Standard Futon Dimensions: All Sizes & Types (with Photos)

A futon can be an excellent addition to any home. It is a versatile furniture item, providing you with extra seating wherever you choose to place it. A futon can even double as a guest bed if you’re having lots of people over!

Do you have any empty area in one of the rooms of your home? If so, measure that space before making a trip to Ikea. There needs to be enough space for a closed and open futon.

You may have no problem fitting a closed futon in your house. A closed futon is very similar to a couch, with a width not usually more than 42 inches. However, when it is open, a futon can be anywhere from 54 to 75 inches in width.

It is also important to make sure there is adequate walking room around the futon. Could you reasonably move about comfortably with a 75 inch wide open futon in the room? If not, you will want to opt for a smaller version or a simple couch instead.

If you’re placing a futon in your living room, make a note of other furniture in the room. A couch (in this case, a futon) should be about 16 inches from a coffee table. Could you open a queen-size futon in your living room without having to rearrange all of the furniture? If not, opt for something smaller.

A futon can be an excellent substitute for a bed in a guest bedroom. Just be sure that you have enough wall and floor space to accommodate your desired size. Queen and full-size futons can sleep two and twin and cot-size fit one. If your guests come in pairs, keep this in mind when purchasing a futon. A twin-size will make quite a tight squeeze!

If you want to maximize the futon’s seating space, opt for a full or queen-size if there’s space. If you require more seating but have a smaller space, go for a split model or tri-fold futon.

A tri-fold frame folds in three places to create the seat, the back, and the lower portion. This frame works with twin, full, and queen-size mattresses and uses more floor space than a bi-fold. Most mattresses for tri-fold frames are thinner since they will likely have to fold or hang over the back.

Twin-size futon mattresses are usually around 75 inches long and 39 inches wide when opened. A full-size mattress has the same length along the wall but is slightly wider at 54 inches when open. Queen-size mattresses are the largest at 80 inches long and 60 inches wide when open.

Chair futons are limited to twin or cot-size mattresses, meaning they only provide space to sit and sleep for one. Cot-size varieties are about 28 inches long and 75 inches from the wall to the ottoman when open. Twin-size types are about 39 inches long and 75 inches from the wall to the ottoman when open.

The excessive length from the wall to the ottoman when open is how placing a chair-style futon can become tricky. This type of futon sticks out farther from the wall than other types of futons.

Therefore, consider putting it in a corner instead of flush against a wall. You can also frame it with other furniture pieces to make the whole design work well.

Another variety of sleeper sofa is the Twilight Sleeper Sofa by Fleming Busk. This still manages to resemble a futon by offering sleeping and seating options. However, it also lacks the bulky frame that usually accompanies a futon, which makes it ideal for smaller spaces.

Another element that sets this type of sleeper sofa apart is its adjustable bolster pillow. This long, cylindrical pillow typically rests on top of the cushion but can be raised for more back support.

When in sofa mode, the Twilight Sleeper Sofa is 79 inches long and 34 3/14 inch deep. Because of its length, it can seat about three people.

Related Questions

What is the difference between a sofa bed and a futon?

While both offer a place to sit and sleep, a sofa bed and futon are not the same. One of the most significant differences is the placement of the mattress. In most typical pull-out sofa beds, the mattress is hidden under the frame when in couch form.Alternatively, the mattress of a futon doubles as the seat cushions when in couch form. Also, to convert a futon into a sleeping position, you typically put the back of it down. With a standard sofa bed, you generally remove the cushions and pull the bed out of the frame. Still, a sofa bed is technically any piece of furniture that resembles a couch and converts into a place to sleep. In this sense, you could consider a futon as one type of sofa bed.

Do they make king-size futons?

While king-size futons do exist, they are much less popular than full and queen-size futons. A king-size bed is usually 76×80 inches. A king-size futon takes up about 80 inches of wall space and has a depth of 76 inches when open. Because of its sheer size alone, a king-size futon can be more difficult to convert into a bed. This large futon also takes up a significant amount of floor and wall space. However, a king-size futon will provide more space for sleeping and sitting. These are important things to consider before purchasing a futon, especially if you’re torn between a queen and king futon.