Buying a Couch Bed

Sofa beds are multifunctional furniture that can be used in many ways. Interior designer Annie Mueller recommends this budget-friendly twin sleeper from Pottery barn's teen collection. She says the sofa's seat cushion can be folded up to create a the 10" foam mattress that rests 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 the guests feel like they're sleeping on a platform instead of a bed. To prevent this, invest in a mattress topper, such as the Linenspa memory foam one at Amazon, to add some additional padding to your couch mattress. This will help keep your guests from waking up with back pain or the metal frames squeaking or creaking.

A chaise extension will allow guests to stretch out and enjoy a more relaxing time. The appropriate color and material for your sofa bed is important, since it will determine how it blends into the rest of the space. If you're not sure of the fabric to select, get free material swatches online, and experiment with them in your home before deciding on the purchase.

This midcentury modern sofa from Anthropologie is a great choice for anyone looking for a bed or sofa that's comfortable in both versions. With a queen-sized innerspring mattress, this couch is perfect best places to buy couches (Full Post) host guests and seats two comfortably. It's also customizable with more than 70 different fabrics and cushion combinations.

This sleeper sofa, although a little more expensive than the other choices in this roundup, is very comfortable and comes with a thick 13cm memory foam mattress--the thickest of all. The unique design of this sleeper sofa, which includes an mechanism that flips the backrest and seat to turn it into a mattress, is a major selling feature.

The piece is a bit of a challenge to put together, but all the necessary tools are included. It's well worth the effort considering that this sofa is loved by buyers for its comfort and flexibility. It's able to comfortably seat two people and offers an array of customizable options, including 11 layouts, 194 fabrics, 5 widths, 4 depths and 6 chaise lengths.

In contrast to other sleeper sofas from West Elm incorporates a bed frame within its structure to make the conversion process more easy and comfortable. When it is not in couch mode, the mattress is concealed beneath the cushions and it takes a matter of seconds to fold out to form a bed. The mattress isn't slender or uncomfortable, and has a built-in compartment to keep pillows and blankets.

Style

A couch bed can come in a variety of designs. The most common is a sleeper sofa that has an upholstered mattress and frame for the bed within its structure. They are more comfortable than air mattresses and traditional pull-out couches, since they offer a more stable mattress.

Click-clack style sofa beds can be transformed from a couch into beds in just one step. The underside of the structure must be lifted and tilted back before it can be laid flat to fit a mattress.

A daybed has a similar design to a leather sectional couch bed, however it has a higher back and armrests. The type of couch comes with an upholstered mattress that is covered by a removable slipcover making it a great choice for someone who wants the benefits of a sofa bed but prefers a more traditional style. This type of couch also offers the added benefit of being able to you can put the bedding away when not being used.

Durability

You want a sofa to endure the daily demands of use. You should look for sturdy construction features such as solid wooden frames, reinforced edges and cushions that don't sag over time. You'll want a fabric that is easy to clean, able to take on spills and be able to handle stains. Request fabric swatches prior to you buy if not sure of the right fabric.

The two-seater sleeper sofa made by Emma Sleep is an excellent example of comfort and durability in a sleeper couch. Its mattress is 10 inches thick when laid flat and is made of CentriPur foam, which is designed to keep you cool. It is also latex-free, which reduces allergy concerns. I found it very comfortable to sleep on and the only downside was that changing it back into a couch took some effort (it's not as simple to convert into an air mattress).

This sleeper's frame is made of birch for durability and strength. It's also upholstered with easy-to-clean, polyester and includes an extra cushion for comfort. The chaise is an added bonus and acts as a comfy headrest when the sofa is converted into a bed.

Another great option for a comfortable, functional sofa bed is this three-seater model from West Elm. The mattress is 13cm thick when folded out it is a great size and much more comfortable than the thin sofa beds that many sleeper sofas come with. The extra thickness also makes it easy to remove the bed when guests arrive, without any difficulty or slipping.

Another feature that makes this couch sofa set a standout is the simple mechanism that allows you to transform it into a bed. Unlike some pull-out sofas, that can be difficult to operate and don't feel very secure, this couch comes with a lever you push to open the bed, as well as an extension bar that you pull out to extend it. It's a bit more expensive than other sleeper sofas vs couch but it's worth the price for its quality, comfort and ease of use.

Storage

A sofa bed with storage built-in is a great option for those with little space. This type of sofa comes with an enclosed compartment that you can use to store bedding and pillows. It's possible to fold the bed down easily when you have guests over. This furniture is available in a variety of upholstery fabrics and fits the majority of mattresses.

Storing the Couch in a manner that Allows for Air Flow

Avoid stacking boxes against or on top of your couch when you are storing it. This could cause damage to the frame and cushions, as well as leave behind moisture that could lead to mildew and mold. It is also essential to store the couch at a suitable 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. Vacuuming the fabric, wiping off non-fabric surfaces and the sofa feet are all a part of this. This can help reduce the risk of mold and mildew growth even when you're not using it and ensure the fabric is secure from insects that could be seeking a meal.