Futon Covers: What’s hot and what’s not
What the best dressed futons will be wearing this season

“The only difference between the fashion world and the furniture world is fewer sizes.” Alexander Julian probably didn’t have futon covers specifically in mind when he made this observation. But the movement of trends from clothing to furniture is highly predictable— the colors, textures and patterns that people are wearing one year, will be what homes and upholstered pieces will be wearing the next year or two.

Or, when anticipating futon fashion, cover, and fabric trends, it may be sooner than next year. Home textile mills report that futon customers are actually among the quickest in the furniture market to adopt the newest styles. They notice that the futon market is in fact a bit ahead of furniture trends. As fashion trends press forward and become home furnishing trends, futon customers are among the first to jump into them.

Cover manufacturers agree. Because the look of futons is easy and inexpensive to change, futon shoppers are more apt to be daring. “This is the fun thing,” remarks Shari Hammer, President of SIS Covers. “Futon customers are not afraid to go with an outrageous trend because they can change it next week if they want to.” Futon covers are a great place for customers to be daring, take risks, and delve right into the latest looks. In fact, “the futon market has always favored dynamic, bold styles,” reports Mark Binkhorst, President of Burlington Futon Company.

What are some of those hot, chic, cutting-edge looks today? Let’s take a glimpse at what’s hot and what’s not.

Southwest style is out; lodge look is in

This spring, the popularity of the southwest look, with its zigzag lines, burnt oranges and Native American motifs is slipping. Instead look for the growing popularity of the lodge look. Modeled after the ambiance of a rustic Montana cabin, the lodge look is appointed with bear skin rugs, buckskin pillows, log furniture and twigs galore. Antler lighting and other antler accessories are central to the style.

Omni Softgoods, with its business located in Wisconsin, is right on top of this trend. “Northwoods is our term for the lodge look,” notes MaryLou Marshall, Omni’s Marketing and Design Coordinator. “This is the antler chandelier look, but it’s upscale, not hokey. It is sophisticated.” She adds that this look’s popular colors are not the dreary, muddy colors of the seventies, but rather cheery warm reds and mineral tones.

Cow prints are out; crocodile skins are in

We have seen cow and tiger prints decorating everything from sofas to pocketbooks to mouse pads. This spring, the animal print trend will be freshened by the arrival of reptile prints. Snake, crocodile, and alligator skins will be in demand this season.

CottonBelle has added a line of engineered animal prints whereby manufacturers have woven different skins together, producing a look that is similar to an inlay. MaryLou Rath, President of CottonBelle says that these new prints are “very fun”. Omni Softgoods is also refining this trend this season by introducing a line of tone-on-tone animal prints.

Squares are out; Circles are in

Contemporary home fashions remain immensely popular, but look for a decline in popularity of squares and linear patterns. Now, lots of circles are taking their place in many manufacturers’ contemporary lines. Last year’s contemporary looks featured harder edges, but this year, “it is all circles and curves and polka dots,” predicts MaryLou Rath.

Shari Hammer sees lots of dots in the future, too. She forecasts “big polka dots like the style of the seventies, but also with variations of big and small dots and irregularly shaped dots.”

Pricey leather is out; awesome faux are in

Leather is a hugely popular choice for upholstered pieces, and it reflects the Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware look that everyone seems to want. But do leather and futons have a future together?

Most cover manufacturers have a handful of leather covers in their lines. And most agreed that the high price point that accompanies leather is a limiting factor. Though they report that the demand for leather futon covers is steady, they also expect it will remain small.

The excitement about leather is actually about the newly engineered synthetic leather and suede covers now available. Fabric producers have begun using innovative finish technologies that have improved the look and feel of their final product. With these innovations, many fabulous, high-quality fabrics are now available at reasonable price points.

One example is Burlington Futon’s line of faux suede. Mark Binkhorst is excited about it because it represents a movement toward affordable yet stylish synthetics that are washable. “They actually get softer when they are washed,” he claims. “Sales have been huge.”

Lauretta Converse is a freelance writer here in Providence, RI. This is her second in a series of articles for Futon Life focusing on business trends and pricing issues in our industry.