Sofa beds: the factors to consider when choosing one that's right for you
Space-saving and versatile, pull-out sofas (aka sofa beds) are great to have if you need an extra bed for an unexpected guest, for example. And for small homes, sofa beds are often the only beds owned and used by the occupants.
With so many types and models of sofa beds on the market, it's important that you choose the one that's right for you and your home - read on to find out more:
How to choose a sofa bed
When choosing a sofa bed, here are the things you need to consider:
- What are your needs and how much space do you have? Ask yourself: how often will you need the bed and how much space do you have available?
- If you don't have to use the bed often, you can opt for a model with a less sophisticated opening mechanism - which will make the model cheaper - but don't compromise on overall robustness. That said, struggling to open/close a sofa bed every morning and evening can be a real hassle!
- The right size: as when choosing any piece of furniture, you need to imagine how you will move around in the space after it has been deployed (opened). If you need access to power outlets, shelves, windows, etc., try to source the least cumbersome, "bulky" model. And, of course, you need to consider the space the sofa bed will occupy when it's open!
- The deployment mechanism: there are sofas that "stretch out" to become flat, others that have a drawer underneath them that doubles the surface of the seating, while others have a rotating axis. It is best to first try out these types of deployment mechanisms (regardless of the model and size) to determine which will be the most convenient for you to use.
- The quality of the mattress: a bed must be comfortable, and sofa beds are no exception to this rule. If you want to guarantee sleeping comfort, perhaps the sofa bed model you're looking for is one you can put a high-quality mattress onto. The key here is to first try out laying down on the model's built-in mattress to ensure it will be comfortable for sleeping on - most showrooms will certainly allow you to do this.
- Materials: we all know that certain types of wood or metal are better than others, and the price of a sofa bed varies based on these factors too. Given this, seeking a balanced compromise between quality, aesthetics and budget is vital.
- The style: the furnishings and decor of the room in which the sofa bed will end up must also guide you in choosing the "look" of the one you buy. And when it comes to colors, if you can't find a sofa bed that matches your room's decor, you can always "correct" this by adding a matching cover when it's closed, and matching sheets when it's open.
- Cleaning: at some point, you'll need to thoroughly clean the mattresses, vacuum the frame and clean underneath the sofa bed. Given this, select a model that will make keeping it clean and hygienic as easy as possible.
- And don't forget: you still need to be able to get through the door and have access to a window when the sofa bed is open!
The extra-large sofa bed option
Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels
As an alternative to a pull-out sofa bed with special deployment mechanisms, you could consider investing in a sofa which is big enough to be converted into a bed without any deploment being necessary - if you have the space, of course. Buying a sofa that has seating large enough to allow anyone to sleep on it comfortably is an option to consider (and especially if you don't often have overnight guests, or those that stay with you for long periods).
What type of sofa bed do you think would best serve your needs?
