Buying a Couch Bed

Sofa beds are multi-functional furniture that can be used in a variety of ways. Interior designer Annie Mueller recommends this budget-friendly twin sleeper from Pottery Barn's teen collection. She suggests that the sofa seat cushion can be folded to create an inflatable mattress of 10" on the floor.

Comfort

The comfort factor is an important consideration when buying a sofa-bed. A lot of sleeper sofas have thin mattresses, which make guests feel like they are sleeping on a platform rather than a bed. To stop this from happening, invest in a mattress topper, like the Linenspa memory foam one at Amazon to provide additional padding to your sofa mattress. This will stop your guests from waking up with back pain, or with metal frames creaking or squeaking.

Another way to improve the comfort of your sofa bed is to choose an extension chaise that gives more space for guests to spread out and relax. The appropriate color and material for your sofa bed is important, since it will determine how well it blends into the rest of your space. If you're not sure which fabric to pick, you can order free material swatches online and experiment with them in your home before you make an investment.

This modern midcentury sofa from Anthropologie is a great option for anyone looking for a bed or small sofa couch set (read this) that's comfortable in both forms. This sofa has a queen-size mattress that comfortably seats two people. It's also customizable with more than 70 fabrics and cushion configurations.

Although this sleeper sofa is more expensive than other options on the list, it's extremely comfortable and includes a memory foam mattress that's 13cm thick, which is the most thick mattress in this roundup. Its unique design, which features a pull-out mechanism that flips the backrest and seat to transform it into an actual bed, is an important selling factor.

This piece requires assembly but all the tools you need are included. It's well worth the effort considering that the sofa is adored by buyers for its convenience and flexibility. It is spacious enough to accommodate two people, and it offers a range of customization options that include 194 fabrics and 11 layouts. There are also five widths, four depths and six chaise lengths.

Contrary to other types of sleeper sofas from West Elm incorporates a bed frame within its structure to make the conversion process more easy and comfortable. When not in couch mode, the mattress can be hidden underneath the cushions, and it takes just minutes to fold it out to form the bed. The mattress isn't slender or uncomfortable and even has a built-in compartment that can be used to keep pillows and blankets.

Style

A couch bed can come in a variety of designs. The most popular is a sleeper sofa that has the mattress and bed frame within its structure. These couches are more comfortable to rest on than air mattresses or traditional pull-out couches, and they offer a much more consistent feel to the mattress.

Click-clack style sofa beds can be converted from a couch into a bed in one simple step. They require you to lift the under part of the structure and turn it over before laying it flat to prepare for a mattress, but they are incredibly easy to use.

A daybed has a similar design to a cozy couch bed but it has an elevated back and armrests. This kind of sofa has a mattress that is covered by a removable slipcover making it a great option for anyone who wants the benefits of a sofa bed but prefers a more traditional style. This kind of sofa comes with the added benefit of storage space since you can put the mattress away when not being used.

Durability

You need a sofa that will withstand the daily rigors of use. Make sure you choose a sturdy design like solid wood frames with reinforced seams, armrests with padding that won't fall over time. You'll also need a sturdy fabric that's easy to clean and can handle spills and staining. If you're not sure which fabric is right for your needs, order material swatches from the brand prior to purchasing to see how it appears in your home.

The two-seater sleeper sofa made by Emma Sleep is an excellent example of comfort and durability in a sleeper sofa. Its mattress is 10 inches thick when laid flat, and is constructed of CentriPur foam, which is designed to keep your sleep cool. It's also non-latex and reduces allergies. It was very comfortable to sleep on. The only issue is that it's not as easy to convert into a deep sofa couch like an air mattress.

This sleeper's frame is made of birch to ensure strength and durability. It's also upholstered in washable polyester and includes a throw pillow for extra comfort. The chaise is a bonus that can also be used as a headrest when the sectional couch with chaise transforms into a bed.

Another great alternative for a comfy, functional sofa bed is this three-seater sofa from West Elm. The mattress is 13cm thick when folded out and is a decent size and much more comfortable than the thin sofa beds that a lot of sleeper sofas come with. The extra thickness also makes it easier to pull out the bed when guests arrive, without struggle or falling.

Another great thing about this couch is its easy mechanism for converting it to a bed. Contrary to some pull-out sofas that can be difficult to operate and do not feel very secure, this leather sectional couch with recliner has an lever that you can press down to open the bed and an extension bar that you pull out to extend it. It is a little bit more expensive than other sleeper sofas but the quality, comfort and convenience make it well worth the cost.

Stores

If you are limited in space, a sofa bed that has built-in storage can be an ideal solution. This kind of sofa comes with a hidden compartment where you can store bedding and pillows and allows you to fold the bed down easily when guests arrive. The furniture is multi-functional and comes in various upholstery fabrics that fit the majority of mattresses.

Storing the Couch in a Way That Allows for Air Flow

When you are storing your sofa, avoid stacking boxes on the top of it or against it. This could cause damage to the cushions and frame as well as create moisture that can cause mold and mildew. It's also important to store the couch at a safe distance from the wall in your self storage unit to allow airflow.

It is also important to clean the sofa thoroughly before putting it into storage. This means vacuuming the fabric and wiping the areas that aren't fabric, and also the feet of the sofa. This reduces the chance of mold and mildew growth, as well as guard the fabric from pests.