Sofa Beds

The problem with most sofa beds is that they tend to do one job well and the other job adequately. A sofa bed that looks great and sits comfortably as a sofa often reveals a thin, uncomfortable mattress when the guest actually needs it. And a sofa bed with a genuinely decent sleeping surface can look bulky and awkward as a piece of living room furniture. Knowing what to look for in both functions is the starting point for finding one that works properly as both.

The mechanism is the first thing to understand. Pull out sofa beds have a fold-out frame and mattress stored beneath the seat cushions, which tend to offer the most sleeping surface area and suit regular overnight guests. Click-clack sofa beds recline the backrest flat in a single motion, which is quicker to operate but typically provides a narrower sleeping area. Futon-style sofa beds fold forward rather than back, giving a firm, flat surface that suits occasional use.

Mattress thickness makes a significant difference to sleeping comfort. A mattress of 10cm or less will be felt through by most adults within a few hours, particularly on a pull out frame where the support bars can become noticeable. A thickness of 12 to 15cm is a more realistic minimum for comfortable overnight use, and some premium sofa beds now include pocket sprung or memory foam mattresses that are genuinely comparable to a standalone bed.

Size is straightforward but worth confirming carefully. A single sofa bed opens to approximately 90cm wide, suitable for one adult. A double sofa bed opens to around 140cm, which sleeps two adults comfortably if the mattress quality is good. Corner sofa beds are the largest option, typically opening to a double or larger sleeping area while providing the most seating during the day.

For the sofa side of the equation, pay the same attention to seat depth, fabric, and frame quality that you would with any piece from our full range of sofas and chairs. A sofa bed will be sat on every day and slept on occasionally, so it needs to hold up to regular daily use rather than being treated as a secondary piece of furniture.