Quick and comfy is the lifestyle of today and the newest futons and sofa beds fit the bill. Sofa beds used to weigh a ton with a full sized mattress on a steel frame. They were not that comfortable and impossible to move. Futons began to show up in the 1970s and provided the same type of dual purpose as sofa beds.
Today you can select either a futon or sofa bed that is attractive for daytime use and comfortable for a good night’s sleep. This type of furniture is perfect for overnight guests, kids having sleepovers or just watching a movie with a big bowl of popcorn and wearing your PJs.
The History of the Sofa Bed
photo credit: CaitlinatorIn 1899, L.C. Bailey was looking for a way to put up his in-laws when they came to visit. Because he and his wife had a small one-bedroom home, the idea of placing a bed inside of a couch helped conceive the idea. It was patented as a ‘folding bed’ but soon became known as a ‘hide-a-bed’.
Many homes of the working class had small rooms and the hide-a-bed was the perfect answer when relatives came to visit or live. Since that time, people have called them sofa beds or sleeper couches.
The History of the Futon
The futon is a relatively new product to the Western world although its origin began some 600 years ago in Japan. The correct terminology in Japanese is ‘shikifuton’ and was nothing more than bedclothes stuffed with cotton and wool. When the industrial world emerged in the 19th century, factories were able to produce a long mattress made of quilt and filled with cotton.
When not in use, the shikifuton was rolled up like a sleeping bag and stored in the closet. When the Western world began looking at the shikifuton as a simple method of making a comfortable couch and bed, frames were built to support the mattress. Now the futon on a frame is as popular in Japan as in Europe and the Americas.
Sofa beds have also evolved into more modern styles that offer memory foam, latex or innerspring mattresses. Some are designed to simply fold down making the back even with the seat to turn into a great full-sized bed.
The Euro Convertible Sofa
Designers are also playing with ideas that incorporate the futon and sofa bed and calling them Euro Convertible Sofas. These lightweight couches normally have a 6″ to 8″ foam padding underneath microfibre, leather-like or other easy to clean fabric.
These are the ultimate in style and sleeping comfort. Because there is no cotton used, allergies and bedbugs are a thing of the past. A quick wipe with a cloth dipped in a mild detergent keeps your sofa looking like new.
Futon Sofa-Loungers
Futon sofa-loungers are also a great way to furnish your first apartment. Inexpensive, lightweight and chic, suede or vinyl covers a pillow top mattress that is like sleeping on a cloud. Different models may include side wings that are adjustable, fabric of your choice and wood or metal frames.
The designs can range from contemporary, traditional, classic, casual or modern in all different sizes, heights, colors and fabrics. Durable and light enough to move to the patio for a party, a futon sofa-lounger gives the type of diversity that is needed in an active world.
Apartment Sized Sofa Beds
Apartment sized sofa beds can be the perfect solution if you have a loft or a small area excluding a bedroom. Beautiful loveseats can fit through doors and bring style to a small room. Rounded arms, deep cushions and tailored backs that set on distinctive sculptured legs will never let anyone know that such a great loveseat has a bed hidden beneath.
At bedtime, simply pull out the full-sized bed that has no raw metal rails but soft foam padding and enjoy your sleep on a memory foam mattress or a pillow top on innerspring that mimics any traditional bed. When space is a premium, this is a good selection.
Dual Purpose Beds are Perfect for Friends and Family
The choice in dual-purpose beds is immense for any type of lifestyle that you have. An extra bed is always a welcome relief when you have unexpected guest, grand kids or sleepovers for the teens. There are even kids’ sets that are made of sturdy foam and perfect for letting the younger set have their own couch and a spot for overnight friends. Visit online stores and find a futon, sofa bed or a combination of the two that fits your living space.
