A wall hugger futon is specially designed to allow the futon to convert between being a bed and a couch without it needing to move position. These futons are designed with a mechanism and a base that can be placed near a wall, hence the name, while in the form of a couch. When the futon is changed into a bed, it shifts so it flattens out like other types of futons, but does not have to be moved away from the wall it is near. A wall hugger futon can be utilized to make better use of space in a small room and is often easier to use.
Futons are pieces of furniture designed to be usable as either a couch or a bed. They will usually consist of a large mattress placed on top of a frame, the mattress is stuffed and padded but does not contain springs or other items that would make it rigid in form. The frame is designed to lie flat, but have a mechanism that allows it to be folded, bringing one side up to become the back of a couch. This then locks into place, the mattress folds with the frame, and the futon is able to then be sat on like a couch.
With a wall hugger futon, the entire process is possible without ever having to move the frame or mattress from its position near the wall. Most futons can be placed against a wall while in the form of a couch, but have to be pulled away before flattening into a bed. A wall hugger futon switches between a bed and a couch, but does not change how far back it goes, allowing it to remain against a wall.
This is typically accomplished by constructing the futon with a somewhat larger base than standard futons have. The mechanism of a wall hugger futon allows it to shift forward slightly when changed from a couch to a bed, so the mattress moves away from the wall as it is flattened. This means that the base remains close to the wall and the flat mattress will be as close to the wall as the top of the back of the frame is when used as a couch. A wall hugger futon is ideal for rooms that are somewhat smaller, so the futon remains as close to a wall as possible in either form, and for people who do not want to move the futon when changing it between forms.