The futon has gotten a bad rap since it gained popularity in the 1960s. Some view it as entry-level furniture, best suited for the dorm room. But Futon and Bed in San Luis Obispo is changing that notion.
Owners Thomas and Tina Aronsohn want you to know that today’s futons come in more sophisticated and stylish forms than earlier models with aluminum frames and thin mats. But it’s the futon’s versatility that impresses Thomas. “It’s always been a cost-effective product that serves three functions: a bed, a sofa and a chaise longue,” he says.
Shopping for futons at Futon and Bed is like selecting options on a car. There are more than 30 styles of wood frames including Mission-inspired, country rustic, modern and rattan-embellished models. You choose the stain color for the frame and any extras, such as storage drawers that slide underneath.
In addition to traditional cotton-filled mattresses, there are some with inner springs that feel more like a traditional bed. Others are a combination of foam and memory foam, which Aronsohn says can make for comfier seating than a traditional sofa.
Covers are the most customizable feature, with about 100 options that include canvas, tapestry prints and microfiber.
As for beds, Aronsohn decided to stay with platform models, which he believes are more like futons in their versatility. “They serve a dual purpose,” he says. “With two drawers under them, they can be a bed and a chest of drawers.”
Futon and Bed offers a line of mattresses as well as 10 bed models, from a simple platform to one with a sleek leather headboard. Beds can be ordered in any size or finish, and matching dressers and nightstands round out a set.
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