Futon Covers and Futon Living

 For this first of likely many different posts about this topic, I thought I should start with more of a philosophical approach.  So much of what is on the web and various social sites is informative or educational in nature.  I'm not knocking this, I have several of those myself.  In fact, I happen to enjoy the fact that there is so much variety available regarding alternative education about products and services online.

Alternative education in this since meaning that it isn't coming straight from the manufacturer's mouth and into your mind.  While this can be a very harmless form of information or education, it is often tainted a bit by the sales process.  In the end, stores want others to buy something or take some form of action so that they may benefit from a sale and we benefit from a product. 

Well, as much as I am a capitalist and love the very nature of how our model of commerce works, I wanted to try a different take - atleast give it a shot in a free forum like this.  So, what does it take to be a futon owner?  I wondered this question the other day when I was thinking about a topic unrelated to this.  Actually, the question is much more broad.  "What does it take to be a ______ owner?" it could be more aptly stated.  The 'blank' being any form of product or memorabilia, etc.  In other words, what does it take to identify with a specific community.

Here, I am exploring the topic of futons because there are quite a few people who (like myself) are drawn to the allure and mystique of the futon.  Is it just the functionality?  How about the ease of use?  No wait, it must be the flexibility!  See, in each of these categories, even more subdivisions can be made.  And so it goes.  It's like that whole birds of a feather flock together phenomenon.  With futon ownwers, you'll notice that they usually have friends that own them as well.  It is like a small community of people who seem to have discovered or re-discovered their benefits.  I think more will be coming on board soon as well, when they realize how many improvements have been made in the futon mattress department.  Well, until the mood strikes again...   

This is not typically the type of question that I hear, but it just came up recently so I thought I'd share it here. Basically, when I think of futon covers I think of them for decorative and decor purposes. Sure, I've talked about their functional aspects too, like prevention of the 'accidents' like in the last photo (gross) below, but mainly they are for show.

So, when someone was asking if they could use a cover to do exactly that - cover a worn area - it kind of took me off guard. I don't usually think of this, but it certainly is a common sense idea. So, yes, of course you can cover a worn area or stained area with a new cover. In fact, you'll probably be surprised by how much better it looks in your space. Sometimes, when people get some aspect of their room looking nicer, they tend to move this into other areas as wll. For example, once you get a new cover - which is relatively cheap by the way - you might be inspired to re-arrange your space, hang some new art, paint a wall, etc. It might just be the spark you need to make that change you've been itching to make.

 If you've even had an inkling of a doubt about the need to cover your futon, this picture should clear that up for you.  I'm sorry for the grossness of the photo.  I just wanted to make a dramatic point.  Hopefully, this isn't your futon! 

There are actually covers that are made of plastic or rubberized for young kids who may be in the nighttime 'accident' stages of potty training as well.  These covers can be found in a type of material that can also seal in the gasses that sometimes eminate from mattress materials as they age.  It is called 'off gassing' and it is actually a serious health concern. 

Because these mattress covers are so inexpensive, they really do pay for themselves.  And, for the most part (excluding some fabrics like the leathers and suedes) you can simply put them in your washing machine and dry.  So, the bright side with this mess you see is that it can be clean up quite easily.