How to buy a sofa bed: our home expert's top tips

If you often host overnight guests but don’t have space for a spare bed, a sofa bed could be the perfect solution. 

There's a growing demand for multifunctional furniture, and brands are responding by developing sofa beds that are not only comfortable, but also suitable for most budgets and space requirements. 

This is our step-by-step guide to the key factors you need to consider when buying a sofa bed. 

Not sure where to buy a sofa? Discover the best sofa shops, as revealed by our customer survey

How to buy a sofa bed

There are a few key things to consider before you start browsing for a new sofa bed.

Planning: consider your usage, budget and measurements

• Before you buy a sofa bed, first consider what's most important to you – is it a compact bed, a bed with storage or the most comfortable option?
• Weigh up all the pros and cons of alternative sleeping arrangements for overnight guests. For example, if you have a small space or you have people staying over only occasionally, an inflatable air bed might suit your needs better, as you can store it in a cupboard between uses. See our pick of the best air beds.
• Decide on your budget; writing it down will help you stick to it. Remember to factor in delivery costs.
• Finally, measure your space, including any doorways and corridors, to ensure you won't have problems with delivery and that your sofa bed will fit nicely into your room. Remember to consider the bed's dimensions when folded out.

Choose the type and style of bed

• Decide whether you'd like a click-clack, fold-out or pull-out sofa bed. Our list of sofa bed mechanism pros and cons, below, will help you choose.
• Consider mattress comfort, particularly if you'll be hosting adults. Kids tend to be less fussy. Sofa bed mattresses typically range from 10 to 13cm thick; thicker mattresses tend to be more comfortable. If you opt for a pull-out bed in particular, make sure you check the mattress.
• A large sofa doesn’t necessarily mean a large bed, so check that the mattress size is large enough for your needs. Read more about sofa bed comfort and dimensions in our guide below.

Choose the fabric

• Most sofa beds are made of fabric, because leather can get sweaty overnight. Natural fibres are a great luxury option, but don’t underestimate synthetics – they can be comfortable and durable.
• If you have kids or pets, durability should be an important consideration. If you're precious about your furniture, a stain-resistant material could save you heartache. 

Research brands and their warranties 

• Browse our list of sofa bed retailers and be sure to read the fine print. We've listed some of the key things to look out for below.

See our guide on how to clean a sofa by hand for tips on keeping a sofa bed looking good

Is it worth buying a sofa bed?

Hannah Healey, Which? home improvement researcher/writer, says:

'If you have a guest room that's often guest-free, you're wasting valuable space in your home. Consider converting the room into an office, hobby room or gym – and then add a sofa bed for when you have guests to stay. 

'A spare room is also a great place to add some extra storage. Plenty of sofa beds have built-in storage systems, or you could look for ottomans, room dividers or coffee tables with hidden compartments. 

'If you're considering a home office, consider a foldaway desk to keep the room multifunctional.' 

Learn about the best free sofa disposal methods

How to measure your space for a sofa bed

When choosing the size of your sofa bed, start by considering how many people will typically use it. A chair sofa bed might be sufficient for an occasional single guest, but if you plan to host couples regularly, you'll need at least a two-seater sofa bed. 

If you plan to use your sofa bed as your main sofa in the living room, consider how many people it will need to accommodate as seating. 

You'll also need to consider the dimensions of your space. Think about how the sofa bed will fit in the room, both when closed and when open. Sofa beds can be larger than you think – the mechanisms create extra bulk. 

Finally, but crucially, you need to know that you can get the sofa bed into the room where you plan to use it. Measure your doorways and hallways, and make sure you have enough room to manoeuvre it into place. 

What are typical sofa bed dimensions?

Sofa beds can range from a single footstool with a small mattress to a huge corner sofa with a king-sized bed. 

The dimensions for an average-sized bed are as follows: 

Sofa bed types

There's a huge range of sofa beds to suit any space and sleeping configuration.

Click through the gallery for some of the most common examples. 

Sofa bed mechanisms

You should also consider the mechanism for converting it into a bed. There are three main types. 

Click-clack sofa bed

This is perhaps the simplest mechanism to operate: you simply fold down the back rest. Your guest sleeps on the length of the sofa, with their head at either end. 

Pros: These are the easiest sofa beds to convert, and they're generally smaller and cheaper than sofas with other mechanisms. 

Cons: Designed to be a cost-effective option, these beds are slightly thinner and less comfortable than other types. As beds, they can be creaky and tend to shake when someone moves, making them uncomfortable for two sleepers. 

Fold-out sofa bed

It takes just two steps to turn one of these into a bed. First, you fold down the back rest, and then the sofa seat folds out (typically with legs at the base to support it). 

Pros: These are generally a good midway point between click-clack and pull-out beds. They tend to be larger and more comfortable than the click-clack type, but cheaper than a pull-out. 

Cons: Fold-out beds can be expensive, and they're typically less comfortable than pull-out sofa beds. 

Pull-out sofa bed

Pull-out beds differ from other types in that they contain a separate mattress stored within the sofa. To set it up, you fold out the sofa seat. 

Pros: These are most similar to actual beds, providing your guests with a comfortable and stable sleeping space. 

Cons: Pull-out beds can be more expensive than other options. It's important to check the mattress's quality before you buy – a thin mattress will result in an uncomfortable bed. 

How to find the most comfortable sofa bed

Comfort will depend on two key features: the frame type and the mattress type.

Pull-out sofa beds are generally the most comfortable frame type. They contain a whole separate mattress, so they're most similar to actual beds. 

As for mattress type, thicker will generally be better. The average mattress thickness is between 10 and 13cm, but you might find models with mattresses up to 15cm thick. 

You should also consider the material of the mattress. For example, some people love memory foam, but others find that it gets too hot. Mattresses with springs will most closely mimic a bed – some luxury brands make sofa beds with pocket sprung mattresses. 

Can you make a sofa bed more comfortable?

Adding the right bedding is the key to making your sofa bed more comfortable – a good-quality mattress topper can make a big difference. You can choose between memory foam, gel-infused and quilted options depending on your preference. 

You can also opt for a proper pillow and duvet to make it feel more like a real bed. 

Also check that the room itself is comfortable. Ensure it's a good temperature for sleep, and consider adding a blackout blind. 

Need a mattress topper? See our guide to the best mattress toppers from our tests

Can you sleep on a sofa bed every night? 

Some companies claim you can, but you need to think carefully about whether this is the right choice for you.  

As sofa bed mattresses are thinner and less supportive than bed mattresses, you risk worsening any issues with your back and neck if you sleep on a sofa bed in the long term. 

Opt for a memory foam or pocket sprung mattress, and ensure it's as thick as possible, to minimise this risk. 

Bear in mind that some of our Great Value mattresses cost as little as £90 – these may be a better option if cost is your main concern. 

Read more about body support in our guide to the best mattresses for back pain

Where to buy a sofa bed

They're available from most furniture stores, as well as online. These are some of the most searched-for retailers that offer sofa beds. 

• Argos offers several reasonably priced own-brand sofa beds (most cost less than £750) and chair beds (from £200). Delivery starts at £40.
• Cocoon only makes sofa beds, some of which it claims are suitable for everyday use. Prices start at £1,125 for a chair bed and £1,649 for a two-seater. It costs £85 for delivery. 
• DFS stocks a variety of sofa beds of all sizes. Expect to pay around £1,200, except for its click-clack sofa beds, which cost around £600. Delivery starts at £99, or you can order and collect from select DFS stores if you live locally.
• Dunelm has a huge range of sofa beds and futons priced between £150 (for click-clack beds and futons) and £2,000 (for large corner sofa beds). Delivery starts at £9.95.
• Habitat also carries a large range of sofa beds, most of which cost between £500 and £1,000. Delivery and pick-up are fulfilled by Argos, so you can either collect your sofa in-store or have it delivered, which will cost upwards of £40.
• Ikea stocks a wide range of click-clack and fold-out sofa beds, typically costing £400-£900. Ikea offers free click and collect, or for an extra £40 you can have your large items delivered on a selected day. 
• John Lewis carries its own range of sofa beds, most of which cost £500-£1,500. You'll find options for each type of mechanism, but click-clack is the cheapest. The retailer offers pick-up or free standard delivery on some products.
• Next offers budget-friendly click-clack sofa beds from Made for around £440. Delivery costs £15.

Sofa bed guarantees and returns

We delve into the fine print to better understand the guarantees and returns offered by each sofa shop.

*Cocoon claims to offer a lifetime guarantee, but we couldn't find any reference to the terms of this guarantee in its T&Cs. Our legal team is in the process of reviewing this. 

Most store policies specify that sofa beds must be returned in their original condition and packaging, with all labels still attached. Make sure to do a thorough damage check before removing the labels.

If you do find any damage, you can return it under guarantee. Typically, these policies cover 'manufacturing defects', meaning brands will replace, repair or refund your sofa if it develops a fault due to a manufacturing issue. 

However, if it gets damaged by normal wear and tear, this won't be covered. 

It's also worth noting that these policies typically apply only to the retailer's own-brand sofa beds, not any other brands they may sell – for example, if you purchased a Habitat sofa from John Lewis, the guarantee may be different. 

If you're buying one of the above types of sofa beds, be sure to check the specific refund and guarantee information before making a purchase. 

For more information about guarantees and when you can use them, see our guide to warranties and guarantees