Futons and sofa beds are a fantastic option for those with limited space in their home or on a budget that does not stretch to the purchase of a separate sofa and bed, but when it comes to the two items, there appears to be a little confusion. Many people believe that a sofa bed and a futon are the same thing, and while they do serve the same purpose, there are some rather glaring differences that set the two apart.

The first major difference comes with style and comfort, with the sofa bed having the appearance of a traditional sofa, with the bed part hidden comfortably underneath the cushions. On the other hand, a futon usually looks like a bed frame that has been folded in half – and that is essentially what it is. The conversion from sofa to bed is normally achieved by adjusting the frame from upright to horizontal, with the single pieced seat cushion turning into a mattress. Given that you can choose the mattress style on a cheap sofa bed, it is usually a much more comfortable option than the ultra-thin mattress style of a futon.

It’s All In The Colour

Sofa beds come in definite colours that can only be changed with the purchase of a new unit, whereas a futon has an interchangeable cover over the mattress. This means that if the colour or pattern on the cover becomes faded, or if the colour and style of your room changes, you can simply change the mattress cover to accommodate that change in style. If that re-design means having to move your furniture around, then you will quickly discover another big difference between the two.

Futon frames are generally lightweight and the mattress can be easily moved independently of the frame, further reducing the weight. That same option does not apply to sofa beds, and moving that sofa and bed combo can, at times, be more than a little trying.

The final factor that sets the two apart is price; the sofa bed is a much more durable piece of furniture, so it’s no real surprise that the price difference between a cheap sofa bed and futon can run into hundreds of pounds. The only way to decide which way of the two to go with really comes down to what the main function of the piece is to be used for. If it’s more sofa than bed, then a sofa bed is the best option, but if it’s just being used in a spare bedroom and will be lightly used, then a futon may well be the better, cheaper option.

Click here for a full list of low cost sofa beds and futons available to customers in the United Kingdom.