What to Look For in a Sofa Bed?

By: Jessica Ackerman

A sofa bed is one of those furniture items that is extremely useful to have in your home. Placed in a guest room, office, or living room, it can function as a comfy sofa as well as a convenient bed. This bed will ensure that your guests have a place to spend the night, or that you have a bed for quick naps. Here are some things to look for when you are out shopping for a fold-out sofa bed.

Comfort as a sofa: In most cases, the sofa bed will be used primarily as a sofa, so make sure that it is comfortable for sitting and lounging on. As with a regular sofa, test out its degree of rigidity or firmness, the feel of the fabric, the depth of the seat, and so on. Typically, they have a deeper seat than most regular sofas.

Structure: A frame made of hardwood is the most durable and supportive, and will make a good investment if you are looking for a sofa bed to use long-term. Other softer woods and metals are prone to warping or oxidation when exposed to changes in humidity and temperature over time. The mounting plate and brackets that connect the sofa bed mechanism to the frame should be tightly bolted on. Look at the bed base, which can range in material, quality, and price, from a wire mesh base to wooden slats. Wooden slats provide firmer support and allow for air circulation.

Mattress: An ideal choice of mattress is a coiled, inner-spring mattress. It should be sufficiently comfortable and supportive such that you do not feel the hard frame beneath as you sleep. Another type of mattress is made of flexible polyurethane foam (FPF), which is more comfortable the denser the foam. Some sofa beds come with a soft layer of down covering or memory foam to enhance the comfort of the bed. Lie down on the mattress in the store to get a good feel for it.

Ease of conversion: A good sofa bed should be able to convert from sofa to bed and back to sofa in a smooth, no hassle operation. The pull-out mechanism is usually located at the center of the sofa frame and you should be able to handle it easily. Avoid those sofa beds that have mechanisms that get stuck or squeak at the joints. A lock-down bar is helpful for securing the bed closed. Always try out the conversion mechanism yourself before you buy.

Style and space: Consider your specific needs before you shop for the sofa bed. Are you looking for upholstery material in microfiber, leather, suede, or cotton? Is there a color of sofa that you prefer? In which room is it to be placed and is there enough space in the room to accommodate a full size bed? Do you need a queen-size bed or will a twin-size do? Your budget will also be a major determining factor in selecting.