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Yellow is the new Black – Sofabeds upholstered in Yellow Velvet are all the rage

When we think of home furnishings, and in particular sofabeds, many fabric colours and tones spring to mind as the perfect choice for the upholstery fabric.  For some it could be the classic neutral shades, a pallet of creams and beige.  Another choice might be the ever popular variants of grey that will fit with virtually any rooms décor.  However, one choice that might not immediately come to mind is yellow and in particular yellow velvets.  A bold and contemporary choice for sure but not necessarily an obvious one, particularly in older more traditional homes.

 

This though is definitely a trend that is of the moment.  At sofabed.co.uk we have a selection of 27 different sofabeds, boxbeds, corner sofabeds and daybeds.  To complement this, we have a selection of over 130 fabrics that the customer can choose from. As we make all these models to order in our own UK factory in the customers choice of fabric, the combinations of model and fabrics runs into the thousands.  From these thousands of choices there is one fabric that we are seeing customers choosing more and more Yellow and in particular Sandringham Velvet Yellow.  This luxurious fabric works beautifully with more traditional tones, but seems to come into its own in the vibrant yellow colourway.

 

One model that is consistently ordered upholstered in the Sandringham Yellow fabric is the Chelsea sofa bed.  The Chelsea is a contemporary sofabed with angular arms that have integral cushions that perfectly suit the yellow velvet fabric.

 

It is not just sofabeds that are upholstered in Sandringham Velvet yellow fabric, its boxbeds too.  The Cheshire double boxbed is the perfect combination of ottoman and sofabed.  As well as being a great footstool or spare seat it contains a double bed folded into the base.

 

The Cheshire Double Box Bed is the smallest 2 seater sofa bed we offer and it will fit virtually anywhere.  So, if you have a narrow doorway, spiral stairs, an awkward passage or even a caravan or canal boat,  this could be the perfect solution.  Although the Cheshire Double Boxbed is our most compact model to feature a small double bed it is manufactured exactly the same way as our larger more traditional two seater sofabeds.

 

 

The Gothenburg Sofa bed is an armless contemporary compact sofabed that will comfortably seat 2 people. It is an excellent choice for small spaces as it can be manoeuvred upstairs easily.  The Gothenburg Sofabed is supplied fully assembled and ready to use features a fully upholstered solid wooden frame with a foam seat cushion.  The modern styling of the Gothenburg make it a perfect combination with the modern yellow velvet fabric.

 

 

As well as contemporary sofabed designs Sandringham Velvet Yellow can work with tradionally styled sofabed.  And it does not come much more classic than a Chesterfield.  Our Chesterfield sofabed has confirmed itself as one of our top selling models for years and years.  The Chesterfield Sofa bed features a fixed back, scrolled arms, and solid wooden bun feet.  It works well with virtually any fabric, however it looks particularly appealing in Yellow Sandringham Velvet.

 

The Chesterfield Sofabed has a fully upholstered solid wooden frame with a foam back and two foam seat cushions.  Like all our sofabeds the Chesterfield is made to order, in your choice of fabric, in our UK based factories. The Chesterfield Sofa bed is supplied fully assembled and is immediately ready to use.  To transform from a sofabed to a sofa, simply remove the seat cushion and fold out the sofabed action. Once folded out the sofabed becomes a small double bed, which is ideal for guests and sleepovers.  The bed is composed of a foam mattress sitting on a trampoline base, thus mimicking the feeling and comfort of a fully sprung mattress.  As you can see from the picture below it looks perfect in one of our customers homes.

 

 

So, there you have it, four completely different models all in Sandringham Velvet Yellow fabric.  So yellow might well be the new black, especially if it is  Yellow velvet and the stunning range of sofabeds from sofabed.co.ukeds that is.

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Boxbed vs Sofabed – What is the right choice for your home?

A picture of our Cheshire double box bed in the closed position

Sofabeds have been around for years and are a great combination of a guest bed and extra seating – what’s not to love? Sofabeds come in traditional and contemporary styles and in thousands of fabrics and colours.  So it is no surprise that they are found in thousands of homes up and down the country.  However, sometimes you might want that extra bed, but would prefer to not have something as large as a sofa in your room.  In this case a boxbed might be the answer you are looking for.  So what is a boxbed and how does it compare to a traditional sofabed?

 

 

In simple terms a boxbed has the style and look of an Ottoman or large footstool yet inside the base it contains a fold out sofabed action.  A great combination of a compact seat and a guest bed.  Depending on the fabric chosen a boxbed works well in a study, spare bedroom, living room or in almost any room in the house.  The other big advantage is that the boxbed has no arms so will fit through the narrowest of doors and passages.  This makes a boxbed a great choice for lofts, apartments and studio flats that might not be easy to fit a traditional sofabed into.  The boxbed can be tipped on its end and will fit through any opening easily.  So lets have a look at some of the options for boxbeds that could be the perfect choice for your home.

 

 

Some boxbeds contain a small double mattress and some are even more compact and contain a single bed in the base.  One top seller that contains a small double bed is the Cheshire Double Boxbed.  Made to order in the UK the Cheshire box bed features a simple contemporary design that will complement any décor.  The lid has a deep foam top that makes it a practical seat.  The base contains the sofabed action that easily folds out to create a guest bed.  The Cheshire Double Boxbed really is a versatile  item of furniture as there are several options available to suit your requirements.  There is a wide version that increases the bed from a small double to a standard double.  Another alternative is to change the sofabed action to a more robust hotel action.  All these options are available made to order in a choice of over 130 fabrics.  From Faux Leather to velvets and textured plains there is a fabric to suit your homes style.

 

 

Cheshire Box bed shown in Sandringham Velvet Grass Fabric

 

 

Cheshire Double boxbed in Balmoral Midnight fabric

 

 

For single boxbeds the perfect choice is the Sussex Single boxbed.  Similar in design to the Cheshire Double boxbed it has a more compact design.  As the name suggests the Sussex contains a single chairbed action rather than a double sofabed action.  As a seat it has the style of a pouffe or small ottoman and it is made to order in the UK in a large choice of fabrics.

 

 

Sussex Single Box bed shown in Balmoral Fudge Fabric

 

 

So there we have it a few great ideas of boxbeds that will make a great addition to your home and a viable alternative to a traditional sofabed.

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A Selection of Customer Sofabeds

At sofabed.co.uk we have over 130 different upholstery fabrics in our collection. These include luxury velvets in the Sandringham Velvet range and textured plains in the Balmoral and Blenheim Ranges.  We even have faux leathers in the Buckingham collection and patterned fabrics in the Kensington and Highgrove range. Whichever fabric is chosen it can be made to order from a choice of 26 different styles of sofabed, box bed and chaise longue sofabeds we offer.

 

This array of fabric and sofabed combinations means you have literally thousands of combinations to choose from.  Add in options that include wider beds, hotel actions, scatter cushions, arm caps, bolt on arms and storage footstools and the combinations are endless.  This bespoke service means that your sofabed is designed to your exact requirements.  Even better it is made to order in our UK factory and delivered in only 28 days.

 

With this amount of choice, we love to see our sofabeds in our customers home and how they blend with their interior style and décor.  Here are just a handful of pictures that we love.

First up is the Cambridge Chaise longue sofabed made in Buckingham Faux Leather fabric.  We think that the classic elegance of the Chaise Sofabed matches particularly well with the modern feel of a faux leather fabric.

 

 

Next, we have something a bit different, a Devon sofabed made with Sandringham Velvet Jasper fabric. The customers own choice of scatter cushions enables the vibrant peacock fabric to work beautifully with the rest of the room to create a warm and homely feel.

 

 

The Chelsea sofabed is a modern and minimalist design that is often paired with Sandringham Velvet fabric in a bold choice of colour.  So, when we see it work so well with a more traditional patterned fabric it shows off the versatility of the design.  This could not be shown any better than in the pairing of the Chelsea sofabed with Fleur de Lys Green fabric.   A meeting of modern style and traditional elegance that just seems to work.

 

 

Pink is not a colour you would always associate with a sofa, sofabed or in fact any sort of upholstered furniture.  With a traditional scrolled arm and twin seat cushions the Dewsbury sofabed has been a top seller for many years.  We have seen it upholstered in velvet, patterns, plains and nearly every colour in the rainbow. However, it must be said the combination of the Dewbury Sofabed and Balmoral Pink fabric is not a choice we often see.  Having said that it somehow just seems to work.

 

 

 

Sometimes a classic combination is the best combination.  Like when a chaise longue sofabed is combined with  a velvet fabric it rarley fails to impress.  As this customers photogaph of the Sorrento Chaise Longue Sofabed im Sandringham Velvet Lagoon fabric goes to show classic combination just work.  The Sorrento Chaise longue is our newest model of Chaise sofabed but already it is establishing itself as a customers favourite.

 

 

Our final choice isn’t one combination of sofabed and fabric.  Instead it a selection of images that we have chosen to show how the same  model can work brilliantly with a whole host of fabrics.  The Cheshire Box Bed is an ottoman with a sofabed action in the base.  The fist example is the Cheshire Double Box Bed in Sandringham Velvet Yellow

 

 

Next is the Cheshire Double Box Bed in Buckingham Faux Leather Black

 

 

Cheshire Double Box Bed works just as well in Tweed Duckegg

 

 

Finally the Cheshire Double Box Bed is shown in Balmoral Wine.

 

 

So there we have it a great selection of sofabeds that are made to order in our customers choice of fabric.  Your sofabed your way.

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The Best Sofa Beds: The Definitive 2023 Buying Guide

Choosing the right sofa bed for your home is a big decision, but should not be a daunting one. The two main considerations are often style and comfort but are other things that can also play a role.

This sofabed buying guide breaks down everything you may be wondering, whether you’re measuring for a sofabed, learning the best methods of bed care or just deciding what style is right for you. Read on and learn how to find the best sofa bed for your home so guests can have the best night’s sleep possible. 

1. How do you measure for a Sofabed?

There is nothing worse than getting your new sofabed delivered and discovering it is too big or too small for the intended room. To make sure your sofa bed is the perfect fit, we would recommend you to:

  • Measure the length, width and height of where the sofabed will be positioned in your room, accounting for the open size of the sofabed when acting as a supporting bed frame and mattress, as well as noting the position of windows that may need easy access to. Particularly with corner sofabeds, they can at times obstruct access to the windows or blinds.
  • Measure any doors, corridors, pieces of furniture or other structures that might obstruct the sofabed, as many are delivered fully assembled.

All our sofabed model pages feature detailed dimensions so you can get it into your home hassle-free. Our sofabeds are made to order and delivered fully assembled so it is very important that any doors, corridors or other structures you’ll have to get the sofa bed through are measured.

2. What is the best sofabed size?

When it comes to sofabeds, most people will go for a classic two-seater model that contains a small double bed. These are a great choice for any room in the house. You could also go for an upgrade to a wider sofabed, such as a three-seater or chaise, which will give you both a wider seat and a double mattress.

Three-seater sofabed pulled-out in a lit up room
Three-seater sofabed pulled-out in a lit-up room


However, space is at a premium for many people. Spiral staircases, loft conversions, narrow boats, flats and apartments are common places for sofabeds to be used. In these locations, compact sofabeds with no arms or box beds are a great choice for the all-in-one main sofa and sleeping area. In homes where space is not at a premium, box beds can be a great choice for a living room to be used as an ottoman or pouffe.

For even smaller spaces, a single box bed like the Sussex Single Box bed is a good choice. With all the same attributes as a double box bed, it contains a single bed and can be used as a single seat or pouffe.

Sussex single box bed
Sussex single box bed

3. Types of Sofa Bed Mechanisms

There are two main sofabed mechanisms available to buy; a click-clack action and a pull-out action. Over the years, we have had the experience of having manufactured sofabeds with a variety of actions and there are benefits to each type.

Click-clack sofa bed mechanism

A click-clack mechanism is where the seat is slightly pulled forward and the backrest clicks flat to form the bed. This mechanism is the easiest to operate and most space-saving of the two, however, frequent usage of the back will increase the likelihood of wear and tear.

Pull-out sofa bed mechanism

In the pull-out sofa bed, also known as a fold-out sofa bed, the cushions are removed and the bed will pull out from the front of the sofa, lifting the bed from the base. Many sofabed users believe this makes it the best sofabed style as the back remains in place; making it ideal when placed against a wall or in an alcove.

4. Finding the best ‘Sofa’

Sofabeds are often bought for occasional use to go in guest rooms, home offices or other spare rooms. However, in many British homes, the luxury of an extra room is not always common and because of this, overnight guests often stay in the living room. This of course means you need a sofabed needs that is comfortable both as a regular sofa or a sofabed.

Single & Small Sofabeds

Although not the choice for many, a single sofabed can be ideal if you have a low budget and do not want to sacrifice comfort. They are also great if you are working with a small space and need a sofa bed that does not take up a large section of the room. A single-seat cushion fits the bill aesthetically and practically, making a model like the Devon Sofabed an ideal choice.

Single devon sofabed with scatter cushions
Single devon sofabed with scatter cushions

Two & three-seater Sofabeds

The most used type of sofabeds, the two & three-seater take centre stage in the living room as the mantle tieing the room together. Whilst they are heavier than a single, they are easy to tuck away for everyday use and offer a greater level of comfort and support to whoever is sitting. They are naturally heavier to pull out, however, they are the ideal sleeping space if you have two guests.

For soft & squishy double sofabeds, a traditional pair of seat cushions, such as those on the Norfolk Sofabed, fits the bill for many. The back cushion can be fixed, like on the Madrid sofabed, or be cushions, like the Taunton Sofabed. For those preferring a firmer seat, a fixed back might be the best solution.

Two-seater sofabed with scatter cushions
Two-seater sofabed with scatter cushions

5. How to take care of your sofabed?

Sofabeds are designed with functionality in mind and can come in for a lot of use both as a seat and as a spare bed. To keep your sofabed in the best condition possible we have a few handy suggestions.

Arm Caps

Arm caps are a great way to extend the life of your sofa bed. Cut from the same fabric as the sofabed, they blend in perfectly and are shaped to seamlessly sit on the sofabed armrest.

Armcaps on the end of a sofabed
Armcaps on the end of a sofabed

Cushions

Matching scatter cushions are another good option for creating extra comfort and protecting seat cushions. Back cushions are filled with fibre which in time will start to compact if left alone. A good idea is to regularly plump the sofa cushions to maintain their shape and retain their comfort.

Scatter cushions on a sofabed
Scatter cushions on a sofabed

Sofabed Mattress

Unlike a futon, where the mattress is used as a seat and cushion, a sofabed gives you the luxury of a mattress unaffected by daily usage. Depending on the size and type of sofabed, there are many mattress types ranging from standard or pocket-sprung mattresses to latex or memory foam mattresses.

What is the best mattress for a sofabed? Whether you have a single-size or king-size sofabed, it depends on who is sleeping on it. If you have a regular guest that will be using it, it’s a good idea to ask about their mattress preference.

In case your guest is struggling to sleep, a mattress topper can add an extra layer of comfort and support, helping them fall asleep on the now-comfortable sofabed.

Mattress toppers are great for extending the life of the mattress, as it decreases pressure applied on the springs and slows down natural wear and tear. They are also a lot easier to wash than the mattress itself; rather than spending potentially hundreds on professionally cleaning or even replacing it, you can throw the wine-spilt mattress topper straight in the wash with a stain remover and have it back on the sofabed in hours.

All the fabrics on sofabed.co.uk are contract-grade fabrics with a high Martindale rub count. This means that they will last for years to come. As they are made from upholstery-grade man-made fibres they will be naturally resistant to stains. Should something become spilt on a sofabed we would recommend wiping this up immediately and for ongoing cleaning the use of a damp cloth.

6. Types of Sofa Bed: Classic vs Contemporary

Some styles never go out of fashion and others are temporary fads. One thing for sure though is choosing between classic or contemporary is all down to personal preference. It is also possible to make a classical sofabed contemporary by pairing it with a modern fabric.

Some sofabeds, like the Chesterfield, have never gone out of fashion. When paired with a classic fabric they add elegance and style to any room. Others like the Chelsea are bang on trend particularly when covered with vibrant velvet.

Contemporary two-seater sofabed with scatter cushions
Contemporary two-seater sofabed with scatter cushions

7. Sofabeds Made to Meet Your Dreams

Like most household items, sofabeds come in many shapes, sizes, and prices. Some retailers choose to sell cheap imports that are available in one colour, whilst others offer a completely bespoke service down to underside thread count.

Both have their advantages. The off-the-shelf imports are typically cheaper compared to bespoke, how, the benefit of a custom sofabed greatly outweighs the additional costs. At sofabed.co.uk, you choose the model, the fabric, the size and additional upholstery options including whether you want a memory foam mattress or spring type and scatter cushions.

 

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10% Off the Chester Corner Sofabed

To celebrate the launch of the Chester Corner Sofabed we have a fantastic introductory offer – 10% off.  To activate this offer use code “chester10” at checkout

like all our sofabeds the Chester Corner Sofabed is made to order in your choice of fabric, direct from the manufacturer.

The Chester Corner Sofabed

The Chester Corner Sofabed open

The Chester Corner Sofabed arm

 

 

 

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Spring Sales Event – Hereford Sofabed 20% off

Spring heralds a superb offer from sofabed.co.uk.  The Hereford sofabed is now avialable with 20% off.  To activate this great offer use code Hereford20 at checkout.  This code will take 20% off the cost of the Hereford plus 20% off any extras selected.  This sale runs until the end of April 2020.

Hereford Sofabed shown in Sandringham Velvet

Hereford sofabed in Faux Leather

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New Fabrics

We are delighted to annonuce the addition of four new fabrics in our popular Tweed range.  Tweed Light Grey, Fudge and Grey are modern tweed that offer a tactile and robust finish that will complement and decor.  As well as these “plain” tweeds we have also added something a little different with a Tweed Herringbone fabric in a light grey finish.  All these new tweeds will look the part on our full range of bespoke manufactured sofa beds.  These new fabrics are in stock now and are available to try before you buy with our free fabric swatch service.

Tweed Fudge Fabric

Tweed Herringbone Light Grey Fabric

Tweed Light Grey Fabric

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Brand New Fabric Range – Blenheim

January 2022 sees the introduction of a fantastic range from sofabed.co.uk – Blenheim.  The Blenheim fabric range can be chossen for any of our 16 models of sofabeds and is available in 8 colourways – Blenheim Stone, Blenheim Shark, Blenheim Mercury, Blenheim Slate, Blenheim Natural, Blenheim Biscuit and Blenheim Espresso.

With a lovely tactile feel and a natural look Blenheim is a great addition to our range of sofabed fabrics.  Made from man-made fibre Blenheim has a high Rub Count making it ideal for regular use and it will last for years to come.  Tested and compliant to the latest UK Fire Regulations the covers can be wipe cleaned .

Blenheim Natural Sofabed Fabric

Blenheim Espresson Fabric

Blenheim Biscuit Fabric

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The Definitive Sofa bed Buying Guide from sofabed.co.uk

Choosing the right sofabed for you and your home is a big decision, but should not be a daunting one. Two of the main considerations are undoubtedly the sofa beds style and its comfort, but these are not the only things you will need to consider. How will your new sofabed fit into the intended space and how will it complement your existing décor and furniture are equally important considerations. This sofabed buying guide from sofabed.co.uk will hopefully go some of the way to helping you choose the perfect sofa bed for your home.

Measuring for a sofabed
There is nothing worse than getting your new sofabed delivered and discovering it is too big or indeed to small for the intended room. To make sure your sofa bed is the perfect fit, we would recommend that before ordering you measure the length, width and height of where the sofabed will be positioned in your room. This measurement should also take into account the open size of the sofabed when it is acting as a bed. On sofabed.co.uk you will find all these dimensions in the details of each sofabed model.  It is also worth noting the position of any windows that may need to open near the sofabed and any other furniture in the room. All our sofabeds are made to order and delivered fully assembled so it is very important that any doors, corridors or other structures you’ll have to get the sofa bed through are measured.

Different Sofa bed mechanisms
There are a variety of sofabed mechanisms available to buy with the main ones being either a click-clack action or a fold out action. Over the years we have the experience of having manufactured sofabeds with a variety of actions and there are benefits to each type. We believe that the pull out and lift up mechanism is the best solution available. With this type of action the cushions are removed and the bed is then pulled out from the front of the sofa, with the bed lifting from the base. Crucially the back of the sofa remains in place meaning that they are ideal for placing against a wall or in an alcove.

Sofabeds as a seat
Lots of sofabeds are bought for spare bedrooms, studies or other upstairs rooms. However it is becoming more and more common for guests to stay in living rooms and other downstairs rooms. This of course means that your new sofabed will need to be equally comfortable as a sofa and as a sofabed . Every customer has different requirements, which is why we offer an extensive range of models. For some people a single seat cushion fits the bill aesthetically and practically and a model like the Devon Sofabed is ideal. For others a traditional pair of seat cushions, such as those on the Norfolk Sofabed, fits the bill.
The back cushion can be fixed, like on the Madrid sofabed, or be cushions, like the Taunton Sofabed. For those preferring a firmer seat a fixed back maybe the best solution.

Sofa bed care
Sofabeds can come in for a lot of use both as a seat and as a spare bed. To keep your sofabed in the best condition possible we have a few handy suggestions. Arm caps are a great way to extend the life of your sofa bed. Cut from the same fabric as the sofabed they blend in perfectly and are shaped to seamlessly sit on the sofabed arm. Matching scatter cushions are another good option for creating that extra bit of comfort and for protecting the seat cushions.
Back cushions are filled with fibre which in time will start to compact if left alone. A good idea is to regularly plump these cushions helping them to keep their shape and retain their comfort.
All the fabrics on sofabed.co.uk are contract grade fabrics with a high Martindale rub count. This means that they will last for years to come. As they are made from upholstery grade man made fibres they will be naturally resistant to stains. Should something become spilt on a sofabed we would recommend wiping this up immediately and for ongoing cleaning the use of a damp cloth.

What size to choose?
When it comes to sofabeds most people will go for a classic 2 seat model that contains a small double bed. These are a great choice for any room in the house. You could also go for an upgrade to a wider sofabed which will give you both a wider seat and a double bed mattress. For a lot of customers though space is at a premium. Spiral staircases, loft conversions, narrow boats, flats and apartments are all places that sofabeds are bought for. In these locations compact sofabeds with no arms or box beds are a great choice. Box beds can also be great choices for a living room where they can be used as an ottoman or pouffe. For even smaller spaces a single box bed like the Sussex Single Box bed is a good choice. With all the same attributes as a double box bed it contains a single bed and can be used as a single seat or pouffe.

Classic or Contemporary
Some styles never go out of fashion and others are a temporary fad. One thing for sure though is whether you choose a classic or a contemporary sofabed is all down to personal preference. It is also possible to make a classical sofabed contemporary by pairing it with a modern fabric. Some sofabeds, like the Chesterfield, have never gone out of fashion. When paired with a classic fabric they add elegance and style to any room. Others like the Chelsea are bang on trend particularly when covered with a vibrant velvet.

Made to order or off the shelf
Like most household items sofabeds come in many shapes and sizes and also in many prices. Some retailers choose to sell cheap imports that are available in one colour, whilst others offer a bespoke service. Both have their advantages. The off the shelf import has one obvious advantage it is cheap. Bespoke manufactured sofabeds maybe more expensive, but the benefits can greatly outweigh the additional costs. Being able to choose the model, the fabric, the size and the optional extras make for a sofabed as individual as the customer.

So there you have it the complete guide to choosing the best sofabed that will last you for years to come.

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Swatch Service Expanded

September sees another small step forward for sofabed.co.uk with a change to our fabric swatch service.  Our customers have always been able to “try before they buy ” by ordering up to 3 free fabric samples.  This service has proven to be so popular that we are now expanding it to allow customers to select up to 6 free fabric swatches.  The swatches will still be delivered free of charge to our customers and will help to ensure that when they are selecting their sofa bed they will be definitely getting the sofabed that suits the decor of their room.  Sofabed.co.uk  – Your sofabed Your way.