.: Traditional Futon Beds
By:Carl Walker
Category:Home / Home / Home Improvement
Futon is Japanese traditional furniture, basically a mattress that makes up a bed which is still commonly used today. Futons first appeared as weed-made rags in ancient Japan. A traditional futon set usually costs under 10,000 yen (around$83) sold at specialty stores called futon-Ya in Japan and other department stores.
A traditional Japanese futon set generally consists of a mattress called a shikibuton wrapped in Shikifu or sheets, a comforter called Kakebuton covered with a kakebuton cover, blanket called mōfu, and a pillow called makura. The makura is usually filled with beans, buckwheat chaff, or plastic beads. The 4 to 5 cm thick futon itself is flat, having a fabric exterior stuffed with cotton and/or synthetic batting.
In Japan, there is a variety of futons available depending on the season. For example, futon may be made of feathers, which is light and comfortable during summers. Thick and heavy futons may otherwise be used in the summer season.
Futons are designed to be laid on Tatami - a traditional Japanese flooring created from individual woven straw mats of uniform size and shape, bordered by brocade or plain black cloth, and packed with straw. Styrofoam may also be used with the recent ones.
The traditional futon, when not in use, can be folded away and stored in a closet called oshiire, which has sliding doors and is usually divided into two shelves. The futon is generally stored on the upper shelf, and since Japanese homes are typically small in size, a room may be used for multiple purposes such as functioning both as a living and dining room. The futon quite comes in quite handy when considering this since it can be easily stored away.
The Western Transformation:
The futon become popular in the United until after World War II. In the 1960s, handmade cotton pads were used by hippies, students and health enthusiasts as alternatives for conventional beds. The first significant transformation, about a decade later, was the introduction of convertible frames which turned the futon into a bed-cum-couch furniture.
By the 1980s, the popularity of the futon had reached its peak in the United States and other western countries, and people started buying it in large quantities. The transformation continued with the introduction of components such as innersprings, pocket springs, coil, foam and polyester mattresses, as well as electric frames with massagers. The futon had become considerably westernized towards the end of the decade that it became almost hard to recognize a Western-style futon as a “futon”.
The popularity of the futon also spread to the country of its origin, and top Japanese futon manufacturer, Maruhachi Mawata, started manufacturing futons resembling the western style in 1997. Older generation of Japanese still very much use the traditional futon but younger people prefer the comfort, style and added features of the western style. Incidentally by the year 2001, there was a 60 percent increase in the use of western style futons and beds in Japan.
Article keywords: futon, futons, bed, beds, mattresses, furniture, home remodelling
Article Source: http://www.articles32.com
Futons are stylish, functional, and versatile; they can be integrated into nearly any setting.
.: New Home Improvement Articles
1). Wishing for Practical, Affordable Solar Power
The promise of affordable solar power has been delayed for decades. Will it arrive soon?
2). Build Your Own Residential Sauna - The Top 3 Considerations
Saunas are a fantastic way to relax and improve your health. Find out what you need to know before building a home sauna.
3). Do It Yourself Carpentry Is Here To Stay
Ever wonder why do it yourself carpentry never fades? Understand what do it yourself carpentry is for you.
4). Has Your Kitchen Sink Sunk?
A new kitchen sink refreshes the look of a kitchen.
5). Log Cabin House Plans - 5 Tips for Creating Your Log Cabin Floor Plans
Log cabin house plans will be used to build a rustic log cabin made of wood logs or log-like materials. Here are five tips for having those log cabin floor plans that will provide you with that dream log cabin home.
6). The Value In Home Improvement
You can learn more than one thing from undertaking a home improvement project.
7). Getting The Right Mattress Is Important For Your Health
If you have difficulties falling or staying asleep it could be due to the fact that your mattress is not comfortable enough or is not providing the right support in order to relax your body and mind into sleeping. Read this article to find out more.
.: Top Home Improvement Articles
1). Installing Ceramic Tile in a Shower
Installing ceramic tile in a shower starts with a proper foundation. The foundation consists of WonderBoard or Durock cement board on the walls and a Shower Pan Membrane Liner in the base of the shower, if the shower floor is to be tiled too.
WonderBoard or Durock cement board, also known as backerboard, are resistant to water and are ideal materials for applying ceramic tiles to high-moisture areas.
2). Building a Custom Ceramic Tile Shower starts with a Shower Pan Membrane Liner
Installing a custom ceramic tile shower in your home is something a do it yourself homeowner can do with a little upfront knowledge. The most important aspect of a successful custom ceramic tile shower installation is properly installing a shower pan membrane liner. The shower pan membrane liner is used to ensure a leak-proof shower.
Shower pan membrane liners are used to funnel any water that seeps through the floor or wall grout to the shower drain below.
3). Dupont Laminate Flooring – Get All The Information That You Need Right Here
Dupont laminate flooring is exclusively available at Home Depot. Here you will find one of the largest selections of all kinds of Dupont flooring, including the Real Touch Elite brand of laminate flooring. One of the most attractive features of this flooring is that you can install it on just about any type of surface. This means you don’t have to go through the extra work of tearing up the existing floor and laying down a special one suited just for Dupont laminate flooring.
4). Basement Finishing Ideas For DIY Enthusiasts
Basements can be a major selling point when it comes to real estate. Many people like having a finished basement for many different reasons. For those with a little DIY knowledge the basement can easily be turned into the best spot in the house.
5). How to Hang a Picture Properly
Hanging a picture may seem like the simplest of all home improvement projects. While it is quite easy, there are factors like wall type and object weight that you need to consider before hammering away. If you’re a beginner or if you’ve hung pictures before but always done some in a hit or miss kind of manner, these tips will come in useful.
6). Harmonics Laminate Flooring – Easy To Install And Keep Clean
Harmonics laminate flooring is a great choice to make for your flooring needs when you are building or remodelling a home. Many people today are taking the carpets off their floors and opting for the engineered hardwood of laminate flooring. You get the same elegant look of solid wood at a fraction of the cost. Even though you can buy glueless laminate flooring, experts with Harmonics laminate flooring recommend that you glue it to the subfloor anyway.
7). 10 Tips For A Window Coverings Makeover
You cannot stand it. The same old dreary windows that do little to add life to your home. It is time for a change. But, where do you start? How do you keep from making an expensive or embarrassing mistake? In fact, how can you know what you really want?
1.Start with one room at a time.
There may be the temptation, especially when moving into a new home, to decorate all of the rooms at once.