Most of us are familiar with sofa beds especially during our college years. I remember me and my roommate having a sofa bed at our dorm so that friends can have somewhere to crash after parties.
Years later, I am still a lover of sofa beds. I like that they are multi-purpose. You can use them as a chair during ordinary days and as a bed when you have company or when you want to sleep in the living room or den. I also like that many of them are space savers.
I don’t consider myself as an expert on sofa beds, though I have owned many, starting from the ratty second hand one in my dorm room and then to a simple daybed in my first tiny apartment after leaving school. Now, I own several at home which is why I’m happy to share my experience with you.
If you’re looking for an affordable and space saving alternative to a traditionally large sofa bed, you’re in the right place because I have some interesting choices for your consideration.
Types of Sofa Bed
Sofa beds are highly versatile and convenient. They come in many different styles that can make your living room look neat and inviting. When it comes to your living room or any room in the house , the key is to find a piece of furniture that combines aesthetics with functionality.
As a convertible piece of furniture, sofa beds do not only come in different styles but also different kinds. Knowing the different types of sofa beds can help you choose one that suits your lifestyle. Here are some typical types of sofa beds.
Daybed
A daybed is a good choice for a small guest room or even your living room. Most daybeds are the size of a twin bed and are perfect for spending a night or two.
One of the best reasons to get a daybed is because it is sleep or sit-ready in an instant. During the day you can pile it up with throw pillows and people can use it comfortably as a couch. When you have guests, you only have to replace the throw pillows with an actual pillow and guests can rest comfortably.
The biggest disadvantage of a daybed is the size. Since they are roughly the size of a twin bed (for comfort), they can be too big for tiny guest rooms or living rooms.
Sleeper Sofa
The sleeper sofa is the one I had in my dorm room. It is basically a sofa in the day and a bed at night. It can be converted into a bed through the pull out mattress that’s hidden under the seat of the couch.
Conventionally, sleeper sofas can sleep 2 people comfortably. However, there are styles that can sleep up to 3. One of the reasons to get this style is aesthetics. It looks like a normal sofa by day. In most cases, it is easy and quick to set up. However, the mechanism can fail making it harder to set up and fold down as it gets older and the mattress can get lumpy with time.
Pull-out Couch
The pull-out couch is similar to the sleeper sofa because it has a mattress inside. It has a metal frame with a thin mattress that can be opened or unfolded in order to make a bed.
Before buying a pull-out couch make sure that you have enough space when it is in full bed mode. One of the things I don’t like about this type of sofa bed is poor mattress quality.
Power Open
Power open sofa beds have a mechanism that makes transition a breeze. This is a good choice if you don’t like making your bed or sofa or if you have back problems that make setting up a problem.
Because of the mechanism, power open couches are usually on the high end of the pricing spectrum.
Top 9 Affordable & Space-Saving Sofa Bed Alternatives:
DHP Dale Upholstered Daybed
The DHP Dale Upholstered Daybed (aff link to Amazon) is my upgrade to the Eden Twin, reviewed below. Like its predecessor it did not come with a mattress and needed assembly when I received it.
The big difference between the 2 aside from the price (this one cost over $500), is the size and the comfort. The Eden was a single, this one can fit a standard size mattress (not included) so 2 people can fit comfortably. I bought this because I wanted more space and stability especially when I moved around. The metal frames of my old daybed felt flimsy compared to the material used for this sofa bed.
One of the biggest advantages of a daybed is that there is no need to set it up when you’re transitioning and this is the reason why I preferred this style during my early bachelor years. I was just too busy and too tired. Plus, the size allowed me comfort but also helped me maximize the small space of my studio apartment.
This sofa bed lasted a couple of years for me. I really liked the simple design. It looks very modern with soft fabric for the headboard and back. Best of all, it’s full sized without being too big to overwhelm your small space.
South Shore Live-It Cozy Sectional Sofa-Bed
The 2 best things about the South Shore Live-It Cozy Sectional Sofa-Bed (aff link to Amazon) is the extra storage space and washable cushion covers. Priced at just over $1000, this sofa bed features an interchangeable chaise lounge and functional ottoman. It’s expensive for a sofa but since it has additional features, it still provides value for money.
The sofa itself is very comfortable. The storage space is a good spot for keeping extra blankets and pillows. The sofa converts into a bed very easily too. You just need to use the pull string to extend the couch and then place the cushion on the slot and you’re ready to add pillows and have a good rest.
The quality of the cushions are great. They feel thick and offer great support for the back and buttocks. The cushion covers can be removed using a zipper and machine washed so that your sofa bed looks clean and smells fresh all the time.
The product will need assembly when it arrives but fortunately it’s not too complicated. The sofa bed can sleep 2 adults easily and is a perfect solution for small spaces and guests.
NovoGratz Skylar Coil Futon
I bought the NovoGratz Skylar Coil Futon (aff link to Amazon) because it looked good. Just like the sofa bed from Nouhous, this piece of furniture can instantly make your room look elegant without being flashy. The modern design coupled with the velvety material can help transform your room instantly.
The only turn off I have for this product is the price. It starts at approximately $499. However, I bought it not only because it looked good but also because converting it into a lounger and bed is very easy. All you need to do is to adjust the backrest and you can go from sitting to reclining in just seconds. No need to pull strings or assemble anything to make it into a bed.
Speaking of assembly, it took about an hour and a half to put this sofa together. It wasn’t hard to do. Some of the parts were a bit heavy but overall it was easy to figure out. The sofa is assembled by a hand screw so no need for special tools.
The velvety upholstery is soft to the touch and feels premium. It is very comfortable. The sofa bed itself is very comfortable to sit and sleep in. My kids use it for their naps or when they want to lie down while watching movies.
Vonanda Ottoman Sleeper Chair Bed
I am always looking for versatility and the Vonanda Ottoman Sleeper Chair Bed (aff link to Amazon) is one of the most flexible pieces of furniture I own. I use this sofa bed in the office so that I can nap during lunch breaks or whenever I feel tired and drained.
This sofa bed is an ottoman, a sofa and chair, a lounger and a bed in 1 which is why it’s priced at approximately $420. That’s expensive for many people but a good choice if you want space saving convenience.
One of the reasons why I bought this sofa bed is because of its size. When in full bed modie it’s 37 x 74 inches, so it’s around the size of a single mattress which is good enough for short naps at work. If you have 2, you get a king sized bed when joined together.
This ottoman sofa bed is relatively easy to use. There’s no assembly required either. You just need to unfold the ottoman in order to convert it to a sofa, lounger or bed. The cloth is made from linen and tufted velvet so it’s very comfortable and luxurious.
What I don’t like is the mattress quality. It’s simply too thin for a good night’s sleep which is why I only use it for naps. My back hurts after around 20 minutes so I’m forced to get up. On days that I’m really tired, I use a comforter to make it feel thicker and more comfortable.
This is a good choice if you’re looking for functionality and style. However, guests won’t be very comfortable spending the night here.
Kescas Sofa Bed
If you’re looking for something more comfortable and affordable than the Vonda, look no further than the Kescas Sofa Bed (aff link to Amazon). At less than $390, it is a bit expensive but one of our best buys. In terms of comfort levels and style, it beats the Vonda very easily.
It’s very easy to spend a whole 8 hours sleeping on this sofa bed. The cushions are thick and feel plus thanks to the high quality memory foam. It is not only easy to assemble but also to convert into a sofa bed. The length during bed mode is decent for most adults and is big enough to accommodate one.
The sofa is a single and looks great in our living room. At first glance it looks just like any modern looking chair without arms. But I like that it’s multi-purpose. When arranged artfully it can make your whole living room look neat and very put together.
I guess the only downside to this sofa bed is the price. However, you pay for what you get. So if you’re looking for style, comfort and quality I highly recommend this sofa bed for you.
DHP Java Convertible Sofa Bed and Couch
The DHP Java Convertible Sofa Bed and Couch (aff link to Amazon) is a budget but luxurious looking option for sofa bed lovers like me. It’s very affordable at around $260 but looks over $500. This is mainly due to its contemporary and minimalist style that makes it look like a premium product.
Aside from the affordable price and modern styling, the sofa bed is also very easy to assemble. I bought this for my 1-bedroom back in the day and it was an amazing upgrade compared to all the other sofa beds I owned before.
On bed mode, the bed is a little bit bigger than a single bed. It’s the perfect size for guests who are sleeping over for a night or two. It’s not the most comfortable bed in the world, but good enough for a restful night. It looks big enough for 2 but experience dictates that only 1 person at a time should sleep on this sofa bed for stability reasons.
The microfiber is a good touch. It is easy to maintain and keep clean. I used to vacuum mine regularly and that was good enough.
WOTU Folding Bed Couch
The WOTU Folding Bed Couch (aff link to Amazon) is kid-sized but features a memory foam mattress for optimal resting and naps. We bought this not only for our kids but also because it’s great for outdoor activities like car camping and picnics.
This product is similar to the folding mattress below but different in style. This one looks more modern and non-boxy, more sofa-like. It’s also easy to convert from sofa to bed. Just flip the back rest over and voila, a space big enough for kids and adults to relax in. Adults over 5 feet will probably find their feet hanging off, but the memory foam is supportive and good enough for short naps. Kids will be able to use this as a bed though.
This is a good addition to your kids room as a playmat. It sits low on the ground so you won’t be worried about major injuries if they fall off the mattress. The fabric is also machine washable, making it a bit “kid-proof”. It comes in different sizes including Queen, but we intentionally bought the kid size for travel and outdoor purposes. The kid sized sofa bed is around $ 230.
Best of all, no assembly required. It arrives in 1 box and you just have to wait around 1 day for the memory foam to “re-inflate”. No moving parts also mean better durability.
Our sofa bed is no over 2 years old and still looks new thanks to regular cleaning. Our kids jump and play on them all day long and so far so good, so I guess that’s money well spent.
Eden Twin Daybed and Trundle Set
The Eden Twin Daybed and Trundle Set (aff link to Amazon) is one of my first beds right out of college. I was living in a studio and wanted something small but comfortable at the same time. However, I was also worried about having guests so I thought a daybed with a trundle option was a good idea.
At that time my schedule was work and sleep so the size did not bother me at first. This daybed is basically the size of a single bed with the trundle being a bit smaller. Because of my schedule and space constraints I wanted something small and did not require a lot of work to set up, hence my decision to buy a daybed.
On the plus side, the bed was comfortable enough especially when I was too tired to do anything else but sleep. I only needed to get my blanket and pillow from my closet and I was ready to sleep. The bed frame is made from steel so it’s very durable and the caster wheels make it easy to move around especially when cleaning.
At just over $200, it’s expensive especially because at that price you only get the frames. I had to shell out more money for the mattresses and at that time could not buy one at a time. It also needed assembly which was painful to do.
Anyway, I quickly outgrew this sofa bed and got something bigger and more comfortable. However, I still recommend it for small spaces and those looking for quick or no set-up sofa beds.
Molblly Folding Mattress
The Molblly Folding Mattress (aff link to Amazon) is one of my favorite sofa beds. I spent many years sleeping on this sofa bed in my old apartment. We used to break this out whenever relatives visited.
This is another no assembly required product. It’s basically a bulky rectangular folding cushion that sits low on the floor. When unfolded, it becomes a queen-sized mattress that you can sleep 2 to 3 skinny kids or 2 adults comfortably.
The mattress is memory foam so it’s very cozy. It’s also thick at around 4 to 5 inches so you don’t have to worry about back aches from flimsy mattresses. Best of all, the folding sofa is very affordable and durable costing at just below $170.
This is a good addition for your home if you have a lot of guests and have limited space to set up a comfortable bed for them. The product is basically just a mattress so you need a sheet or a mattress protector to make sleep more restful. You can also buy a slipcover for sitting and to protect it from dust and germs.
Bottom Line
There are many different kinds of sofa bed and there will be something that suits your lifestyle and budget.
Sofa beds are great for providing guests with comfort and hospitality without sacrificing your space. In some instances, they also come in handy for outdoor activities like camping and picnics.
Some sofa beds are complicated to set up though, so make sure that the one you pick can be converted easily so that you can get the rest you deserve.