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The original futon beds of Japan were padded mattresses and quilts that could be stored away when no one was sleeping on them. A flat mattress stuffed with cotton or some other kind of batting and covered in durable fabric, the futon bed is designed to be placed at a low height on tatami mat flooring made of rice straw.

In the Western world, the futon has a few modifications in terms of style. They are mounted in a metal or wood frame that is adjustable (it slides into an upright position or can be let down) and can be used as a sofa or chair. They are typically a lot thicker than the traditional Japanese futon.

Futon bunk beds offer another variation on the style. The top bunk is a loft style flat mattress, and there are usually side stairs to help the sleeper climb into place to sleep on the mattress. There are guardrails to protect the sleeper from rolling over and falling off the bed. The bottom “bunk” is typically a metal frame with a futon mattress that can glide down and become a sleeping space or glide up and become a chair for sitting.

The great benefit for these types of futon beds is that they are versatile and save space in a room. The dual function of the bottom bunk enables you to fold up the bed during the day and use the space in your room for something else other than sleeping. In addition, futon bunk beds have the capacity to sleep three people, two on the full-sized futon pullout. On some models, manufacturers build in a student desk on either the left or the right end of the bed. This is an even greater space-saving design idea and works well for younger sleepers who like the idea of a compact sleeping and study area.

The futon bunk bed ranges in price on average from about $300 to $500, depending on the sophistication of the craftsmanship, the quality of the frame and the stuffing inside the futon mattress. Futon bunk beds made of wood tend to be more expensive, rising to more than $1,000 in cost, unless they are eco-friendly and use environmentally conscious materials.

Futon sofa beds have become a popular modern mutation of the Japanese futon. With sleek, clean lines, this sitting and sleeping furniture is often made with microfiber suede or leather to take full advantage of its versatility. The arms and back of the chair feature a click mechanism that allows the bed to lie completely flat in sections and transform into a bed. The back and arms are also adjustable to allow different reclining positions and arm heights.

Usually, the back and arms must be folding over into the couching beyond all the clicking levels in order the bypass the mechanism and let the chair down into sleeping position. Futon sofa beds come in both upscale and casual styles with either wooden or metal legs, or they sit flat on the floor. For those who like to mix and match color, futon sofa beds come with a wide variety of sofa bed covers.

Futon beds have evolved over time to suit many different tastes and accommodate many different cultures. The main idea behind the beds seems to have survived: it is intended for more than one purpose. This kind of versatility has made it fairly simple to ease into most modern lifestyles. One click or glide of a frame and the place you sleep becomes a stylish place for anyone to sit and relax. The fast-paced planet we all inhabit could not ask for a better gift.