Basket Summary
There are no more items in your basket
By Type
Types of Sofa Bed: Our Buyer's Guide
Everyone wants to be a great host. But, without a proper guest room, you may feel a bit hesitant to invite friends or family over for sleepovers. Makeshift accommodations rarely feel inviting. Your guests deserve a relaxing spot to sleep peacefully, not a lumpy air mattress or a couch where their feet hang over the edge.
With a stylish and functional sofa bed, you don’t need a dedicated guest room that sits empty most of the year. Instead, you can have a versatile piece of furniture that seamlessly transforms into a comfortable bed whenever friends or family come to stay. A well-designed sofa bed can create a calm, welcoming environment that makes anyone feel at home.
Sofa beds aren't just for visitors to crash. They’re your cosy seat in the morning as you go through your to-do list. They’re your spacious lounging spot for weekend movie marathons. They’re the place to hang your feet up after a long day at work. This multi-functional furniture adapts to your lifestyle, offering both comfort and functionality. In this guide, we'll talk about the key factors to consider when choosing a sofa bed.
Types Of Sofa Beds
Setting up a sofa bed can vary from simple to complex methods. When choosing your bed, think about how easy it is to pull out and set up, not just for you, but for future guests too. Here's a breakdown of different types to help you find the best fit.
For a closer look at one of the mechanisms we use, read our introduction to the Lampolet sofa bed mechanism.
Click-Clack Sofa Beds
Click-clack sofa beds are a versatile and space-saving solution for small flats. To set one up, lift the base, tilt the bed back, and it transforms into a flat, comfortable sleeping space with just one motion. This design is convenient if you don't want to deal with multiple steps when setting up a bed for the night. The sofa's seat cushions become the mattress, so you sleep right on them, skipping the pull-out hassle.
Click-clack sofa beds are perfect for tight spaces, but they might not be as restful as standard sofa beds since most lack armrests.
Pull-Out Sofa Beds
Pull-out sofa beds are super handy for adding extra sleeping space without taking up too much room. The mattress and frame stay hidden inside the sofa, usually under the seat cushions. To transform it into a bed, just remove the cushions, lift the handle or bar at the front, and pull the mechanism towards you. Once it’s out, unfold it until the mattress lies flat and ready for a good night's sleep.
While some pull-out mechanisms can be a bit hefty and tricky to manoeuvre, many are designed to make life easier. You might find spring-loaded versions that lighten the load or models fitted with castors, allowing you to glide the bed in and out effortlessly.
Futons
There are two main types of futons. Japanese futons are essentially thick mattresses that you lay directly on the floor. They're practical for tight spaces or if you're into that whole minimalist vibe. You can roll them up and tuck them away when you're not using them.
On the other hand, a Western-style futon usually sits on a wood or metal frame and can double as a couch. This type of futon has a thicker mattress-like cushion, making it slightly bulkier but also more multi-functional. The backrest simply folds down to create a flat sleeping surface.
However, don't expect them to be as comfy as your regular mattress. They're great for occasional use, like when your friends crash at your place or if you have teens or grandkids visiting. But for regular, long-term sleeping, futons might not be the best choice, especially for adults who need a bit more support. The cushion is not a full mattress, so it will flatten over time and isn't the easiest to clean.
Daybeds
Daybeds pull double duty, acting as both a bed and a sofa without any complicated folding. They come with a three-sided frame and are typically equipped with a single mattress that's easy to replace every few years. Many daybeds offer storage underneath, too, so they’re suitable for any multifunctional space like a guest room or office. Plus, they have thicker, comfier mattresses and more aesthetically pleasing builds than traditional sofa beds.
When adding a daybed to your living room, think about where it'll fit best. Placing it against a wall, like a regular sofa, keeps your floor space clear and makes it easy to access. Alternatively, you can place it in the middle of the room, facing other seating to create an intimate conversation area. This setup works well in larger living rooms with enough space for multiple seating areas.
Corner Sofa Beds
Corner sofa beds with storage are the ultimate space-savers. They offer the comfort of a large 3-seater sofa and the functionality of a bed with easy pull-out sections. A corner sofa bed unfolds in one of three ways. The first is the DL system. Here, you pull out the seat and remove the backrest, transforming your sofa into a spacious bed.
Next, we have the "dolphin" method. It gets its name because you pull out a cart from under the seat and lift the mattress up, like a dolphin jumping out of the water. Lastly, there's the click-clack system. This is probably the simplest of all. You lift the seat up and push the backrest until you hear a click. That's it. Your sofa is now a bed.
These sofa beds give you plenty of seating without making the room feel cramped.
Most people who ask us for a corner sofa bed actually want a chaise. Every Furl sofa bed can have one, and there's lots of storage inside it for bedding and guests' bags. Many models can also have storage arms, which hold a duvet and pillows so everything is ready when someone stays.
How Many People Can Sleep in a Sofa Bed?
Most sofa beds are a double, which sleeps two. At Furl, every sofa bed has a full 2m-long mattress, and you choose the width:
- Small double – ideal for one adult
- Double (140 × 200cm) – sleeps two, and it's what's inside a 3-seater
- King (160 × 200cm) and super king (180 × 200cm) – room for two adults to sleep properly
King and super king are available on every model except Swan, Mellow and Piano.
Mattress, Space & Value: What Else to Consider
How much space a sofa bed takes up when it's open depends on four things: the width of the sofa, the design of the arms, the open length of the bed, and the width of the mattress. If floor space is tight, look for a model with slim or no arms — Furl sofa beds are designed so the cushions stay in place when pulled out, which keeps the open footprint as small as possible.
You should also be offered a proper choice of mattress. Look for the deepest mattress you can for comfort — Furl's range from 12cm up to 18cm thick, with the 18cm option the most popular. A good sofa bed should also be quick and easy to convert: no wrestling with cushions or hunting for somewhere to put them. Furl's mechanism turns a sofa into a bed and back again in under 3 seconds, and some models let you store bedding inside the base when it's not in use.
Finally, it's worth understanding why prices vary so much between sofa beds that look similar on the surface. The quality of materials and workmanship makes the real difference — mass-produced imports are built to a price, while carefully handmade British-made sofa beds cost more but tend to last, look, and perform better, backed up by proper after-sales care.
Measure the room before you choose. Our guide to measuring for a sofa bed shows how. Every Furl sofa bed is delivered in sections and built in your room, so tight stairs and narrow doors are rarely a problem.
Sofa Bed Seater Options
2-Seater Sofa Beds
A 2-seater sofa bed is best for small living spaces like flats. 2-seaters can also fit well in a bedroom as a handy piece of furniture. This size works great if you need extra sleeping space for a child or a single adult.
Every Furl model has a choice of arms, so a 2-seater sofa bed can be as narrow as 165cm and still have a 2m-long mattress.
3-Seater Sofa Beds
A 3-seater sofa bed fits perfectly in larger rooms and offers the same comfort as a regular bed. Whether you're outfitting your living room or a spare room, this practical piece will keep your guests comfy all night long.
There's a 140cm double inside, and it starts at 170cm wide.
4-Seater Sofa Beds
A 4-seater sofa bed gives two adults plenty of room to sleep comfortably. They’re spacious and ideal for lounging during the day and spreading out at night. However, they’re pretty big, so they might not fit well in smaller spaces. If you have enough room, though, these sofa beds are a great pick for versatile seating and sleeping.
Want more room to sleep? Most models also come as a king size sofa bed.
The Best Fabrics for Your Sofa Bed
The fabric you choose changes how your sofa bed looks, feels and lasts. These are the ranges people choose most at Furl.
House Fabrics – our most popular range on beds and sofa beds. Treated with FibreGuard stain protection, so most spills and muddy paws wipe off.
Omega Velvet – the most popular choice on sofa beds. Tightly woven and very hard-wearing, it doesn't show pet hair and resists snagging far better than most fabrics.
Linara (Linen Mix) – a natural, textured look for a calmer room.
Soft Weave, Chenille and Bouclé – softer, more textured fabrics. Lovely to sit on, but not the one to choose if your cat scratches. More on that in our guide to pet-friendly fabrics.
Leather – ages well and wipes clean. We use European hides, and we also offer recycled leather (Linwood Saddle) and vegan options.
Durability is measured in Martindale rubs. For everyday use, look for 30,000 or more. There's more detail in our guide to choosing sofa upholstery fabric.
The best way to choose is to see them in your own light. Order up to 8 free fabric samples, or come and see hundreds more in our showrooms.
Essential Care Tips For Your Sofa Bed
Daily sofa bed care is simple and doesn’t take much time. Keep your sofa bed away from direct sunlight to prevent fabric fading. When spills happen, clean them up quickly to avoid stains. Fluff the cushions each day to keep their shape and remove any hidden dirt.
For weekly upkeep, vacuum the upholstery to get rid of dust and hair. Rotate the cushions to ensure even use and wipe down the frame and legs to remove any surface dust.
Every month or so, vacuum under the cushions and check the mechanism moves freely. For stains, follow the care label for your fabric, or ask us. There's more in our sofa bed care guide.
Use pet-friendly covers if you have pets, and try to change your usual sitting spot to avoid wear in one area. Stick to mild cleaners to keep your sofa bed looking its best.
What Are The Advantages Of Sofa Beds?
Sofa beds are handy for small spaces. They give you a comfortable spot to sit during the day and a pull-out bed at night. You don’t need a spare room for guests anymore. Just pull out the bed when needed. Sofa beds save money since you’re buying one piece of furniture that does two jobs. There are lots of styles to match your home. Newer models even come with hidden storage for added convenience.
Are Sofa Beds Comfortable?
Sofa beds can be comfortable if you pick the right one. A lot depends on the quality of the mattress and the support system. Look for sofa beds with thick, high-density foam mattresses and sturdy frames. A good design ensures the mattress sits flat without any lumps or uneven spots. Test the mattress and check the cushion support before buying.
Not sure whether to go for foam or springs? Read foam vs spring sofa bed mattresses.
Can You Sleep On A Sofa Bed Every Night?
You can sleep on a sofa bed every night, but make sure it’s a quality design with a good mattress. Many people worldwide sleep on sofa beds all year round without issues. If it’s comfortable and supports your body well, it can be a great space-saving solution. Just remember to choose a model meant for regular use and check the mattress quality. For long-term comfort, consider replacing the mattress if it starts to wear out.
If it's going to be your main bed, see our sofa beds for everyday use.
The best way to choose is to try one. Our showrooms are open seven days a week and you don't need an appointment, although you can if you want. And every Furl sofa bed comes with a 60-day home trial.
- Updated :
- Published :
- Author David Norman
- label