The beauty of sofa beds lies in their dual functionality. A chic couch that folds out into a convenient sleeping arrangement when needed? That’s a double-whammy.
Owning a sofa bed is a space-saving solution for your lounge, spare bedroom, or office. You’ll always be prepared for surprise visitors or kicking back and enjoying a movie marathon with your housemates.
While in the past the term ‘sofa bed’ conjured mental images of errant springs and uncomfortable snoozes, these days, sofa bed mattresses are made with comfort in mind, so your house guests enjoy their stay. Sofa beds are also available in various styles to suit all kinds of interiors, whether a coastal Hamptons aesthetic or mid-century modern design.
2024’s top 3 sofa beds:
- Autograph Sofa Bed, $4,999, Freedom Furniture
- Downtown Fabric Sofa Bed with Storage Chaise, $2,298 (usually $2,999), Jory Henley
- Vienna Sofa Bed, $2,000 (usually $2,500), Ecosa
The best sofa beds to buy now
1. Autograph Fabric Contemporary Sofabed
Best for: The spare room-slash-home office that needs an extra function
From $4,999 at Freedom Furniture
City living calls for efficient space usage. This two-seater sofa bed is perfect for that home office or spare room where space is a valued commodity. Narrow arms and a short two-seater style mean it can be easily slotted into a home office or smaller spare room. The black cha-cha- fabric and modular design fit seamlessly into a modern apartment.
Crucially, this sofabed makes cleaning particularly easy: the textured 100% polyester upholstery hides marks and wear and tear, and the fixed back cushions prevent slipping and keep their shape.
- 2.5-seater sofabed dimensions: 196cm width x 86cm height x 98cm depth
- Foam-filled fixed cushions keep their original shape
- Easily turns sofa into a bed giving flexibility to accommodate friends and family
- Available in leather
2. Downtown Fabric Sofa Bed with Storage Chaise
Best for: Those tight on space who require a 2-in-1 sleep and storage solution
$2,298 (usually $2,999) at Jory Henley
This sofa bed boasts an innerspring mattress that provides greater support than a conventional fold-out couch. It’s well-suited for guests who struggle to sleep or experience aches and pains.
The sofa’s best feature is its storage chaise, allowing you to tuck away extra bedding and pillows when not in use.
As a bonus, you and your guests can make the most of the chaise to put your feet up during the day.
The three-seater sofa is smaller in size, so it’s ideal for tight spaces or apartment dwellers.
Available in a contemporary dark grey colourway, the sofa blends seamlessly into a variety of interiors. It’s truly the perfect fusion of style, comfort and utility.
Key features:
- 3 Seater Sofa bed dimensions: 92cm height x 266cm width x 163cm depth
- Available in left or right chaise configurations
- Colour: Dark grey
- Free Auckland shipping with purchases over $1500
- 1-year guarantee on fabric, foam and frame
3. Vienna Sofa Bed
Best for: The minimalist with a penchant for timeless quality and ultimate comfort
$1,625 (usually $2,500) at Ecosa
The Vienna Sofa Bed boasts sleek, rounded profiles and softly textured fabric, adding elegance to your living or guest room.
The fold-out sofa bed is available in three sizes, from armchair to 3.5 seater configurations. Therefore, it’s suitable for all kinds of spaces, including a small apartment or a bigger abode with a second lounge.
Notably, the sofa bed folds outwards into a bed with a gentle lift and pull – no squeaky metal springs or cumbersome mechanics are involved.
The bed’s plush mattress is padded with recycled polyfill for extra comfort ensuring your guests will sleep soundly – be warned, they may never want to leave.
Thankfully, when the hosting is over, the sofa bed’s durable material can be easily vacuumed and spot-cleaned. It’s also built to withstand general wear and tear.
Key features:
- 3 Seater Sofa bed dimensions: 195cm width x 85cm height x 207cm depth
- Available in four colours: Polar Grey, Vanilla, Shadow Grey and Chalk
- Available in three sizes: 1.5 Seater (Armchair), 3 Seater (Queen) and 3.5 Seater (King)
- Easy to assemble, no tools required
- Budget-friendly and space-saving with a 2-in-1 design
- Durable structure and fabrics
- Free next-day delivery to metro areas
- 100-night trial, 5-year limited warranty
3. Sorrento Fabric Sofa bed
Best for: Those looking for an everyday, space-saving sofa that doubles as a bed
$3,599 at Freedom
Homebodies with a discerning eye will appreciate this sofa’s low profile with timber feet, inspired by the laid-back coastal town of Sorrento, Italy.
The sofa’s oversized side foam cushions are ideal for relaxing and snuggling up to your loved ones, while its narrow arms allow it to fit into smaller living spaces.
When folded out, the sofa converts into a roomy bed. Featuring a supportive foam mattress, your overnight guests will enjoy a comfortable slumber.
Key features:
- 3-seater sofa bed
- Sofa bed dimensions: 233cm width x 88cm height x 211cm depth
- Available in 15 colours: Charlotte Navy, Washed Canvas Ivory, Block Light Grey, Charlotte Paprika, Alpha Graphite, Alpha Natural, Washed Canvas Stone, Washed Canvas Graphite, Charlotte Light Grey, Block Dark Grey, Nathan Sky, Nathan Grey, Nathan Ginger, Nathan Wheat and Nathan Cloud
- Low back design for a low-slung, simple look
- Resilient foam mattress
- Foam and fibre-filled cushions
- Narrow arms to maximise seating space
- 211cm depth as a sofa bed
- Metro delivery from $159
4. Sydney Sofa Bed
Best for: Those desiring a classic couch style ideal for daytime movie marathons
$1,760 (usually $2,200) at Ecosa
Plush and plump are two words that come to mind when describing the Sydney Sofa Bed.
Made from comforting polyfill, you’ll enjoy immersing yourself in the padded cushions during the day as you watch your favourite Netflix show.
Ecosa is known for its superior design, meaning the sofa transforms into a bed with ease – lift and unfold the mattress when it’s time to sleep.
As the sofa bed is available in seven contemporary colourways, you’re spoilt for choice when picking the hue that best suits your decor.
Our recommendation? Pair the Sydney Sofa Bed with the inviting Max Cushion for added depth and contrast.
Key Features:
- 3 Seater Sofa bed dimensions: 194cm width x 85cm height x 203cm depth
- Available in seven colours: Oyster Shell, Dove Grey, Charcoal, Fresh Mint, Evergreen, Indigo and Cocoa
- Available in three sizes: 1.5 Seater (Armchair), 3 Seater (Queen) and 3.5 Seater (King)
- Easy to assemble, no tools required
- 2-in-1 design to save space
- Durable structure and fabrics
- Free next-day delivery to metro areas
- 100-night trial, 5-year limited warranty
5. Tokyo Armchair Sofa Bed
Best for: Space-saving enthusiasts wanting a single sofa bed for a child’s bedroom, office or spare room
$1,235 (usually $1,900) at Ecosa
There’s nothing quite like an occasional chair to make a style statement, and the Ecosa Tokyo Armchair Sofa is both luxurious and functional.
The sofa bed’s sleek silhouette features a chic quilted texture, promising a cosy, welcoming feel.
In under two minutes, you can convert the sofa into a comfortable single bed – all that’s needed is a pillow.
The best thing about this sofa bed is its single armchair size. It slots into the corner of a room with ease and is perfect for kid’s sleepovers.
Key features:
- Sofa bed dimensions (cm): 147 width x 84 height x 226 depth
- Available in six colours: Sandy Beige, Fog Grey, Smoke Grey, Arctic Blue, Dawn Blue and Marigold
- Easy to assemble, no tools required
- Budget-friendly and space-saving with 2-in-1 design
- Durable structure and fabrics
- Free next-day delivery to metro areas
- 100-night trial, 5-year limited warranty
How do I choose a sofa bed?
When finding a comfortable sofa bed, consider where you intend to place it. Measure the dimensions to assess if it’s suitable for your space and whether it’ll effortlessly blend into your existing decor.
The quality of the mattress is also an important consideration. Look for a thick, supportive and padded mattress to ensure your guests will wake up feeling refreshed.
If you intend to use the sofa for everyday use, its design is equally important. We recommend a model with an upright backrest and comfortable armrests for proper lumbar support.
Lastly, consider the sofa bed’s fabric. It should be durable to withstand spills and soft to the touch to comfort you day and night.
By considering these factors, you’ll be well on your way to selecting a sofa bed that provides the perfect balance between style, comfort and convenience.
Is it worth getting a sofa bed?
If you live in a small abode or apartment, a sofa bed is an affordable, space-saving alternative to a traditional guest bed.
if you’re somebody who entertains guests often, having an overnight visitor can be a bit of a challenge. This is where the trusty sofa bed comes in. It can function as a regular sofa during the day and transform into a bed at night.
So, is it worth getting a sofa bed? It definitely is, especially if you want to provide your guests with a comfortable place to rest their heads without sacrificing space or style in your home.
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- Simple rituals for a good night’s sleep
- Occasional chairs that make a style statement