Your Guide to Sofa Beds
A sofa bed really is a handy piece of furniture especially if you enjoy hosting friends and family. Instead of having to put them up on the floor or having to vacate your bed to provide them with the most comfortable option, a sofa bed can provide an extremely comfortable and flexible way to keep everyone sleeping peacefully.
Having a sofa bed gives you an extra sleeping option without having to compromise one of your usual seating options, so if at any point you are planning to play host, having a sofa bed in your home is a handy 2-in-1 solution. Sofa beds are both convenient and affordable ways to maximise your space, but getting the right option to suit your needs is essential!
There are 3 main types that we are going to go through in this blog, these are Click-Clack, Easy-Open and Pull-Out beds.
The 'Click-Clack' Sofa Bed:
Named after the simple click-clack mechanism they use, these are often the most affordable option due to their minimalist design. These sofa beds can vary in style and size but are all easy to use and move around if needed. In one quick and easy action, the backrest of the sofa is pushed down and clicked into place providing a flat mattress-like surface perfect for sleeping on. Generally, they have either wood or metal frames and a foam or spring support mattress.
Click-clack sofa beds tend to be self-contained meaning they don't need a separate mattress and are easy to manoeuvre around the house if needed. They are compact and ideal for occasional sleeping however, the size tends to be smaller than a standard mattress so are only really suitable for 1 or 2 small people depending on the model. Whilst they look like a relatively normal sofa while not in use, they provide minimal comfort when sat or slept on.
The 'Easy-Open' Sofa Bed:
Also known as the 'fold-out' sofa bed, they can be opened in one swift movement as the cushions are usually attached and become mattresses. These type of sofa beds practically unfolds themselves they are lightweight and quick to put up. While they are more casual in style, 'easy-open' sofa beds are often more suited to home offices or kids' rooms. More comfortable due to their softer mattress, they tend to be a better option than the click-clack sofa bed.
These sofa beds are relatively cost-effective and work well for kids or unfussy sleepers, however, they tend to be more casual in style and still not as comfortable as the 'pull-out' more traditional sofa bed.
The 'Pull-Out' Sofa Bed:
This is the most common type of sofa bed as they look like a traditional sofa but have a springloaded folded mattress hidden within the base which is accessed by removing the cushions and pulling the handle. Often available with a variety of mattress options (pocket sprung or open coil etc), the 'pull-out' sofa bed is the most comfortable and because of this is often the most expensive option.
As the 'pull-out' sofa bed is less discreet than the previous options, it often suits more people as it will perfectly with any other piece of furniture as you don't have to compromise on style, comfort or functionality. These sofa beds often sleep more than one person as the full length of the sofa is used, a full-sized mattress can also be used so your guests aren't quite as cramped together.
It is important to note that sofa beds are not recommended for everyday use, having a dedicated mattress and bed frame will always be the most comfortable option but if you are playing host and need to give your guests a comfortable place to crash then they are a perfect choice. To get the most for your money, and to make any sofa bed more comfortable we recommend that you use a mattress topper, this can provide another layer of comfort for your guests and will offer a layer of protection to the fabric of your sofa bed so it can stay in use for longer.
Having a comfortable place for your guests to sleep is important so picking the right option for your home is also crucial, if you need any help or advice with your selection then you can give us a call on 01782 719101 or email a member of our team on info@pattensfurniture.co.uk.
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