Short answer: a memory foam sofa uses viscoelastic foam that softens with body heat and slowly moulds to your shape. A regular foam sofa uses polyurethane foam that springs back straight away. Memory foam suits long, still lounging; polyurethane foam suits everyday sitting, sleeping and moving around.
If you have been shopping for a sofa recently, you have probably seen "memory foam" on half the listings. Sometimes it describes a real layer of viscoelastic foam. Often it is used loosely for any soft foam. Below we explain the difference, where each type works best, and what our own sofas are made of, so you can compare like with like.
What is a memory foam sofa?
Memory foam is viscoelastic polyurethane foam. Its defining feature is slow recovery: it softens slightly under body heat, sinks around you and takes a few seconds to return to shape when you stand up. In sofas it is usually a top layer of a few centimetres over a firmer foam base, because a seat made only of memory foam would feel too sinking.
Three terms often get mixed up:
- Polyurethane foam (PU foam) – the standard foam in most sofas and sofa beds. It rebounds quickly and comes in different densities and firmness grades.
- High-density foam – PU foam with a higher density. It is usually firmer and keeps its shape longer under daily use.
- Memory foam – viscoelastic foam with a slow, contouring feel and slow rebound.
Memory foam vs. regular foam at a glance
| Feature | Memory foam sofa | Regular (PU) foam sofa |
| Feel | Slow, sinking, contouring | Responsive, springs back straight away |
| Temperature | Softer when warm, firmer in a cold room; can feel warm | Feels the same in any room temperature |
| Moving and getting up | Harder – you sit "in" the cushion | Easier – you sit "on" the cushion |
| Sleeping on it | Pressure relief, but turning over takes more effort | Even support, easy to change position |
| Price | Usually higher | Wide range; quality depends on density and firmness |
Benefits and drawbacks of memory foam
Benefits: good pressure relief during long, still sitting; little motion transfer when someone sits down next to you; quiet, with no springs.
Drawbacks: it can feel warm in summer and stiff in a cold room; getting up from a deep, contouring seat takes more effort; on a sofa bed, the slow rebound makes it harder to turn over at night. Quality varies a lot, and a thin memory foam topper on cheap foam does not perform like a well-built seat.
Regular foam sofas: pros and cons
"Regular sofa" covers PU foam, fibre, feathers, springs or a mix. A good PU foam seat feels supportive and predictable, stays cool and works for sitting upright, lounging and sleeping. The weak point is cheap, low-density foam, which loses shape faster. That is why the foam specification matters more than the label: a well-specified PU foam sofa can outperform a cheap "memory foam" one.
Which sofa is best for daily use?
Memory foam makes sense if you: spend long evenings lying still on the sofa, like a sinking feel and rarely use the sofa as a bed.
A regular foam sofa is the better choice if you: sit, lounge, work and sleep on the same piece; want easy getting up (children, older family members); sleep on the sofa bed regularly; or live in a warm flat.
How to compare foam sofas before you buy
Ask what the foam actually is
A listing that says "memory foam" may mean a thin viscoelastic topper or the whole cushion. Ask for the foam type, the thickness of each layer and whether the brand publishes a grade or density. A clear specification tells you more than the marketing label.
Check how the sofa behaves as a bed
If you plan to sleep on the sofa, look at the thickness of the foam you will lie on, not only the seat. A foam sofa bed with a thick, responsive mattress is easier to turn over on than a sofa bed with a memory foam topper. Shopping for a sofa bed with memory foam? Read how comfortable a sofa bed can be before you decide.
Look at covers and certificates
Removable covers make a sofa easier to keep clean. Independent certificates such as OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and CertiPUR show that foam has been tested for harmful substances. The foam in Seesofa sofas comes from a manufacturer holding CertiPUR certification and an IATF 16949 quality-management certificate.
What Seesofa foam sofa beds are made of
Our Flow and Flowy sofa beds are all-foam sofas without springs or a fold-out mechanism. They use polyurethane foam T3045, not memory foam. Responsive foam suits both jobs: the same cushions work as a seat during the day and as a mattress at night.
| Flow / Flowy sofa bed | Specification |
| Foam | Polyurethane foam T3045 |
| Mattresses | Two folding foam mattresses, each 100 × 164 × 17 cm unfolded; folded (100 × 82 × 34 cm) they form the seat |
| Seat height | 34 cm |
| Sleeping surface | 200 × 164 cm with both mattresses opened; 100 × 164 cm single bed plus a seat with one opened |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 234 × 99 × 78 cm |
| Base | Frame of metal tubes (Ø 16 mm) around all four sides, 8 colours |
| Covers | Removable with zips, washable |
| Fabric | Flow: GROSSO corduroy, 28 colours · Flowy: AMIGO fabric, 23 colours |
| Price | Flow €1,199 · Flowy €1,299 |
| Made in | Poland (EU) |
To turn the sofa into a bed, stand in front of it and flip the top half of each mattress forward – open both for a 200 × 164 cm bed, or just one for a 100 × 164 cm single bed next to a seat. There is no mechanism: the opened half lies directly on the floor. The same range also includes the Flow Chair (€699, unfolds into an 82 × 164 cm single bed), Flow Corner (€2,199) and their Flowy versions. You can compare everything in the foam sofas collection and order free fabric samples before you decide.
Every Flow/y is made to order, just for you. We don't keep stock, so nothing is produced in vain. It ships within 14 business days, then courier delivery takes 1–5 business days, depending on your country. The warranty is 2 years.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Seesofa Flow a memory foam sofa?
No. Seesofa Flow and Flowy sofa beds are made from polyurethane foam T3045 and have no memory foam layer. The foam is responsive, so the same cushions work as a seat during the day and as a mattress at night. Each folding mattress is 17 cm thick when unfolded, and the foam comes from a CertiPUR-certified manufacturer.
Is a memory foam sofa good for back pain?
Comfort is individual. Some people find the contouring of memory foam relieves pressure on the back, while others find it harder to move and to get up from. A responsive polyurethane foam gives even support and makes changing position easier. If you can, try the sofa in person: ours can be seen in two showrooms in Berlin.
Does a memory foam sofa feel hot?
It can. Memory foam moulds closely to the body and softens with body heat, so it may feel warm in summer and firm in a cold room. Polyurethane foam is less sensitive to temperature and feels much the same in any room. If you tend to sleep hot, a responsive foam is usually the more comfortable choice.
Is high-density foam the same as memory foam?
No. High-density foam is standard polyurethane foam with a higher density, which makes it firmer and helps it keep its shape under daily use. Memory foam is a different, viscoelastic material with slow rebound that softens with body heat. A sofa can use one, the other, or both in separate layers.
Ready to compare? Browse the Seesofa foam sofa beds or order free fabric samples to see the GROSSO and AMIGO colours at home.
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