Chances are, you’ve owned one or at least slept on one at some point in your life, but have you ever wondered where futons actually came from? The word “futon” comes from the Japanese word “shikibuton.” A shikubuton is a thin cotton mattress that would be placed on a Tatami mat directly on the ground. In older Japan, families would be very large and space was limited. During the daytime this early futon would be rolled up and placed on the side, to be taken out in the evening for use. Futons gained popularity in the US during the 1970’s as an inexpensive space saver. Since then by crafting a variety of designs for the arms and body, the futon has evolved from a simple cotton mattress to a furniture accent piece, reflecting individual style and taste!

Here at SlumberWorld, we completely support the fact that futons have become a way of life! Here are two styles we have right on our showroom floor! We stock FULL or DOUBLE sized frames and mattresses, and offer a special order program for queen sizes!

The Rosebud futon frame features thick rattan arms, giving it a warm tropical feel!

Here’s a close-up look of the arms in detail!

It is very easy to change this futon from a sitting to flat position, just pull from the front! Large enough for TWO sleepers! It is shown here with our innerspring futon mattress!

Here’s the Cypress Futon frame! Nice clean curves in a rich mahogany finish!

Close up of the Cypress arms! See how it curves upwards? Very ergonomical!

Here’s the Cypress in flat position. It is shown with our cotton futon mattress!

Life is always a little more fun when you have options! When it comes to our futons, you have a choice between our two different kinds of mattresses. One is a blend of cotton and foam layers. It has a firm, even feel. It is recommended to rotate and flip this mattress regularly for longer life and more consistent wear. The other is an innerspring mattress, constructed to be more like a traditional mattress, with a layer of cotton and fiber above the coils for comfortable seating. This one is a great choice for frequent use as a sleeping surface! It is a one sided futon, meaning it does not need to be flipped over.

We also offer different styles of futon covers to allow you to personalize your style one step further!

What’s a great futon without a little personal flair? We also have a collection of futon covers that zip around your mattress, featuring various tastes such as tropical, contemporary, and neutral. If you don’t find a choice you like in our showroom, you can also visit the vendors website. This will provide you access to hundreds of different styles that we can bring in on order, just for you!

The futon has come a long way since its beginnings. But just like aged wine, great ideas only get even better with time!

Jenna Kagawa is a Bedding Specialist at SlumberWorld in Kailua Kona. She is the happy mother of twins, Hali’a and Makoa. When not busy finding clients the perfect mattress or chasing her little ones – Jenna enjoys making jewelry, reading, shell collecting, and eating really good food! She is a total social media addict and loves photographing life.