If you’re planning to install or upgrade your living room sofa to one that can, with a few twists and flips, morph into a bed, there are some things to consider before you take the financial plunge.
While a sofa bed in a little-used room doesn’t have to be the comfiest thing in the world, one that will be the centrepiece of your lounge must be. It’s all very well having a multi-use piece of furniture, but it has to be comfortable to sit - and sleep - on.
Aside from the feel, it should look the part too. A design made with cheap hardware, low-quality fabrics and fillings, or shoddy wooden frames won’t last long.
For those who have a long line of friends and family scheduled to stay the night or weekends, a sofa bed that looks as good as it feels is crucial in making them feel welcome and well-rested.
The solution? A luxury sofa bed. One that ticks the various boxes on design and comfort checklists. It won’t come cheap, mind you, but if you’re prepared to fork out on a piece of investment furniture that will go the distance, it’s money well spent.
What does luxury mean in sofa bed terms? A strong frame made from wood and/or steel, for starters. Then there’s the cushion fill - something that won’t seep out of its covers or need plumping every time you get up from it.
Examine upholstery choices too, opting for anti-stain or easy-clean options that will keep your furniture looking like new. If you’re into the vintage look, opt for jewel tones that add tone and interest to your space.
For cottagecore vibes, a printed or embroidered look will imbue a wholesome Arts & Crafts feel. Extra features like storage or wireless charging can also up the ante. But the one rule we insist on sticking to? Choosing a sofa bed that doesn’t, at first glance, look obviously like a sofa bed.
If all we’ve done is flummoxed you further with our shopping guidelines, have no fear. We’ve rounded up the best stylish and luxury sofa beds to shop right now. From corner units to options with extra space to stow pillows and throws, there is a world of choice waiting to be discovered.
Your job, for now? Sit pretty and get scrolling.
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Anthropologie Athena Jylin Jacquard Sleeper Sofa
Vintage aesthetics meet modern functionality in this sofa bed from Anthropologie. The woven floral upholstery rests on spring seats and a single seat cushion, supported by a hardwood frame that has been dried in a kiln for extra durability. It's a high-quality piece that juxtaposes nicely in contemporary settings.
Buy now £2998.00, Anthropologie
Darlings of Chelsea Bakewell Corner Range
Make a lonely corner feel homely with a corner sofa that makes use of all the available space. Darlings of Chelsea's Bakewell line is inspired by old-school Chesterfield sofas with a buttoned backrest, curved arms and turned legs.
It comes in three sizes and more than 170 fabrics and leathers so you're bound to find a look that fits the space like a glove.
This sofa is handmade, so expect to wait some time for delivery. It will be worth it though; a highly usable investment piece you'll love for decades to come.
Buy now £4724.00, Darlings of Chelsea
Dunelm Kendall Quilted Velvet Storage Sofa Bed
Tobacco: acceptable as a colour only. The rich tone isn't the only thing going for this click-clack-style sofa bed which unfurls to reveal a bed that's roomy enough for one, although two small people will be comfortable on it too. Bonus? The seat lifts up to reveal storage that’s perfect for keeping extra bedding.
Was: £399
Buy now £279.30, Dunelm
Swyft Model 02 3 Seater Sofa Bed
Sleek with mid-century leanings, Swyft is a leader in designing seating that requires no tools to construct. Using clever locking hinges, you can slot together its sofas - and sofa beds - together in minutes.
You'd have no idea that this 207cm-long three-seater could turn into a sofa bed, but thanks to concealed legs and small wheels under the seat, that's exactly what it becomes.
Unzip the tapered legs from their pockets and slide the seat forward until the wheels meet a marker on the sofa base. You'll be left with a small gap, soon filled by the backrest panel which swivels down flat. Et voila, guests are ready to bed down on a UK double bed you've magicked seemingly from nowhere.
The sofa is stylish, but the lack of a mattress (which the seat and backrest stand in for) means the upholstery is vulnerable to spills and smells. While Swyft's fabric options are anti-stain (simply rub spills with a damp microfibre cloth to clean), the second issue can be solved by adding a mattress topper or protector over the sofa when it's in bed mode.
In terms of tension, it's fairly firm but perfectly comfortable for a night or two's kip.
All parts come in manoeuvrable cardboard boxes that can fit through tight corners and doors. While the brand claims its smaller sofas can be constructed alone, you may need a helping hand with a bigger size. Rope in a friend to help: it will take longer to polish off the reward of wine afterwards.
Best of all, you can bid farewell to waiting weeks for delivery: most Swyft sofas can be at your door as speedily as the next day.
Buy now £1919.20, John Lewis
DUSK Hudson Click Clack Sofa Bed - Stone Grey
Turn your living space into a spare bedroom thanks to DUSK's sofa bed design. Available in a range of chic colours, the piece transforms into a bed with a few easy moves.
Was: £489
Buy now £379.00, DUSK
DUSK Dover Fabric Day Bed - Mustard
Best for: a sunny injection.
Dimensions: W208 x D108.5 x H95cm
If you've got a room you occasionally use to sleep guests, a daybed provides the perfect halfway option.
It can act as a roomy sofa for most of the time and morph into a bed when overnight visitors come knocking. DUSK's velvet-wrapped option comes with a wood-sprung slatted base for superior support, and there's a pull-out bed in the base for one extra person. While the trundle comes with a mattress, the top layer does not so factor this into your final purchase cost.
It comes in pretty, trend-led colours, making it easy to blend into your interiors.
Buy now £469.00, DUSK
Urban Outfitters Greta XL Sofa Bed
It’s clear to see the Togo inspiration behind this sofa bed from Urban Outfitters. In a handsome bottle green hue, the plump, padded seat can be made to sit upright, reclined or completely flat making it ideal for comfort in a small space.
Buy now £383.00, Urban Outfitters
Loaf Bed in a Bun - double
Loaf performs an interiors magic trick with this chic upholstered bench that transforms into a single or double bed - complete with a headboard with a few quick pulls.
It’s ideal if you don’t have a guest bedroom or room for a sofa bed but have visitors lining up to stay over. A mattress comes with the frame, all tucked neatly into the bench. The only things you’ll have to add are bed linen and pillows.
There is construction involved but the company will do it for you - talk about using your loaf, eh?
Available in a myriad of colours to tie in or stand out in your room’s decor.
Buy now £795.00, Loaf
Willow & Hall The Alderton Sofa Bed
Family homes will adore this squishy powder blue sofa from Willow & Hall that has room for everyone to lounge comfortably. The mid-century piece comes with elegantly tapered legs, softly splayed arms and a wraparound chaise. Its greatest secret? The double bed springs out from under the cushions, creating space for two others to snooze in style.
From £2255.
Buy now £2255.00, Willow & Hall
Sofanatic Zonda Sofa Bed
This corner sofa bed utilises high-grade foam and spring mixture to ensure the sofa returns to its original state, no matter how many episodes of Netflix dramas you sit through, night after night. With adjustable headrests and an incredibly spacious design, this is a sofa bed that turns into the movie night set up of dreams when expanded into its full capacity.
Buy now £1949.00, Sofanatic
