Guest Bed And Guest Mattresses Buying Guide

You have guests staying over and you’ve all had a wonderful evening. It’s time to get some sleep, but what options do your guests have? An airbed on the floor or a fold-out sofa bed? A spacious spare bedroom with a comfortable double bed, or a triple bunk bed that’s big enough for three?

If you regularly have family or friends staying with you, here are some helpful tips on how to make sure everyone has a comfortable night’s sleep.

What is a guest bed?

A guest bed can be anything from a cosy single, a spacious double bed, or a pull-out sofa bed. They come in all different styles and sizes, and any bed can become a guest bed with the right additions.

If your guest bedroom isn’t always in use to accommodate relatives or friends staying over, a temporary arrangement means that you can use the room for various activities. If, however, you have a guest bedroom that’s permanently dedicated to providing your visitors with somewhere to sleep, you can choose a more permanent option such as a divan bed.

How much should you spend on a guest mattress?

Before you start looking for a guest bed, it's important to consider your budget. Generally, there's no need to spend as much on your guest mattress as you would your own. Since it will be slept on less frequently, it won't deteriorate at the same rate as your mattress would. Of course, if you plan to have guests staying over often, you might consider choosing a more long-wearing mattress.

A standard mattress needs to be replaced at least every eight years because of how much it's used. Guest mattresses, however, can last almost double that if they're used infrequently. Consider that choosing a lower-quality mattress for your spare room will require you to replace it sooner than opting for a high-quality one.

So, while you might spend more initially, choosing a good quality style would mean that you would need to replace it much later and save money in the long run. Ultimately, how much you spend depends on how frequently you plan to have guests over and how often you would need to replace it. You can choose a budget mattress for under £300, however, that still offers great quality and doesn't break the bank.

What type of guest beds are available?

Beds for guest rooms come in all shapes and sizes, from simple folding beds to divans. The type of bed you choose will depend on a lot of factors.

Divan beds

Divan beds are ideal if your guest bedroom is used frequently by family and friends. The divan drawers give you additional space to store bedding and other objects that you may keep in the spare room. You can fit any kind of mattress onto a divan bed (as long as it’s the correct size), and they last for years.

We provide divan bed and mattress sets, too, so you can complete your guest room in one hit with a complete bed set up.

Folding beds

Folding beds, also known as ‘Z-beds’, come in all shapes and sizes. They’re strong and comfortable, and they can be folded away and stored. Therefore, the guest room can revert to its original use when your guests go home.

Our range of Jay-Be folding beds are some of the most popular folding beds on the market and can be used for hosting guests in a hurry or even for camping trips. They're incredibly versatile and comfortable, with some styles even having a fold-out headboard!

Sofa beds

If space is at a premium, then buying a sofa bed can be a great option. You don’t have to buy a mattress to fit a sofa bed either. The cushions or foam construction create an instant mattress to sleep on.

Once your guests go home, it instantly folds back up and can be used as a sofa again. This makes it an ideal choice if you have a small apartment but still want to provide a comfortable night’s sleep for your guests.

The best space-saving guest bed options

Guest bedrooms tend to be smaller than an average bedroom and beds tend to be the largest piece of furniture. If you're limited in space in your guest room or need a guest bed to easily pop up in your living room, there are plenty of options available to suit you.

Small double bed

• A small double bed and mattress are smaller than the average double bed and double mattress, while still being able to accommodate two adults
• Perfect for smaller bedrooms
• Suitable for guest bedrooms that will be used as a bedroom year-round
• Small double mattress measures 4" x 6"3

Single bed

• Single beds are ideal for smaller rooms and can be pushed against a wall allowing for more floor space
• Best for households where no more than one guest will be staying at one time
• Can be used alongside a folding bed to accommodate more guests
• Single mattresses measure 3" x 6"3. For extra space-saving, small singles measure 2"6 x 6"3

Sofa bed

• Sofa beds are ideal for particularly small bedrooms or for adding a bed to the living room
• Can be used as a normal sofa when guests aren't staying
• Allows the bedroom to be used as an office, gym or second sitting room when the bed isn't folded out
• Gives guests a comfortable place to sit and relax when staying for a long period

Folding bed (Z-bed)

• Fold-out beds can be used in a spare room of any size or a living room
• Easy to pack down and store away when guests go home
• More comfortable than other store-away beds like air beds
• Usually available in both single and double options

Divan beds & Ottoman beds

• Divan beds are perfect for spare rooms that need extra hidden storage space
• Storage options are available in both under-the-bed drawers and under-mattress storage
• Gives guests a space to store their belongings when staying
• Perfect for rooms that will be used as a bedroom year-round
• Available in single, double, and king-size

Triple sleeper beds

• Ideal for small guest rooms that need to accomodate up to three people
• Perfect for hosting guests with children - ideal for sleepovers!
• Available with a small double on the bottom and single on top to accomodate a couple and a child
• Add two triple sleepers to a larger spare bedroom to sleep up to six guests at a time

Trundle bed

• Trundle beds are a great space-saving solution to having two separate single beds
• Perfect for guests that would like separate beds when staying - a very popular choice for children
• Available in a single size (3" x 6"3)

How to choose the right guest mattress and bed

You’ll need to consider a few factors when choosing the right mattress and bed for your guest room.

• How often do you have guests staying over?
• Do you want to use the room for other things (such as a hobby room or study)?
• How much space do you have?
• Are your guests usually younger or older?
• How much do you want to spend?
• Does your guest mattress and bed have to work in another room such as a living room?

What are the best guest mattresses?

Guest mattresses, as we’ve already mentioned, should fall into the medium category of firmness so that they suit almost any sleeper.

However, there are different options when it comes to the type of mattress available, including memory foam mattresses, hybrid mattresses, and pocketed spring mattresses.

Pocketed springs: The Silentnight 2000 Mirapocket Luxury Mattress

The Silentnight 2000 Mirapocket Luxury Mattress is a top-quality medium-firm mattress that offers exceptional luxury and comfort.

• 2000 individually pocketed Mirapocket springs for total support and comfort
• Reinforced edges so a larger, more stable sleeping area
• Single-sided so it’s easy to care for with no need to flip and turn
• No roll together so it’s ideal for couples

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Hybrid: SleepSoul Wish 3000 Series Pocket Cool Gel Mattress

One of our best-selling mattresses, the SleepSoul Wish 3000 Series Pocket Cool Gel Mattress is a premium quality hybrid mattress at a budget price. On top of the spring core are layers of memory foam and a generous CoolGel foam layer. This creates a cooler, more comfortable sleeping environment.

• Medium firm firmness rating suitable for most sleepers, but with added orthopaedic support
• CoolGel foam layer regulates your body temperature for a fresher night’s sleep
• Individually pocketed springs in the core prevent rolling together and provide support
• 30cm deep and easy to maintain, with no need to turn

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Silentnight 7 Zone Memory Foam Mattress

The Silentnight 7 Zone Memory Foam Mattress is a medium firm mattress with two incredible types of memory foam to support your guests' entire body. 7-zone foam support targets precise pressure relief to seven key areas of the body. It also has a removable, breathable cover that can easily be machine washed between stays. It's also hypoallergenic, which not only helps if your guests are prone to allergies, but prevents the build-up of bacteria more generally for a cleaner sleeping environment.

• A medium firm tension is suitable for most types of sleepers, from young adults to heavier guests
• Memory foam moulds to the shape of your body for greater support and cushioned comfort
• Lightweight and easy to handle, with no need to flip and turn
• Hypoallergenic fibres prevent dust and mites for a healthier sleeping environment
• Removable cover can be machine washed for easy cleaning between guests

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