9 Comfortable Futons That Don't Look Like Futons

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Don't get the wrong idea here. We're not talking the Craigslist futon that was in your first apartment. That one was just a place for your friends to pass out. It was more comfortable than the living room floor or slumped over the toilet. The futon—or in some cases, we're actually talking about a sleeper sofa—has grown up, and we're all better off for it. These options are the super comfortable, they look incredibly good, and they can even serve as your full-time sofa. These are the well-designed futons of the present. The futons of 21st Century.

To be fair, you're asking this piece of furniture to do a lot, so it needs to be up to that challenge. You're asking this big ole thing to be a sofa, a bedframe, and a mattress all in one. The only thing it's not is a set of sheets. It's the ultimate piece of functional furniture. You don't need it to be a beautiful luxury sofa— though if it looked luxury, that would be nice. Function is everything here, which is why we dove deep down the internet rabbit hole and pulled up the best futons on the market.

Alesso Sleeper Sofa

When does a sleeper sofa become a futon? When does a futon become a sleeper sofa? Not sure. But this contemporary take bridges the gap perfectly. You get a big comfy sofa. And with the ease of undoing two belt-style straps, you've got a full bed.

Finn Futon Sofa

For the easiest and most pleasant furniture shopping experience, you'd be hard-pressed to find something better than West Elm. This generally comes with a higher price point, but you'll never have to worry about the function or aesthetic of the pieces, of which this futon does both exceedingly well.

Greta Recycled Leather XL Sleeper Sofa

If you're fresh out of college, an artist, or someone who just rocks with the bohemian vibe, this Urban Outfitters futon is for you. It's very well priced. Plus, the faux leather gives it enough grownup-ness to distinguish it from the other floor pillow couches that are all over Instagram moodboards.

Twilight Sleeper Sofa

This might be the perfect futon, because it is an exact upgrade on the $100 that sat under your dorm bed. Without arm rests, it feels like a futon. But luxe materials, a beautiful look, and a super easy transformation make it waaaayyyy more sophisticated.

Denver Trundle Sleeper Sofa in Linen

If you're in a place where you're having house guests, you might not love the idea of giving them something awkward and painful to sleep on. This couch looks pretty in the room, and it unfolds into a roomy, mattress-sized bed. It's pricey but it's worth it.

Jannick Full Futon Sleeper

This Scandinavian-style couch is great for adding to a home that keeps things minimal. The design is simple, the cushions are comfy, and the back moves up to make it into a full 53" x 75" bed.

Shasta Storage Futon

When you've got kiddos running around the place, you need something that functions first and foremost. This acts as a couch, a storage unit, and a bed, and belongs in basements everywhere.

Sleeper Sofa Bed Couch

For a futon to be comfortable, the couch part has to be comfortable, too. The 7-foot long piece is great for lounging on and just as good for sleeping.

Solna Atelier Ivory Sofa Bed

Article's sofa bed does not look like a futon, making it all the more welcome in a put-together home. The steel frame and soft fabric cushions make for quite a pleasant sleep.

How We Chose the Best Futons

We called in product, talked to makers, and hit the showrooms. We know all about good furniture, and we put that knowledge to use here. These are our grading criteria.

Looks - Even though a futon is a simple style, we still want it to look good. We prioritized options that meet our home design standards.

Upholstery options - How many different ways can you get this thing done up? The more, the better, since it will allow you to find something that fits your home.

Fabrics - This is like a sub-note of upholstery, but we wanted to mention it. Some brands use nicer weaves than others. All the brands here use materials we like.

Durability - The futon-making mechanism can wear on some models, especially if it's not properly supported from underneath. All these options will last a long time.

Futon FAQs

There's a lot of futon misinformation out there. Let's clear the air.

Are futons comfortable?

For everyday sleeping, not unless you're under the age of 30. But for a few nights' stay, yes! Futons are the best thing you can get besides a proper bed.

Can you make futons more comfortable?

Yes, absolutely. Get a dedicated sheet set, throw, or duvet. Use a mattress topper if you're really worried about comfort.

Can you use a futon as a couch?

Yes! If you're low on space, we love a futon as a couch. All these options are grown up enough to do the job.

Why Trust Esquire?

'Cause we know everything there is to know about furniture, big dog. We've tried every luxury sofa, every cheap sofa, every mattress, every whatever out there. Think of your favorite furniture brand, chances are our editors are in their showroom checking out stock frequently. All this authority is the same reason why we're qualified enough to hand out (highly coveted) Home Design Awards. We're are the thinking man's outlet for interior decorating.

Are we saying we know better than you when it comes to interior design? Well... yes. Joking! We love your vision, no matter what it is. But, it's our job to know about all these sorts of products. We've got a finger on the industry's pulse, and we're always discussing internally about what's cool and what's not, which brands we love and which we are all good on, etc.

If you want to read the full breadth of our home buying and interior decorating expertise, check out our deep home section.

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