Sofa Beds

What are sofa beds?

Simply put, sofa beds are exactly as they sound – they’re a sofa that can fold or pull out into a trendy floor space bed that solves the problem of unexpected guests needing a place to sleep.

Sofa beds create extra sleeping space while keeping your room neat and tidy, and the versatility of such a model makes it ideal for hosting guests. Best of all, our range of fabric and leather sofa bed options makes it easier than ever before to find a sofa bed that matches your home aesthetic.

What rooms are sofa beds suited to?

The multi-purpose nature of sofa beds makes them perfect for a variety of living and bedroom spaces. From guest bedrooms to home offices, the convenience of a small sofa bed offers you the chance to widen your guest’s sleeping options, without having to sacrifice one room in your home to act as a guest bedroom.

With everything from single sofa beds to large corner sofas available, sofa beds can be applied to living rooms, bedrooms, and spare rooms of all sizes. They can even be ideal for getting some shuteye after a hard day’s work in the office or if you want a little space after hosting family over the holidays – they’re that versatile!

What are the different types of sofa beds?

Sofa beds come in a wide variety of types. From single sofa beds to large bed settees, the wide range of sofa beds out there makes it easy for you to find a model that best suits your particular guest bed needs.

And as the average living space shrinks, sofa settee beds are most certainly growing in prominence, sprouting innovative and fashionable designs that can rival even classic bed frame options, with classic styles such as leather and upholstered sofa beds becoming timeless furniture pieces that can take pride of place as your main everyday sofa.

Meanwhile, corner sofa beds can be personalised and styled to become a statement piece and are one of the best ways to maximise space in your room if you find it’s limited. And in larger rooms, corner sofas are great for socialising and relaxing with friends.

Other popular types of sofa beds also include folding sofa beds and lift and pull sofa beds, which are again both popular options if floor space is at a premium and are available in styles to suit most room décor.

What’s the difference between a sofa bed and a guest bed?

Parties, holidays, special occasions – guest and sofa beds are great for accommodating extra guests. However, guest beds, or trundle beds as they’re commonly known, are pull-out beds that extend from another bed to provide two sleeping spaces in one as well as an extra storage option when not in use.

Sofa beds, on the other hand, go for furniture versatility by acting as two common pieces of furniture in one. When guests are not round, your sofa bed can act as a typical couch. But when the need arises, it can be folded out into a bed at a moment’s notice.

What are the benefits of a sofa bed over a futon bed?

The saviour of countless students, a futon is the inverse of a sofa bed. Futon mattresses are primarily a sleeping space, only folding into couch-like futons when necessary. But while they do provide a quick and convenient sleeping space, futons aren’t as comfortable to sit on as sofa beds.

Aesthetically, futons also lack the same classy finish as a sofa bed. Their discreet nature is a key benefit of sofa beds, while futon beds are, more often than not, out in the open. On top of this, futon beds also require the addition of a thicker mattress for heightened comfort, potentially leading to further costs, which belies their budget-bed selling point.

Do sofa beds require a mattress?

Although traditionally thinner than a double mattress, most sofa beds are innovatively designed with an integrated mattress for cosy and restful sleep. An upgrade from a night on the sofa, guests can expect comfort from pull-out beds during the whole of their stay.

Increased sofa bed popularity has even seen modern innovations such as memory foam mattresses included in sofa bed design. Though mattresses aren’t required, mattress protectors are recommended for a sofa bed's prolonged lifespan.

How to choose the right size sofa bed

A sofa can be the cornerstone of any room, so choosing the right sofa bed size boils down to one crucial question – how much space do you have?

As a main living room sofa for a standard-sized room, you can opt for a corner sofa or double sofa bed. Alternatively, for a box room guest bed, a single sofa bed is perfectly sized for the job.

However, do bear in mind that if you’re looking for a comfy sofa bed for watching TV and relaxing on, then you may need something larger. Why not look at our sofa bed buying guide for more detailed tips and insights on how to find the right sofa bed for your needs?

Buy your sofa bed with MattressNextDay

Thinking of buying a new sofa bed soon? If so, then the MattressNextDay range has all your sofa bed needs covered. Our entire collection comprises high-quality yet cheap sofa beds, guaranteed to meet your requirements and surpass your expectations.

Competitively priced, our bed settees are a worthwhile investment for anyone who hosts guests, and all our sofa beds come with a minimum 12-month guarantee, although select models feature an additional 5-year warranty. Best of all, we even offer free nationwide next-day delivery – so you can enjoy your new sofa bed as soon as possible!