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.
In this article, we’re going to pick the best sofa beds for small spaces. A lack of space at home is a problem almost everyone can relate to. But with our sofa bed ideas for small spaces, you’ll be able to find the right blend of convenience, style, and affordability.
So let’s jump right in.
‘Bed in a box’ seats
The very smallest sofa beds are what we call ‘Box beds’. As their name suggests, they are literally box seats that double-up as a bed. When the mattress is tucked away, they sit inconspicuously in any room as a convenient, comfortably-cushioned seat.
In fact, box beds are so small that there’s virtually no living space they can’t inhabit. You can carry them up spiral staircases, or slot them into caravans and canal boats no problem.
Our smallest box bed, the Sussex single box bed, has a total height of 45cm and width of 87cm — and unfolds neatly into a foam, mattress with a bed size of 188cm x 69cm.
In the closed position, the Sussex single box bed looks almost like an inconspicuous pouffeOpened up into a single bed, this is the ideal sofa bed for small bedroom
For a box bed/2-seater hybrid, the Cheshire double box bed is great for two sleepers. It has the breathing space of a small double, making it ideal for guest-sleepers or for special occasions. This is another one that meets the challenge of even the tightest spaces. Including narrow doorways, spiral staircase, and caravans. Making it truly one of the best sofa beds for small rooms (in our opinion) — and very stylish, too!
When it is ‘closed’ the Cheshire double box bed is a small and comfortable seating areaWhen it is ‘open’ the Cheshire double box bed a small double bed seems to appear from nowhere!
2-Seater sofa bed ideas for small spaces
2-seaters are ideal for couples both sitting and sleeping. They’re naturally some of the more compact models available on the market to buy.
2 seaters are ideal for studies, ‘box rooms’, and flats where space is limited. And with a proper foam sprung mattress, guests can crash but sleep comfortably all night long.
A great 2-seater to think about is the Madrid sofabed. This model has no arms — making it a breeze to twist and turn on tight staircases and to shuffle down into confined spaces. Without arms, you don’t have to worry about snagging yourself on them as you squeeze past.
Without arms, our Madrid sofabed is even more accommodating in tight spots
As a seat it has a total width of 140cm, but once opened out, it reveals a beautiful 188cm x 119cm small double that sits on a trampoline base, with the feel of a fully sprung mattress.
Simply remove the seat cover and fold out the sofabed action, and you have a small double bed for guests to sleep on
This Edinburgh sofabed has a more familiar, contemporary design. Indeed it wouldn’t look out of place in any living room. It has all the deep comfort of a ‘typical’ sofa — two people will melt into the seat and back cushions. But lo and behold, by removing the cushions, it can soon be transformed into a small double bed with a foam mattress and a luxury feel.
It looks like an ordinary sofa, and it feels like one too. But hidden underneath is a very comfortable small double bed.
The gorgeous Edinburgh 2-seater bed is the same size as a small double bed as standard (188cm x 119cm) but there is the option to upgrade to a standard double bed size (188cm x 139cm) if you have that little extra room to spare.
The Edinburgh small double bed in all its glory.
Compact daybeds for small spaces
‘Daybed’ is a funny word, because it essentially is another word for ‘sofa bed’. As a piece of furniture, they’re great for daytime lounging and nighttime sleeping. And like their sofa bed counterparts, they’re available in compact shapes. Making them ideal for tiny rooms or tight spots.
This Copenhagen daybed can sit up against any wall in any tight spot, where it can easily be converted into a small double bed. It comes with a foam mattress that feels sprung. But you can upgrade it to a true pocket sprung for a little extra.
This Copenhagen daybed will make a fine edition to any small living space
The Copenhagen daybed is perfectly fine to use for permanent sleeping and is ideal for small rooms — such as a child’s or a teenager’s bedroom.
This Copenhagen daybed is a great fit for both lounges and bedrooms
We had to include this gorgeous contemporary York daybed because it has a truly distinctive shape and feel to it that oozes luxuriousnes. For people stuck on space but not wanting to settle for anything less, the York daybed is ready to impress in your apartment, study or lounge.
The York daybed is one of our personal favourites, as it radiates with beauty that is unlike anything else.
Featuring curved arms and no back cushion, the York daybed will fit in the tightest of spaces. Choose the fabric and colour you want so that it becomes a focal point in your room.
As you can see, the York daybed still retains its gorgeousness even as it unfolds into a double bed
Expert Comment
“Any sofabed is a large investment so it is essential that you make the right choice for you and your home. With this level of investment it is important to know where your new piece of furniture is made and who the company you are dealing with is. You could choose an online retailer that buys from all over the world, or you could choose a genuine UK manufacturer. At sofabed.co.uk we manufacture all our sofabeds in our own UK factory in the customers’ choice of fabric. So not only are you enjoying competitive prices, you are getting British build quality and peace of mind that you are dealing directly with the people who make your sofabed.”
Steve Hamblett • MD • Sofabed.co.uk
Inspired by these sofa beds for small spaces?
You’ve just seen some of our favourites. But be sure to check out our complete collection of compact sofabeds to see all of the sofa bed ideas for small spaces we have on offer.
All of the sofa beds here are made by us, directly. We dispatch them ready-made and will deliver to your house for FREE. So there’s no need to try and assemble them on your own.
Plus, they’re available in over 130 fabrics and colours for you to choose from. Check out our fabrics page and click here to order up to 6 fabric swatches free of charge, so you can see how the material will look in the comfort of your home.
