Futons withstand economic downturn through 2010

Thanks to new innovations in futons and futon technology, there are many new styles available that shoppers will be interested in learning about. Some of the latest futons to hit the market include new models made by Strata Furniture. Strata makes futons which have special wall hugging features that do not require their futons to be moved a significant distance from the wall.

These types of futons are ideal for those using their futons daily as well as others who prefer ease and quality over budget. Futons made by Strata do not require you to slide your futon along the floor and away from the wall each time you want to convert your futon into a bed. Instead, the utilize a brilliant design that allows their futons to be extended outward while keeping the legs of the futon stationary.

Other exciting models have continued to stand the test of time regarding fashion. One example comes from a reputable company that has been in business for some time. Night and Day Furniture, a company based in Vancouver, Washington, makes a truly unique two-toned futon called the Aurora. Other pleasing futons in their line include the Twilight, the Nightfall futon and the Orchid futons.

A giant among futon manufacturers, Lifestyle Solutions provides tremendous variety and solid quality throughout their various price points. Their futons include innovative models such as the Dio futon, the Manila futonand the Kobe futon.

As the economy continues to adjust, hopefully pulling itself up by its bootstraps, there will likely be a slew of new futon designs to hit the market. In the meantime, futons continue to be a logical choice for those who need multi-purpose furniture. One reputable dealer of futons claims that 35% of their in-store futon sales are made by those putting their futons in family rooms, another 35% go into guest rooms, 25% go into bedrooms, and the remaining percentage of futons sold occupy other spaces within the home or office.

“We’ve seen huge fluctuations in business over the past couple of years,” says Gabe LeBlanc of Futon Planet. “Still, futons are great products that occupy an important niche, and while people have smaller budgets, they are still finding futons to suite their needs at a price they can afford.”

August Lotz: Quality and Diverse Selection

August Lotz has been in the futon business for a long time and has a reputation of building some of the sturdiest futon frames on the market. Using solid hardwoods like maple and oak separates August Lotz from other futon frame manufacturers who use cheaper rubber woods and other materials. Further, August Lotz was recognized as America’s Best Buy by Consumer Digest which has helped to push consumers towards seriously considering August Lotz over other brands when measuring differences. Here you will review three very different models that help to outline their diversity in futon frame designs.

The Manhattan futon frame is a bold departure from the skinny mission arm style that most futon manufacturer’s have sought to create subtle variations on. Its center support is really a shelf that is ideal for storing books and other objects. With August Lotz patented front operation, the Manhattan is equally desirable in terms of function as it is appeal in terms of style.

For those who love modern and artistic furniture pieces the Manhattan is well worth their consideration. If you the same way, and appreciate the Manhattan’s large scale look, then you will be glad to know that this futon frame is one of the most solid on the market.

Ok, so the Lodge Pole is made of pine wood, but it is one of the only futon frames that is and further, the Lodge Pole design is capturing the best in a pine wood futon frame. This rustic design is ideal for cabins and other types of outdoorsy rooms and natural homes. With its oversized armrests, front loading operation, and Consumer Digest’s recognition, the Lodge Pole is really a great model.

White futon frames as peaked and slumped in popularity. It seems as soon as they are available to the market, there is no demand. When manufacturers discontinue their white futon frame models and supply drops, there seems to be a sudden surge in demand and then the cycle starts over again as manufacturers scurry to get a white model futon frame back to market.

While it is still difficult to say how this trend might affect August Lotz’s Southgate futon frame in the long run, it is fair to say they get bonus points for original design. The Southgate breaks with the traditional cottage style white futon frame and moves in the direction of merging a white picket fence-look with a modern sloping rear leg support. The result is breathtaking and definitely upscale.

The Southgate will easily satisfy any number of design requirements. From Florida rooms, to Cape Cod beach-front mansions, to grande Southern estates, the Southgate is truly a white futon frame that will softly compliment spaces calling for white furniture pieces.

Whatever your style requirements, it is likely that August Lotz has a futon frame style to suite. Well worth your consideration, Futon Magazine gladly endorses August Lotz as one of America’s better brands.

Futon Match-Up: Futons vs. Click Clacks

Click Clacks have become a rather popular alternative to traditional, Americanized versions of futons. This type of futon normally allows for a easy operation and simple purchasing process.

Before deciding on a click clack futon, I suggest you take a look at some pros and cons listed below.

Click Clacks

Click Clacks have become a rather hot item for decorating in the 21st century due to their sleek look, simple operation, and easy assembly. Read more

Night & Day Furniture

As the fastest growing futon seller in America, Night & Day Furniture has a lot to be excited about. They set out with a goal to reinvent the reputation of the futon from a cheap, quick fix and mass produced item to a carefully constructed, stylish and functional piece of furniture. Night & Day Furniture is also recognized as a manufacturer of more traditional bedroom furniture, offering products ranging from bunk beds to case goods to platform beds.

Night & Day futon frames are constructed from premium hardwood, feature solid mortise and tenon joinery and all of their most popular products offer ten or five year warranties. For these reasons, Night & Day Furniture products are recognized as some of the most solid and durable in the industry. Night & Day Furniture was one of the first futon manufacturers to take the functionality and utility of the futon frame to the next level. Built in storage compartments, magazine racks and flip-open side trays are just a few of the innovative features displayed by select Night & Day futon frames. Finally, Night & Day futon frames are notable for their wide range of style options and inspired designs.

The Eureka futon frame by Night & Day furniture offers a unique armless design style that is ideal for small spaces. Simple yet sophisticated, the Eureka adds a touch of subtle charm to any room. In terms of functionality, the Eureka is well-suited for taller individuals who may find bumping their head and feet on the armrests of other futon styles to be an unpleasant experience.

The Portofino futon frame epitomizes modern utility and convenience through its innovative features while still offering classic appeal and functionality. Side magazine racks allow you to keep you reading material close at hand while hidden armrest compartments provide the ideal place to store your various electronic remote controls. There is also a handy cup holder cut out within the armrest storage area sized for glasses or mugs.

Night & Day’s Venice futon frame demonstrates their understanding of classic appeal and traditional design. Recessed mission style side panels coupled with graceful sleigh style armrests give the Venice futon frame the appearance of refined furniture. The Venice futon frame contributes an element of inviting warmth to any interior setting through its overall elegance and handsome design.

The Eureka, Portofino and Venice futon frames represent just a few of the many stunning styles created by Night & Day furniture. Visit an authorized Night & Day retailer for a more comprehensive overview of Night & Day’s many exquisite products and learn how to acquire one of these fabulous futon frames for your home!

Futon Mattress Slippage

Your futon has finally arrived! You’ve assembled the frame, unpacked your futon mattress and added your custom futon cover. For the first time you place your futon in to the sofa position.

As you take a seat with iced tea in one hand and the remote control in the other, you begin to notice that you and your futon mattress are in a free-fall, slipping off your futon frame. Next thing you know you’re on your floor with iced tea all over your new shirt and and upset at your futon frame.

Futon slippage affects millions of new American futon owners each year. Futon slippage occurs when the seat and back decks of futon frames are so smooth that they don’t have enough traction to hold your mattress in place when moving your futon from the sofa to bed position. But don’t be discouraged, futon slippage can be solved with an innovative product available at your favorite futon boutique:

For this problem, Otis designed Gripper Strips. This high-friction material comes in a pair. You simply place one roll on to the front of the seat deck, and another roll on the top of the back deck. Your futon is ready to go. Otis futon mattresses are one of the most luxurious premium futon mattresses in America. Because Otis futon mattresses are so plump and thick, they tend to enjoy staying more flat than wanting to fold in the sofa position. This product was created to solve this very dilemma.

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Rug Stopper

Another solution is to purchase rug stopper, a specialty material used to keep area rugs in place on tile and hardwood floors. This is just simple rug stopper material that you can get at any department store or furniture store. While not as effective as gripper strips, rug stopper is an immediate solution that you can buy from a local brick-and-mortar store.

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No matter which solution that you choose, your futon frame and futon mattress will behave like it should regardless of thickness.

Lounger Futons: Innovation, Style and Functionality

As the world’s most versatile and functional furniture, futons come in endless shapes, sizes and forms allowing you to find futon that is ideal for your living space. The most common and well known member of the futon family is the traditional full size futon. Many people don’t realize that the world of futons expands far beyond the renowned full size futon. Not only are there queen size futons rounding out the

classic bed size category, but there are loveseat size futons, chair size futons and twin and loveseat lounger futons. Of the atypical futon sizes, the loveseat and twin lounger sizes are perhaps the most sensible in that they offer the many options of the more common sizes in addition to a compact, space

saving design. The frame essentially operates as a traditional sofa or chair, but features a hidden pullout extension piece beneath the seat of the frame. This pullout ottoman is attached to the actual seat, and allows you to create a comfy chaise lounge, reclining steamer or a true bed at a full 75 inches long. A twin lounger would be 39 inches wide plus the width of the futon frame arms while a loveseat lounger size would be 54 inches wide plus the width of the futon frame arms.

The loveseat lounger size is able to accommodate a full size mattress while the twin lounger size is able to accommodate a twin size mattress. At 75 inches in length, these mattress would only “fit” on the frame while the pullout extension piece is in use. If your futon is in the seating position, the additional length of mattress would either cascade, or fold, over the back of the futon frame or else double up beneath the seat. Visit this link for a video demonstration of a cascading mattress. The cascading mattress format is only possible with mattress 6 inches thick or less.

If the look of the cascading mattress is unappealing to you, or if you would simply prefer a thicker mattress, you can opt for a split mattress model. A split mattress offers all of the comfort of a regular mattress, simply split into two pieces. One piece fits the seating area of your futon frame perfectly, while the additional piece is the size of the pullout extension. Whenever you wish to lounge or sleep, simply grab the ottoman size section of your split mattress out of the closet. For a demonstration of the split mattress format, check out this informative futon video.

Just like a traditional full size futon, loveseat and twin lounger futons are able to function as comfortable sofas and accommodating beds. Because their length is not constant, lounger futons allow you to optimize your space. Loveseat and twin lounger futons are ideal for living rooms, dens and guest rooms where space is limited or you simply want a less imposing piece of furniture. Also, because these are atypical sizes, it is nearly impossible to tell that these innovative futon furniture pieces are biological members of the futon family.

Web Spotlight: FutonsETC.com

This month’s Futon Magazine Web Spotlight is on Futons Etc Factory Outlet. This website features an easy to use interface, clear selection, and friendly customer support. These features make Futons Etc a great destination for the first time futon buyer.

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