A shikibuton is an Asian style floor mattress. It's laid directly on a hard surface, slept on, and then rolled or folded and stored. The construction is straightforward: cotton batting, sometimes with a latex comfort layer encased between cotton, all enclosed in an organic cotton canvas cover with wool wrap.
It's not a sofa-bed product and it doesn't go on a futon frame. Those are different things with different constructions. A shikibuton is specifically a floor mattress, and it works well in Burnaby's mix of apartments, condos, and smaller homes where a low-profile sleeping setup makes practical sense.
Sleep Majestic makes two versions, and the differences between them are worth understanding before choosing.
Cotton Shikibuton vs Latex Shikibuton: What's Different
The Cotton Shikibuton is built from all-cotton batting in an organic cotton canvas cover with wool batting for natural fire protection. Shikibutons are floor buffers providing an Extra-Firm feel, which makes it best suited to back and stomach sleepers. Side sleepers who need pressure relief at the shoulder and hip will generally find it too firm for everyday use.
The Latex Shikibuton adds a 2" GOLS-certified Dunlop latex comfort layer to the cotton batting base. The latex gives it more resilience, which makes it more comfortable compared to the all-cotton build. It's still Extra-Firm, still best for back and stomach sleepers, and still carries wool batting for natural fire protection.
The Cotton Shikibuton is the more affordable option and works well for occasional or guest use. The Latex Shikibuton is the better choice for people who want a little more comfort. Both come in sizes up to Queen.
What Shikibutons Are Not
It's worth being direct about what a shikibuton doesn't do, because the category is sometimes confused with futon mattresses in Canadian retail contexts.
A shikibuton is not designed to fold. It doesn't work on a futon frame. If you're looking for something that converts between a sofa and a bed, a futon mattress on a futon frame is the right product. If you want a floor mattress that rolls or folds for storage, a shikibuton is what you're after.
Shikibutons also aren't compatible with adjustable bed frames or box springs, and the layer exchange program doesn't apply. Both the Cotton and Latex Shikibuton carry a 2-year limited warranty covering manufacturing defects.
The Practical Details of Floor Sleeping
The main care consideration with floor use is moisture. When bedding rests directly on a hard surface with no airflow underneath, moisture from the body can accumulate over time. Sleep Majestic recommends lifting the shikibuton off the floor nightly or near-nightly rather than leaving it flat on the surface. Rolling it and allowing air to circulate underneath is the correct practice.
You can combine with tatami mats, but airing it out nightly is still critical. On hardwood, concrete, or vinyl flooring, which describes most Burnaby apartments and condos, nightly lifting is the right habit to establish.
Both shikibutons should be flipped and rotated regularly. Cotton compresses with use, which is normal and expected. Consistent rotation slows that process and keeps the sleeping surface more even over time.
The Delta showroom carries full-size options of both shikibuton options for you to try. If you want to feel the cotton batting and the latex layer before ordering, a weekday or Saturday fitting is the practical way to do that. Book at sleepmajestic.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a shikibuton work as an everyday mattress, or is it better for occasional use?
It depends on the sleeper and the use case. Both the Cotton Shikibuton and Latex Shikibuton are Extra-Firm products suited to back and stomach sleepers. For those sleeping positions, a shikibuton can work for everyday use, particularly the Latex Shikibuton which has more resilience than the all-cotton build. Side sleepers who need shoulder and hip pressure relief will typically find the firmness uncomfortable as a primary sleep surface. For those sleepers, a futon mattress or a latex mattress on a slatted surface is a more suitable choice.
What is the difference between a shikibuton and a futon mattress at Sleep Majestic?
A shikibuton is a floor mattress. It's meant to be laid flat on a hard surface, slept on, and then rolled or stored. It does not fold and is not compatible with futon frames. A futon mattress is designed to fold with a bifold frame and can be used for both sleeping and sitting. Sleep Majestic's futon mattresses include the Standard Futon and Eurotop Futon, among others, and are compatible with futon frames and slatted surfaces. If your priority is floor use and easy storage, a shikibuton is the right product. If you need sofa-bed functionality, a futon mattress is what you want.
Do I need to do anything special to care for a shikibuton on a hardwood floor?
Yes. Lift the shikibuton off the floor nightly or near-nightly to allow air to circulate underneath. Leaving it flat on a hard surface without airflow increases the risk of moisture buildup over time, which can damage the cotton batting. Flip and rotate the shikibuton regularly, at minimum monthly, to prevent uneven compression. The cotton batting in both the Cotton and Latex Shikibuton will compress with use, which is normal, and rotation slows that process. Do not wash the shikibuton. Spot clean the cover only if needed.
A Floor Mattress Built for One Job
Sleep Majestic's Cotton and Latex Shikibutons are handmade in Delta, BC from cotton, wool, and latex. Both ship across Canada. If you're in Burnaby and want to feel the materials before ordering, the Delta showroom is a short drive and fittings are free. Book online or call 604-731-8226.
