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