Updated : June 6, 2025
Published : May 20, 2025
Help & Advice

When it comes to choosing a sofa bed, there is a single, unromantic truth we cannot ignore – comfort lives and dies by the mattress. You could fall for the silhouette, or be wooed by the upholstery. But if the mattress isn’t up to scratch, you’ll know by morning.

And yet, sofa beds are not standard beds. They fold, they transform, and they multitask. Which means the mattress inside needs to do the same, without compromising sleep.

At Furl, we’ve spent two decades refining our designs to balance flexibility with comfort. All of our sofa beds are made for daily use – designed to feel like real beds, not the spare-room compromises many of us slept on when visiting our grandparents.

So, what kinds of mattresses can you expect to find in a sofa bed – and how do you choose the one that will make guests (or yourself) actually look forward to sleeping on it?

Memory Foam Mattresses

Memory foam has a reputation – and not always the one it deserves. Good memory foam adapts to your shape, offering a balanced mix of support and softness. It’s excellent for pressure relief, especially for side sleepers.

But quality matters. Too firm and it feels unforgiving. Too soft and you’ll sink straight through to the mechanism beneath.

We use high-density, open-cell memory foam in several of our models. Why? Because it breathes, and it rebounds - and because we’ve found the sweet spot between cloud-like comfort and dependable support.

It also folds beautifully, which is absolutely key for sofa beds. Lesser foams can crack or degrade at the creases. At Furl, ours don’t.

Innerspring Mattresses

These are the classics – think traditional spring coils encased in fabric. They offer a bounce that foam mattresses often lack, which some sleepers find essential.

In sofa beds, though, springs come with caveats. Cheap models can poke through or shift over time. But when done right (and we mean properly encased, evenly distributed, and built to fold) they provide a satisfying resilience that holds its shape.

We use a hybrid construction in some of our Furl designs, combining responsive springs with a layer of foam for softness. It’s a best-of-both-worlds option – comfort you can feel, structure you can trust.

Latex Mattresses

Latex is having a quiet renaissance. It’s naturally hypoallergenic, wonderfully elastic, and unusually durable. It also retains its shape without feeling rigid – a major asset in a sofa bed.

Furl doesn’t currently offer latex as a standard option, but for those pursuing custom builds or seeking a more sustainable angle, it’s a material worth considering. (Just be aware – natural latex can be heavier and more expensive.)

Pocket Sprung Mattresses

Pocket sprung mattresses are a refinement of the traditional innerspring. Each coil is individually wrapped, so the mattress can respond to your body with far greater nuance. One person’s movement doesn’t ripple across the whole surface – which can be a godsend if you’re sharing.

In our premium sofa bed range, we integrate pocket sprung cores specifically engineered to fold without stress. It’s a level of performance that feels indulgent but quietly essential – especially if your sofa bed doubles as your main bed.

Foam-Filled Toppers

Not a standalone mattress, but worth mentioning.

Some brands use a thinner base mattress with an optional topper for extra comfort. It’s a modular approach that works well in very compact designs – and it allows you to refresh just the top layer over time.

We prefer to build comfort directly into the base, so you don’t have to fuss. But if you have specific needs or guests who like a plush surface, adding a removable topper can bridge the gap.

How to Choose the Right Mattress for Your Sofa Bed

So, you know the types. But which one suits you?

It depends on use. If you’re shopping for an occasional guest bed, you might get away with a simpler foam or hybrid. But if it’s going to be used as an everyday sleeper, pocket sprung or high-end memory foam is non-negotiable.

We also understand that a lot of the time, it comes down to how the mattress actually feels. Some people need a firmer base – especially those with back issues. Others crave softness. Our advice? Visit a showroom if you really want to be sure. We have two showrooms in London (one near Swiss Cottage, one near the Barbican) and a third in Nottinghamshire.

Ultimately, at Furl, all our sofa beds are built with proper mattresses. No thin fold-out pads, and no squeaky frames.

And because we build everything in our Nottingham workshop – by hand, by people who obsess over details – we can offer bespoke options. Mattress firmness, endless upholstery choices. Even a horizontal opening mechanism, if that suits your space better.

Don’t forget: we also offer multi-functional seating for small spaces, as well as space-saving dining solutions.

Why the Mattress Is Only Half the Story

Here’s the thing – a great mattress on a poor frame is a waste of good sleep.

At Furl, our sofa beds are made to function seamlessly. That means frames engineered for strength and silence, with gas-assisted mechanisms that don’t clatter or catch. Designs are also delivered in parts, so even the most compact flat in Chelsea or the top floor of a block of flats won’t defeat us.

Our beds are designed to be slept on, night after night, and closed again without fuss the next morning.

Still Not Sure?

We get it. Mattresses are personal. Which is why we offer a 14-day trial on many of our sofa beds – and a full, no-quibble return policy (just cover the collection cost).

Want to stick around? Take a look at our blog on everything you need to know about sofa beds – a guide we put together to take you through the process of switching to sofa sleepers.