I purchased this futon with my own money for my home office. Novogratz did not contact me, pay me, or provide any free product before writing this review. I do partner with retailers like Amazon, so some links may be affiliate links. I spent so much time researching futons before making this purchase that I felt compelled to share my experience to help others in the same position.
If you’ve ever spent months searching for a futon that doesn’t look like it belongs in a freshman dorm room, you know the struggle is real. I went through exactly that experience before finally pulling the trigger on the Novogratz Brittany Futon in camel faux leather for around $300. Spoiler: I’m genuinely happy with it.
What I Was Looking For During my Futon Search:
I needed a couch for my home office that looked polished and professional on video calls, with a mid-century modern style that felt intentional rather than like an afterthought. My fiancé and I have friends and family visiting almost every weekend, and with our guest room filling up fast, I also wanted something that could replace our air mattress for overflow guests. My budget was around $500.
That combination of stylish, compact, sleeper-capable, and under $500 turned out to be surprisingly hard to find. Furniture stores had beautiful wooden futons but they were oversized and at least $1,000. Big box stores like Walmart, Target, and IKEA had futons in the $200 range but they screamed college dorm. And shopping online was its own headache since so many futons appeared to be the exact same product with different brand names slapped on them across every platform, which made it really hard to trust what I was buying.
I eventually landed on Novogratz after researching the brand. They’re run by an interior designer couple based in California with the mission of building affordable furniture that actually looks good. Their reviews across platforms felt legitimate. At $300, it came in well under my budget, and I later noticed people reselling the same futon on Facebook Marketplace for over $400, which felt like a good sign.
The Novogratz Brittany Faux Leather Futon Review
Design: Nailed It
The camel faux leather with ribbed tufted cushions, curved armrests, and angled oak-colored wood legs is genuinely attractive. It has a clean mid-century modern look that feels elevated, not like a budget piece at all. Multiple people have seen it in my office and assumed it cost significantly more than $300.
At 81.5 inches wide, it fits in my home office without dominating the room, and it looks exactly like the professional backdrop I wanted behind me on video calls. The camel color specifically has a warm, rich tone that photographs beautifully. This was the main reason I bought it and it exceeded my expectations.
I was also considering adding this to the middle of a room instead of against the wall, so I really liked how the back of the backrest was covered in the faux leather fabric instead of the cheap, black fabric used by other brown leather couches.
Comfort: Firm but Functional
The cushions are firm and supportive rather than plush and sink-in. For sitting 30 minutes to an hour at a time it’s completely comfortable, and the faux leather feels smooth and better quality than I expected. However, I want to be upfront about the limits:
- This is not the couch you want to melt into for a 6-hour TV binge
- It’s better suited for upright sitting than extended lounging
- As a guest bed it works well. I’d be perfectly happy sleeping on it at a friend’s house and it’s a real step up from an air mattress
If you’re looking for a primary living room couch with deep, plush comfort, keep looking. For a home office or guest sleeping situation, it hits the mark.
Functionality: Smooth and Simple
The split-back design lets each side of the backrest convert independently. You just pull it forward and it automatically unlocks and drops flat. No wrestling with the mechanism, it just works. When laid flat, extra back legs deploy to keep the sleeping surface stable and sturdy. One adult fits comfortably; two would be cozy but doable.
Assembly: Easy, With One Big Caveat
The assembly itself is simple and took me about 30 minutes. The futon arrives mostly pre-assembled and all you need to do is add the armrests and legs using the included tools and hardware. The instructions are clear and easy to follow.
A few things worth knowing before you start:
- The armrests are hidden inside the seat cushions. Unzip the underside of the seat to find them. I wish someone had told me this upfront.
- This futon is heavy at 83.5 lbs and the two halves come pre-attached, so you can’t break it into pieces to carry through your home.
- I rolled it up my driveway solo on a dolly, but needed a second person to get it up the stairs. If your room involves stairs, have help ready before the delivery arrives.
Durability: Too Early to Say, But One Complaint
Two months in and it’s holding up well with no new signs of wear or structural concerns. That said, my futon arrived with scuff marks and small imperfections in the faux leather right out of the box, which was disappointing for a brand-new purchase. They are minor and they don’t ruin the couch, but it’s worth knowing.
Long-term durability is the one area where online reviews were mixed before I bought it, mostly around how faux leather holds up over years of heavy use. For light daily use in a home office I’m not concerned, but if you’re buying this for a high-traffic living room it’s something to keep in mind. I’ll update this review as I learn more.
Verdict
Pros:
- Genuinely stylish mid-century modern design that looks more expensive than it is
- Compact enough for smaller rooms without feeling too small
- Affordable at around $300
- Smooth and intuitive sofa-to-sleeper conversion
- Easy to assemble
Cons:
- Firm cushions aren’t ideal for extended lounging
- Arrived with minor cosmetic imperfections out of the box
- Heavy and requires two people if you have stairs
- Long-term faux leather durability is still TBD
After months of searching, the Novogratz Brittany Futon turned out to be exactly what I was looking for. It looks great, functions well as a guest bed, and at $300, it feels like it should cost twice that. It’s not the right couch for every situation, but for a home office, guest room, or any lower-traffic space where style and function both matter, it’s an excellent buy. I’m genuinely pleased with this purchase and feel like I got real value for the money.
