Ikea sofa bed mattress upgrades
Better days start with a better sleep.
Perfect fit. Built-to-order. Suited for every sofa bed.
Friheten, Hemnes, and Lycksele Compatibility
Ikea sofa bed mattress upgrades aren’t one-size-fits-all.
Whether you’re trying to make a Friheten more comfortable, replace a worn Lycksele mattress, or find the right thickness for a Hemnes daybed, the solution depends entirely on how the sofa bed is built and its mechanism.
This guide focuses on three common Ikea sleepers — Friheten, Lycksele or Beddinge, and Hemnes — and explains what upgrades actually work, what won’t fit, and how to avoid buying the wrong replacement.
A quick compatibility overview
Not every Ikea sofa bed has a “traditional” and replaceable mattress:
- Friheten (and similar trundle-style models): No separate mattress to swap
- Lycksele / Beddinge: Uses a flexible mattress that can be replaced
- Hemnes daybed: Uses two twin mattresses that stack, so thickness matters as much as size
Remember: Match the upgrade to the mechanism, not the label (“full” / “queen” / etc.). Ikea sizing often follows metric specs, and near-matches can still cause folding and fit problems.
At-a-glance comparison table
What You'll Find In This Article
The Friheten
How it works
The Friheten uses a pull-out trundle that slides forward and lines up with the sofa cushions to form the bed surface. Because the seat cushions are part of what you sleep on, there isn’t a dedicated mattress cavity where a standard replacement mattress can go.
What actually improves comfort on a Friheten
Most comfort upgrades for Friheten fall into two categories:
1) Add a custom-fit topper (the simplest upgrade)
A topper can smooth seams, add pressure relief, and make the surface feel more consistent. The key is choosing a topper that matches the dimensions of the sleeping surface created by the trundle and cushions.
2) Upgrade or refill the seat cushions (the more permanent fix)
If the sofa feels overly firm or the foam has compressed over time, replacing or refilling the cushion foam with higher-density material can improve both sitting and sleeping comfort.
If this is primarily a guest setup, a topper and better bedding can be enough. The main thing to avoid is buying a standard boxed mattress expecting it to fit inside the frame.
The Lycksele & Beddinge
How these models differ from Friheten
Lycksele and Beddinge are accordion-style fold-outs. The “mattress” is also the seat and must repeatedly fold into the sofa shape.
The good news: these mattresses can be replaced. However, the replacement needs to match Ikea’s sizing and folding behavior.
Two reasons replacement mattresses fail
1) Ikea’s sizing is often metric, not standard US sizing
Many models are built around a “European double” size (commonly 140 cm x 200 cm, or 55″ x 79″) rather than a standard “US full” (54″ x 75″). That difference sounds small, but it can be enough to jam in the frame or fold incorrectly.
2) The mattress must be flexible enough to fold cleanly
A replacement that feels great flat can still be a bad fit if it resists bending. Stiffer mattresses may “tent”, bulge, or prevent the sofa from closing properly.
What to look for
Prioritize a replacement designed specifically for fold-out/accordion use:
- Flexible construction that bends at fold points without fighting the mechanism
- Supportive foam that doesn’t collapse quickly under repeated folding
- Correct dimensions based on your frame measurements (not the name of the model alone)
The Hemnes
How it works
The Hemnes is a daybed, not a fold-out sleeper sofa. It pulls out to form a larger sleeping area using two twin mattresses placed side-by-side. In daybed mode, those two mattresses stack, which creates a unique constraint: thickness matters.
The safest Hemnes approach: two low-profile mattresses
To keep the daybed functional and comfortable in “sofa mode,” use two low-profile twin mattresses — typically 4 to 5 inches thick each. Thicker than 5 inches often creates a stacked height that feels awkward and can interfere with the backboard and overall fit when stacked.
A practical buying approach for Hemnes:
- Choose two matching mattresses (same height and feel)
- Keep each mattress low profile
- Focus on support, since the daybed platform is often used more regularly than a guest-only sleeper
Need help choosing the right mattress?
We’ll help you find the right fit — no pressure, just expert advice.
Why foam density matters (especially on Ikea slats)
Foam density is one of the biggest factors in how long your mattress will stay comfortable. On Ikea sofa beds, this matters even more because many models use widely spaced wooden slats instead of solid platforms.
Lower-density foam tends to compress more quickly, sag between slats, and create pressure points over time.
Higher-density foam (typically around 1.8 lb/ft³ or higher) holds its shape longer, distributes weight more evenly, and helps reduce the “ribbed” feeling that can come from slatted support systems.
Many Ikea sleepers (especially Lycksele/Beddinge) rely on wide wooden slats. Lower-quality foam can sag between slats, which contributes to an uneven feel and faster wear. For replacement foam mattresses, look for higher-density foam (commonly referenced around 1.8 lb+ density) because it holds shape better and bridges slat gaps more effectively than low-density foam.
Common mistakes when upgrading an Ikea sofa bed mattress
Many comfort issues come from choosing the wrong type of upgrade, not just the wrong firmness. Here are the most common mistakes to avoid:
- Buying a standard “full” mattress for a Lycksele or Beddinge: Even small size differences can prevent proper folding or damage the frame. Sofa beds are typically made in unique sizes.
- Using a thick mattress on a fold-out mechanism: Most Ikea frames are designed for low-profile mattresses. Extra thickness creates resistance during folding and can strain the hardware.
- Ignoring flexibility requirements: A mattress that doesn’t bend easily can bulge, tent, or stop the sofa from closing properly.
- Choosing low-density foam: Lower-quality foam breaks down faster—especially over slats—leading to sagging and uneven support.
- Overstacking a Hemnes daybed: Using thick mattresses makes the sofa mode uncomfortable and can create awkward proportions when stacked.
How to measure your Ikea sofa bed before you buy anything
If you don’t know the exact model, or you bought it secondhand, measure first. Start with these steps:
- Find the product tag (often under the frame, beneath cushions, or under the pull-out section).
- Measure in centimeters, then convert if needed — this aligns with Ikea’s specs and makes Euro sizes easier to identify.
- Measure the functional space, not the assumed size label:
- Width at the tightest point
- Length of the sleeping platform
- Any thickness clearance required for folding/stacking
Questions and Answers
How do I identify which sofa bed brand I have?
Check under the seat cushions for a manufacturer tag or label. If you don’t see anything there, inspect the sleeper’s metal hardware: many mechanisms have a stamp, sticker, or etched marking on the metal frame that can reveal the manufacturer or mechanism maker.
Can I put a regular mattress on my sleeper sofa?
No — and it’s one of the fastest ways to damage the mechanism.
A standard mattress is often 10–14 inches thick, while most Sleeper Sofa mechanisms are engineered around low-profile mattresses (commonly 4–5 inches) so the bed can fold and store inside the sofa. When you try to force a full-thickness mattress into that folding path, the sofa may not close, or it may close only if you shove and compress it aggressively.
That extra bulk puts stress where the mechanism isn’t meant to flex. Over time, that can bend the frame and even shear rivets at the pivot points. If your replacement goal is “better sleep,” a properly fitted low-profile upgrade gets you there without breaking the hardware.
Why is my sofa bed mattress shorter than a normal queen?
Because many Sleeper Sofas don’t use a standard 80″ queen length. They use what’s commonly called a short queen, often around 60″ wide x 72”–74″ long — a sizing pattern that shows up with brands like Ethan Allen and Haverty’s.
The reason is simple physics: the mattress has to fold and fit inside the couch cavity. In many designs, an 80″ length just won’t travel through the folding geometry or fit inside the closed sofa shell.
