Steve,
I suppose you could put a skirt on it, but, I would have to say, that the storage space is limited. I can get LOTS of shoes under there, but because of the way mine is made (I would think that they are all similar) that you could not get much under there that is more than 4 or 5 inches tall. Also because of the way it functions, the way it goes up and down, I would say that there would be some serious limitations on what you store under there.
Basically I do not use mine for storage, cept for that 4 foot long piece of 1/2 PVC pipe that Al made for opening those high vents.
Not sure if there is one in Gatlinburg, but maybe a stop in a GOOD futon store is what you need to do. If you cannot find one there, I know of a GREAT one in Ann Arbor
(where we got ours). They are great, very helpful, listened to my requirements, size, color, weight, easy of operation, etc. and took me right to the frame that we did purchase. The mattress was a bit harder to pick, they have a number of different kinds. some fold up better, some actually have springs in them! My son, has one with the springs, wowie, that thing sleeps even better than mine, and I am NOT complaining about mine!
Size of course was a parameter for us, we have not changed our table and chair (rocker/recliner) around as you have. So, we wanted to keep it as close to the size of the OEM sofacouchfromhe**. Also, we wanted the wood to come close to the same color as in Montana. We chose to get a mattress that was not the heaviest, but plenty firm for my ole back. Also chose one that we could put up and down without moving the futon out in the middle of the room. Some of the heavier mattresses you need to be able to access the futon from the back and the front to put it back up.
It does take 2 of us, just cause we are rather careful about putting it up and down. The futon salesman could do it all by himself with ease. We choose to cooperate and work together on the up/down procedure.
One other thing I kinda like, is that you buy covers for futons, if I change the color of the chairs and recliner, I can just go buy a new cover in the correct color, and I have a new color scheme for Montana.
A futon is not necessarily the answer for everyone. It comes down to personal preference, but of course. Sorta like, Al and I have no problem with the recliner, as far as comfort. The mechanism is lame, but we have no problem getting comfy in it. Go figure, a lot of other MOC members cannot stand the recliner.
Our futon was purchased primarily for my comfort at night. I sleep on the futon, as do of course, 4 yorkies! The sofabedfromhe** had my back so sore I was 3 months or longer healing after we got home last winter. I have NO back problems with the futon. I have to tell you, for us to purchase one, well, we surprised even oursleves! It is not the style of things I usually care for, and even after having it for almost a year, I kinda go, whewieee, that sure is different!! But, I repeat, it was purchased for comfy sleeping at night, and size, etc. Consideration of the way it looks, came in dead last on our priority list.
Good luck in your research and decision.
Carol
Linear Mode
