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Guides

How to Choose a Meditation Cushion: Zafu, Zabuton and Height
How to Choose a Meditation Cushion: Zafu, Zabuton and Height
The right meditation cushion depends on how you sit: cross-legged positions need a zafu that tilts the pelvis forward, around 3-5 inches high if you’re flexible and 5-7 inches for tighter hips; kneeling (seiza) works best with a bench or firm rectangular cushion; and tight hips call for more height, …
Bunk Beds: Better Mattresses and Smarter Alternatives
Bunk Beds: Better Mattresses and Smarter Alternatives
Most bunk bed frustrations come from two sources: wobbly frames and thin foam mattresses. The fixes are solid-wood construction and a proper natural-fiber mattress within the safe thickness limit, or skipping the bunk entirely with floor-level setups that growing kids often prefer. This guide covers all three paths. Why do …
Best Japanese Futon in Canada: What Actually Matters
Best Japanese Futon in Canada: What Actually Matters
A quality Japanese futon in Canada is judged on four things: what’s inside it (natural-fiber layers, not polyester slabs), how it’s sewn (hand-tufting and stitching density), who actually makes it (manufacturer vs importer), and how it gets to you across provinces. Prices range from about $200 for entry-level imports to …
Natural Latex Mattress Topper: What to Know Before You Buy
Natural Latex Mattress Topper: What to Know Before You Buy
A natural latex mattress topper is a 2 to 3 inch (5 to 7.5 cm) layer of rubber-tree latex that sits on your current mattress to correct its firmness, either softening or firming it, without replacing it. It is the most economical solution when the mattress is still sound but …
Shikibuton vs Futon vs Mattress: Which Should You Choose?
Shikibuton vs Futon vs Mattress: Which Should You Choose?
A shikibuton is a 2-4 inch Japanese sleeping mat of natural fibers designed to lie on the floor or tatami and be folded away daily. A Western futon is a 6-8 inch hybrid mattress made for a convertible sofa frame. A conventional mattress is 10-14 inches, built to stay permanently …
Tatami Mat Sizes: The Complete Dimensions Guide
Tatami Mat Sizes: The Complete Dimensions Guide
Futon d’or tatami mats come in two formats: bed-size Boréal tatamis of 100 × 200 cm (39.4″ × 78.7″), sized so one mat covers a Twin shikibuton and two cover a Double, Queen or King, and traditional-proportion tatamis of 91 × 182 cm (the authentic Japanese 1:2 ratio). Half mats …
The ultimate guide to buying a bunk bed
The ultimate guide to buying a bunk bed
Buying a bunk bed can seem simple… until you start comparing models, materials, safety features, options such as ladders, staircases, storage, trundles — and, of course, the mattress. This guide will help you choose a bunk bed that is safe, durable, and perfectly suited to your space, budget, and family’s …

Blog

Eco-Responsibility in Furniture: What to Know Before You Buy
Eco-Responsibility in Furniture: What to Know Before You Buy
Eco-responsible furniture is judged on four criteria: durable, renewable materials; non-toxic finishes and components; local manufacturing that cuts transport; and durability that avoids frequent replacement. “Natural” and “organic” don’t mean the same thing: a product can be an excellent eco-responsible choice without being certified organic. Eco-responsibility has become a priority …
Multifunctional Furniture: The Future of Interior Design
Multifunctional Furniture: The Future of Interior Design
Multifunctional furniture, such as a futon, sofa bed, cabinet bed or desk bed, lets one room play several roles. It answers the challenge of small spaces, adapts to changing needs and avoids buying several separate pieces. As lifestyles change and homes get smaller, multifunctional furniture has become essential. It doesn’t …
Where to Find Mattresses and Futons Made in Canada
Where to Find Mattresses and Futons Made in Canada
To find mattresses and futons made in Canada, look to local craft manufacturers and specialized natural bedding stores, and always check where the product is actually made. A mattress “made in Canada” is truly produced here: cutting, assembly, sewing and quality control. With so many mattresses imported and mass-produced, more …
Affordable Futon: How to Find a Quality Futon Mattress on a Budget
Affordable Futon: How to Find a Quality Futon Mattress on a Budget
A quality affordable futon comes down to three things: balanced support that holds up to repeated folding, breathable and durable materials, and construction that makes it last for years. A very cheap futon that sags within a year often ends up costing more than a good futon that cost a …
Natural vs Organic Mattress: What’s the Difference?
Natural vs Organic Mattress: What’s the Difference?
The difference between a natural and an organic mattress is certification. A natural mattress is made of materials of natural origin, such as natural latex, wool, cotton or eucalyptus fiber. An organic mattress uses the same types of materials, but certified organic under official standards such as GOTS or GOLS. …
How to Sleep Cooler: Best Mattress and Bedding Materials for Hot Sleepers
How to Sleep Cooler: Best Mattress and Bedding Materials for Hot Sleepers
If you sleep worse on warm nights, you’re not alone. Heat, humid air, heavy bedding and heat-trapping mattresses can all make it harder to fall asleep and stay comfortable through the night. Many people think the only solution is a fan, air conditioning or a cooling gadget. Those can help, …
Why Natural Latex Is Used in Mattresses, and Who It’s Best For
Why Natural Latex Is Used in Mattresses, and Who It’s Best For
Natural latex is one of the most valued materials in mattresses, especially for people looking for a sleep surface that feels supportive, responsive, breathable and durable. Unlike materials chosen mainly for softness or cost, natural latex is used because it combines comfort and performance. If you’re shopping for a mattress …
How to Choose a Kid’s Mattress: What Parents Should Know
How to Choose a Kid’s Mattress: What Parents Should Know
Choosing a kid’s mattress may seem simple at first. Children are smaller than adults, so it can be tempting to think that any smaller mattress will do. But a child’s mattress plays an important role in comfort, support, hygiene and long-term durability. Children spend a lot of time sleeping, resting, …
How to Make Your Mattress Last Longer
How to Make Your Mattress Last Longer
A quality mattress can last many years if you take care of it. Three habits make the biggest difference: protect it from stains and moisture with a mattress protector, set it on the right base, and air it out regularly. Here is how to extend its life and keep your …
Is Your Mattress Vulnerable to Mold?
Is Your Mattress Vulnerable to Mold?
When it comes time to choose a mattress, we usually talk about comfort, firmness or support. Yet another factor has a huge influence on sleep quality, even if we don’t always think of it: moisture. A mattress that holds moisture can quickly become uncomfortable. You sleep less well, feel hot, …
Good Sleep Doesn’t Start With an App on Your Phone
Good Sleep Doesn’t Start With an App on Your Phone
In recent years, sleep has become much more than a basic physiological need. It has become a central topic of our time, almost a project in its own right. We no longer sleep just to recover: we try to optimize our sleep, measure it, understand it and perfect it. Smartwatches, …
“Made in Canada”: What Does It Really Mean?
“Made in Canada”: What Does It Really Mean?
You see it everywhere: “made in Canada.” On products, in stores, in advertising campaigns. It catches the eye, reassures, and suggests a certain quality. But what does it really mean? At Futon d’or, this phrase isn’t a marketing line. It’s a concrete, everyday reality, deeply rooted in the way we …