be used.
Traditionally, futons have been the style of Japanese bedding for hundreds of years, and they are put upon tatami floor mats, a type of rice straw flooring material, which keeps the futons dry.
However, they still need to be washed and aired out regularly to prevent mold and mites.
The use of futons is still incredibly popular in Japan today, with many people preferring this traditional way of sleeping. It is said to be good for your back and body in general.
Since people have been sleeping on futons for hundreds of years in Japan, it is also quite comforting for Japanese people to sleep on them, in a similar vein to how westerners find chicken soup comforting when they are ill.
Can You Use A Futon As A Bed?
Yes, you absolutely can, in fact that is the traditional use of a futon. In the west, we have adapted futons to be fold-away couch beds that we pull out when people are staying over. However, in Japan, most people just use them as a bed.
The reason is that our ideas of what a bed should be are slightly different from those of people in Japan. In a way, our beds are somewhat decadent comparatively.
We see them as furniture that is raised off the ground with three separate parts: the frame, the mattress, and the bedding.
The frame is to provide support to the mattress, the mattress is designed to hold and cradle our bodies in the most comfortable way possible, and the bedding is designed to keep us warm and be soft. In other words, it is all about comfort.
Whereas, futons are kind of stripped down to the basics. The floor is the support, the mattress is comfortable, but doesn’t cradle, and the bedding is warm and soft, but not overly so.
They more resembled how European beds used to be, and in fact they are actually better for your body than your comfy bed.
That’s right, futons provide better support for your body during sleep, so you are less likely to get backache with them, though we will cover all the pros and cons of a futon in the next part.
Pros Of A Futon
There are many pros and cons to a futon, so it is important to understand what they are before you buy one:
- Easy to transport from place to place – If you do not have the space for a regular bed, but would like to have a bed, a futon is a great alternative. It can be moved from one place to another without any hassles. There is no need to take apart the bed or deal with the hassle of moving a bed, as it is simply a mattress and duvet.
- Easy to clean – Unlike an actual bed, a futon is extremely easy to clean. You can simply get a vacuum cleaner and suck up all the dust, wash it, or hang it out and hit it.
- Cheaper to maintain – Unlike a regular bed, a futon does not require a lot of maintenance. You do not have to clean the sheets, change the sheets, or wash the bedspread. You simply wash or dust it, and you are good to go.
- More versatile – A futon can be used almost anywhere and could be squeezed to fit in most places. It can be used in a smaller space like a studio apartment, or in a family house.
Cons Of A Futon
Unfortunately, there are some cons to a futon, as well:
- Limited lifespan – Futons are extremely low-budget, and therefore, they do not last a long time. If you buy one today, it is likely to break down within a couple of years.
- It needs to be aired out regularly – Although they don’t have as many parts as a regular bed, the parts they do have need to be cleaned or dusted regularly to avoid them becoming filthy.
- Not as comfy – Futons are great for your body, but they are simply not as comfortable as a normal bed. If you want excessive comfort over everything else, then a futon is not for you.
Conclusion
A futon is a great option for people with small space and no budget, or those looking for something different. It is extremely easy to move and can be used almost anywhere. It is affordable, easy to clean, and does not require a lot of maintenance.
Maybe you should give a futon a try, you might enjoy it more than you think.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Japan anytime soon, do exactly that - plan! Read up on all of the amazing things to do here to make the most of your time. I can bet that you’ll still return home feeling like you could’ve explored much more.
