The best sleeper sofas have many hidden talents. By day, they’re laying the foundation for channel surfing, curling up with a book, and every day lounging. By night, they can transform into comfortable lodging for family, friends, or weary visitors who’ve stopped by for a sleepover. And while you may not think of them as the sexiest furnishings on the market, we’re here to respectfully disagree. In our search for the sturdiest and most stylish of them all, it should come as no surprise that we had very high expectations—we’re very particular about our sleep at AD (more on our testing criteria below).
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After sending out sleeper sofas from several retailers to apartments and houses across the northeast, we had our testers put them through their paces with various sitting, laying, and snoozing tests (after all, these couches pull double duty as part-time beds, and part-time lounging surfaces). If you’re looking to get the most out of your living room, a stay that overnight guests will actually appreciate, or tired of deflated air mattresses, check out some of our favorite sleeper sofa selections below.
Best Scandi Sleeper Sofa
Specs
Dimensions
- Regular: 87"W x 35"D X 33"H
- Pullout: 72"L x 60"W
Materials
- Rubberwood, plywood, foam, polyester fiber, and steel
Shipping & Returns
- Shipping: Free shipping on orders of $999 or more with white-glove service available for an additional fee
- Return Policy: 30-day return policy for items in original condition with original packaging ($49 return fee applies)
Upsides & Downsides
Upsides:
- Easy to convert from couch to sleeper
- Durable fabric and frame
Downsides:
- Limited colorways (only blue, light and dark gray are available)
- Mattress on the firm side
Overall Rating: B
Article is one of our favorite brands when it comes to sectionals, bed frames, and more—so naturally, we had to put one of their sleeper sofas to the test. Contributor Mackenzie Chung Fegan told us the “minimalist Nordby Sofa Bed is attractively priced and easy to convert, with a pullout component that slides into place next to the sofa seat and forms a mattress roughly the size of a full-size pullout bed.” If you’re a fan of firm mattresses and have a smaller space, this sofa may just be perfect for you, though Chung Fegan warns that the seat depth “feels ungenerous,” and the extra firm seat cushions don’t lend themselves exceptionally well to sitting comfortably.
Best Budget Sleeper
Specs
Dimensions
- Regular: 34'' H X 76.5'' W X 35.5'' D
- Pullout: not listed
Materials
- Polyester, foam, synthetic fiber, solid and manufactured wood, along with springs within the mattress
Shipping & Returns
- Shipping: Made-to-order, so shipping depends on the style of couch you select
- Return Policy: 30-day return policy
Upsides & Downsides
Upsides:
- Classic design
- Easy to clean
- Works well in a small space
Downsides:
- Offgassing upon unboxing
- Mattress on the thin side
Overall Rating: A-
Available in over 50 different fabric styles, from beige linen to a mauve chenille, this made-to-order sofa feels like a couch you could have dreamed up yourself. It has over 1,500 glowing reviews to its credit and as our tester, commerce director Rachel Fletcher found, the Kodie is mighty comfortable, dependable in a “goes with everything” kinda way, and converts into a pull-out bed with ease. Give it a little tug to fold out the queen-size mattress within, then lay back for a rest. “It’s very cushioned and there are no sharp edges to speak of, while the padded arms make it easy to recline and rest on the sides of the couch,” Fletcher says, adding that while the mattress itself is on the thinner side, it's still very comfortable for guests passing through.
Best Versatile Sleeper Sofa
Specs
Dimensions
- Regular: 80"W x 38"D x 31"H
- Pulled-out: 80"L x 90"W
Materials
- Fabric upholstery (linen, velvet, chenille, canvas, boucle, twill, and basketweave options), wood frame, gel-infused foam mattress
Shipping & Returns
- Shipping: Flate rate or white-glove service
- Return Policy: Eligible items within 30 days of receiving an order or 7 days for quick-ship upholstery items
Upsides & Downsides
Upsides:
- Plush and comfortable for lounging
- Gel memory foam mattress
- Available in 99 upholstery colorways
- Easy delivery and setup process
Downsides:
- Slight scent upon delivery, but airs out in a day or two
- Heavy and not easy to shift
West Elm’s wildly popular Shelter sofa is another name to know on your search. It’s a bestseller for the retailer in large part because of how sturdy the handcrafted bed frame is (this is a pullout-style sofa bed with a gel-infused mattress inside it), but the sofa itself is also handsome enough to gel with a variety of living room styles. “The cushions are incredibly plush and perfect for lounging during the day,” says contributor Yelena Alpert, who has this couch in her guest room.
“I especially like that the seat cushion is one piece, so you never feel like you’re falling through a crack and it doesn’t sag.” Opening it up for guests is a cinch—just take off the cushions and pull up on the bar, and it folds right out. The gel-infused memory foam mattress is “a real upgrade” from the typical sleeper mattresses of the past that tend to be lacking in the support department. “My son had to use the sleeper for almost a week because we were doing renovations in his bedroom, and he said it was better than his regular mattress,” says Alpert, who has the sofa in olive green performance velvet. “The color works as a neutral that has personality, and reads as a soft, almost sage-like hue,” she adds. If you want to go a bit bolder, the Shelter sleeper is also available in wildcard hues like orange and yellow, though this probably isn’t a couch that will match your freak if you want something more out-there.
When it comes to delivery, the couch did take about eight weeks to make as it was a made-to-order upholstery option. But Alpert notes that the West Elm customer service and delivery process is excellent, as she was able to schedule the delivery around her renovation. What’s more, when it was at her house, the delivery team took it upstairs no problem and even made it fit through her 29-inch doorways.
Best Sleeper Sectional
Specs
Dimensions
- Regular: 99"W x 39”D x 69"D (with chaise) x 31.5"H
- Pulled-out: 99"W x 69.5"D x 31.5"H
Materials
- Upholstery: recycled polyester
- Frame: Steel, MDF board (FSC certified), laminate veneer lumber, and polyurethane foam (CertiPUR-US® certified)
Shipping & Returns
- Shipping: Ships in 2-4 days, with average delivery time around 2 weeks depending on location and local carrier service.
- Return Policy: 120-day risk free returns with free pickup
Upsides & Downsides
Upsides:
- Modern look
- Chaise storage compartment
- Mattress topper included
Downsides:
- Pilling
Overall Rating: A
Versatility and comfort are what define Koala’s Wanda sofa bed. Its modern design—with its sloped armrests and rounded cushions—make the sofa an attractive option for shoppers who want their furniture to look good and doubles as the perfect movie night seating. “My friends and I joke that it’s a ‘Midwest sofa’ because it’s got that plush, loungable quality that feels distinctly like the suburban sofas of our childhood,” digital features editor Kate McLaughlin told us in her review. “It doesn’t sag but isn’t too firm either—supportive without being stiff. I love it.” The sofa converts into sleeper mode by pulling out an additional footrest (designed like a drawer) that meets the length of the reversible chaise. Koala even provides cushion inserts and a pillowed mattress top for optimal comfort. The PFA-free construction is a reassuring bonus for health-conscious consumers and the fast shipping and painless delivery ensure comfy, cozy nights in can begin ASAP.
Best Vintage-Inspired Sleeper Sofa
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Specs
Dimensions
- Regular: 72"W x 40"D x 37"H
- Pullout: 83"L x 60"W
Materials
- Polyester and cotton fabrics (including performance fabric options) or leather upholstery, Trillium polyester and foam fill, 7-ply wood frame, solid wood legs, and metal mattress frame
Shipping & Returns
- Shipping: Threshold delivery ($249), white-glove service ($399), and delivery in 3+ weeks
- Return Policy: 100-day return policy for items in original condition and packaging (10% fee applies for returns made after 14 days of receipt). Shipping costs are nonrefundable.
Upsides & Downsides
Upsides:
- Well-built
- Easy to set up
- Available in more than 100 colorways as well as leather options
Downsides:
- Very firm mattress
- Some reviewers encountered delivery issues
- Expensive compared to the sofas on this list
Overall Rating: A-
Tired of not getting exactly what you want? Gone are days spending hours on end in search of the ideal sofa bed. BenchMade Modern’s made-to-order process allows prospective shoppers to tailor the size, fill, and upholstery to whatever your heart may desire from the very start, turning that vision of the perfect sofa into a handcrafted reality. Just ask AD Pro editor Mel Studach who told us the “American-made sofa bed exceeds my expectations.” She calls out its “plush yet structured” surface that is easy to convert to a bed and gorgeous sage velvet upholstery that goes against the grain in a very neutral-loving marketplace.
Best Deep-Seated Sleeper
Specs
Dimensions
- Regular: 79.25"W x 39"D x 31"H
- Pullout: 79.25"L x 92"W
Materials
- Nomad fabric, velvet (100% polyester), velvet, and boucle options available; Beechwood and engineered hardwood frame, and memory foam mattress
Shipping & Returns
- Shipping: Pricing varies by location (New York–based addresses cost around $247), and typically takes 7-10 days when in stock
- Return Policy: 30-day return policy for non-custom furniture “in new and resalable condition”
Upsides & Downsides
Upsides:
- Well-made pull-out mechanism
- Soft upholstery
- Smooth delivery
Downsides:
- Shoppers purchasing custom colors can experience delayed delivery
- Back pillows on the smaller size
Overall Rating: A
Mermelada Estudio’s Truffare sleeper sofa was the perfect addition to an office space that former AD editor Rachel Davies was hoping to use as spare guest quarters. From the deep-seated cushioning to the high-quality materials, the sofa quickly become one of their favorite lounge spots. “I’m totally in love with and daydream about laying down to read a book at the end of the workday,” said Davies. “I have a sofa in my living room and yet keep returning to this one, and it’s comfortable as a bed for when guests come around, too.”
More AD-Approved Picks
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Specs
Dimensions
- Regular: 84"W x 32.5"D x 33.5"H
- Pulled-out: 80"L x 60"W
Materials
- Core foam, memory foam, jersey knit, down alternative fill
Shipping & Returns
- Shipping: Ships in 1–3 weeks, comes in smaller box due to modular design
- Return Policy: N/A
Upsides & Downsides
Upsides:
- Mattress has cooling memory foam
- Budget-friendly
- Modular design allows for multiple layout configurations
Downsides:
- Firm mattress
- Can be tricky to assemble
Burrow has perfected the art of the couch-in-a-box business, so it’s no wonder that the brand made an appearance on this list, too. With a shallower depth, the Shift might lack the same back and neck support as some of the other picks on this list, but it more than makes up for that with its modern silhouette. Cushions on all sides dial up the comfort factor, and the short, stubby legs keep things grounded in more ways than one. The couch has a great party trick when guests are over, too: The bottom cushions can be flipped to reveal a futon-style sleeping surface (and the brand even throws in two complimentary cushions to set up your couch surfers for a restful night’s sleep).
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Specs
Dimensions
- Regular: 79"W x 36"D x 35"H
- Pulled-out: 72"L x 60"W
Materials
- Fabric upholstery (linen, velvet, chenille, and slub weave options), wood frame, cushion, memory foam mattress
Shipping & Returns
- Shipping: Custom made, ships in 8–14 weeks
- Return Policy: N/A
Upsides & Downsides
Upsides:
- Completely customizable in terms of fabric, leg material, cushion fill, and mattress type
- More than 100 colorways
- Great customer service
Downsides:
- Upgrades like a memory foam mattress are an extra $200
- Somewhat firm seat cushion
- Leather upholstery can feel slippery
Interior Define is the closest thing you can get to a bespoke sofa, with dozens of colorways and styles at your disposal, plus some extra attention paid to details like length, depth, and cushion fill if you favor foam to feathers or are leggy enough to need a sofa that places you further back from the floor. From rich velvet to chenille, there are also lots of ways to nail the right fabric swatch to match your existing decor. We like the Sloan specifically for its softness, whether in sofa or bed form. The couch conceals a 5.5-inch queen-size mattress topped with memory foam for sleepers who want to feel supported, but gently.
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Specs
Dimensions
- Regular: 35'' H X 84'' W X 40'' D
- Pulled-out: 35'' H x 84"W x 85"D
Materials
- Velvet or performance basketweave upholstery, foam, engineered wood
Shipping & Returns
- Shipping: Room of Choice–item placed in any room in your home
- Return Policy: Within 30 days of delivery
Upsides & Downsides
Upsides:
- Lots of color options
- Removable and washable cover (for basketweave option)
- Free white glove delivery
Downsides:
- Long delivery time
Though we’ve yet to venture into Quince’s furniture, we’ve tested lots of other goods from the brand and feel confident vouching for their commitment to quality. Among collections of reasonably-priced bedding, loungewear, and decor, the Stillman sofa has a versatile look that can adapt to a vast range of interior styles—whether your space leans more midcentury or you’re looking to bring a contemporary feel to vintage decor accoutrements. You’ll be able to choose from a practical performance basketweave upholstery as well as a luxe-looking velvet, and the sleeper’s interior is equipped with a five-inch memory foam mattress that’s easy to dress with your favorite sheets. The design uses a dual handle pull-out mechanism that’s meant to make the processing of revealing and concealing your mattress effortless and was specifically engineered to eliminate any gaps between the mattress and frame found in most sleepers, giving it a more streamlined look.
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Specs
Dimensions
- Regular: 38'' H X 123'' W X 42.1'' D
- Pulled-out: 38'' H x 123"W x 60.5"D
Materials
- 85 different upholstery and color options, engineered wood, memory foam
Shipping & Returns
- Shipping: Room of Choice–item placed in any room in your home (price dependent on shipping location)
- Return Policy: No returns on custom items
Upsides & Downsides
Upsides:
- Many color and upholstery options
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Left or right chaise option
Downsides:
- Larger design
- Cushions may shift
The Wilder sofa is another contemporary silhouette with a wide range of colorful upholsteries to appeal to youthful home dwellers. A sister brand to La-Z-Boy, Joybird gives you the option between two mattresses for its sleeper designs: standard foam or a higher grade Tempur-response memory foam that targets your pressure points. Shoppers can also choose between a left- or right-facing chaise with the discreet mattress (a standard bar-and-spring style pull out situation) hidden beneath the non-chaise seating portion. Thoughtful details like slanted armrests make the sectional a comfy design to rest your head even when it’s not in sleeper mode.
Specs
Dimensions
- Regular: 38'' H X 123'' W X 42.1'' D
- Pulled-out: 38'' H x 123"W x 60.5"D
Materials
- 85 different upholstery and color options, engineered wood, memory foam
Shipping & Returns
- Shipping: Room of Choice–item placed in any room in your home (price dependent on shipping location)
- Return Policy: No returns on custom items
Upsides & Downsides
Upsides:
- Classic look
- Petite size
- Different arm rest sizing available
Downsides:
- Lacks color and upholstery options
It’s not lost on us that sleepers offer lots of function to smaller homes, which is why this under 100” wide model from AD-trusted brand Arhaus has our seal of approval. Contributor Lila Allen tested a larger, non-sleeper version of Arhaus’s Kipton sofa and praised its quality feel, sophisticated look, comfortable cushioning, and the brand’s no-hassle delivery. “I find this sofa to be really cushy and enveloping, but let’s be clear: This is not an upright and formal sit,” Allen said. “It’s lazy and low, but still supportive.” Other versions of the sofa—like an even more petite twin-size sleeper, substantial king-size, and a wide-arm design—allow you to bring in the right silhouette to suit your space’s needs.
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Specs
Dimensions
- Regular: 73"W x 39"D x 32"H
- Pulled-out: 73"W x 85.5"D x 32"H
Materials
- Red oak wood base
- Trillium
- Hardwood
- Plywood
- Linen
Shipping & Returns
- Shipping: Ships with white glove delivery for $179
- Return Policy: Final sale
Upsides & Downsides
Upsides:
- Stylish look
- Colorful upholstery options
- Good size range available
Downsides:
- Long lead time
- Needs to be placed out of direct sunlight
Lulu and Georgia’s Coniston sleeper is another pick for cozy spaces. The Belgian linen upholstery, which comes in five colors including a rich moss and apricot, sits somewhere between English cottage elegance and coastal glam. Sloping arms add a touch of sophistication while still prioritizing comfort. The couch is filled with polyester fiberfill and malleable foam that works to hold its shape, so you won’t find yourself in a constant state of fluffing. Available in either a king or queen size when pulled out, the sleeper portion opens up to a five-inch thick TK. Prevent any fading in the upholstery by placing this design out of direct sunlight and also note the longer lead time (current wait time is between five and seven weeks and all made-to-order items are final sale).
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Specs
Dimensions
- Regular: 31.5"H x 75"W x 35.5"D
- Pulled-out: 9"H x 75"W x 60.5"D
Materials
- Polyester fiber
- Foam
- Pine
- Plywood
- Pocket springs
Shipping & Returns
- Shipping: Free shipping on orders of $999 or more with white-glove service available for an additional fee
- Return Policy: 30-day return policy for items in original condition with original packaging ($49 return fee applies)
Upsides & Downsides
Upsides:
- Modern look
- Easily converts
Downsides:
- No arms
- Sits on the ground
Article’s Braam sofa bed oozes casual elegance. Petite and low-slung, the armless silhouette and oversized pillow cushions feel nonchalant but not sloppy, and can easily bring some dynamic energy to more formal living room seating layouts. Even converting the furniture into its nighttime silhouette is low-effort: The thick, memory foam base unfolds into a queen sized bed without any finicky mechanisms and you’ll avoid having to stuff any memory foam back into a limiting frame. Tested with a count of 50,000 rubs, the performance-oriented upholstery is sure to keep a youthful appearance even years down the line.
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Specs
Dimensions
- Regular: 34.3'' H X 86'' W X 42.1'' D
- Pulled-out: 34.3'' H x 79.1"W x 60"D
Materials
- Polyester upholstery (Brown, Ivory, White)
- Pocketed coil springs
Shipping & Returns
- Shipping: Room of Choice–item placed in any room in your home
- Return Policy: Within 30 days of delivery
Upsides & Downsides
Upsides:
- Soft fabric
- Easy to pull out, one-hand operation
- Wood sled base adds stability
Downsides:
- Only White colorway is in stock
- White fabric can get scuffed
- Assembly required
It’s always a good sign when a sleeper sofa is from a company that knows mattresses. The Serta Durango convertible sleeper has dual coils, and pocketed high-quality springs for extra comfort. When you’re ready, the pull-out seats turn into a queen-sized bed. Thanks to its finger guard technology, your fingers are also safe from pinching. We also love that its space-saving size and clean lines (the sleeper is anchored by a wood sled base) fit comfortably in a modern home with a minimalist style. Keep in mind that some assembly is required, but once your sleeper sofa is all set up, it will all be worth it.
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Specs
Dimensions
- Regular: 34'' H X 86'' W X 35.5'' D
- Pulled-out: 34'' H x 90.5"W x 59.5"D
Materials
- Polyester upholstery, particleboard, fiberboard, wood, foam
Shipping & Returns
- Shipping: Price depends on delivery address
- Return Policy: Within one year of delivery
Upsides & Downsides
Upsides:
- Chaise storage
- Easy to convert
- Modern look
Downsides:
- May be too firm for certain sleepers
- Separation at cushions
- Assembly required
This IKEA sleeper sectional is priced at under $1,000, which is one of the more budget-friendly prices we’ve seen among similar silhouettes (take Article’s Nordby sectional for example, which is over double the price). The lift-top chaise offers discreet storage so you could easily stow away your sheets and comforter when transitioning from sleep to day mode and the one arm-design has a modern look. Unlike Joybird’s sectional, the chaise portion of IKEA’s L-shaped couch also forms part of the sleeper, so the base is completely leveled and you’ll be able to really sprawl. To convert your sleeper, you’ll just have to slide out the base of the bench portion and lift up the extra cushioning to level the surface.
What to Consider When Buying a Sleeper Sofa
What kind of a sleeper sofa are you looking for?
There are three main types of sleeper sofas in the world: Futon-style couches (like the are a less bulky and heavy option where the cushions of the couch fold down to become a surface for sleeping. Pull-out couches are the most traditional and also the heaviest, as they contain a full mattress within an inner cavity, combined with the couch itself. For those, you’ll probably want to request white-glove delivery if you can afford it, as they’ll require some huffing and puffing to transport it into your house. Technically a long chaise or daybed can also function as sleeper sofas, but since those could fall into a separate category, we mostly tested the two former options for this story.
How much room do you have in your home?
Space is one of the biggest considerations you'll have to weigh when you’re shopping for couches. Depending on the size of your guest room, you may have the square footage for a sprawling pull-out style couch, or need to make do with a fold-down futon for an area with a smaller footprint. Always, always, always measure the designated space you want to slot your new couch (along with your doors!) before trying to squeeze something past the threshold of your home that just won't fit.
How much support do you need?
Compared to, say, an air mattress (which can be saggy and provide uneven support), a sleeper sofa is typically going to be much more comfortable for your guests to sleep on. It all boils down to the kind of sleeper you are and what support you value, though. Some sleepers might prefer a couch without the dreaded support bar propping up the bed in a pull-out sofa, while others need a real springs-and-all mattress rather than a bricklike futon to lay back on. Consider what types of support you might need in our primer on how to shop for a mattress.
How We Tested
There are many factors that went into each of our reviews to give you the insight you need to select the best sleeper sofa for your home. Here's a peek at our thought process for these standardized reviews we run:
Ordering and Customization Process: Price points, shallow or deep seats, armrests or armless, down seat and back cushions or foam cushioning, and which upholstery to choose—each of the sofas we tested has possibilities. We also documented the lead times and expected delivery timelines for each model.
Couch Delivery and Assembly: Curbside or white-glove delivery, fully assembled or DIY. And, if DIY, how many pieces did the sofa arrive in, and how difficult was the assembly?
After Installation: We asked some tough functionality questions of each sofa: Is it practical for a modern home? Is the couch kid and/or pet friendly? What are the care and cleaning instructions? And did it look better in real life than in the photos?
Pullout Process: We wanted to know just how easy it is to turn these sofas into makeshift mattresses. We asked our testers how difficult it was to figure out how to convert their seats to sleeper mode and how much physical strength it required.
Sleep Test: The big question we wanted to answer: Just how well can you sleep on a sleeper sofa? We grilled our testers on what it’s actually like to spend multiple nights snoozing on these bad boys. How plush or firm did the pullout mattress feel? What was the mattress type? Does the couch easily convert into sleeper mode? Is it actually comfortable?
How We Chose
On our pursuit for the perfect sleeper sofa, we prioritized picks that were above all comfortable to sleep on, plus elegant enough to suit our testers’ aesthetics (anything that didn’t make at least a B- for all of the criteria above was not mentioned in our piece at all). Our top choices were also couches that shipped out quickly and weren’t a complete nightmare to set up, factoring in that more custom pieces could take slightly longer to produce).
Over the years since we first started testing out sleeper sofas, we delisted picks from brands like EQ3 and Apt. 2B that felt overly cost-prohibitive for the quality, anything else that was no longer in stock, and others that we felt weren’t as high quality as current tested picks in their respective categories. And because we haven’t had the chance to test out every iteration of sleeper sofa on the market just yet, we included a section of alternative picks for shoppers that our team is either in the process of testing right now or that we think you should know about based on style and brand reputation.
FAQs
What Are the Best Sleeper Sofas for Small Spaces?
Small spaces, while defined by a small footprint, can also be surprisingly adept at accommodating different types of seating depending on your layout. It’s why experts like designer Caroline Burke of Anna Burke Interiors recommend sectionals even in small apartments for their versatility. “A sectional can give you that maxed-out seating and help the room feel like a cozy nook, not a cramped back office,” she previously told us.
You may also be concerned about space if you’re thinking about a sleeper sofa with an internal pullout bed for guests. Not only do you need to think about the dimensions of the couch itself, but also how much room you have for an internal bed. Always be sure to measure before calling in any larger furnishings to your home (which can be a pain to box up for returns), and consider a futon-style bed like the Teddy Sleeper sofa above or the slim, streamlined Carmel Daybed from Pottery Barn if you’re really tight on square footage. Companies like Burrow also sell Sleep Kits that can convert a regular couch surface into a sleeper, complete with a small cushy topper, sheets, pillow, and beyond.
How Do You Style a Multipurpose Guest Nook?
Oftentimes, people who don’t have the budget for separate office and guest rooms will combine the two into a multifunctional live-work space. If that sounds like you, consider these pro tips from AD PRO Directory members who have previously weighed in with design advice for guest rooms.
“When selecting [a guest room sofa], be careful that it is both comfortable to sit on and sleep on,” New York-City based designer Paris Forino previously told us. In a Greenwich Village town house project she decorated where an office served as a transitional sitting room and guest bedroom, she created a custom sleeper sofa with velveteen upholstery and plush cushions plus a comfortable mattress inside.
In these transitional spaces, incorporating elements of a bedroom and an office, such as bookshelves and blackout shades, can also help a room wear multiple hats. Textured accents like throw pillows and calming color palettes are other suggestions designers like Sara Swabb, the founder and creative director of Storie Collective in Washington, DC, recommend for a space where guests will drift off.
What is the Difference Between a Sofa Bed and a Sleeper Sofa?
Think of sleeper sofas and sofa beds as siblings—they share a lot of the same main functions with differences in design and appearance. The key difference between the two is that a sleeper sofa describes seating where a hidden mattress is pulled out from under cushions, while sofa beds are converted by folding down or removing cushions to create a flat surface (such as a futon). Most sofa beds also fold down in one smooth motion with no unfolding or lifting required. Sleepers typically involve more complicated mechanisms that involve more steps to convert the couch to sleep mode. While you may notice many sleeper sofas priced higher than sofa beds, it’s because they’re designed to be more comfortable and used more regularly (similar to how you’d sleep on a normal mattress), on the other hand, sofa beds are more suited to accommodate the occasional guest or as a temporary sleep setup.
What are Some Disadvantages of Having a Sleeper Sofa?
You’ll likely notice sleeper sofas tend to cost more than your average sofa, due to their increased functionality (think of it as getting two pieces of furniture for the price of one). Some sleeper sofa owners also report that their couches are more firm than typical couch designs, which can be limiting if you’re looking to get optimal use out of your furniture. Issues with your sleeper’s mechanisms may also arise after prolonged use—the mattress should be able to glide out relatively smoothly, so you’ll want to make sure you’re maintaining the piece as best as possible and ensuring everything stays easy-to-handle.
Don’t Sleep on More Seat Week Content:
Check out a few AD classics that’ll help you sit back and relax.
- AD’s Seat Week: An essential furniture guide to the best sofas, sectionals, chairs, and more
- The Best Office Chairs: Ergonomic picks tested and reviewed from Herman Miller, Knoll, Amazon, and more
- The Very Best Sectional Sofas, Tested and Reviewed: We shipped the top sectional sofas—left and right chaises, armless, modular, and MCM models from burrow, pottery barn, west Elm, and more—into the homes of Clever contributors to test them firsthand
- Best Affordable Couch Options That Don’t Skimp on Style: We scoured the internet for beautifully designed couches, all under $2,000
- Best Leather Sofas for Stylish Spaces: We’re breaking leather sofas out of the bachelor pad starter kit
- Best Outdoor Sofas to Define Your Exterior Space: Seats and recliners for a poolside oasis, shade-laden backyard, or tight-fitting balcony
