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The 10 best sofa beds for overnight guests, tested by experts
How to choose a sofa bed
With so many makes and models on the market, it’s easy to feel spoiled for choice. Here are a few of the most important things to keep in mind while shopping for a sofa bed.
Type
“If you’re looking for a more comfortable sofa to sit on, choose a click-clack sofa bed with padded cushions,” says interior designer Naomi Astley-Clarke. “If you want to prioritise the comfort of the mattress, choose a pull-out sofa bed with a pocket-sprung or foam mattress.”
Size and shape
If you’re working with a small or awkwardly shaped room, you could shop for a corner sofa bed. A sofa bed with built-in storage provides a ready-made space for your guests to store their suitcases or spare bed linen.
Fabric
Leather is low-maintenance and stain-resistant, thanks to the tanning process, so it’s a good choice for high-traffic areas of the home. Velvet is more sensitive to spills, and benefits from the occasional steam clean, but it catches the light and adds warmth to a room. Other popular materials include cotton, linen, and polyester or acrylic blends.
Budget
“The base isn’t the expense, it’s the mattress,” says Astley-Clarke. A pull-out sofa bed with a built-in mattress tends to be more expensive – starting around £1,000 – but it should feel more comfortable and supportive for longer-term use.
