IKEA Friheten Sleeper Sofa 🛋️ (Review!)
What is the Friheten Sleeper Sofa?
This is a very specific, very popular piece of furniture. It is a "hero" of the IKEA lineup. It is one of the most popular sleeper sofas in the world. Why? Because it is a 3-in-1 "transformer." It is a:
- 1. Stylish L-shaped Sectional Sofa.
- 2. Hidden "Guest Bed."
- 3. Secret "Storage Box."
The 3-in-1 System (The "Pros") ✅
This is why the sofa is so popular. It solves three problems at once.
1. The Chaise ("L-Shape")
This is the "sofa" part. It is an "L-shaped" sectional. This is a great design for a living room. It is great for "lounging." You can put your feet up. You can "cuddle" in the corner. It is the perfect "Netflix" spot. It also "defines" a room. It "frames" your living space. It creates a "zone."
2. The Storage (The #1 "Magic" Pro!) 🪄
This is the best feature of the Friheten. By far. This is the 10/10 "hack." The "chaise" (lounge) section is hollow. The seat is on a "hinge." You just lift the lid. (It has a "soft-lock" to stay open). ( It is a GIANT, hidden, storage chest! 📦 This is the perfect place to store... ...your guest pillows. Your guest blankets. Your sheets. (We will cover the real hack for this later. It involves a "topper"). (
3. The Price (The "IKEA" Pro) 💰
This is the other big "pro." It is affordable. A new, "non-IKEA" sleeper sectional... ...can cost 2,000, 3,000, or 4,000. The Friheten is a fraction of that price. It is the #1 "budget" option... ...for this category of furniture.
The "Sleeper" Part (The Bed Mechanism) 🛌
How does the "bed" work? This is a key feature of the Friheten. It is NOT a "traditional" sleeper. A "traditional" sleeper... ...has a "fold-out" metal frame. And a thin, 4-inch mattress. (The "bar-in-the-back" kind). ( The Friheten is different. It is a "pull-out" or "drawbridge" style. How it works: 1. You remove the back cushions. (This is the "annoying" part). ( 2. You pull a "drawer" (the "trundle")... ...out from under the "sofa" part. (It is on wheels). ( 3. This "drawer" (a framed cushion)... ...rises up to meet the height... ...of the "sofa" and "chaise" cushions. The "Bed" is a combination of 3 parts:
- Part 1: The "Chaise" Cushion (The "Top")
- Part 2: The "Sofa" Cushion (The "Middle")
- Part 3: The "Pull-Out" Cushion (The "Bottom")
The "Cons" (The 4 HUGE Drawbacks) 🚫
This is the "honest" part of the review. This is why it is a "budget" item. It is not a perfect product.
1. The "Sit" is FIRM. (Like, REALLY Firm). 🧱
This is the #1 complaint. The Friheten is not a "fluffy, plush" sofa. You will not "sink" into it. The "sit" is very firm. Some say it is "hard as a rock." Why? Because the "sofa cushions"... ...are also the "mattress." They must be firm, to be a "bed." If they were "plush" and "soft"... ...the "bed" would be a saggy disaster. The Verdict: If you like a "firm, supportive" sofa, you are fine. If you want a "cloud" to sink into... ...you will HATE this sofa. Go to IKEA. Sit on it first.
2. The "Bed" is ALSO Firm.
This is Con #2. The "bed" is also very, very firm. Why? You are (literally) sleeping on your sofa cushions. They are firm. This is not a "plush" guest bed. It is a "firm" guest bed. It is better than a leaky air mattress. (100%). ( But it is not a luxury hotel bed. (We will fix this later). (
3. The "Crack" (The "Gap" Problem) 😖
This is the real "bed" problem. It is the new "bar-in-the-back." The bed is three separate cushions. (The "sofa," "chaise," and "pull-out"). ( This means there are gaps (or "cracks")... ...where the cushions meet. There is a big "crack"... ...right down the middle of the bed. Your body (your back, your hip)... ...will "sink" into this "crack" all night. It is very uncomfortable. It is the #1 "sleeper" flaw of this design.
4. The "Handedness" Trap (The #1 Mistake!) 🔑
This is the #1 mistake people make. The "handedness" of the chaise. You must choose:
- LAF Chaise: ("Left-Arm Facing"). (
- RAF Chaise: ("Right-Arm Facing"). (
The ULTIMATE HACK: The Mattress Topper ☁️
This is the most important hack. This is the solution. This hack fixes the "firmness" (Con 2). And it fixes the "crack" (Con 3). How do you make the bed comfortable? You buy a MATTRESS TOPPER. 💡 This is the #1, non-negotiable secret. It is a total game-changer. What to buy: A 2-inch or 3-inch Memory Foam Topper. ( The Friheten bed is a "Full" / "Double" size. (It is not a Queen). ( A Full-Size topper is perfect. A 3-inch topper is best. It is pure luxury. How to use it: 1. Pull out the sleeper sofa bed. (The full "rectangle"). ( 2. Unroll your 3-inch foam topper. Place it on top of the firm cushions. 3. Make the bed. Use "Full" size sheets. Put the fitted sheet over both the topper and the sofa. The Result: 🪄 You have just performed magic. The topper is now your real mattress. The 3 inches of foam are your new sleep surface. The topper 100% hides the "crack". It 100% hides the "firmness." It turns a "firm, lumpy" bed... ...into a plush, comfortable, 5-star hotel bed. ✨ This is the best 80 you will ever spend. Your guests will be shocked. They will thank you for a great night's sleep. 💖
The "Magic Synergy" (The FINAL Hack) 🪄
This is the core of this article. This is the "aha!" moment. We have a new "problem." The Topper Storage problem. A 3-inch Full topper is bulky. It is not small. Where do you put this giant topper... ...when your guests leave? (And the pillows? And the blankets?). ( You cannot fold it into the sofa! 🚫 (Do not even try. You will break the mechanism). ( So... where do you hide it? In a closet? Under your own bed? The SOLUTION: The STORAGE CHAISE! 💡 (See Benefit #2!). ( The giant, hidden, storage chest... ...is the PERFECT size... ...to store your rolled-up topper. (Or "bi-fold" topper). ( And it will also fit your guest pillows. And your guest blankets. This is the 100% perfect, "self-contained" solution. The sofa is the bed. And the chaise is the linen closet. This is the magic synergy of the Friheten. It is the #1 reason to buy it.
How to Buy (The 4-Step Test) 🛒
This is a huge, heavy, expensive purchase. You must plan your purchase.
1. Measure EVERYTHING. 📏
This is the most critical step. Do not "eyeball" it. Get a tape measure. 1. Measure your ROOM. (Will the "L" shape fit?). ( 2. Measure your DOORWAYS. The Friheten comes in giant, flat-pack boxes. (This is IKEA). ( They are very long and very heavy. Will they fit up your stairs? Or around your narrow hall? Or in your elevator? Measure the elevator! This is the #1 "delivery day" nightmare. 3. Measure the "OPEN" Bed. How far does the bed come out? (Will it hit your TV? Will it block a door?). (Measure, measure, measure.
2. Test the "Sit."
Go to IKEA. Find the Friheten. (It is always on display). ( Sit on it. For 5-10 minutes. Feel the firmness. Is it too firm for you? Be honest. This is the 99% "sofa" job. If you hate the "sit," do not buy it.
3. Check the "Handedness" (LAF vs. RAF)
This is the "trap" we discussed. You must choose the right one for your room. Stand in front of the sofa. Do you want the chaise on your left? (LAF). (Or your right? (RAF). ( You cannot change it later. Choose wisely!
4. The "Assembly" (The Con) 🔧
This is an IKEA product. It does not come in one piece. It is a "flat-pack." It comes in 3-4 massive, heavy boxes. You must assemble it. You will need 2 people. You will need 2-3 hours. You will need patience. The instructions are (mostly) just pictures. Be prepared. (Or, pay for the "assembly" service! It is often worth it). (
Conclusion: The "Budget" King
The IKEA Friheten is a "Budget King." It is the #1 value in sleeper sectionals. It is a sofa, a lounger, and a bed. And its own linen closet. It is not a "luxury" sofa. The "sit" is very firm. The "bed" is very firm. And the "bed" has a "crack" in the middle. The "Hack" is MANDATORY: 1. You must buy a 2-3 inch Foam Topper. (This fixes the "firmness" and the "crack"). ( 2. You must use the Storage Chaise... ...to hide the topper. This "topper + storage" combo... ...is the secret. It makes the Friheten... ...the smartest piece of furniture... ...for a small space. 🌟