How to choose a sofa bed

A sofa is often the centerpiece of a room. We relax on it, watch a movie, and meet guests. A sofa bed can also be used as a bed when needed. Therefore, before buying it, it is not enough to just think about whether you like it or not. A good sofa bed should be beautiful, comfortable, and convenient.

Below we will tell you what to look for when choosing a sofa.

First decide what you need it for.

Before you go to the store, ask yourself: How often do you stretch out your sofa?

• Rarely, for guests. If you're going to replace your sofa a few times a year, then it's better to choose one that you like and enjoy sitting on.
• Often or every day. If you live in a one-room apartment, or the sofa is used as a bed in the child's room, then the most important thing is that you sleep well on it.

The answer to this question will determine many things, including whether you need a sofa with a mattress or not.

Why is a sofa with a mattress better?

Most sofa beds have you sleeping on the same pillows you sit on during the day. When you unfold them, they simply slide side by side. This may not be a big deal for a one-night guest, but if you sleep like this every night, you'll soon notice a few inconveniences:

• Cracks between the pillows. Where the pillows meet, the height is different and your back feels it.
• Cushions made for sitting. They are not designed to be worn with the whole body. Over time, they will become worn where you sit most often.
• Twice as much wear and tear. You sit during the day, you sleep at night, and the same pillows wear out twice as much and lose their shape more quickly.

A sofa bed with a mattress solves all of this easily. Inside the sofa, there is a separate mattress folded up, which is only for sleeping. What do you get with this:

• The bed is straight, without cracks or pits;
• Your back lies properly on the mattress and you don't wake up tired in the morning;
• The cushions and mattress wear out separately, so the sofa retains its shape for a long time;
• It takes a few minutes to assemble the sofa in the morning.

For example, in the LILIA sofa bed, the mattress is folded inside. You take out the pillows, unfold the mattress, and the bed is ready, and in the morning it turns back into a regular sofa.

If the sofa will be your daily bed, a model with a mattress is not an unnecessary luxury, but rather a way to take care of your back.

Fabric that doesn't leave stains

The sofa is the most used thing in the house. Coffee is spilled on it, children draw with markers, cats and dogs lie on it. So when choosing a fabric, think about how easy it is to care for it, in addition to the color.

What to ask the seller:

• Are there any stains left?. A good fabric won't absorb spilled liquids right away. Coffee or juice can be easily wiped away with a napkin before it sets into the fabric.
• How is it cleaned?. Is a damp cloth enough, or can a cleaning agent be used?.
• How long will it last?. The sofa fabric should not wear out in two or three years and should not pill.
• Pets. If you have a cat or dog, choose a dense fabric where claws can't pull out the thread and the fur can be easily removed.

Light color and spots. Many people are afraid to buy a cream or beige sofa. In fact, a light color makes the room brighter and more spacious. If there are no stains on the fabric, a light sofa is no less comfortable than a dark one. And if you still prefer a dark color, many models are available in both options, for example, LILIA is available in brown in addition to cream.

Measure the room with the sofa unfolded.

Often people only measure a sofa assembled and then discover that it barely fits in the room when it's spread out. So measure before you buy:

1. How much space does it take up when assembled, or how will it look during the day?.
2. How far it extends when unfolded. Check whether you will have to move the magazine table every night and whether you will be able to walk freely across the room.
3. What size bed does it come in? Can it fit one person or two, and is it long enough for your height?.
4. Will it fit in the apartment? Measure the door, hallway, and elevator so you don't get an unpleasant surprise on delivery day.

How to disassemble a sofa

The way the sofa is laid out is the most important part of the sofa. The most common options you will encounter are:

• „"Book" and "Eurobook". The backrest reclines or the front part extends forward. It's simple and reliable, although you'll mostly sleep on pillows on such a sofa.
• „"Accordion". The sofa folds out in front, like an accordion. When unfolded, it takes up quite a bit of space.
• With removable mattress. You take the pillows and slide the mattress down from the bottom, which is attached to a metal frame. This is the best option if you often sleep on the couch.

Whichever one you choose, try unfolding and assembling it yourself a few times in the store. The sofa should unfold easily, without tearing, and without requiring you to apply a lot of force.

It should be comfortable even during the day.

A sofa bed is still a sofa for most of the day. So sit down in the store and take a look:

• How high and soft the backrest is, does it provide good support for your back and neck?;
• Is it comfortable to rest your hand or head on the handle?;
• How deep is the seat to keep your feet flat on the floor?.

Finally

A well-chosen sofa bed is both a sofa and a bed, and it saves space in the room. If you sleep on it often, get one with a mattress. If you have children or pets at home, choose a fabric that won't stain. The rest is a matter of taste.

To see all models, check out our Sofa bed category.