Surprise guests can be a treat, but if they need to spend the night, do you have sleeping space for them? A lot of couches aren’t comfortable for overnight sleeping and will leave your guests poorly rested. If you don’t have space for an extra bed, the versatility of a futon could be your answer!
The word ‘futon’ originated in Japan; its original form is a singular piece of a three-layer bed structure. Modern futons resemble this idea but with modern twists. Their ability to serve as a couch by day and an impromptu bed by night is invaluable, especially if a friend needs to stay the night unexpectedly. Check out our list of the best futons on the market.
The Most Comfortable and Stylish Futon
Best Choice Products Modern Faux Leather Convertible Futon Sofa (BEST CHOICE)
Even as the most affordable futon set on our list, the Best Choice Products Modern Faux Leather Convertible Futon Sofa is packed full of features and quality that make it a worthy purchase for your home. This futon is just 37.5 x 65.25 x 14.25 inches. It also sports a 500-pound weight limit, which is the lowest on this list but still sturdy enough for most folks. You can also place this futon in three different positions — sitting, lounging, or sleeping.
When in the sitting position, you can utilize the removable armrests and cupholders for a luxurious experience. The faux leather is easy to clean should your drink spill. This futon also features a metal frame and legs with simple assembly so you can spend more time relaxing and less time building your new living room centerpiece.
Novogratz Brittany Sofa Futon
This Novogratz Brittany Sofa Futon brings elegance and sophistication to your living room. A striking design, four sizes, nine color options, and a moderate price make this futon hard to beat. You can even customize this sofa to fit your space and desired seating arrangement with multiple arm options. Once you’ve found your perfect spot, you can sink into the luxurious memory foam mattress as it adjusts to every curve and contour.
This futon is on the larger side in its sleeping position at 70.5 x 43.5 x 16 inches, so be sure to measure your space to make sure this option fits your home. The size can be a drawback or a perk depending on the size of your room. Lastly, this futon sports a fabric cover, so cleaning takes a little more work than leather and faux leather options, but can be more comfortable.
DHP Emily Futon Couch Bed
The DHP Emily Futon Couch Bed is the only futon on our list with six legs rather than four. This feature provides additional support in the middle of the futon. Additionally, the outer four metal legs are slanted, a small detail that packs a punch in the style department. If you need a particular size or color to fit your space, this futon has you covered. The Emily futon is available in five sizes and eight colorways.
With a weight limit of 600 pounds, a length of 70.5 inches, and a width of 32 inches, you can rest easy knowing no matter who sleeps on this sofa, they are going to have a cozy night of sleep. You can adjust this futon to fit your comfort with four positions. Its metal frame and easy assembly will have you relaxing in no time. This futon is an excellent choice for your space and budget and includes a one-year limited warranty for extra peace of mind about your purchase.
For more space-saving options, check out our guide to the best foldable mattresses.
Serta RNE-3S-CC-SET Rane Collection Convertible Sofa
If you need a simple, sleek futon sofa for contemporary living rooms to complete your space, look no further than the Serta Rane Collection Convertible Sofa. Serta is a recognizable and admired mattress brand, which means your futon mattress is sure to provide a well-known comfort when seated and sleeping. Name brand comfort comes at an affordable price with this futon, making it one of our cheaper options.
You’ll be able to enjoy this futon for years with its durable wooden frame. Assembly is painlessly easy with Click Clack Technology, so you can be relaxing on this comfortable foam and coil Serta mattress in no time.
Novogratz Tallulah Memory Foam Futon
The bliss and comfort of memory foam can’t be beaten. Who wouldn’t want to have their body hugged by layers of luxurious foam? If you desire the daily luxury of a memory foam futon, the Novogratz Tallulah Memory Foam Futon delivers. The tufted button back, four color options, and sophisticated design guarantee this futon will fit your space, regardless of your current décor.
A sturdy wooden frame ensures this futon will last you for years to come. For a moderate price, the luxury and sophistication of this futon can be all yours. Be sure to measure your space before purchase as this futon is rather large: it measures 73 x 44 x 17.5 inches.
If you need a smaller futon for your space, you may need to check out some of the other futons on this list.
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Futon Sofa Bed Memory Foam Couch Sleeper Daybed
Style and comfort are the focus of the next futon on our list. The Futon Sofa Bed Memory Foam Couch Sleeper Daybed is comfortable for both sitting and sleeping with its memory foam mattress. The foam contours to your body, making sure you’re comfortable enough for a quality night of sleep. On top of the memory foam mattress is a black, faux leather cover that’s stylish enough for even the most modern homes. Spills won’t be an issue as faux leather is easy and quick to clean, unlike fabric covers.
This futon sofa uses a metal frame, making for easy assembly that will last a long time. At a moderate price, this futon is an affordable option for most homes while keeping your house looking sharp.
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Kodiak Furniture Monterey Futon Set
Do you love furniture with a pop of color or tons of options? If so, the Kodiak Furniture Monterey Futon Set is the perfect customizable choice for your home. It features 13 colorways, multiple drawer options, and four different wood finishes. The range of options means that there’s sure to be an option that perfectly fits your needs and style. This futon ranks as the most expensive sofa on our list, but these options and features make it a worthy purchase.
Durability is the focus of this futon, as the all-wooden frame provides years of reliable use. The 100% polyester cover protects the innerspring construction mattress. The mattress features 276 hinged coil springs, providing comfort for a perfect night’s sleep for years to come. The futon is 75 x 54 x 8 inches when in sleeper position. This futon is relatively close to the ground.
Lastly, assembly is a breeze. There’s no need to worry if you aren’t particularly handy since this futon requires exactly zero assembly tools.
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Mozaic Futon Mattress
If you are looking to replace your current futon mattress, the Mozaic Futon Mattress is an excellent choice. This full-size mattress will fit most futon frames. With 10 cotton twill cover color options, you can personalize this mattress to match your home décor.
The memory foam in this mattress will keep you comfortable and cool all night long. The memory foam adjusts to the contours of your body while sitting or sleeping, maximizing your comfort. Since this is our single mattress-only option, you will need to purchase a frame separately if you do not own a futon already.
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Mainstays Memory Foam Pillowtop Futon
Are you looking for function, style, and comfort in one futon? If so, the Mainstays Memory Foam Pillowtop Futon is the choice for you! This stunning futon sports an elegant and stylish design that works well with most home décor, especially a modern flair. The faux leather gives it a sleek look that will be sure to impress your guests. As a sofa, it also comes equipped with cupholders so you can keep your favorite drink nearby. With a wooden frame, plastic legs, and a 600-pound weight limit, this futon’s design supports most folks. Its space-saving dimensions in sleeper mode are 71.5 x 43.5 x 16 inches.
The two downsides are the plastic legs, which are not as durable as other materials, and the faux leather, which may not be a comfortable material to sleep on. It’s best to add a sheet or other covering to this futon before sleeping on it. However, the memory foam mattress will provide excellent support and comfort when you or a guest head to bed. This futon offers a lot of bang for a mid-range price.
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MIERES Modern Convertible Futon Sofa Bed
Features galore and a modern look for your new futon doesn’t have to break the bank. The MIERES Modern Convertible Futon Sofa Bed provides comfort, elegance, and upgraded features in one stellar futon. This futon option includes all the hardware and tools you will need for easy assembly. You can choose from three different colorways on a metal frame with gleaming chrome legs.
When in bed position, it measures 67 x 31.4 x 32.4 inches, providing a comfortable fit in any space. This futon features two cupholders in the couch position and two armrests for an upgraded and relaxing experience. At an affordable price, the MIERES Modern Futon maybe your best option for a new futon.
Futon Buying Guide & FAQ
Features to Look for in Futons
Quality – Your futon frame is likely to last you a long time, but its longevity is dependent on the materials used. Hardwood frames tend to be the longest-lasting and highest quality of frame materials. Where you want to focus on quality is the mattress. A high-quality mattress will be more comfortable and last longer than cheaper futon mattresses.
Durability – Futon mattresses should be flipped about once per week. With appropriate care and cleaning, a quality futon mattress can last you 8-15 years. Opting for a hardwood or metal frame will also increase the durability of your futon sofa.
Depending on the fabric type, your cleaning options change. With faux leather choices, cleanup is quick and easy with simple spills. If you spill dark liquids on a light-colored fabric futon, you may have more clean-up issues. Investing in a cover or stain guard spray can help protect your futon from these kinds of spills and mishaps and increase the overall longevity.
Size – Measuring your space is the first step in determining the size of the futon. In couch form, a futon will take up less space and be easier to maneuver around. It’s essential to consider both the couch and bed size. It would be a disaster to unfold your futon into a bed and have no space to move around!
Futons come in twin, full, queen, and king sizes. King sizes are relatively rare but are available if you’re willing to dig a little deeper. A standard bifold frame requires 77 x 80 inches of space; if you don’t have at least that much space available for your futon, it might be worth looking into a trifold or loveseat-style frame.
Weight – Futon sizes can vary significantly based on several factors. If you think you’ll be moving your futon with any regularity, weight should be a consideration. Lighter is generally better, as long as you don’t sacrifice quality or substance. Typically, the material determines the frame weight.
Material options include metal, softwood, hardwood, or a combination. Generally, a hardwood frame will be the heaviest, and a metal frame will be the lightest. Mattress materials and thicknesses can also add to the weight of a futon. You will want a futon with at least a 6″ thick mattress. While it will be heavier, we recommend going for a mattress that is at least 8-10 inches thick for the best support and sleeping experience. Materials such as cotton, memory foam, and mattresses with coils and springs are usually the heaviest. Mattresses made with wool or polyester tend to be lighter.
Frame Type – There are three main types of futon frames — bifold, trifold, and loveseat. Bifold futon frames are the most common option. Bifolds are the quickest to change from couch to bed. All it takes is a quick fold to change their position. If you have a small bed and want to save space, the loveseat futon frame is an excellent choice.
Loveseat frames can generally accommodate a full or twin mattress, making it an ideal sleeping choice for a single person or child.
Trifold frames can only accommodate thinner mattresses but are an excellent space-saving option. The mattress folds into thirds instead of two sections. This frame is the most difficult to convert from bed to sofa and vice versa.
Frame Material – Futon frames come in wood, metal, or a combination of the two. A metal frame tends to be the most common option. A metal frame is likely to be less comfortable and has fewer arm designs available, which may not fit your home décor well. The most common combination frame is mostly metal with wooden arms. This variety of frame materials provides a warmer look and blends into your home décor with ease.
An all-wooden structure is likely to be the most comfortable of all frames and offer a sleek look. Wooden frames made of softwoods like pine, aspen, and spruce are fantastic for intricate carvings but are more susceptible to dings and marks. Frames made of hardwoods like oak, cherry, and maple tend to provide better durability and support.
Mattress – Futon mattresses have several different types of constructions. Some futon mattresses have coils like a regular mattress, which some prefer for additional comfort or the fact that they feel more like a regular bed. Most futon mattresses are made from compressed layers of material like wool or cotton. Wool mattresses will keep you warmer than other materials. A cotton mattress is the firmest option, an excellent choice for back sleepers who need support.
You may also see foam options, such as memory foam. These choices are new but becoming increasingly popular, and are the current gold-standard. These provide the most comfort while staying supportive. However, the foam can vary in quality and is often the most expensive type of mattress.
Lastly, a futon mattress generally needs to be at least 6 inches thick. Any less, and it may prove to be very uncomfortable to sleep or sit on. Mattresses that are 8-10 inches thick tend to offer the most comfortable sleeping experience for most users.
Futon FAQ
What is a futon? – Futons are a Japanese design. The original futons were a small comforter stacked on top of a cushion with a folding bamboo mat underneath. Modern-day futons still sport the three-layer idea. Each futon consists of a mattress layer, a supportive layer, and a covering or top layer.
A futon now refers to a couch that can fold down flat for sleeping. These convertible pieces of furniture are a great addition to all homes, but especially small homes where a guest bedroom may not be an option. For those with small spaces, a futon bed may be a space-saving and cost-effective option for your area. In a studio apartment, not having to accommodate a bed and a sofa could make your space more comfortable and livable.
Are futons good for sleeping? – In short, yes! While futons are great for guests, you can sleep comfortably on a futon every night if you want. Futons are generally made up of layers of compressed material such as wool or cotton and tend to be on the firmer side of sleeping options. If you sleep on your back or front, a firm futon may be an excellent choice for you. You generally will get less support in a futon than a standard bed, so this is important to consider in your purchase. You may want to test your futon like you would a regular bed or mattress before purchasing, if possible.
Are futons comfortable? – Futon couches make for a comfy sofa for you and all of those in your home. When in couch position, the futon mattress makes for excellent back support. When in the bed position, futons are a great option for surprise houseguests or short-term visits. Before deciding to sleep on a futon every night, you should evaluate your sleep needs and determine if a futon is a suitable choice for everyday comfort and rest for you. It is also critical to check the weight limits as well as the thickness of the mattress. A mattress under 6 inches will leave you bottoming-out on the frame and tossing and turning all night. You should aim for an 8-10-inch thick mattress for the utmost comfort when sleeping and sitting.