Japan futon vs bed

When I moved from Philadelphia to Tokyo for a year with my husband and three young kids, we had to furnish our light-filled, two-bedroom apartment in a hurry.

Is sleeping on a futon better than sleeping on a standard mattress? We've asked the experts to weigh in on the pros and cons of the traditional Japanese sleeping practice so you can see for yourself if it's a switch that'll be right for you. It's pretty much standard that what you're sleeping on will affect your ability or inability to sleep better , and for most people, opting for the best mattress to suit their needs is enough to get in a restful night's sleep. With that being said, while mattresses come in all shapes and sizes to support whatever it is you're after, some go as far as abandoning them altogether and going down a similar, but different route: a futon. This recent resurgence about futons actually came to mind after stumbling upon this viral tweet on Twitter , racking up over 8 million hits and over , likes highlighting how ditching the typical mattress and bedframe setup in exchange for a futon and tatami mat straw mat used as a flooring material in traditional Japanese-style rooms had significantly helped this individual alleviate their back pain. Speaking from my own experience, having spent a couple of my childhood years in the Philippines where it's standard practice to sleep on a banig a traditional handwoven mat , I can confirm that while sleeping on a firmer surface takes some getting used to, it works a charm for back pain. But what do the experts have to say about it?

Japan futon vs bed

September 20, While many shoppers look for the best mattress material, others search for more efficient options like a futon mattress. A futon mattress is an exceptional option if you're opting for a sleep solution that can fit into your smaller space. With its flexible design, you're also guaranteed to fit more purpose into your small footprint. A futon is a Japanese term that describes a mat or a cushion filled with cotton or leaves. A Japanese futon is a quilted mattress that is pliable enough to be easily rolled and stored during the day. It can also be easily assembled for the night's use due to its structure. Traditional Japanese futons were used as sleeping solutions for small spaces with big families to help the room serve multiple purposes. A traditional Japanese futon is a bedding system rather than a mattress itself. It is made of cotton or wool with layers of padding for comfort. Unlike many traditional mattresses, a Japanese futon does not have springs. It consists of three layers: the base layer shikibuton , the mattress layer, and the comforter kakebuton or blanket moku. This is ideally positioned on a tatami floor or a tatami mat to retain the heat and comfort of the sleep surface. Japanese futons are two to three inches thick and rectangular in design.

This will help you find the best mat for your needs and budget. Drawbacks of a Japanese Futon The cotton material absorbs moisture from perspiration, so it's important to air the futon mattress out regularly.

Perhaps you are wrestling with the idea of furnishing a Japanese apartment and are wondering whether to go for the traditional Japanese futon bed or the Western-style. If this is the case — congratulations! The hard work is done, choosing a bed should be the least of your worries. We hope to make your decision as easy as possible. Who knows — perhaps we will decide for you! The Western-style of futon is usually smaller than the average Western double bed with a much thinner mattress. These beds are usually sold alongside sofa beds.

Perhaps you are wrestling with the idea of furnishing a Japanese apartment and are wondering whether to go for the traditional Japanese futon bed or the Western-style. If this is the case — congratulations! The hard work is done, choosing a bed should be the least of your worries. We hope to make your decision as easy as possible. Who knows — perhaps we will decide for you! The Western-style of futon is usually smaller than the average Western double bed with a much thinner mattress. These beds are usually sold alongside sofa beds. In many ways, the Western futon is simply a smaller, thinner, and cheaper variation of the standard Western mattress.

Japan futon vs bed

When I moved from Philadelphia to Tokyo for a year with my husband and three young kids, we had to furnish our light-filled, two-bedroom apartment in a hurry. It felt just right. The surface of the futon was pleasantly pillowy, and the foam platform and firm floor beneath provided the perfect amount of support. It was cool in the sticky summer heat and cozy in the damp winter chill. My back felt great. While some people swear that sleeping directly on the floor or on other hard surfaces helps with back pain, experts say that mattresses rated medium firm are ideal for alleviating back pain. A futon serves its purpose when needed, at night, but then it disappears into a closet with ease. My kids could use their entire bedroom floor space for play during the day or pull their futon into our bedroom when they got sick. People in Japan routinely air their futons and other bedding, often by hoisting them out of windows or over balcony railings.

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This thickness provides a balance between comfort and the ability to fold and store the futon easily. Back Support Standard mattresses are specially designed to provide proper back support, especially for sleepers who suffer from back pain. This will help to create a more comfortable and relaxing environment. Ideal Home is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. There are a few other ways to get the benefits of sleeping on a Japanese floor mat, though none of them are as effective as owning your own. Sign up to our newsletter. However, materials like springs and polyurethane foam may lose their quality earlier than memory foam or latex. What is a Kotatsu? Additionally, it is important to consider the thickness of the mat. If you live in a cold climate, you will want to choose a filling that is heavy and insulating, such as polyester or foam. As you can a Japanese single futon is therefore larger than a single in either the US and Europe , while a double futon equates to a Queen mattress. With a Japanese futon, for many Western people, it will feel like you have an extra room to use! Many people these days are considering swapping their bed and mattress for a futon life, and this is for more than just convenience and style.

Japanese futon mattresses are an excellent option if you need a space-saving piece of furniture that can be used both as a bed and a couch, depending on what you need.

Hybrid Mattress Hybrid mattresses are constructed by layering various bed materials to maximise their advantages. Polyurethane is derived from petrochemicals and is present in many products like mattress toppers or home furniture cushions. All you need to do is clear a sleeping surface and place the floor mattress on its anti-slip bottom before going to bed. They are soft, comfortable, and supportive, and they can help to align your spine and improve your circulation. Gradually, the mattress became commonly used on top of tatami flooring or mats, and were folded away during the day in the same way as the futon in use today. Futon beds for guest rooms will wear out longer. Pay close attention if you have health issues requiring a thicker mattress, removable cover, or a mattress topper. Like futons, many factors can affect the lifespan of a standard sleeping mattress, like the frequency of usage, original quality, and care routine. They also provide adequate support for many sleeping positions. If you are looking for a way to improve your sleep quality, consider using a Japanese floor mat for sleep.