of the best campsites

1 Canna Camping Holiday Canna, Inner Hebrides

Price: Dependent on availability.Best for: Travellers who don't own camping gear.Price: Camping is pound(s)4 a night per adult, pound(s)2.50 per child. Bothy is pound(s)6 per adult per night.Contact: www.badrallach.com; 01854 633 281.5 Ecopod Boutique Retreat Loch Linnhe, Appin, ArgyllSelf-catering lodges and chalets overlook a loch surrounded by natural birch woods and bog meadows full of wild flowers. The campsite is inside a stone circle surrounded by trees. Facilities for campers are simple but include a drinking water tap and a turf- roofed cooking shelter with gas ring. Otherwise it's au naturale.Contact: www.redsquirrelcampsite. com; 01855 811 256.The Red Squirrel occupies a fantastic spot in the shadow of Glencoe's dramatic peaks and backs on to the River Coe. Choose from secluded woodland pitches or breezy riverside ones - all enjoy views of the hills. There are several fire-pits so you can cook in the open and chase away the midges with the smoke. If you'd rather have your dinner cooked for you, The Clachaig Inn is a 20-minute stroll and often has live music.Run by the Grant family since 1935, its 35 pitches are spread across an expansive 10-acre forest site, so there is plenty of space. The main, flat area is set around a small pond, where most people congregate. Alternatively, the hillside pitches offer a more secluded position among the fragrant heather. Each pitch has its own picnic table where you can enjoy meals and arresting views of the Glengarry Mountains. Popular with cyclists and walkers, the campsite is handy for Ben Tee as well as the more challenging mountains of Kintail. The farm is also a good base for cycling on the Great Glen Way and for the world-famous mountain-biking tracks in the Nevis range. Facilities include two toilet blocks with hot showers, a laundry area and a payphone.Best for: A sociable holiday.Price: From pound(s)200-pound(s)230 per tent (sleeps five) per week.Contact: www.comriecroft.com; 01764 670 140.How can you fail to feel romantic when shacked up in a beautiful hand-crafted, ornately furnished roulotte (Romany caravan) with your loved one? Owners Avril and Alan have transported the roulottes from France and Holland and decked them out beautifully with bespoke pieces of furniture and antiques.Something of a rural idyll, this tranquil retreat allows you to experience living alongside wildlife and farm animals. Children can collect hens' eggs, feed the lambs and watch the osprey fish for brown trout in the loch. The holiday accommodation is sited on Laikenbuie croft, which is situated four miles inland from Nairn and a 30-minute drive from Inverness. Regular visitors include roe deer, red squirrels, wild cats and foxes. Eighty species of bird have been spotted here including buzzards, red kites, barn owls, long-tailed tits and greater spotted woodpeckers.While one's own offspring are obviously delightful, the boisterous sounds of strangers' children can be less endearing. If you don't fancy the prospect of holidaying with only a sheet of canvas between you and the Brady Bunch, check out adults-only Faichemard Farm.Price: Camping is pound(s)7/pound(s)9 per night for adults; pound(s)3.50/pound(s)4.50 for children.Best for: Wildlife-spotting.6 Badrallach BOTHY & CAMPSITE Dundonnell, Ross-shireBest for: Lazing around.4 Hidden Glen NairnContact: www.lazyduck.co.uk; 01479 821 642.Contact: www.cannafolk.co.uk; 01687 460 166.Those who want to escape the rat race should consider a restorative break on the Isle of Canna (population 21), which now has its own campsite. Without TV, satellite, WiFi or mobile phone coverage, this is the place to switch off and tune in to nature. On- site traditional bell tents mean you don't need to lug all your own camping gear with you. The luxury five-metre tents are equipped with wood-burning stoves, cookers and solar lighting. Each comfortably sleeps four in one double and two single futons and there's room for an extra mattress. The island perfectly embodies the phrase "windswept and interesting" and the wind is key to the campsite's claim of being a largely midge-free zone.While away the afternoon reading in a hammock, refresh yourself in the solar-powered hot water "bush shower", listen to music in the woodshed sauna and meet the neighbours - Soay sheep and wild fowl - at the Lazy Duck campsite. The hostel has a tiny campsite which shares the main building's quirky ambiance. Set in the Cairngorms National Park, the area was used in the 1890s as a stopover for clansmen bringing their horses from Lochaber to be sold at the Inverness wool fair. Facilities include a toilet, washing facilities, cooking shelter and chimenea fires, and free-range eggs are available. As the campsite has only four pitches, it's best to check availability in advance.Price: Various rates.Contact: www.domesweetdome.co.uk; 07725 409 003.9 Roulotte Retreat Bowden, Melrose, Scottish Borders8 Comrie Croft Comrie, PerthshireContact: www.hiddenglen.co.uk; 01667 454 630.Best for: A Highland family welcome.Price: pound(s)12 per pitch per night based on two sharing.If regimented campsites drive you to distraction, you'll find the Red Squirrel pleasantly laid-back. Its owners understand that campers don't appreciate being bossed around in their free time. White-painted boulders and jaunty, hand-painted signs swinging from trees offer all the guidance you need, although the quirky entrance booth is always manned if you need tips on the local area.This small, friendly and peaceful family-run lochside campsite on the Scoraig peninsula, Badrallach can accommodate 12 tents and three caravans. In addition to the campsite, there is a cosy bothy, a smart new eco-crofthouse and even a gigantic space-age Airstream caravan for hire. You can park right next to your pitch and the campsite is surrounded by meadow and often visited by deer. Coastal breezes ensure midges are kept at bay but the owners have also installed a midgebuster on the site to make sure.Enjoy wild camping for cheats at this family-friendly site in the chocolate-box village of Comrie. Choose from a spot in a secluded woodland area, an elevated meadow pitch with views down the valley or an accessible spot in the camping field with its splendid hill views which are uninterrupted by pesky caravans. While the setting allows you to revel in the freedom of wild camping, there are a few home comforts on offer, such as hot water washing facilities and shelter should the unthinkable happen and the heavens open. Campfires are allowed and there is a communal fire-pit which is sheltered from the elements by a huge military cargo-chute where you can sit around and get to know your fellow campers.Price: pound(s)15 for two, pound(s)20 for three, per night.3 Red Squirrel Glencoe, ArgyllFor campers, four-star spotless facilities are shared with the bothy. When the bothy is not booked, it is used as a social eating area and games room and offers a welcome retreat should the weather turn nasty.2 Faichemard Farm Invergarry, Inverness-shireBest for: Fabulous views.If the mere suggestion of back-to-basics camping is your idea of holiday hell, this luxury nook near Oban might change your mind. Unique in the UK, the self-catering retreat is hidden away in birch woodland and enjoys a spectacular view which cannot fail to aid relaxation. The Ecopod retreat is situated on a ridge overlooking Castle Stalker, Loch Linnhe and the Kingairloch mountain. The ethos of the place is to combine environmentally friendly structures with the last word in luxury. Accommodation is in modern, open-plan, light-drenched domes. Inside, classic, well-made furniture and high- end audio-visual equipment is combined with locally sourced produce and toiletries, top-of- the-range low-energy appliances and sustainable timber. The retreat is located between Oban, 17 miles away, and Fort William, a distance of 25 miles.7 Lazy Duck HOSTEL Nethy Bridge, Inverness-shireContact: www.faichemard-caravancamping.co.uk; 01809 501 314.Best for: Child-free peace and quiet.Price: pound(s)8 per adult; 50p per child, per night.

How can you fail to feel romantic when shacked up in a beautiful hand-crafted, ornately furnished roulotte (Romany caravan) with your loved one? Owners Avril and Alan have transported the roulottes from France and Holland and decked them out beautifully with bespoke pieces of furniture and antiques.

The Futon Essence

Space is at premium. Isn�t it? � A food for thought!

Whether joint or nuclear families, if you have a futon at home & are looking for a colorful and stylish cover, why not check us out at Futon Cover USA?A futon is popular in Japan because, even in homes, space is at a premium. This means that many rooms are used for different tasks, at different times of the day. So, in a two or three room Japanese home, the same space can be used as a sitting room in the daytime and a bedroom at night. How is this possible? Unlike the West, where beds are popular, the Japanese use a mattress and quilt, which they spread on the mats in the room. The mattress forms the bed, on which the sleeper lies, and the quilt is thrown over the sleeper. In the daytime, both the mattress and the quilt are rolled away, and the room is used as a sitting room or a dining room.Futon Covers USA provides wide range of covers, which you can use for sofas, chairs, ottomans, and love seats. We provide a wide range of covers in abstracts, animal prints, Asian and South West US designs, floral and retro prints, stripes and plaids, and solid colored covers. You name it and we have it. We can also provide covers with the leather or suede look, and theme prints of various kinds. Our covers can fit futons elegantly that are 6 inches to 10 inches in thickness.We at Futon Covers USA, supply you directly from US-based manufacturers, which make us the lowest priced futon covers seller, whether you buy from us online or from our stores. If you live in the continental United States and place an order with us, you will receive your order within 10 days, and moreover will not have to pay any shipping charge. If unsatisfied with your purchase, return the purchase within 14 days of receipt and get a full refund. If your cover should be defective, you return it to us within a year of its purchase - you will be given a full refund.Both in Japan and in the West, futon is a useful, space-saving item of furniture. However, there is one difference between Western and Japanese design. Instead of performing different tasks in the same space, as the Japanese do, the Western designer gets the furniture to do the multitasking.

Whether joint or nuclear families, if you have a futon at home & are looking for a colorful and stylish cover, why not check us out at Futon Cover USA?

Author: Dan Noyes

Health Canada Advises Canadians of Flammability Hazard Associated With Certain Futons

Health Canada is advising the Canadian public that futons under the "Masters Futon Mfg" label purchased at the retail location of Futons Heaven Sent in Edmonton, Alberta pose a possible flammability hazard. Futons that were manufactured and sold between November 3, 2007 and January 7, 2008 do not meet the minimum flammability requirements. Futons under that label manufactured and sold outside of those dates may also not meet the minimum flammability requirements.

Bedding- used to describe an entire ensemble including sheets, pillows, comforters and accessories.Coil configuration- the pattern of the spring arrangements in a mattress."We're finding that poor body posture in bed contributes to many sleep issues," says Tony Wolf, president of Wolf Corporation, a fourth generation locally-owned manufacturer of mattresses, futons and fiber products.Consumers, particularly those who smoke, who are in possession of the "Masters Futon Mfg" label futons, should discontinue using the product. Health Canada reminds all consumers not to smoke in bed, and to install and maintain at least one working smoke alarm on each level of the home, preferably outside of each bedroom. For specific information on mattress flammability safety and tips to help reduce the risk, please visit the Mattresses, Futons and Bedding page on the Health Canada Web site. ( http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/house-domes/decor/mat-eng.php )Wolf Corporation

Contacts: Media Inquiries: Health Canada 613-957-2983 Public Inquiries: 613-957-2991 1-866-225-0709

Essential Bedding Terminology � Educate Yourself When Shopping For Your New Bedding

You may be searching for Bedding for your home, or plan to in the future. When shopping for bedding you may come across different terms for parts of the bed, mattress sheets or other aspect of the sleep set that you may be unfamiliar with. This article is designed to educate you in Essential Bedding Terminology so that when you look for bedding you can make an educated and informed purchase. These terms are not all encompassing but should cover the most common expressions you will come across.

Mattress- the actual sleep surface of the bed.To date, Health Canada has not received any reports of incidents or injuries from the use of these products.According to Wolf, some constructions that use non-breathable padding technologies in the sleep surface seem to cause this effect because of body temperature issues.Quilt- a coverlet which is made from pieces of fabric sewn together with decorative cross-stitching.As the green trend continues to grow, Wolf Corporation has responded by developing a line of conventional mattress products built with all-natural components, including cotton, wool and bamboo. Given the fact that a mattress should be changed about every seven to ten years, recyclability is an important issue. Most material components in mattresses are, in fact, recyclable. (Coil units are made of steel; natural fibers and most polyesters are recyclable.)Phone: (260) 749-9393"Sleep is critical to enhancing your immune system and to your mental and physical sharpness and effectiveness during the day," says Wolf. "We now also know that if you sleep with your head slightly inclined, it may help hiatal hernias, and in some cases, sleep apnea."As President of the International Sleep Products Association in 1999, Wolf represented 95 percent of the country's sleep product manufacturers, giving him great insight into what's happening governmentally, institutionally and medically on the sleep-related products front.Futon- a thin mattress that is placed on a movable frame that can be converted from couch to bed.Products and Services: Mattresses, Futons, Fiber padding.Before you start looking for your bedding set you may be looking for the physical sleep set. A sleep set includes the mattress, box spring, headboard, footboard and foundation. Here are some terms that you will frequently come across when shopping for a new sleep set.One of those findings, acccording to Wolf, is that approximately 90 percent of the population needs at least eight hours of sleep per night for peak performance.Contacts: Media Inquiries: Health Canada 613-957-2983 Public Inquiries: 613-957-2991 1-866-225-0709Feather bed- a soft think mattress top layer that is filled with down or feathers.Wolf's Fiber Division manufactures a variety of sizes of rolled and flat stock fiber batting, bonded fiber pads, stitch pads and traditional cotton batting. In recent years, the company developed three specific and different kinds of cushioning.In addition to its headquarters and primary manufacturing plant in Fort Wayne, Wolf Corporation maintains a warehouse in Atlanta, Georgia. Locally, Wolf products may be found in many area furniture stores.Number of employees: 50Thread Count- the number of horizontal and vertical threads per square inch.As more people struggle with sleepless nights or even sleep depravation, more sleep disorder clinics have opened, giving way to more research about the importance of sleep.The introduction of the company's website, www.wolfcorp.com, about ten years ago has proved to grow the Wolf brand name on both nationally and internationally. The company also leases a showroom at the World Market Center in downtown Las Vegas, where Tony says many international customers find them.

Shopping for bedding can be, believe it or not, a fun experience. Especially when you know what you are looking for. Remember that when you are looking for your new bedding ensemble or sleep set that not everyone offers the same quality products. The decisions you make on bedding will affect your comfort for years to come. Educating yourself a little before hand and researching your options will help you make a better decision that will ultimately improve your comfort. In addition to researching the different types of bedding you should also check out who you are buying it from. You can save yourself a lot of time and money by going with the right retailer. http://www.ajmoss.com.

Author: Jared More

Are You Getting a Good Night's Sleep?

Along with diet and exercise, sleep is a vital part of maintaining good health.

"The product filling materials do break down over time, but even if the mattress is still perfect, our bodies are changing. As the body changes, the mattress should be changed to accommodate the aging process," he says.Cotton batting is a particularly popular filling material because it is extremely durable, comfortable, safe and environmentally friendly. Wolf Corporation has been processing raw cotton for more than 130 years. In the 1870s when Tony's great grandfather, Paul Wolf, started the company in his homestead's backyard (which is now downtown Fort Wayne), some of his wealthier customers had their mattresses filled with wool or cotton. (The poorer ones settled for whatever was comfortable that could be put in a dust-tight cover, such as cornhusks, excelsior, kapok or moss).Website: www.wolfcorp.comThe Hazardous Products (Mattresses) Regulations require that all mattresses, including futons, resist ignition when tested with a smouldering cigarette ignition. Under the law it is prohibited to sell or give away products that do not meet the requirements of the Hazardous Products Act or its regulations."Our fiber products go into upholstery and mattresses in a variety of different products and industries, such as mobile homes, RVs, caskets and furniture," says Wolf."Wolf Corporation started out in cotton and later progressed to inner springs, then foams, then to water beds at one time," says Wolf. "We've come full circle, because our futons are now cotton-filled- either cotton with foam or cotton with innersprings."Ticking- the fabric which surrounds the layers of the mattress on the outside.Owner: Richard, Don and Tony WolfCoverlet- a general term describing a bed covering, includes, comforter, duvets, quilts, bedspread and blanket.For further information, consumers can contact the Health Canada Product Safety office nearest them, by calling 1-866-662-0666 toll-free, or e-mail cps-spc@hc-sc.gc.ca (if contacting via e-mail, please indicate the province or territory from which you are corresponding).House Brand- A retailer�s custom brand which only they offer.Filling- the term used to describe the material that occupies the mattress, pillow or comforter. This can make a great difference in the quality and comfort of the item.Wolf explains that the reason for replacement is twofold.In recent years, futons have become a popular sleep-product choice. Wolf says that many futons are now "extremely comfortable and reasonably priced." For residents in urban areas where rented space is expensive, a futon may make more sense than a traditional bed because it can double as a sofa and as a bed."We're amazed at the number of letters that we receive in which consumers tell is they're using their futon as their full-time sleep product," says Wolf.Bed frame- a frame that maintains the position of the foundation, headboard and footboardDuvet- used to describe a warm and comfortable coverlet that is filled with down feathers.Box springs- a common term used to describe a foundation which has springs inside a wooden frame."The more a mattress contours to your body, the more you are actually in it, not on it. Your body continues to give off heat, and if it's trapped there because there isn't air circulation, you may actually lessen the quality of sleep," says Wolf.Canopy- a fabric that is suspended above the bed often using posts.Two years ago, Wolf Corporation provided all of the mattresses to Community Hospital's Sleep Depravation Center in Indianapolis. In return, it has benefited from some of the Center's learning and research, enabling it to develop products suited to help people with their sleep needs.Matelass�- a fabric which has quilt like indentations.Firmness- the amount of resistance that a mattress has relating to body weight. Determines the amount of give the mattress will have.Address: 3434 Adams Center Road Fort Wayne, Indiana 46803Synthetic- artificially created material that is not found in nature.Mattresses and futons comprise approximately 65 percent of Wolf Corporation's business. The company's 25 different styles of mattresses are sold under the Wolf brand name; the futons are produced under both the Wolf label and for Serta and sold nationally (and internationally) by Wolf under the Serta brand name. Wolf Corporation serves as the distributor for the Serta futon wood frames, so its 600 dealers can buy the futon cushion and frame from the same supplier.Shopping for bedding can be, believe it or not, a fun experience. Especially when you know what you are looking for. Remember that when you are looking for your new bedding ensemble or sleep set that not everyone offers the same quality products. The decisions you make on bedding will affect your comfort for years to come. Educating yourself a little before hand and researching your options will help you make a better decision that will ultimately improve your comfort. In addition to researching the different types of bedding you should also check out who you are buying it from. You can save yourself a lot of time and money by going with the right retailer. http://www.ajmoss.com.Years in business: 136"We strive to provide greater comfort and durability at a lower price than our competition," says Wolf. "Since much of our upholstery padding is produced within these walls, we gain efficiencies and value in terms of consistency. Wolf offers the brand developed by Serta and is not investing boatloads of money in brand development that it already provides."Research also shows that much of the body's healing is done while in deep sleep. For the millions of Americans who suffer from back problems, finding the proper mattress, and obtaining deep, restorative sleep is critical, since it has been claimed that some back problems may be healed by one's own body if these factors are achieved."We've learned that if the body is a few degrees too warm or too cold, it will wake itself up. The autonomic nervous system doesn't allow for deep sleep," he says.Wolf's competitive advantage is delivering a strolling value.Egalement disponible en franï¿1/2ais

Products and Services: Mattresses, Futons, Fiber padding.

Author: Bleed, Lynette

A Loft Bunk is Magic for Crowded Dorm Rooms

When you hear the phrase �dorm room,� what do you think? Usually there are two reactions � big smiles, or wrinkled-brow frowns. College dorm rooms are the stuff of legend, for cramped space shared by roommates who�ve never met, each bringing everything they can carry from home that they think they MIGHT need. Each student tries to put a houseful of memories into a single room, and still have room to sleep, eat, socialize, and of course, study!

There is another advantage to the futon: you can change the cover when you change your decor.That has changed.SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE“Bed bugs are opportunistic and elusive pests,” said Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for NPMA. “As students return from summers filled with travel – which is often viewed as a central reason for this pests’ resurgence – and arrive with dorm furniture that can have an unknown history, university facility managers must proactively encourage student vigilance against bed bugs and work closely with licensed pest professionals to keep these pests at bay.”For more information on preventing bed bugs or to find a local pest professional, visit: www.pestworld.org.

The NPMA, a non-profit organization with more than 6,000 members, was established in 1933 to support the pest management industry’s commitment to the protection of public health, food and property.

Add a futon mattress for seating below your loft bunk, and you have a spare bed for a friend if need be. (Maybe add a curtain for privacy?) A word of advice: contact the university your child is planning to attend to see if they have any restrictions about modifications to dorm rooms. Once you have a green light, your imagination is the limit to making your loft bed into a creative living space!

Author: Don VanPelt

Futons make a comeback

By Rosemary Sadez Friedmann

Many students meet their roommate first online, and have a chance to chat about the types of appliances, etc. they will bring to the room. Computers, TVs, music systems all need a space, along with books and study tools. Most dorms have a dresser, desk and bed for each student.That futon chair is also great for the overnight grandchild who wants to sleep in your room but doesn't fit comfortably in your bed.There are dozens of kits and patterns for the best method to build your own loft bed, but they can be purchased already assembled as well. If you want to use the existing bed, consider that; otherwise, you can start from scratch, too.Part of making this huge transition is making this one room work as home base, living room, bedroom, snack kitchen and walk-in closet � fortwo people! Thank goodness then for the loft bunk bed. It must have been invented by a college student. What better tool to transform your dorm into a cool, swinging living room, one that you just happen to live and sleep in? A loft gets your bed up and out of the way, making room for you and your roommate�s STUFF.The covers on futons are like pillowcases and can be removed for dry cleaning. They come in a variety of colors and patterns. If you have any sewing talent, the sky's the limit on the futon covers, because all you need to do is sew three sides together, with a zipper on the fourth side.FAIRFAX, Va. -- As students return to college campuses nationwide, many arrive with memories of summer travel as well as some essential secondhand furniture including mattresses, futons, dressers and more. According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), this combination poses serious concerns, as there has been a 71% increase in reports of bed bugs since 2001. While termed bed bugs, these nocturnal pests, when introduced to new environments, can spread quickly to infest sofas, chairs, picture frames and other staples of college dorm décor.Add a futon mattress for seating below your loft bunk, and you have a spare bed for a friend if need be. (Maybe add a curtain for privacy?) A word of advice: contact the university your child is planning to attend to see if they have any restrictions about modifications to dorm rooms. Once you have a green light, your imagination is the limit to making your loft bed into a creative living space!The new and improved futon is still affordable, but the sleeper is made with a real mattress -- wrapped coiled springs or memory foam, and some have pillow tops.

Rosemary Sadez Friedmann is an interior designer in Naples, Fla.

Author: Rosemary Sadez Friedmann

Keep Bed Bugs from Going Back to School with College Students

National Pest Management Association Advocates Vigilance as Students Return to Campus

Remember the futon? Many a college student in the 1980s opted for the inexpensive, yet useful, sofa-by-day, bed-by-night futon. They were quite useful in a pinch, but some weren't so comfortable.Beyond that, they are fairly free to modify. Loft bunks give seating space, room for storage underneath, and allow your sleeping space to remain separate for just that. Some are meant to incorporate a desk into the framework, so that is something to consider. Will your dorm provide one, or should you build it into your loft bunk plan?Futons also come in chair versions. If all you need is a single bed for an occasional sleepover guest, the futon chair might be your answer.

For more information on preventing bed bugs or to find a local pest professional, visit: www.pestworld.org.

The NPMA, a non-profit organization with more than 6,000 members, was established in 1933 to support the pest management industry’s commitment to the protection of public health, food and property.

Save Space With Futons

Futon is a thin mattress stuffed with cotton batting or similar material and raised on a foldable frame. Futon also refers to a small couch that turns into a bed when it has been unfolded. Futon in Japanese means a mattress and are sold in Futon-Ya stores in Japan.

These combinations will hold up longer and provide a sturdier sleeping environment than softer blends.A cotton-wool combination is a great choice if you are looking for a very soft mattress. This is not a flexible mattress, so may not be a good choice if you plan on flipping it into a couch frequently.Consider a mattress that is at least six inches thick. Any thinner than that, you will compromise on comfort and risk the likelihood of lumps and bare spots. A thicker mattress will be more comfortable, but it will also be more expensive.9. Warranty - find out what the frame warranty is. It should be at least 5 years.If you are looking for a lightweight mattress that will hold its shape, go with a cotton and foam mattress. It will not sag, and it will hold its shape over time.A futon may be the answer for you. A futon will double as a couch and a bed, and you don't necessarily have to compromise on comfort.8. Refresh - use baking soda to freshen your mattress. Sprinkle, let it sit for a day and then vacuum off.However, consider these points before making your final choice.

Bifold can be folded in half and is the best for couches. It is also good for every day conversion from bed to couch. Trifold folds into three folds and they are provided for long futons. The loveseat futon is fairly popular and is very useful in small spaces. The loveseat frame comes into two parts couch and ottoman.

Author: Keith George

Tips to Consider Prior to Choosing a Futon Mattress

Are you expecting company and need an extra bed, but don't the room for one? Are you a college student with limited space and budget?

Make sure you are happy with your purchase before leaving the store.Is it comfortable? Is it big enough? Is there a warranty?3. Try Before You Buy - as with any traditional mattress you need to try before you buy. Relax, enjoy, and find the thickness that's right for you.Whether you choose between a wood or steel frame, be sure that you can operate the folding mechanisms of the frame easily and quickly. This way, you will not get stressed out by not being able to get your futon up and down quickly.Western futons have strong frames and are usually made of strong dense wood which can withstand stress. There are three types of frames available in western style futons, bifold, trifold and loveseat.7. Don't Jump - the kids might think jumping on the bed is fun but it can damage the futon mattress so don't allow it. If they want to jump buy them a trampoline.5. Flip It - flip and rotate your mattress at least once a month. This ensures even wear. If you have one of those mattresses you can't flip, then at least be sure to rotate it.Western Futons10. Thickness - your mattress should be a minimum of 6 inches if you are going to use your futon as a mattress.14. Wood - pine is the most affordable and durable wood option for the frame. There are also metal frames that are fairly reasonable in price.Bifold can be folded in half and is the best for couches. It is also good for every day conversion from bed to couch. Trifold folds into three folds and they are provided for long futons. The loveseat futon is fairly popular and is very useful in small spaces. The loveseat frame comes into two parts couch and ottoman.13. Frame Type - you can choose between a bi-fold or tri-fold frame. A bi-fold folds once and uses the mattress length as the couch for more seating. The tri-fold folds twice and uses the width of the mattress for the couch.Futons became available in the west in the early 70s. People became interested in futons because they were inexpensive and saved considerable space. In the beginning most of the futon sofa users were students, first time homeowners and apartment dwellers. After the 1970s futons became very popular in America. Today the futons come in luxuriant colors and fabrics, from rich brocades to lush tapestries.A cotton-polyester blend will give you a lighter mattress which is nice and soft, making it a popular choice with many.

Make sure you are happy with your purchase before leaving the store.

Author: Rob Buenaventura

15 Futon Mattress Tips

A futon mattress is a great choice. After all its 100% pure cotton which means is allergy and environmentally friendly. Cotton has natural ventilation qualities and your futon will also form to your body providing support. But before you buy here are 15 futon mattress tips.

6. Handles - don't use the handles to pick up the mattress. They are only designed for sliding the mattress around slightly.Futons act as a sofa during the day and can be converted into a sleeping bed at night. Basically the futon is used to save space. The futon sofa has cushions that are usually stuffed with cotton batting and can be found in a variety of colors, sizes and fabrics. Futons are used for sleeping and sitting and futons provide a good back support. In Japan futons are usually taken out in the sunlight and occasionally beaten with a stick to take out the dust.If your futon mattress will be used primarily for sleeping, choose a heavier mattress. Look for a cotton-wool blend or an all cotton mattress that has springs in it.The western futons are thicker and larger than the Japanese traditional futons. These futons resemble the conventional furniture which are filled with foam and batting in number of layers. In a reverse trend, western style futons have gained popularity in Japan because they are cheaper and more convenient than the traditional Japanese futon.Choose between a bi-fold frame and a tri-fold one.12. Inter spring - An inter spring mattress is made of a spring unit that has a layer of foam and cotton on each side. A good choice for additional firmness.Traditional Japanese Futons11. Material - your futon should be made of cotton, cotton and foam, or cotton polyester. Cotton and foam weighs less than other combinations and it doesn't sag.- The bi-fold frame simply folds the mattress once in the middle and becomes the couch. The entire length of the mattress is the length of the couch.Finally, before you make your purchase, be sure that you try it out. Lie down on it.A futon mattress is a great investment offering you affordability, durability, and comfort. It's a great choice for a master bedroom or a guest room. These 15 futon mattress tips will help you choose the correct mattress for your needs. So are you ready to start shopping?2. Care - roll and turn at least once a month.Futons are created from individual woven straw mats of uniform size, bordered by plain cloth and packed with straw. In Japan futons are used on tatami floors. Japanese futons can be folded and are kept in closet during day time. This is done so that the tatami floor can breathe.4. Protection - your mattress is going to need a cover. If it's going to be in a child's room or somewhere where there's a risk of accidents then use a vinyl cover underneath the cover. You can also use a mattress pad to absorb dirt and sweat.15. Mattress Size - a King measures 76 x 80 inches, a queen is 60 x 80 inches, a double is 54 x 75 inches, and a single is 39 x 75 inches.

A futon mattress is a great investment offering you affordability, durability, and comfort. It's a great choice for a master bedroom or a guest room. These 15 futon mattress tips will help you choose the correct mattress for your needs. So are you ready to start shopping?

Author: Catherine Wehner

Groovy Stores Launches FutonCoversOutlet.com

Groovy Stores, one of the web's most unique and hip online retailers , has
announced the launch of FutonCoversOutlet.com. The site has over 2,000
futon color and size combinations offered at discount prices, with a custom
easy-to-order process.

This small, friendly and peaceful family-run lochside campsite on the Scoraig peninsula, Badrallach can accommodate 12 tents and three caravans. In addition to the campsite, there is a cosy bothy, a smart new eco-crofthouse and even a gigantic space-age Airstream caravan for hire. You can park right next to your pitch and the campsite is surrounded by meadow and often visited by deer. Coastal breezes ensure midges are kept at bay but the owners have also installed a midgebuster on the site to make sure.Price: Camping is pound(s)4 a night per adult, pound(s)2.50 per child. Bothy is pound(s)6 per adult per night.Price: Camping is pound(s)7/pound(s)9 per night for adults; pound(s)3.50/pound(s)4.50 for children.Price: From pound(s)200-pound(s)230 per tent (sleeps five) per week.To celebrate the launch of the site, Groovy Stores encourages you to browse
through our extensive online catalog at www.futoncoversoutlet.com , find the
perfect futon cover for you, and enjoy our significantly discounted prices.
To learn more about Groovy Stores or its online stores, visit
groovystores.com.Contact: www.redsquirrelcampsite. com; 01855 811 256.

Contact: Heather Johnston Media Relations Groovy Stores, LLC 1-866-885-8493 http://www.groovystores.com

Knowing Innerspring Futon Mattresses

Although Futon mattresses were used mainly in Japan, it is now increasingly being sold in American markets, especially innerspring mattresses. Memory foam, latex and air mattresses are popular because they provide much more comfort; however, some people still prefer the innerspring mattresses which are inspired from the West.

5 Ecopod Boutique Retreat Loch Linnhe, Appin, ArgyllBest for: Wildlife-spotting.Although the site offers futon
covers at great prices, the quality of the covers is what makes the
site really stand out. Each futon cover is sewn with a heavy duty zipper
on 3 sides, individually packed in vinyl bags, and made to fit the average
6"-8" thick futon mattress. The high-end styles and color options
available on FutonCoversOutlet.com range from solid colors to elaborate,
detailed patterns to fit both conventional and non-conventional futon
sizes.About Groovy Stores9 Roulotte Retreat Bowden, Melrose, Scottish Borders

Choose between either of them as per your comfort.

Author: Thomas Mathews

of the best campsites

1 Canna Camping Holiday Canna, Inner Hebrides

7 Lazy Duck HOSTEL Nethy Bridge, Inverness-shireContact: www.cannafolk.co.uk; 01687 460 166.Furthermore, there is a misconception that the firmer the futon, the better support it will give. Earlier, doctors also recommended a firm mattress as sleeping on firmer mattress will result in fewer backaches and will keep your back straight. However, these days� statistics are different. Most of us sleep on side. And people don't want to change their habits. So mattresses have to adjust to our habits and sleeping positions. That's why firmer futon spring mattresses aren't good.Finally, if we consider the futon' spring mattress cover layers, they are generally covered in cotton. But they can also contain wool or polyester. So the covering layer staple can be natural or synthetic.Enjoy wild camping for cheats at this family-friendly site in the chocolate-box village of Comrie. Choose from a spot in a secluded woodland area, an elevated meadow pitch with views down the valley or an accessible spot in the camping field with its splendid hill views which are uninterrupted by pesky caravans. While the setting allows you to revel in the freedom of wild camping, there are a few home comforts on offer, such as hot water washing facilities and shelter should the unthinkable happen and the heavens open. Campfires are allowed and there is a communal fire-pit which is sheltered from the elements by a huge military cargo-chute where you can sit around and get to know your fellow campers.Best for: Comfort and style.Contact: www.faichemard-caravancamping.co.uk; 01809 501 314.How can you fail to feel romantic when shacked up in a beautiful hand-crafted, ornately furnished roulotte (Romany caravan) with your loved one? Owners Avril and Alan have transported the roulottes from France and Holland and decked them out beautifully with bespoke pieces of furniture and antiques.Best for: A sociable holiday.Run by the Grant family since 1935, its 35 pitches are spread across an expansive 10-acre forest site, so there is plenty of space. The main, flat area is set around a small pond, where most people congregate. Alternatively, the hillside pitches offer a more secluded position among the fragrant heather. Each pitch has its own picnic table where you can enjoy meals and arresting views of the Glengarry Mountains. Popular with cyclists and walkers, the campsite is handy for Ben Tee as well as the more challenging mountains of Kintail. The farm is also a good base for cycling on the Great Glen Way and for the world-famous mountain-biking tracks in the Nevis range. Facilities include two toilet blocks with hot showers, a laundry area and a payphone."If you are shopping for a futon cover, you will find the perfect fit for
your home or office at FutonCoversOutlet.com, as we have so many products
to choose from that add character and style to any room," says Heather
Johnston, Ecommerce Specialist at Groovy Stores.Best for: Lazing around.While away the afternoon reading in a hammock, refresh yourself in the solar-powered hot water "bush shower", listen to music in the woodshed sauna and meet the neighbours - Soay sheep and wild fowl - at the Lazy Duck campsite. The hostel has a tiny campsite which shares the main building's quirky ambiance. Set in the Cairngorms National Park, the area was used in the 1890s as a stopover for clansmen bringing their horses from Lochaber to be sold at the Inverness wool fair. Facilities include a toilet, washing facilities, cooking shelter and chimenea fires, and free-range eggs are available. As the campsite has only four pitches, it's best to check availability in advance.Contact: Heather Johnston Media Relations Groovy Stores, LLC 1-866-885-8493 http://www.groovystores.com8 Comrie Croft Comrie, PerthshireContact: www.badrallach.com; 01854 633 281.Best for: Travellers who don't own camping gear.4 Hidden Glen NairnThose who want to escape the rat race should consider a restorative break on the Isle of Canna (population 21), which now has its own campsite. Without TV, satellite, WiFi or mobile phone coverage, this is the place to switch off and tune in to nature. On- site traditional bell tents mean you don't need to lug all your own camping gear with you. The luxury five-metre tents are equipped with wood-burning stoves, cookers and solar lighting. Each comfortably sleeps four in one double and two single futons and there's room for an extra mattress. The island perfectly embodies the phrase "windswept and interesting" and the wind is key to the campsite's claim of being a largely midge-free zone.Something of a rural idyll, this tranquil retreat allows you to experience living alongside wildlife and farm animals. Children can collect hens' eggs, feed the lambs and watch the osprey fish for brown trout in the loch. The holiday accommodation is sited on Laikenbuie croft, which is situated four miles inland from Nairn and a 30-minute drive from Inverness. Regular visitors include roe deer, red squirrels, wild cats and foxes. Eighty species of bird have been spotted here including buzzards, red kites, barn owls, long-tailed tits and greater spotted woodpeckers.When you sleep on a side, your head and spinal column are not in comfortable position, so you experience aches. In such case, softer futons are much better. They'll adjust to your curvatures much better and you'll be able to have a more comfortable sleep during the night.6 Badrallach BOTHY & CAMPSITE Dundonnell, Ross-shireBest for: Fabulous views.Innerspring futon mattress is usually constructed of many springs and multiple foam layers. Generally, they provide good support for the back as they absorb pressure from your body, even if you tend to move a lot in your sleep. Thus it is more often used as a bed instead of a sofa. Its rigidity is a main reason why most people use it as a bed rather than a sofa. So it's suggested to pay attention to these components when buying an innerspring mattress for yourself or someone else.For campers, four-star spotless facilities are shared with the bothy. When the bothy is not booked, it is used as a social eating area and games room and offers a welcome retreat should the weather turn nasty.If regimented campsites drive you to distraction, you'll find the Red Squirrel pleasantly laid-back. Its owners understand that campers don't appreciate being bossed around in their free time. White-painted boulders and jaunty, hand-painted signs swinging from trees offer all the guidance you need, although the quirky entrance booth is always manned if you need tips on the local area.Price: Dependent on availability.Price: pound(s)8 per adult; 50p per child, per night.Best for: Child-free peace and quiet.FutonCoversOutlet.com only offers its products online, lowering costs for
its customers while also being more environmentally friendly than
traditional retailers. NeboWeb, an award-winning web design company , worked with Groovy Stores to design
the look and feel of the site as well as build the custom, CSS and
AJAX-based ecommerce system.The Red Squirrel occupies a fantastic spot in the shadow of Glencoe's dramatic peaks and backs on to the River Coe. Choose from secluded woodland pitches or breezy riverside ones - all enjoy views of the hills. There are several fire-pits so you can cook in the open and chase away the midges with the smoke. If you'd rather have your dinner cooked for you, The Clachaig Inn is a 20-minute stroll and often has live music.GroovyStores.com helps our customers find the coolest gear at stellar
prices. From socks outlets to coffee shops, we have the hippest collection
of stores to outfit your groovy life. We provide shoppers with sites that
are fun to browse and entertaining. We think shopping online should be
easy and fun and we view our customers as people, not just as an order
number. Each store has its own approach and look, but the common thread
between all of our properties is a commitment to excellence, great customer
service, and fair prices.Price: pound(s)15 for two, pound(s)20 for three, per night.Self-catering lodges and chalets overlook a loch surrounded by natural birch woods and bog meadows full of wild flowers. The campsite is inside a stone circle surrounded by trees. Facilities for campers are simple but include a drinking water tap and a turf- roofed cooking shelter with gas ring. Otherwise it's au naturale.If the mere suggestion of back-to-basics camping is your idea of holiday hell, this luxury nook near Oban might change your mind. Unique in the UK, the self-catering retreat is hidden away in birch woodland and enjoys a spectacular view which cannot fail to aid relaxation. The Ecopod retreat is situated on a ridge overlooking Castle Stalker, Loch Linnhe and the Kingairloch mountain. The ethos of the place is to combine environmentally friendly structures with the last word in luxury. Accommodation is in modern, open-plan, light-drenched domes. Inside, classic, well-made furniture and high- end audio-visual equipment is combined with locally sourced produce and toiletries, top-of- the-range low-energy appliances and sustainable timber. The retreat is located between Oban, 17 miles away, and Fort William, a distance of 25 miles.3 Red Squirrel Glencoe, ArgyllAn important thing about innerspring mattresses is that the structures of the coils themselves are more important than the number of coils. Hence, some futon mattresses can either have high number of coils or little number of coils. Most of us would assume that many coils would mean better support but what is crucial is the system of coils that the mattresses use. A bed with lesser coils might still provide better comfort if the size of the roll is larger than normal. Thus, when choosing an innerspring mattress, instead of looking at the number of coils, you should test it in person to see if the comfort is good.Price: pound(s)12 per pitch per night based on two sharing.Price: Various rates.Contact: www.lazyduck.co.uk; 01479 821 642.Contact: www.comriecroft.com; 01764 670 140.2 Faichemard Farm Invergarry, Inverness-shireBest for: A Highland family welcome.Contact: www.hiddenglen.co.uk; 01667 454 630.

How can you fail to feel romantic when shacked up in a beautiful hand-crafted, ornately furnished roulotte (Romany caravan) with your loved one? Owners Avril and Alan have transported the roulottes from France and Holland and decked them out beautifully with bespoke pieces of furniture and antiques.