Futon vs Sofa bed, which one has the best features?

Sleeping is a necessity that allows humans to function properly, both mentally and physically. The market keeps innovating new ideas for people and creating new sleeping options. Futons and sofa beds are some examples of these innovative sleeping solutions. They save space in your house and can add to any room, excluding the kitchen and bathroom.

If you are looking for a piece of furniture that you can sit on and lie on simultaneously, look no further. Both futons and sofa beds may look different, but they serve the same purpose. They both are pretty comfortable, save space, and look extravagant in your house (also check the most comfy futon mattresses). They are, however, some major differences that make one different from the other.

Let us find some features to help you choose between a futon and a sofa bed.

What we recommend (a good quality and thick futon)

Editor's pick

Maxyoyo extra thick futon

- Diamond Shape Quilting for a better thickness
- 4 layers perfect for back support
- A great option for guests, outdoors etc

Check Price >

Christmas sale : Up to 50% OFF

What Is A Futon?

Futons are the most hyped piece of furniture as they act as a two-in-one piece of furniture. They are designed so that you can sit and lie on them. They are thicker and more comfortable than the sofa bed (check the top rated thick futon mattresses) and offer less mobility.

There are two types of futons available in the market: Japanese-style or western style futons. Both are quite different, so it is necessary to clear your mind and build a picture before buying a futon.

Who Should Use Futon?

Convertible

A futon comes with a fixable frame. You can fold and unfold the frame to turn it into a bed or a sofa.

Easy Storage

A Japanese futon is ideal for those who want a bed without a frame. It saves space as, after usage, it can be put away in the store room.

Less Costly

It is quite a cheap option for your average sofa bed. You can get a futon for less money, while a sofa bed may cost you an arm and a leg.

Pros and Cons of Using a Futon

Pros

• They take up less space and are quite easy to store.
• Less costly than your average bed and sofa sets available on the market.
• They are lightweight, so moving them from one place to another is easy.
• Enough firmness.

Cons

• The folding style of the futon only allows a thin mattress to fit on the seat.
• The transition of folding the seat again and again causes the futon to wear out soon.

What Is A Sofa Bed?

A sofa bed is an excellent combination of seating and sleeping space. Simply put, it is a couch that converts into a bed with just a little pull. The mattress in a sofa bed completely hides in the frame and can be seen only when you extend out the metal frame. Therefore, it is an ideal piece of furniture that saves space and adds elegance to your home.

You can place them in your living room, bedrooms, and offices, as they are useful and help you rest after long work hours.

Who Should Use A Sofa Bed?

A Stylish Piece of Furniture

A sofa bed is convenient for people who want comfort and luxury combined (check the most comfy sleeper sofas). This stylish-looking sofa looks pretty sitting in your house and can convert into a bed when needed.

Saves Space

If you live in a small space and are short of space, you can add this functional yet stylish small bed that you can use to sit ad sleep on.

An Alternate to A Guest bed

A sofa bed can be a handy option if you are often visited by guests but don’t have a separate guest bed.

Pros and Cons of Using a Sofa Bed

Pros

• They are available as chic-looking sofas that add to the beauty of the room it is placed inside.
• It is quite cheap than your average mattresses and the bed frame.
• It allows you to lie and watch TV in your living room. In short, it increases the functionality of the room in your house.
• The mattress is comfortable, better quality, and wears out after years of use.
• Extra sleeping arrangements for guests if you don’t have any space for a guest room.

Cons

• It is more expensive than futon beds.
• The sofa is difficult to clean with many crevices, folds, and a tucked-in mattress.

What’s The Difference Between A Futon And A Sofa Bed?

Appearance – Futon is Winner

Just as the name suggests, a sofa bed appears like a sofa. It comes with a metal or wooden frame that one can extend to reveal a fully functional bed. The four or five-inch mattress is engineered to slide in and out of the frame. They are available in designs that make your house look more extravagant and chic. They have a wide variety of fashionable silhouettes and elegant frames that add to the style while giving the right support.

The futon, on the other hand, is available in two types.

• A Japanese-style futon is a simple mattress that you can directly put on the floor. In most cases, there is no frame with it. You can position it like a sofa, or lay it straight as a mattress, to lie, rest or sleep. It is easily foldable, and you can even put it away after use. The filling is usually an organic cotton filling or material like memory foam built to last. You can even get the customized filling inside a Japanese futon according to your choice and needs
• A western-type futon can be folded easily into a bed. It has a thin frame that provides ample support to the user. In the morning, you can use it as a chair or sofa, while at night, you can use it as a bed.

Purpose – Sofa Bed is Winner

The purpose of a Japanese futon is to lie and sleep. You can easily take it out according to your need, use it and then put it away. It gives the same comfort as a mattress but is lightweight and ideal for saving space. On the other hand, the western futon is portable but can be folded into a sofa seat.

The most important purpose of a sofa bed is to save space. If you live in a studio apartment or do not have space to accommodate a bed, you can opt for a sofa bed. Not only does it looks chic, but it also converts into a comfortable bed that you lie or sleep on. It is ideal for big families who do not have enough space for beds to sleep on.

Sleeping Comfort – Futon Bed is Winner

The mattress in a futon is generally 6 inches thick. However, they need not be very wide to act as a sofa and bed. Moreover, they generally encase foam, which is ideal for people with back issues. They ease pressure from the spinal cord and keep you comfortable. You can get a medium or extra firm mattress according to your preference.

The sofa beds are usually at a thickness of 4.5 inches. It can be used to sleep for small periods. However, since the sofa bed has to be styled like a sofa, its cushion can be of a limited height. Sleeping on a convertible sofa for a prolonged time can cause health issues. It is not ideal for heavy-weight people as it will not provide the right support to their spine. Make sure you invest your money in an exemplary sofa bed with the finest foam or cushioning.

Life/Durability – Tie

The durability of both Futons and sofas and beds depends upon the usage. For a futon, it can last from five years to eight years. It will last longer if you use it occasionally as a guest bed. However, if you use it as a sofa or bed for everyday habit, you will wear it out in five years.

The sofa beds last much longer and are more durable than your futon couch. It has thick cushions that do not wear out quickly. The sofa bed’s sturdy structure lasts years and provides ample comfort.

Ease of Use – Tie

For a Japanese futon, you need to fold it and sit around. For sleeping, you need to put it directly on the ground and sleep. It is easy to lift, fold or store in the store too. The western futons come with a foldable frame.

Both futons and sofa beds are quite easy to use. The sofa bed is, however, a little easier to use. They easily slide in and out and offer more prominent support to your back while sitting than the futons.

Portability – Futon is Winner

The sofa beds, in comparison to futon beds, are quite heavy. The heavy cushioning and the sofa-like style makes it quite difficult to move around, and you might need more than one person.

On the other hand, futons are less heavy and more portable than your average mattress or sofa bed. You can move them around in the house single-handedly without any discomfort. The sofa bed, although easy to open and close, is quite heavyweight and therefore difficult to move around.

Choice of Styles – Sofa Bed is Winner

The ease of shape-shifting allows the futon to be styled in any part of your house. You can use it in your living room and binge-watch your favorite TV shows in the coziest position. You can even place it in your bedroom and save a lot of space. If you aren’t ready to invest much money in a mattress and its frame, you can buy a futon.

Besides, a futon can be placed in office rooms or your work-from-home office because of its ideal firm cushion. The firm cushioning keeps your spine aligned and keeps you comfortable throughout long periods of work hours.

If you want furniture that easily matches your home décor and makes it look more appealing, you can invest in a sofa bed. The sofa bed nowadays looks trendy, chic, and luxurious.

By looks, it does a remarkable job of blending in with other sofas, and upon use, it can open up and be used as a bed to lie or sleep in. Therefore, a sofa bed excels in styling due to its wide choices. If you are looking for a space-saving space that you can lie and sleep on but also want to look trendy and modern, you can opt for a sofa bed.

Price – Futon is Winner

Futons are quite cheap than sofa beds. You can the metal frames and mattresses at quite a low price. For the mattress if you opt for a foam mattress, they will save you even more money.

You can get the filling inside changed if they sag or become damaged. This, however, is not the case with sofa beds. The sofa beds are quite on the pricier side. If the cushioning of a sofa bed sag, you cannot change it by any means.

Storage Space – Futon is Winner

In most sofa beds, there is an option or space for storage. The simple design leaves no space for storage, while the metal case of the sofa beds is often designed to create storage space. These sofas have built-in drawers that you can use to store bed sheets or pillowcases.

The futon, however, in very special cases, has a storage option. In most cases, the futon uses a simple frame that opens to become a bed.

Sleeping Space – Futon is Winner

The futons offer a lot more surface area to sleep or move around. This is because the frame straightens up and provides more space to sleep, lie, and toss around.

The sofa beds connect to the frame and therefore restrict your movement. It gives enough space to lie around but not enough to toss and turn around. Furthermore, people on the heavier side may find the sofa bed uncomfortable to lie and sleep on.

Assembly – Futon is Winner

The futons are quite lightweight and very easy to assemble or disassemble. The lighter frame is easy to detach and clean. You can easily move it around your house and assemble it singlehandedly.

The sofa beds, however, are big, heavy, and difficult to move around. For assembling the pieces, you might want to get professional help, as there are a lot of nuts, bolts, and tools involved.

Key Takeaways: Futon Vs Sofa Bed

Understanding the Basics

Sleeping is essential for human functionality. With constant innovations in the market, futons and sofa beds have emerged as versatile sleeping solutions, maximizing space and adding aesthetic value to various rooms.

Appearance and Design

While sofa beds typically resemble a regular sofa with a hidden bed mechanism, futons come in two distinct styles: the minimalist Japanese-style that’s placed directly on the floor and the Western-style that can fold into both a bed and a sofa.

Functionality and Purpose

Both futons and sofa beds aim to save space and offer dual functionality. Sofa beds prioritize space-saving and chic appearance, while futons focus more on comfort, especially for prolonged usage.

Comfort Levels

Futons generally have thicker mattresses, often around 6 inches, providing better spinal support and comfort, especially for those with back issues. Sofa beds, on the other hand, have a thinner mattress, typically around 4.5 inches, making them less ideal for regular or prolonged sleep.

Durability and Lifespan

The durability of both futons and sofa beds varies based on usage and quality. Futons typically last between five to eight years, while sofa beds, being sturdier, often have a longer lifespan.

Portability and Ease of Use

Futons stand out in terms of portability, being generally lightweight and easy to move around. Sofa beds, being bulkier, often require more effort to set up and move.

Style Variations

Sofa beds offer a broader range of styles, blending seamlessly with various home decors, while futons are more limited in design but provide essential functionality and comfort.

Cost and Value

Futons are generally more affordable than sofa beds, making them a cost-effective choice for those on a tighter budget. Sofa beds, though pricier, bring elegance and a modern touch to living spaces.

Conclusion

Sofa beds and futons are modern inventions that are quite helpful and innovative. Both of these sofa-style beds are designed to be multifunctional and have quite the benefits. They save space, increase functionality, and provide options for lying or sitting around.

Futon vs. sofa bed, which is better, depends upon the preference and needs of the buyer. If you want a cheaper option, invest your money in a futon. On the other hand, if you want a stylish piece of furniture that beautifies your house, you can opt for a sofa bed. However, if you are planning to spend a large amount of your day on the transitional bed, you should buy a futon, as it is quite comfortable.

Resources:

https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/reports/70331-global-sofa-beds-market-1

https://www.scitepress.org/Papers/2018/75313/75313.pdf