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How to pick the perfect fabric for your sofabed – Our 5 top tips to choosing the right sofabed fabric and colour for your home.

Choosing the style of sofabed you want is an important decision, however an equally important a decision is picking the perfect fabric to upholster it in. Sofabed.co.uk are the UK’s favourite sofabed manufacturer and have over 130 different fabrics to choose from so the options are vast.  From the elegance of Sandringham Velvet to the tactile warmth of Chatsworth Boucle we have a superb range.  So what you probably need is a little help with selecting the right fabric for your home and in making a daunting task that little bit easier.

 

 

So here we have our 5 top tips to help you make up your mind and find the perfect fabric for your home.

 

 

  • Will you still like the colour in years to come?

A sofa bed is an investment that should be part of your home for 10 years or more. So, making sure you get the fabric in the colour and texture you will like for years to come is crucial. Whilst painting your walls and changing some cushions and other soft furnishings can be done relatively easily, the likelihood is your sofa bed will remain with you for the long-term. So its important to bear this in mind when selecting the colour and make sure it’s one you’ll be happy to live with for the foreseeable future.

Timeless neutral colours are always a good choice that will keep your sofabed on-trend as the years pass by. Fabrics in tones of grey can also work. Not only are they available in a plethora of shades and textures, but they are always on trend. So, grey can be a wise choice of fabric colour if you want your sofabed to have an elegant timelessness. As it is such a neutral choice grey will continue to work if other colours in the room change over time. So should you decide to change your cushions, carpets or walls a grey sofabed will still fit perfectly.

If you are still deciding on a fabric to upholster your new sofa bed in then our free swatches page is the perfect place to start. Here you can select up to 5 free fabric samples that we will post out to you free of charge. Not only will this allow you to see the colour of the fabric it will also allow you to feel the texture.

 

 

 

  • Which room is the sofabed going to be located in?

When it comes to choosing sofabed fabrics a real important consideration is what room the sofabed will be used in.   A lot of sofabeds are for spare bedrooms and its important that they match the décor of  a guest room.  Warm natural shades will be perfect for this environment.  Other sofa beds are used as a spare seat and occasional guest bed in a home office.  Her the more formal class of Buckingham Faux Leather fabric might be a better choice.  The final place that sofabeds are often seen is in the family living room. In this environment the sofabed will come into almost daily contact with people and pets so needs to be a durable fabric with a high rub count.  Something like the Balmoral range which is durable and tactile would be perfect.  A colour that is darker but neutral might also be a good choice as it will not easily mark.

 

 

  • How much use will the sofabed have as a sofa?

Some sofabeds are hidden away in spare bedrooms or in the corner of a home office and are used as an occasional bed for guests a few times a year.  They are though hardly ever sat upon.  So the durability and colour of the fabric matter less from a wear and tear perspective.  In contrast other sofabeds will be in living rooms and other areas of the house with high traffic volumes.  For these sofabeds they will spend most of their time as a sofa rather than as a bed.  In this instance the choice of fabric needs to be considered carefully.  High usage by people and pets mean that a warm, durable and darker fabric would be a good choice.

 

 

 

  • Does the fabric fit in with your lifestyle and home?

One of the most important considerations when it comes to selecting the right fabric is knowing who the main users of your sofabed will be.  Of  particular importance is if the sofabed will be used every day or if it is a occasional use seat. If it is going to be used regularly then it is important that the fabric has a high rub count.  In simple terms this means how many times it can be rubbed without wearing out and showing signs of age. This is especially important if your home has pets and children who will naturally cause the sofabed to receive a lot of wear.

 

 

So, if your sofabed is going to be used on a regular, even daily basis, it would be a good choice to go for durable and hard wearing fabrics such as Balmoral or Blenheim.  Both ranges combine a lovely tactile feel with durability.

 

 

 

  • Is the fabric the right style for your taste?

Wherever  you place your new sofabed in your home (the lounge, the guest room, or a spare bedroom), it is really important that the fabric you choose complements  the rooms existing décor.

So, if your room has a traditional style and elegant velvet, like Sandringham Velvet would be a perfect match. If the velvet is married with a traditional model of sofabed such as the Dewsbury or the Chesterfield, even better.  Another timeless fabric that sits well with traditional homes is Highgrove.  Featuring a traditional pattern it is a lovely choice for traditional sofabeds and Chaise longue sofabeds such as the Cambridge Chaise Longue sofabed.  This is because the shape and style of your sofabed should also complement the fabric type you choose.

If a contemporary house or room is more your vibe then contemporary fabrics might be the better choice for you. Boucle fabrics are currently bang on trend.  Chatsworth Boucle definitely follows this trend and is a perfect choice for modern homes when teamed with a modern sofabed style such as the Milan or the.

 

 

 

So there you have it.  Five top tips for choosing the perfect fabric that will complement your new sofabed and your home. Finally here is a sixth tip for free.  Why not take advantage of our free swatch service by ordering 6 free fabric swatches so you can try you fabric before you buy.  https://sofabed.co.uk/free-fabric-swatches/

 

 

As always if you want to know more or have any questions call our team on 01606 594404.

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How to Move With A Sofabed

Moving a sofabed can be a difficult process that requires heavy lifting from both you and a friend. That’s why we’ve created the go-to guide to help you prepare for the moving process ahead of moving day.

Do you have enough space?

There’s nothing worse than opening up your sofa bed only for it to hit the wall on the way down. To stop this from happening and to give your guests a real place to sleep, measure up beforehand so you can be confident that the sofabed fits. If it doesn’t, a box bed may be more suitable for your set-up as better in small spaces compared to standard sofabeds.

A picture of our Sussex single box bed in the closed position
In sofa mode, the Sussex single box bed is a small, stylish seating area

How to move a sofabed

As sofabeds are heavy pieces of furniture and tend to weigh more than regular sofas. Because of this, moving them can sometimes prove to be a challenge with two people, let alone yourself.  Follow the steps listed below so can move your sofabed as safely and efficiently as possible.

1. Clear the path

Clear your path so nothing is in the way. As you should do when moving anything that may block your vision, removing any trip hazards beforehand will make the change a lot easier.

2. Things to remove

Remove anything decorative such as cushions and pillows from the sofabed, making it lighter to carry. If you are moving home and your belongings are going into temporary storage, it’s a good idea to vacuum seal the decorative items so they are not impacted by changes to the temperature. 

Removing the feet of the sofa bed will also make it easier to lift and manoeuvre (depending on how it has been designed, it may require a screwdriver). Even if they are only a couple of inches in length, it can make a lot of difference when transporting up a flight of stairs or getting it out the front door. If you are struggling to remove the legs, it may be better to leave them on as you do not want to damage them before you’ve left the house. 

If you are moving a corner sofa bed, make sure to separate the isolated square section from the rest of the sofa to make it easier to move.

3. Add a sofa cover 

To prevent the sofa frame and fabric from getting damaged, adding a protective cover such as a blanket or plastic wrap over the sofa can be beneficial. Acting as a barrier between the sofa and anything that can cause harm to it; whether it’s a wall, bannister or even outside weather.

If you’ve discovered this guide too late and are now wondering how to clean your sofabed, check out our guide on the best methods of cleaning.

Movers safely carrying a sofabed
Movers safely carrying a sofabed

4. Safely move it

As mentioned before, it can be very difficult to move a sofabed due to the added weight of the bed frame and mattress. So make sure to come prepared when it’s time to move it as it’s not a one-person job. You might have assistance from professional movers or help from one or two friends, even if you’re an avid gym-goer, the weight should be balanced evenly between two or more people to reduce any chance of injury to yourself or damage to the sofabed.

When you are moving it, make sure it’s being lifted above the ground and not being pushed or pulled along it. Dragging the sofabed can cause damage to both the fabric and the floor, even with the legs removed.

When it comes to stairs, it’s a good idea to take your time and be extra cautious. Especially if it is a cornered staircase, having someone guide you and another down the stairs, telling you when to pivot will stop you and the sofabed from getting stuck and subsequently damaged.  

Once the sofabed is in the moving truck or van, secure it in place with a strap to stop it from moving around. 

After you’ve moved

Once you’ve moved to the new home you’re left with the task of knowing what to unpack first; should you unpack one room at a time? Sort by essentials? Get the heavy items out of the way first? There is a lot to think about. If you know where the sofabed is going, it can be practical to get it in sooner rather than later, especially if you’re bed frame and the mattress is still in storage.

You should also consider where the sofabed will stay; whether it’s in the guestroom, home office or living room, placing it by a window with the sun beaming down on it all day can cause the fabric or leather to slowly fade over time. 

Boxes on and around a sofabed
Boxes on and around a sofabed

Are you looking to upgrade your existing sofabed?

 

Moving to a new house is often a great time to get a new sofa bed! Whether the bar in your old one is digging into your back, you’re moving into a larger space and looking at upgrading an existing recliner to a 2 or 3-seater leather sofa bed, or you simply want to change up your style.

At Sofabed.co.uk, we give you the remote to customise your sofabed and create the ultimate sleeper sofa that matches your needs and style. Choose from a wide range of designs and bed mechanisms, along with over 130 upholstery fabrics and optional add-ons to create a sofabed you want your guests to sleep on. 

Chester corner sofa bed when closed, in its sofa form
In sofa form, the Chester corner sofa bed is a statement piece of furniture
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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