Sofa beds are convenient, affordable ways to maximise your space, however there are different types of sofa bed mechanisms, which can make it hard to choose which is right for you. We’re looking at the sofa bed mechanism types, how they work and the difference between the 3 main sofa bed mechanisms.
But first…
What are sofa bed mechanisms?
Sofa bed mechanisms are, essentially, how sofa beds ‘open’ and transition from a sofa to a bed. Every sofa bed will have one of three opening mechanisms.
The 3 Sofa Bed Mechanism Types
The 3 main types of sofa bed mechanisms are:
- Pull out
- Easy open
- Click-clack
Pull out sofa beds
The most popular type of sofa bed mechanism, pull out sofa beds do exactly what the name suggests. To open a pull out sofa bed, you must first pull out the frame from the centre. A pair of legs will come down and you can place them on the floor.
Our Chesterfield Sofabed is a great example of a pull out sofa bed and is one of our best-selling models. To transform the Chesterfield from a sofa into a bed, simply remove the seat cushions and then pull the frame out and towards the floor. It will instantly become a small double bed, ideal for guests and sleepovers.
The Chesterfield Sofabed is a great choice for guest bedrooms. The pull out mechanism makes it extremely straightforward to transform the sofa into a bed, so your guests won’t have to worry about opening and closing the model.
What’s more, the Chesterfield can be customised to your choice of fabric and colour, making it the main attraction in any room. All our sofa beds are created from scratch, enabling a truly personalised sofa bed for each customer.
Made up of a foam mattress on a trampoline base, the Chesterfield sofa bed truly mimics the feeling of a fully sprung mattress, so a good night’s sleep is never far away.
Another popular pull out sofa bed is the Hereford Sofabed. This sofa bed is sure to fit into any area and looks particularly appealing in velvet fabrics. Faux leather is another popular fabric choice for the Hereford sofa bed and gives it a sleek, modern look.
The seamless pull out mechanism means overnight guests can quickly and effectively transform the sofa into a bed, so they could be snoozing away within minutes of entering the room.
In sofa form, the Hereford is a lavish, comfortable seating area and when ‘open’, the model becomes the same size as a small double bed, ready for overnight guests. The Hereford sofa bed oozes luxury; it is visually appealing, extremely comfortable and completely efficient. With the Hereford bed, every guest is sure to experience a comfortable night’s sleep.
Pull out sofa beds are versatile and adaptable, and are commonly used in living areas and guest bedrooms. As the most popular type of sofa bed mechanism, pull out sofa beds can easily be placed in any environment.
Most pull out sofa beds out there tend to be of poor quality or not quite what customers want. However, ours are custom-made to fit your requirements and are made to last.
Easy open sofa beds
Swift and efficient, easy open sofa beds can be opened with one quick motion. The cushions are attached directly to the sofa so there is no need to spend time removing them one by one.
To open an easy open sofa bed, a person must simply pull the top of the cushion forward towards the floor and voila – your bed awaits. The bed will practically unfold itself, so there is no need to spend extensive periods of time lifting and pulling the sofa bed from different sides.
Our Tiverton Sofabed is easy to open and could have guests dreaming away in minutes. The sofa bed features a cushion back and has a sleek, contemporary design to fit the modern aesthetic.
Handcrafted in the UK, the Tiverton sofa bed is a great match for the Blenheim and Chatsworth ranges.
The Tiverton sofa bed is guaranteed to save time, as it’s easy open mechanism means guests can open up the sofa bed, hop in and start dreaming away. All guests are sure to experience a great night’s sleep when they stay in the Tiverton.
With 3 fibre back cushions and 2 foam seat cushions, the sofa bed is a comfortable, contemporary classic, ideal for living areas. Leading a true double life, the Tiverton makes a stylish sofa by day and a dreamy bed by night.
Easy open sofa beds like the Tiverton are perfect for regular sofa bed users requiring an efficient, time-saving choice. The model has it all – comfort, practicality and aesthetics. It’s a real win-win-win.
Most easy open sofa beds generally tend to wear out after a few uses and do not prioritise comfort. At sofabed.co.uk, all our sofa beds consist of a foam mattress on a trampoline base, that effortlessly mimics the comfort of a fully sprung mattress.
We know our customers deserve nothing but the best, which is what we aim to provide, every time.
Click-clack sofa beds
The third and final type of sofa bed opening mechanism, click-clack sofa beds tend to be the most affordable type of sofa bed, due to their minimalist design. The design of a click-clack sofa bed is not a sofa with a pull out bed – no, these sofa beds are first beds and next function as sofas.
When opening a click-clack sofa bed, you will need to first push the mattress forward. Once you hear a click, you can push it back until it lays down flat. These sofa beds are compact, affordable, and the best choice if you are on a low budget.
Where the cushions of an easy open sofa bed are attached to the sofa, those with a click-clack mechanism have no cushions whatsoever, saving you even more time.
Our Sussex single box bed is a great choice and, as our smallest piece of furniture, is specifically suited to small areas. This box bed will fit virtually anywhere and is ideal for caravans, canal boats and narrow doorways.
With its small footprint and click-clack mechanism, the Sussex single box bed is our most affordable sofa bed, catering to a range of budgets.
Although the Sussex single box bed is compact and affordable, make no mistake – this sofa bed does not compromise on quality and is manufactured exactly the same way as our larger 2 seater sofa beds. With no arms, this box bed takes up minimal space, so there is no need to squeeze past – instead, you can freely stroll by.
The Sussex bed has a straightforward design, with no cushions allowing for an easy transformation. Customers wanting matching cushions can upgrade and add a maximum of 4 scatter cushions to their single box bed.
Click-clack sofa beds are ideal for those on a budget or needing a small sofa bed. These models are great sofa beds for small spaces and are custom-made in our Cheshire and Staffordshire factories. At sofabed.co.uk, all our sofa beds are made from scratch, allowing you to create a tailored sofa bed in the fabric of your choice. It couldn’t be easier to create the sofa bed of your dreams.
Which type of sofa bed mechanism suits you?
We’ve shared the 3 main types of sofa bed mechanisms. Be sure to check out our complete range of contemporary sofa beds to find the right fit for you.
All of our sofa beds are handcrafted directly by our skilled team. We dispatch them ready-made and will deliver them to your house for FREE. So there’s no need to try and assemble them on your own.
What’s more, our sofa beds are available in over 130 fabrics and colours for you to choose from. Check out our fabrics page and order up to 6 fabric swatches here free of charge, so you can see how the material will look in the comfort of your home.
In the meantime, please check out our 5-star TrustPilot reviews and give us a call if you have any questions.