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There’s no escaping it, Christmas is fast approaching, which for many means friends and family will soon be coming to stay. If you’re already starting to worry about where everyone will sleep, the humble sofa bed can offer a great solution. David Norman, Founder of Furl, shares his advice on what separates a good sofa bed from a great one, from comfort and design to choosing a style that works well all year round.
Think beyond the occasional sleepover
“A sofa bed is a piece of furniture you'll probably use far more often as a sofa than as a bed, so it's important to get both aspects right. Think about how you use the room every day, how many people need to sit comfortably and whether the design will work with the rest of your furniture. You want something that's comfortable to sit on and looks good in the room, rather than a bed that happens to double up as a sofa,” advises David.
Don't overlook the mattress
Not all sofa beds offer the same sleeping experience, so it's worth looking beyond the design. “If you want to ensure your guests have a great night’s sleep, mattress comfort should be high on your list,” says David. “Mattress depth, support and the size of the bed itself can vary considerably. Most of our sofa beds have an 18cm deep and 2m long mattress which makes a huge difference to the comfort, as it's just like sleeping on a normal bed. Traditionally sofa bed mattresses were often just 6-10cm thick, so it's worth checking the design you're considering has a proper mattress and is available in real bed sizes."
Think about how the room will work overnight
When a room serves more than one purpose, it's important to consider what happens when the sofa bed is opened out. Will there still be enough space to move around comfortably? Can you get to the furniture and things you need, or will things have to be moved out of the way each time?
“It's easy to focus on whether a sofa bed will fit into a room as a sofa, but it's just as important to think about how the space will work once the bed is open. A little planning will help to avoid a room that feels cramped or awkward to use while guests are staying,” says David.
It's also worth thinking about how your chosen sofa bed will get into the room in the first place, particularly in older properties with narrow staircases, tight hallways or awkward turns. “Our sofa beds are delivered in sections and installed by our expert team for a perfect fit,” explains David.
Make guests feel at home
Comfort doesn't stop at the bed itself. Fresh bedding, a spare blanket, somewhere to put bags and a convenient place to charge a phone will all help your guests to settle in. “Think about what you’d want if you were staying in someone else’s home, as it’s these little details that your guests will really appreciate. You don't need a dedicated guest bedroom to make people feel welcome, but it helps to think through what they might need before they arrive,” comments David.
Choose furniture that works beyond Christmas
A sofa bed is a much better investment when it works for everyday life, too. For example, in a home office, it could provide somewhere to sit away from your desk, or in a snug, it might offer extra seating for family film nights. Look for a design that suits the proportions of your room and sits comfortably alongside your existing furniture, so it feels like a natural part of your home rather than something brought out just for visitors.
