Recommend your most elegant futon
February 25, 2018 11:40 AM Subscribe
You are a grown-up with a refined aesthetic, but you live in an apartment so small that you sleep on a futon or couch bed every night, sometimes with a partner and sometimes alone. This elusive futon/couch is both genuinely attractive and actually comfortable (and ideally it fits into an 81" wide space). What's the brand and where'd you get it?
Posting this because I'm having trouble digging through the litany of "I bought this for my guest room" reviews, which I don't really trust because the thing you buy for short-term, occasional guests and don't sleep on yourself isn't quite the same as the thing you sleep on just about every night. I know all about Ikea already, but I'd love to hear more first-hand reviews of newer "flexible space" items.
For the purposes of this question, price is no limit--although in reality I'm not going to get a $1700 couch unless it turns up on Craigslist for $500, but for now I'll dream.
Posting this because I'm having trouble digging through the litany of "I bought this for my guest room" reviews, which I don't really trust because the thing you buy for short-term, occasional guests and don't sleep on yourself isn't quite the same as the thing you sleep on just about every night. I know all about Ikea already, but I'd love to hear more first-hand reviews of newer "flexible space" items.
For the purposes of this question, price is no limit--although in reality I'm not going to get a $1700 couch unless it turns up on Craigslist for $500, but for now I'll dream.
Response by poster: No, I'm not at all wedded to the idea of a futon, but convertible daybeds seem kinda janky for two people to share. Am I wrong about this?
posted by tapir-whorf at 1:10 PM on February 25, 2018
posted by tapir-whorf at 1:10 PM on February 25, 2018
My tiny apartment has a Murphy bed, which could work well depending on the layout of your apartment. They're expensive new, but I've seen them free on Craigslist or for a few hundred bucks. Mine is queen sized. The ability to have a regular mattress is really helpful. Of course, you'd probably need your landlord's permission to install it, but if it works, I'd recommend it.
posted by pinochiette at 1:19 PM on February 25, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by pinochiette at 1:19 PM on February 25, 2018 [2 favorites]
I can't recommend a particular brand, but in my experience, futons are definitely more comfortable for everyday use than pull-outs or convertible daybeds or Murphy beds. A lot of convertibles tend to have springs, which are less comfy for sharing with a bedmate. A futon with a dense 5"-or-more foam (not coil) mattress is the way I'd go, in this circumstance -- 8", if you can swing it.
Another key term to look for is 'zero clearance' or 'wall-hugger' -- this means you don't have to move your futon away from the wall when you open it up. Since you're going to be doing that daily, and since some futons are pretty heavy, this will make your life easier.
posted by halation at 1:19 PM on February 25, 2018 [2 favorites]
Another key term to look for is 'zero clearance' or 'wall-hugger' -- this means you don't have to move your futon away from the wall when you open it up. Since you're going to be doing that daily, and since some futons are pretty heavy, this will make your life easier.
posted by halation at 1:19 PM on February 25, 2018 [2 favorites]
This is my comment from a recent similar thread:
It looks like the IKEA NYHAMN is the new version of the BEDDINGE. This is the most awesome sofa bed ever for several reasons.
- The mattress folds down the middle! No need to sleep on iron bars or a skinny foldable mattress.
- Comfortable thick mattress.
- It’s big enough for a tall person. It’s 6.5 feet long.
- It folds up and down very easily and the angle of the back can be adjusted into various positions.
- Separate storage containers are available to store linens or other stuff under the bed.
- Price is great.
- Multiple slipcover options.
If there’s an IKEA anywhere near you, you should definitely check this one out. They also have delivery options depending on where you are or you can always find people on Craigslist or TaskRabbit who’d pick it up for you.
posted by bendy at 3:51 PM on February 25, 2018 [2 favorites]
It looks like the IKEA NYHAMN is the new version of the BEDDINGE. This is the most awesome sofa bed ever for several reasons.
- The mattress folds down the middle! No need to sleep on iron bars or a skinny foldable mattress.
- Comfortable thick mattress.
- It’s big enough for a tall person. It’s 6.5 feet long.
- It folds up and down very easily and the angle of the back can be adjusted into various positions.
- Separate storage containers are available to store linens or other stuff under the bed.
- Price is great.
- Multiple slipcover options.
If there’s an IKEA anywhere near you, you should definitely check this one out. They also have delivery options depending on where you are or you can always find people on Craigslist or TaskRabbit who’d pick it up for you.
posted by bendy at 3:51 PM on February 25, 2018 [2 favorites]
You might take a look at Urban Outfitters’ sofas online - they have several that fold down the middle like the Ikea one, but they’re more stylish and cozy looking as sofas. Their prices are good ($500ish). I can’t speak for the current quality, but I did buy a (non-sleeper but one-person sleepable) sofa from them years ago that was a pleasant surprise. It was a bit lightweight and the back was not elegantly finished, but it was durable and the foam held up very well over many years, and whenever my mother came to visit she raved (I kid you not) about how comfortable it was to sleep on. If the quality is still the same, I’d consider it again.
I’ll add too that you can find even more elegant and better made versions of that kind of mid-fold sofa at places like DWR, and maybe also at CB2 or somesuch - so if you’re inclined to dream / wait for the perfect craigslist resale option, you might like to take a look at those too. They’ll be heavier and more long lasting than the UO version I’m sure - depends if you’re looking for a 5-7 year option or something longer.
posted by marlys at 6:39 PM on February 25, 2018
I’ll add too that you can find even more elegant and better made versions of that kind of mid-fold sofa at places like DWR, and maybe also at CB2 or somesuch - so if you’re inclined to dream / wait for the perfect craigslist resale option, you might like to take a look at those too. They’ll be heavier and more long lasting than the UO version I’m sure - depends if you’re looking for a 5-7 year option or something longer.
posted by marlys at 6:39 PM on February 25, 2018
OK so here’s the CB2 version. In the “cost doesn’t matter as much” scenario, personally, I’d probably go for something like this.
posted by marlys at 6:53 PM on February 25, 2018
posted by marlys at 6:53 PM on February 25, 2018
A friend of mine had this futon and it was amazing. Ultra modern look, top quality materials and craftsmanship, utmost comfort. FYI the reseller is showing a full retail price of $3,500 but that was 10-15 years ago, DWR's current futons go for twice as much. I think it's a steal for the price if the as-new condition is true. In fact I just tried to purchase it for myself (I've been chasing this discontinued model for years) but they don't deliver to my city. I hope my loss is your gain :)
Edit: I just found the exact model name. Google "PIETRO AROSIO sleeper" for more photos.
posted by rada at 6:53 PM on February 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
Edit: I just found the exact model name. Google "PIETRO AROSIO sleeper" for more photos.
posted by rada at 6:53 PM on February 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
I own the CB2 thing referenced above. I bought it about 10 years ago and it has held up like a champ -- through 3 apartment moves, one of them cross country, many spills, and multiple cats trying to use it as a scratcher (the fabric is very tightly woven despite the tweedy look, it holds up to cats well). It's very sturdy, and despite its pseudo-MCM vibe, imo it blends well with a range of decor styles.
*However*
It is very firm, rather short, and has no arms. Friends complain about watching movies on it. I'm not sure a 6" person could fully stretch out on it. If you're able to, I would definitely find a CB2 with a floor model and sit on it before purchasing.
posted by mrmurbles at 7:26 PM on February 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
*However*
It is very firm, rather short, and has no arms. Friends complain about watching movies on it. I'm not sure a 6" person could fully stretch out on it. If you're able to, I would definitely find a CB2 with a floor model and sit on it before purchasing.
posted by mrmurbles at 7:26 PM on February 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
Seconding the CB2 thing; we’ve had one in our house for the past several years and it’s shrugged off all we’ve ever thrown at it: two tween boys, 4 large-breed dogs and many cats. On the firm side, yes, but still looks good and is profoundly durable and functional. In the same amount of time, our other “true futon” couch has devolved into a lumpy bag on a pile of splinters.
posted by rodeoclown at 11:24 PM on February 25, 2018
posted by rodeoclown at 11:24 PM on February 25, 2018
Response by poster: FYI for folks who find this thread in the future: I haven't bought it yet (it's new and seems to be out of stock just about everywhere), but I ended up deciding on this marvelous, semi-pricy Flottebo sofa+bed from Ikea. It's an actual mattress with 'sprung'/arched slats like many of Ikea's newer beds have, if 6" narrower than a full-size, and covered with removable/washable upholstery. It comes with these weirdo moveable triangular cushions that don't slip at all when you lean against them. What seems especially neat is that it's pretty modular: the mattress, upholstery, and sofa structure can all be bought separately. Anyway, I'll report back once I have a few nights of actually sleeping on it!
posted by tapir-whorf at 9:29 PM on March 8, 2018
posted by tapir-whorf at 9:29 PM on March 8, 2018
Response by poster: Yet another update: I bought the Flottebo, and Ikea took over a month to deliver it, after giving an initial delivery date and even a specific delivery time when I placed my order (lesson: Ikea only does logistics well on the factory-warehouse-store end, but profoundly sucks at the warehouse-to-you end).
I've been sleeping on it for a few months now, and it's legitimately quite comfortable--a better mattress than any fold-out couch I've ever slept on (and better than every futon, too, although I've probably never slept on an especially nice one), though it's quite firm with slightly squishier-than-I'd-like edges. It's 6" narrower than a full bed, and a couple inches shorter, but roomy enough for two curvy-but-not-fat 5'9" people to share comfortably. It fits regular full-size sheets, and you can store extra bedding under it, which is really nice.
As a couch, I haven't used it much but mostly like it. But when it's made up as a bed, the bolsters have to go somewhere, and they take up a lot of storage space, which largely cancels out the space efficiency of the Flottebo (they don't fit in the linens/bedding storage space under it, for example, and they're very heavy). Also, when you lean against them they absolutely do slide back; they're meant not to, but in reality they have to be positioned against a wall to provide a sturdy backing, otherwise the pressure of leaning against them will make them slide off the back in a minute or two.
In short, I think this is an excellent couch if it's meant to be used primarily as a couch (with the "back" against a wall for support) and occasional guest bed. It's actually a great everyday bed, too, but unless your specific space constraints are so particular that "real" mattress won't work, this is a pretty expensive substitute that comes with some serious drawbacks.
posted by tapir-whorf at 10:32 AM on May 21, 2018
I've been sleeping on it for a few months now, and it's legitimately quite comfortable--a better mattress than any fold-out couch I've ever slept on (and better than every futon, too, although I've probably never slept on an especially nice one), though it's quite firm with slightly squishier-than-I'd-like edges. It's 6" narrower than a full bed, and a couple inches shorter, but roomy enough for two curvy-but-not-fat 5'9" people to share comfortably. It fits regular full-size sheets, and you can store extra bedding under it, which is really nice.
As a couch, I haven't used it much but mostly like it. But when it's made up as a bed, the bolsters have to go somewhere, and they take up a lot of storage space, which largely cancels out the space efficiency of the Flottebo (they don't fit in the linens/bedding storage space under it, for example, and they're very heavy). Also, when you lean against them they absolutely do slide back; they're meant not to, but in reality they have to be positioned against a wall to provide a sturdy backing, otherwise the pressure of leaning against them will make them slide off the back in a minute or two.
In short, I think this is an excellent couch if it's meant to be used primarily as a couch (with the "back" against a wall for support) and occasional guest bed. It's actually a great everyday bed, too, but unless your specific space constraints are so particular that "real" mattress won't work, this is a pretty expensive substitute that comes with some serious drawbacks.
posted by tapir-whorf at 10:32 AM on May 21, 2018
Way belated answer — Cotton Cloud Futons makes great futon frames and mattresses.
posted by cnidaria at 9:56 AM on September 5, 2018
posted by cnidaria at 9:56 AM on September 5, 2018
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by corb at 11:52 AM on February 25, 2018