It sounds like a simple question, but there is occasionally still some confusion when we speak with customers about futons. Is the futon a couch? Is it a folding sofa frame? Is it just a bed without springs? What is a futon, anyway?

The answer to that question is actually fairly simple: the Japanese word for a traditional bed is futon, so to us, a futon simply means "bed". The parts include the shikibuton - the bed; the kakebuton - the comforter; and the makura - the pillow. The shikibuton is the ancestor to what Americans call a futon. Traditionally, the cotton-filled futon is only about three inches thick, which is a good firm bed, though a little too firm for larger, curvy westerners who sleep on their sides. The Japanese sleep ritual includes laying the futon out on tatami mats on the floor, then folding them up and putting them away in the closet, or oshiire, when sleeping is over.

Americans often think of a futon as a sofa that doubles as a guest bed. In the 1960s, people who wanted a simple, natural bed brought 'futons' to the US. In subsequent decades, frames were developed for futons that convert from bed to couch. This versatile idea caught on with people who wanted to maximize limited space and dollars: students in dorms and people who live in studios, for example. Unfortunately, this idea morphed to an industry driven by low prices that ultimately descended into the land of 'cheaper is better'. That said, there are still a handful of companies that work hard to create decent futon systems and offer them to their customers for a reasonable price.

Futons are wonderful, healthy natural beds. Based on their Japanese origins, we still make futons filled with natural fibers. In many newer futon companies, less expensive and lighter synthetic fibers have been used in place of healthier natural fibers, even though the polyester substitute is not as durable or comfortable as cotton.

We do believe that the modern sofa/guest bed combination futon requires a foam core of some kind to prevent the back from slouching over time. Adding the foam works doubly hard by holding the back of the futon straight, and by giving the seat a bit of resilience, making it more comfortable to sit on. Most commonly, we use high-density polyurethane foam in the core of a sofa futon, since it is inexpensive and long-lasting. For those who want an all-natural sofa futon, we can use a latex core instead.

Some companies use springs in the core of a sofa futon. That's okay. But make sure that the futon is made with high quality components. We have seen some cheap innerspring futons that are poorly built using sub-optimal materials that simply don't last. If you are looking for springs in your bed, we highly recommend buying a standard innerspring mattress. Generally, they are built to higher standards than your average spring-filled futon.

Finally, we will caution you that a futon is not a cheap substitute for a couch or a bed. Futons have earned a bad reputation as a cheap alternative to real furniture. As with everything else, you get what you pay for. High quality futons that make great furniture are not cheap, but are still affordable. Futons are inherently simple, so they can be produced relatively inexpensively. As long as one is built with high quality ingredients, it will be comfortable and durable.