Once a mainstay of dorm rooms and post-college apartments, futons have experienced something of a resurgence recently. Maybe you spotted a Japanese futon on Pinterest (where searches for “Japanese futon bedrooms” increased by 245% last year!), or you noticed a fold-out sofa at a trendy furniture store. The fact is, futons are a blessing for anyone who has overnight guests and no space for a regular bed frame. And the best futons look chicer — and are more comfortable — than ever, so if you imagine thin cushions on rickety metal legs, prepare to be surprised.
I was: Even though I’ve been a home editor for the past 20 years, I was blown away by the modern futons available nowadays. To come up with this list, I talked to designers who specialize in small spaces (yes, including dorms), then reviewed nearly 100 options online, looking at upholstery, construction and customer reviews. Take a seat, because these futons are going to floor you.
Table of contents
Best futons of 2025
Wayfair
Made by the Wayfair-exclusive brand Mercury Row, which focuses on midcentury modern-style furniture, the velvet Perdue is the ultimate futon-that-doesn’t-look-like-a-futon. I especially love the vintage-inspired channeled back, which reclines flat to create a twin-size bed. For extra support, the futon comes with additional legs that fold up and fit inside zippered compartments in the back when not in use — clever!
Shoppers seem to agree: This beauty has more than 16,000 five-star reviews. “I bought this sofa as a backup for when I need an extra bed. Love the look, and now I can’t get my grandson off of it. It’s sturdy and comfortable,” raved one fan.
“Might not last 10 years, but it is just what we needed for now! Firm, but comfortable,” noted another. Speaking of firmness, note that some reviewers find the seat “hard as a rock.” If you’re hoping for something you can sink into, this isn’t it.
- Affordable
- Chic, vintage-inspired design
- Soft performance velvet upholstery
- Comes with additional support legs for use as a bed
- May be too firm for some
- Some reviewers say it broke after a few years
Article
Amazon
This sleeper comes in 11 colors, from neutral gray and cream to vibrant aqua and chartreuse. The linen upholstery looks “lovely and elevated,” Gates says, belying the budget-friendly price tag. “I’ll be plugging this one into several dorm rooms for sure.” Built-in cup holders are a fun touch, perfect for movie nights.
Though reviews are all over the place (especially when it comes to assembly — some people say it’s a breeze, while others had a hard time), more than 3,900 Amazon shoppers have awarded this futon five stars. Fans love the color of the upholstery and the overall look. Beware, though: The mattress measures only about 65 inches long, 10 inches shorter than a standard twin.
- Comes in 11 colors
- Stylish, midcentury-modern design
- Under $200
- Sturdy chrome legs
- Comes with removable arm cushions and built-in cup holders
- Reviews vary on ease of assembly
- Sleeping surface is small
West Elm
This futon looks just like the standard Andes, with the same low-slung silhouette and sculptural metal legs. Even though it comes in about half as many fabrics as the sofa, there are still 78 to choose from, including velvet, chenille, boucle and linen — more than any other futon we’ve seen! (You can also score it in top-grain leather for about $1,000 more.)
The biggest difference between the models is that the back cushions on the futon are fixed. They fold down alongside the seat using a click-clack mechanism to form a firm, nearly queen-size mattress.
- Comes in 78 fabrics and 18 leathers
- From a bestselling collection
- Easy to convert from sofa to sleeper
- Low-slung shape that would work with lots of different aesthetics
- Expensive
- Cushions may be too firm for some
Amazon
“As someone who likes harder mattresses, I decided to experiment with a Japanese-style futon instead of a Western bed when I moved cities in 2021, and don’t regret it,” related one longtime fan. “Four years later, I still enjoy sleeping on it. My only complaint is that it doesn’t fold or roll up as neatly as advertised (it would not fit on a normal-sized shelf in my closet, for instance), but if it did, it wouldn’t be as fluffy.”
It comes in five sizes, from a “small single” that measures 75″ x 32″ to a standard king, and in nearly two dozen colors, including some fun patterns that would be cute in a kid’s room.
- Praised for its comfort
- Zero assembly
- Comes with a washable dust cover
- Affordable
- Great for tight spaces because it can be folded up when not in use
- Some reviewers report the mattress doesn’t reach the promised 4-inch thickness
- Bulky to store
Amazon
Pottery Barn
- Looks like a traditional sofa
- Comes in 41 fabrics
- Extremely well made
- Has built-in storage compartment
- Expensive
- Heavy (175 pounds)
CB2
- Unique, high-end design
- Comes in 59 fabrics and four leathers
- Firm bench seat means no dips in the sleeping surface
- Channeled back adds a vintage-inspired touch
- Expensive
- More of a design piece than a sleeper
What’s the difference between a futon and a sleeper sofa?
These pieces serve the same purpose — they’re both couch-bed combos — so it’s easy to confuse them. A sleeper sofa has an actual mattress hidden within the frame that you pull out when you need it. It’s separate from the seat cushions. A futon uses the seat and often back cushions as the mattress. Generally, this means it takes up less overall space than a sleeper sofa.
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Factors to consider when choosing a futon
Whether you’re looking for a small-space sleeper or doing back-to-school shopping with a college student, here’s what to keep in mind:
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Where the futon is going: A futon that’s destined for a dorm room should be small and durable — and if it looks obviously like a futon (think the Pipishell from Amazon, above), that’s probably okay. If it’s going in a living area in your home, a futon that mimics a traditional sofa, like the Perdue Convertible Sofa, would be a better fit. Small apartments or houses may also benefit from a futon with built-in storage or a futon mattress only, which you can fold up and store when not in use. Adds Monica Reese, Lowe’s director of trend and style, “In smaller spaces, a futon without bulky arms or with a streamlined profile can make a big difference.”
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How often it’ll be used as a sleeper: This should come as no surprise, but futons are generally not as comfortable as traditional mattresses because the seat (and sometimes back) cushions do double duty as the sleeping surface. They’re often very firm. If you’re someone who gets a lot of long-term overnight visitors, a Japanese-style futon is a smart choice because, like an air mattress, you can pull it out only when you need it, plus it’s typically more comfortable than a traditional futon.
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Bed size: Futons come in a wide range of dimensions, from small chair futons that accommodate just one kid or small adult to sofas that fold out into king-size beds. “Before buying, take accurate measurements of the available space, not just for the futon when used as a couch, but also when fully extended into a bed,” advises Reese. “Be sure to leave enough room around the futon to walk comfortably and access nearby furniture or doors.” When buying bed sheets, keep in mind that many futons don’t conform to standard mattress sizes. If yours doesn’t, size up for your sheets to ensure they cover the entire sleeping surface.
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Frame and cushion construction: “Start with a solid frame. Hardwood or sturdy metal is ideal,” says Schwartz. “You also want a smooth, easy-to-use folding mechanism and upholstery that can hold up to regular use.” As for the cushions/mattress, he says, “High-density foam is a good baseline. If you can find one with coils, even better! It should feel supportive and balanced. A flat surface tends to be more comfortable for sleeping, but a bit of tufting can help the mattress hold its shape.”
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Upholstery and design: As with any large, expensive piece of furniture, it pays to choose a design that you know you’ll like for the long haul. It’s okay if it’s a bit boring because you can add personality with accessories. “Opt for a futon with clean lines and a neutral fabric. This gives you flexibility to update the look over time with throws or pillows, rather than having to replace the entire piece,” says Reese, who also advises picking upholstery that’s performance-grade or stain-resistant and easy to spot-clean. “Neutral tones, like tan, gray, cream, oatmeal and navy, tend to work across a wide range of spaces and styles,” she adds.
How we chose these futons
I’ve done a lot of research on the furniture market, both as a home editor with two decades of experience and for personal reasons: I just bought a new sleeper sofa for my living room! I relied on my own expertise as well as interviews with five design experts who specialize in small spaces.
Once I gathered their tips and suggestions, I did my own research, checking top sellers at various retailers and futons other publications have covered. In total, I reviewed nearly 100 futons, looking closely at the frame materials, upholstery and mattress thickness and firmness. I also prioritized futons I thought would work well with different design styles, and I checked customer reviews for real-life feedback on each futon’s performance.
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Futon FAQs
Which brand futon is best?
You can’t go wrong with a reputable furniture brand, such as CB2, West Elm, Pottery Barn and Article. These companies generally produce durable pieces with engineered or solid hardwood frames — but that higher quality does come with a higher price tag.
What are the downsides to futons?
Fold-out futons are generally less comfortable than traditional mattresses because their couch cushions also serve as the sleeping surface. Some people find them uncomfortably firm. Japanese futons sit on their ground (or low to the ground), which may feel uncomfortable. They also can be difficult to get up from if you’re tall or have mobility issues.
Meet the experts
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Sarah Bronstein, founder, Sukkha Interior Design
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Shelly Gates, founder, Mary Margaret Designs
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Monica Reese, director of trend and style, Lowe’s
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Liad Schwartz, founder, Interiors with Liad
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Dawn Thomas, founder, After Five Designs
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
