The Story Behind the Ultimate Bed in a Sofa

The Problem Worth Solving

Let’s face it — most sofa beds are a compromise. Uncomfortable to sleep on. Clunky to use. Built to last a few years at best.
We wanted to fix that.

Our first customer, BobW — one of Europe’s most innovative hospitality brands — came to us with a challenge:

Could we design a sofa bed that’s comfortable enough for daily sleep, yet practical for stylish apartments across Europe?

We said yes — and after a year of intensive design and testing, we delivered a product that exceeded expectations.
Today, BobW’s guests sleep on KOTA sofa beds every night — and their feedback proved what we believed all along: a sofa bed can be amazing.

That first success validated our vision and laid the foundation for something much bigger. We set out to make the best sofa bed in the world — one that combines comfort, design, sustainability, and convenience — and to bring it to homes across Europe and beyond

Born in the Nordics

KOTA was founded in Finland, and its name carries that Nordic spirit. In Finnish, kota means hut or shelter — the ancient root of the word koti, meaning home.

It’s a symbol of warmth, simplicity, and belonging.

In English, KOTA becomes a modern-day dwelling. A place that feels just right.

Our symbol reflects this: clean, Scandinavian lines, spinning open toward new possibilities — always welcoming, never complicated.

The Founders behind KOTA

András Kelemen (left) – The creative force who shaped KOTA’s design identity and gave life to our sofa bed.

Visa Friström (middle) – CEO and first believer in KOTA, driven by the dream of building a company with purpose.

Jukka Salmikukka (right) – COO, who ensures every customer experience is as seamless and enjoyable as the sofa bed itself.