Updated : September 16, 2025
Published : August 21, 2025
Help & Advice

A sofa bed is one of those ingenious pieces of furniture that manages to be both guest-ready and space-saving - a true workhorse in modern homes. But if you’ve ever slept on one, you’ll know comfort can be hit-or-miss. Which leads to the inevitable question: can you put a mattress topper on a sofa bed?

The answer is: yes, but with caveats. A topper can add plushness and support, but not every style of topper - or sofa bed - is compatible. Below, we’ll walk through what works, what doesn’t, and smarter ways to improve your sofa bed’s sleep quality.

The Role of a Mattress Topper

A mattress topper is essentially a layer of cushioning designed to alter the feel of a mattress. Some are memory foam, contouring the body to relieve pressure points. Others are feather or fibre, adding loft and softness.

For standard beds, a topper is easy - you simply place it on and leave it. But a sofa bed isn’t a standard bed. Its mattress has to fold away into the frame, often compacted into tight sections. Add a thick topper and suddenly the folding mechanism strains, or the frame won’t close properly.

What Works (and What Doesn’t)

Works best:

– Thin toppers (up to 5cm) that roll or fold easily.

– Fibre-filled toppers - lightweight and flexible.

– Purpose-built sofa bed toppers (rare, but available).

Doesn’t work well:

– Dense memory foam toppers - too heavy and rigid for folding mechanisms.

– Extra-thick toppers (7–10cm+) - won’t compress inside the frame.

– Anything with a non-flexible base.

The reality is this: most toppers that feel luxurious on a regular mattress will fight against the practicalities of a sofa bed.

Alternative Ways to Add Comfort

If you’re considering a topper, pause for a moment. A topper may only mask deeper issues, such as an over-thin or poor-quality mattress. Many off-the-shelf sofa beds use cheap foam mattresses that simply aren’t built for nightly sleep.

At Furl, we design sofa beds for daily use - with full-depth mattresses that don’t compromise on support. When the mattress itself is high quality, the need for toppers vanishes. Guests (or you, if you’re using it nightly) wake up feeling rested, not achy.

If you already have a sofa bed and the mattress isn’t working for you, it’s worth exploring whether you can upgrade the mattress itself rather than layering a temporary fix. We’ve broken down every mattress option for sofa beds over on our blog, from coil to pocket spring to memory foam.

Storage and Practicality

Suppose you’ve found a thin topper that works with your sofa bed. Where do you keep it? Unlike a standard bed, there’s usually no under-frame space to slide it away. Which means toppers need to be rolled and stored elsewhere.

This is another reason why many households prefer not to rely on them. The whole appeal of a sofa bed is streamlined functionality: sofa by day, bed by night. Adding an extra layer that has to be stored elsewhere interrupts that flow.

When a Topper Makes Sense

There are times when a topper is genuinely useful:

– Occasional guests: If your sofa bed is only used a handful of times a year, a light topper can boost comfort without long-term hassle.

– Children’s sleepovers: Kids won’t notice the same pressure points adults do - a fibre topper is usually enough.

– Budget stopgap: If replacing the mattress isn’t an option right now, a topper can buy you time.

The key is not to view it as a permanent solution but as an interim one.

Better by Design

Sofa beds have long carried the stigma of being uncomfortable - thin mattresses folded around awkward mechanisms. But designs have evolved. Modern sofa beds, like those from Furl, are built around the principle that a sofa bed should be just as comfortable to sleep on as it is to sit on. That means:

– Proper mattresses (not token pads).

– Mechanisms engineered for daily use.

– Frames delivered in sections so installation never becomes a struggle.

It’s a different philosophy altogether. Instead of patching discomfort with toppers, the furniture itself is designed to deliver comfort and peace of mind. In other words, furniture that transforms for comfort. Just like we do at Furl.

The Verdict

So, can you put a mattress topper on a sofa bed? Yes. But the better question is: should you?

If you’re hosting a guest once in a while, a slim fibre topper can smooth out the edges. If you’re planning regular or nightly use, investing in a sofa bed with a genuinely supportive mattress will save you the faff of toppers, storage, and ill-fitting solutions.

Because in the end, the whole point of a sofa bed is simplicity. One piece, dual purpose, seamlessly shifting between the two roles. When it’s done well, comfort is built-in - not added as an afterthought.