Colleen Antonio

Futon Bunk - Stylish Yet Versatile



Posted: Monday, September 27, 2010

by Colleen Antonio
CH Antonio Enterprises

A futon bunk is probably the most innovative bunk beds to date. With a twin bed on top and a full futon on the bottom it creates a different setting to a room. This is a great piece of furniture for children and dorm rooms, and an answer to your space saving needs.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines "futon" as a mattress that is usually filled with cotton and placed on the floor or in a frame for use as a couch, bed, or chair. The word "futon" originated in 1876 in Japan, it is said to mean "bedroll" or "place to rest". The traditional Japanese futon was placed on a tatami mat on the floor at night for sleeping, and the futons would be rolled back up or folded in the morning and stored away to allow the tatami to breathe. This would allow that room to be used for other purposes.

The Western futon attributes the same concept. The futon and frame on a futon bunk bed can be folded during the day so the futon is used as a sofa for lounging and allowing you to maximize the space in your room. The bottom frame can be pulled out at night to be used as a bed for sleeping.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) advises the following (CPSC Document #5007) regarding bunk beds (this would also apply to futon bunk beds):

1. Never allow children under 6 years-old on the upper bunk.

2. Close the space between the lower edge of the guardrail and upper edge of the bed frame to 3-1/2 inches or less.

3. Mattresses and/or foundations resting only on ledges need fastened cross wires, or other means of support to help prevent dislodgement.

Your futon bunk beds mattress on the top bunk should follow the maximum thickness/height as according to the manufacturer's recommendation to ensure that the safety rail works properly.

Colleen Antonio, author of this article writes mainly on topics regarding bunk beds and mattresses.

She always tries to include in all of her articles something that is related to a safety concern pertinent to the topic of her article that she would like for her readers to be aware of and learn about.
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