Sofa Bed vs Sleeper Sofa vs Futon: What’s the Difference?

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    Have you ever been confused about the right name for a piece of furniture? If so, then you’re not alone! At Sofa Dreams, we’ve come across quite a few different names that all refer to the same pieces, so we know all too well that things can be kind of muddy when talking about home furnishings.

    Contrary to popular belief, sofa beds and sleeper sofas weren’t originally the same thing. Traditionally, Sleeper sofas were any sort of regular-sized sofa that could be converted into a bed. Sofa beds were supposed to be more dedicated beds that could also act as a sofa during the daytime.

    Over the years, designers have combined different pieces of furniture to the point where you might be able to find a single one that satisfies both requirements. Futons, however, are quite entirely different.

    Defining Different Types of Living Room Beds

    In theory, you could call all of these living room beds, since they’re pieces of furniture that could be used in a living room while still serving the role of bedding to sleep on at night. Originally, a futon was a type of mattress that could be rolled out on the floor. They were and still are a feature of traditional Japanese bedroom design.

    Western interior decorators eventually designed a frame to put these on, which folds up to become a couch during the day. This is in contrast to, say, the San Francisco U-shaped sectional. That piece of furniture could be called a sofa bed in its truest sense since it features a complete integrated bedding section into it.

    You’ll also come across recliner sofas like the Aurelio, which integrate something similar to an armchair directly into the couch itself. While these aren’t designed primarily with sleeping in mind, they bare mentioning due to the often confusing nomenclature. Regardless of what you call them, they’re certainly comfortable.

    There are also large options, like the Jacksonville Design Sectional and the Charlotte sectional that incorporate a shaped section into the ends that could serve as a bed. These, again, would constitute more of a traditional original sofa bed design, but there’s no reason that you couldn’t also simply use them as a very comfortable piece of home theater or living room furniture. It’s all up to the floor plan and the layout of your home.

    Apartment dwellers and those who have guests might want to consider a fold-out sleeper sofa that incorporates a bed tucked away inside of it. Keep in mind that none of these definitions even touch the various types of upholstery styles on the market, so you’ll have plenty of choices.

    Deciding Between Sofa Beds & Sleeper Sofas

    Interior design specialists are constantly coming up with new furniture designs to meet the needs of those in different sized dwellings. No matter where you need to fit a piece of furniture, make sure to contact us online and let us know more about the kind of surroundings and floor layout that you’re dealing with. Our crews will be able to make suggestions and help you pick out a perfect European-style sofa that will meet your needs.

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