A futon cover color, such as one of these colors shown here, is an excellent way to add a colorful accent to a room to lift your mood.

To give you an idea of the type of influence colors have in a space, the following is a brief list of common colors that are often featured on room walls and how they can make you feel:

• White/Neutral tones – This is a very practical color because it does little to alter your mood. It is a popular choice for kitchens and bathrooms because it easy to spot dirt and stains and it looks clean. White represents purity and can have a cooling or warming effect depending on the shades that are used as undertones (I.E. you can obtain a white with a blue or yellow hue). In addition, other neutral shades, such as cream, taupe, sand and diverse tones of brown are also very balancing and are suited to almost any room.
• Yellow – This is a very cheerful, energetic and warm color that is often associated with happiness. It is ideal for places where many people gather, such as family rooms, kitchens, hallways, dinning rooms, etc. On the other hand, it is not the best choice for a bedroom because it can make a person feel restless due to the fact that it is lively.
• Blue – When most people think of blue they feel relaxed and a sense of tranquility. Due to the fact this colors has such a calming affect it is a wonderful choice for bedrooms and bathrooms. On the other hand, it isn’t suited to rooms where you need to be mentally or physically active (I.E. office, dining room, kitchen, etc.).
• Green – This is actually the most relaxing color and can be quite peaceful. It promotes health and rest, and has actually been found to lower blood pressure in some people. Green is suitable for most rooms, but is typically a popular choice for living rooms, bathrooms, bedrooms and offices.
• Red – This energizing shade is very warm and enticing but is often too vibrant for most environments. It is ideal for entertainment but those seeking comfort and relaxation will not find it with red. It is far better used as an accent than the main color.

Thus, it is often in your best interest to choose neutral tones as your base color and then add bolder shades in the furniture and accessories to bring the room to life and reveal your personal taste.

Futons are extremely versatile and comfortable, both for sleeping and entertaining, and help to make small spaces feel bigger.

1. Paint your room. It may seem simple, but the color of paint on the walls of your bedroom can make all the difference. You want something pleasing but not dull, but also, something you find soothing. Greens and blues are often good for a bedroom, but a good red color can promote romance. Add what you think works best but avoid anything too bright or busy (if you prefer wall paper).
2. Get new bed accessories. Once you have chosen a wall color, you want to pull your room together with new sheets, comforter and pillows. Don’t forget about new drapes as well. These do not have to be expensive, but they do have to match your new room. Get something to compliment your wall color. If you choose mustard yellow, for example, a light teal blue will go well with it. Get a new comforter, drapes, and throw pillows in complimentary colors and your room will look amazing.
3. Evaluate you wall hangings. If you have pictures of your family and friends in your bedroom, you could be ruining a good night of sleep. Anything hanging on the walls should be a décor item. Save the pictures for other rooms. When thinking about things to hang in your bedroom to spruce it up, choose a few larger pieces that you love and make you feel calm. Avoid large clusters of small items and busy prints for your walls.
4. Add space. While it might be impossible to add more room to your bedroom, you can make it feel bigger by choosing to have a white ceiling and white trim no matter what wall color you have chosen. This opens up the room and makes it seem bigger. You can also add mirrors around the room. They reflect light and make a room appear larger. Another great suggestion is to use a futon in your room that can double as sofa. Futons are extremely versatile and comfortable, both for sleeping and entertaining.
5. Get one new piece of bedroom furniture that you love. You don’t have to spend a lot, but go out and get one new piece of bedroom furniture to match with your new room. You can find a great end table or perhaps a new dresser that you love or perhaps a free standing, framed mirror. Something new can certainly add renewed excitement to a room that has seemed dull and lifeless thus far.

Caring for your futon mattress can add years to the longevity of your futon bed or sofa.

The futon mattress is your main concern when thinking about how to care for your futon. Much like the mattress on your bed, you want to make sure it stays relatively dry and clean. How hard or easy this is depends on how it is used. Those that are used all of the time should be flipped once a month and the sheets should be changed as needed, but at least once a week. If wetness happens, it should be cleaned up immediately and then the mattress should air dry, outdoors if possible. Just remember to watch out for rain.

Cleaning the mattress is not that hard, but it should be something you keep up with on a regular basis. When there has been a spill or other type of wetness that may stain or cause a odor, use a mattress cleaner, mild detergent with water, or an upholstery cleaner to get it clean as soon as you can. Again, air it out to be sure it is dry. If you must, use a vinyl sheet on it to keep it cleaner for a longer time or use a mattress protector that can not only make the sleeping surface more comfortable but also protect it from moisture. Don’t forget to vacuum your futon mattress when you are cleaning your home to keep dust and pet hair from piling up on and in the mattress.

You can protect your mattress with a futon mattress cover made just for the futon sized mattress. This will help it enjoy a longer life. You should also take the time to air out the mattress at least twice a year – more often if it is used a lot – in the outdoor air, again watching out for rain. This keeps it fresh and helps eliminate odors that build up over time. Also remember to keep your frame in good shape, especially if it is wood. Keep that dry as well and dust often.

Latex mattresses like the one shown here are one of the best mattresses for children and teens because they are hypoallergenic, soft and durable.

Some suggest that latex mattresses are the best for anyone under the age of 18. This is because the material is durable, and these are hypoallergenic. That means any children or teens with allergies are going to benefit from this material – unless of course they are allergic to latex. Otherwise, this material is a great idea. This can be pricey, but it is worth the price if your children develop any type of allergy as they grow. They help the most with dust mites, but there is a benefit with any type of allergy.

If you want to think about construction, smaller children under the age of 12 are not going to be too picky about coils and the like, as they do not really have enough weight on their frame yet. Some of the more sturdy coil systems may actually be too hard on their bodies. They should have something a bit softer. The pocketed coil beds may do well, as well as any other types with a lower coil count (see Majestic Sit & Sleep’s selection of Innersprings Mattresses). Once they reach 12 and up, however, they may need something sturdier.

When choosing the best mattresses for children and teens you also have to worry about the growth of your child. Some children have spurts that make their current bed size too small in a matter of months. That means getting them something they can grow into if you are worried about having to buy mattresses over and over again. Twin beds can be wonderful, but some people buy a full size when children outgrow the toddler size so they do not have to worry about having to buy a larger mattress in a few years.

If you have space considerations, think about bunk beds for your children that share a room, or even as an option so they always have room for a friend to stay over. Another great space-saving idea is futons because they can double as a sofa when your children have company.

For the most part, you don’t have to worry too much about the type of mattress you buy for your child unless they have a specific medical condition or allergies. Most children can sleep on just about anything and feel good in the morning. If they are not sleeping well, or are involved in sports, you may want to put extra consideration into the type and size of mattress you buy so they are getting the most out of a night of sleep.

Futons are a perfect addition to a smaller living space because of their versatility to function both as a bed and a sofa or loveseat.

Space is something that is not always in abundance, especially when it comes to living quarters. A nice, breezy house is a luxury for some people, and for others it is just a way of life. If you are young and just starting out, chances are good that you do not have as much space as you hope to have one day. If you are in college, you probably will find you never feel as if you have enough living space. There are some great ways to save space, and buying a futon is one of the best.

A futon is a bed that converts easily into a sofa or loveseat. Because they are so versatile, you save space that would ordinarily be taken up by your bed and a sofa. Not only that, they can be taken apart and stored in a normal sized closet if you really have to open up some space and you don’t have any other options. The futon mattresses are thick enough to be comfortable, but can generally be folded in half so that they can stand upright behind a door if needed. For some people, space is that tight.

Space saver futons also come in handy when you have some space, but you have to have a bit more on special occasions. These types of futons can be opened and used for guests, and the pushed away for the rest of the time. If you only have guests once in a while, and you do not have a spare room to reserved for guests, or you just do not have them often enough to warrant a guest room, a futon is certainly a great option to be sure you are prepared when guests do arrive.

There are not only a number of space saving benefits of futons, but they save money too. You can buy a futon that is relatively comfortable for a few hundred dollars. You can buy some cheaper, but they won’t be quite as nice to sleep on. They may never rival a really nice mattress, but they can certainly do the job when needed. In fact, they can be much more comfortable than a sleeper pull-out sofa bed, which will cost quite a bit more and is always quite a bit heavier. When considering all options, the futon is a great way to go.

Memory foam mattresses prevent movement transfer and are the best choice of mattress for a light sleeper.

Set up your room for sleep. There should be nothing in your bedroom but what you need to sleep and dress. If you have a computer sitting there, or even a bookcase, you can never fully relax while you are in your room. These things can trigger thoughts of work you have yet to finish or emails you have yet to answer. If this happens each night, you are never going to relax enough to fall asleep as you should. Keep your room comfortable, decorated in a somber yet attractive way, and keep any work out.

Try to go to bed each night at the same time. This can be hard if you go out on the weekend, or if you have very young children, but do the best you can. If you fall asleep each night at ten, and get up in the morning at six, you can get eight good hours of sleep. The longer you follow this schedule, the better your sleep patterns are going to get. If you happen to stay up late, try to wake up at the same time anyway. Take a short nap during the day to catch up rather than sleeping in until noon. Sleeping in late can negatively affect your sleeping pattern for days to come, thus a nap is a better choice.

You have to know your own sleep style. This may sound simple, but some people get it wrong. If you think falling asleep with the television on is helping, you are mistaken. Your brain will never turn off completely and you may be waking up a lot without realizing it. If you want noise, use a white noise machine or a fan. Also, keep light out of the room. Wear an eye mask if that helps. Keep curtains drawn tightly closed until you wake up. Any light or noise is going to interrupt your sleep.

If you find that you are woken up constantly during the night by the tossing and turning of your partner beside you, this can be a major hindrance to your sleep quality. If this is disrupting your sleep every night there is one thing you can do about it other than sleeping in separate beds. The best solution is to buy a new mattress that does not disperse movement throughout. The best mattresses for this are either a futon, or a memory foam or latex mattress that is either all foam or has individually wrapped coils. These mattresses transfer very little vibration when someone turns in their sleep, which improves the sleep quality for both you and your partner.

Along with these tips, try to stop eating a few hours before bed, as digestion can lessen the quality of your sleep. Sleep in what is comfortable, and seek help for your spouse or partner if they snore. The scent of lavender can help you relax and sleep when you feel stressed, and meditation practices can also help you body ready for a good nights sleep.

Buying a new, colorful futon cover is an excellent way to spruce up a dull room and add a splash of color.

Some people try to buy a futon to match the room in which they think they are going to place it. That is fine, but these colors can be very limited. You may end up with white, beige or black if you do that, as you think those are neutral colors and won’t hurt your current decor. Those colors can be neutral, but at times they can destroy an otherwise great room. If you want to easily spruce up the appearance of your room buy a futon cover in a color that adds to your space rather than takes away from it.

You can always start fresh and use the color of your new futon cover as the starting point to choosing colors for your room. You might want to start with a color wheel and choose one color that you love. To choose the other colors in the room, you can either go with the color opposite on the wheel, which would be a contrasting color, or the colors next to your chosen color, and those would be complimentary colors. You can also find a color on a paint strip and use all colors that come with it on the same strip. That often works well and is a fool proof way to choose something awesome.

If you do not want to start from scratch, but rather wish to add a splash of color to a room that seems too plain or boring, you can find a color in the room and go with that color. You can do this by looking at your art work. If you have anything you love, choose a color from within that art to choose your color. You can also use the above mentioned color wheel to choose the complimentary or contrasting colors for the colors that already exist in other furniture, the rug, or even your favorite drapes.

One of my favorite things about a futon is its versatility in both its function and design. I have a selection of futon covers, different in both colors and textures. This gives me the ability to change the look of my living room quickly whenever the desire is there. For example, last weekend I bought a new painting for my living room – a beautiful field scene with red poppies. Well, off came the old futon cover and on went my microfiber red futon cover that makes the color of the poppies in the painting jump right off the canvas. It looks stunning and has given my room a renewed look and feel, just in time for summer.

Originally from Japan, futons are thin mattresses and were typically designed to be spread on special kind of flooring common in Japan known as tatami. This flooring was in the form of mats that were made of rice straw. Tatami covered the floors of most of their houses. The actual word “futon” in Japanese means bedding, and included the futon mattresses and duvet coverings or comforters.

Futon Space Savers, such as this futon loveseat, make small spaces larger and more functional.

In Japanese the mattress like structure that is today referred to as futon is known as shikibuton while the duvet is known as kakebuton. Original Futons were slightly different in structure. They measured about two or three inches in thickness and were made of long staple cotton which happens to be the most valuable part of an unprocessed cotton ball. This long staple made the futon sturdy and prevented any bumps or pulling apart of the mattress. As a ritual, the Japanese took their futons to what was then known as a futon specialist who removed the outer covering, washes the cotton and returns the covering. The same was done for the beddings used to cover. This practice was carried out once every year.

A daily practice among the Japanese involves rolling out futons every night to sleep on and roll them up again in the morning. They are usually stored in closets during the day or put out to air in the sun. Apart from the fact that they were comfortable, Japanese people like the portability of the futon and this was due to space being very important and well regarded in ancient Japanese culture.

The Futon concept has been adapted in various cultures by becoming common bedding in many parts of the world. Unlike in traditional Japanese culture, other cultures use futons for various uses and not only for sleeping on. In America the futon began to gain its foothold in the late 1960’s and early seventies. What started with a few Japanese people introducing it to American friends turned into a flourishing industry. Futons started being hand made in America through cottage industries, which distributed them to different locations.

The concept started being slowly adopted by people outside the Japanese culture owing to its comfort and its ability to save space. As the industry grew, the popularity of the futon created the need for formal regulation. Federal standards began to be complied with in the mid seventies and required the manufactures to carry out similar standardizing texts as conventional mattress makers. The irony is that the western style futons are now just as popular in Japan as they are in other parts of the world. Modern futons are now mass produced all over the world in various shapes and styles.

Microfiber covered furniture, such as this Microfiber Space Saver Sofa Bed, are extremely durable, easy to clean and plush.

Microfiber also has the unique property of cleaning well on dry as well as wet surfaces. On wet surfaces it breaks down surface area tension and easily absorbs dirt and moisture particles. It is an absorbent material, which is actually able to hold up to seven times its weight in water. On dry surfaces, microfiber uses static energy to attract and trap dust and dirt particles with ease without leaving behind residue. Since the surface area of microfiber threads is larger than materials such as cotton, it is able to pick up much more dirt.

Microfiber is now being used more frequently for clothing, making it an acceptable alternative to cotton. It is soft to the touch, comfortable as well as durable. It is commonly used for sporting apparel such as soccer jerseys and military fatigues. Microfiber clothing material manages to easily transfer moisture away from a person’s body while regulating body temperature. The fabric also does not cause irritation to the skin.

Sofas upholstered with microfiber are becoming increasingly popular due to their low maintenance and supple nature. Microfiber futon covers are also excellent way of adding a splash of color and suede-like feel to your futon furniture. Sofas and futons in living areas often become stained due to regular contact, but those draped in microfiber are highly stain resistant, and can be easily wiped clean with a damp cloth. In most cases, stains that appear on microfiber furniture can be wiped clean even after 24 hours of sitting.

Due to its velvety nature, which is quite similar to the texture of suede, microfiber is gentle on all surfaces and does not leave any marks, streaks or scratches. The material is also one of the most durable and comfortable fabrics used on furniture.