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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.