What is a Good Sofa to Sleep on? 10 Top Picks from Our Team

If you have the room and the budget, you might think about setting up a fancy guest bedroom with a proper bed and everything else that your guest might need. If not, there's always the option of an inflatable mattress, which you can purchase at a pretty reasonable price. But another very practical option that is often overlooked is to get a sofa that you can sleep on! 

Sleeper sofas can be adjusted in the guest bedroom or the living room and they can be used by you as well as your guests. Modern, good-quality sleeper sofas will offer you a very high level of comfort without compromising on the aesthetics of your room. 

In the last few decades, we have seen an immense increase in the popularity of sofa beds, recliners and sofas that are suitable for sleeping. Whether it’s for the guests or for relaxing with your family in the living room, sofas to sleep on have pretty much become a must-have for contemporary homes. 

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What are the different types of sofas for sleeping? 

We can broadly divide such sofas into four categories: 

• Daybeds: Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, daybeds offer the comfort of both sofas and beds and they come in many different shapes and sizes. What differentiates them from sofa beds is that they’re usually narrower in shape and unlike sofa beds, they can not be pulled out for extra space. Because of their sleek shape, daybeds are often used in the hallways and at the foot of the beds. 
• Sofa beds: These are designed to function as sofas during the day and be transformed through a simple movement into a bed for the night. They’re more commonly used in living rooms, guest bedrooms and home offices. 
• Recliners: While they do not transform into beds, modern and high-end recliners are comfortable enough for a good evening nap. 
• Chaise lounges: These are another good option for napping instead of sleeping. Since they’re designed to lay back in and relax, it’s pretty common for people to comfortably sleep in them - though both recliners and chaise lounges are not suitable for sleeping in on a daily basis as this can lead to discomfort or joint pain. 

What to consider before buying a sleeper sofa?

• Your budget: sleeper sofas can start from $500 and go up to $15000, depending on the brand and the features that you choose. So it would be best to be clear about your budget so you don’t end up overspending. 
• Your needs: how often will the sleeper sofa be used and who will be using it? If you feel like it will be used a lot, you should consider increasing your budget to get a truly comfortable sleeper sofa. But if it will only be used occasionally, you can work with a simpler daybed or futon. 
• Size: you need to be mindful of the size of the room where the sleeper sofa will be placed as well as the size of the sofa itself. You can use our sofa measurement guide for tips on choosing the right size sofa for your place. 
• Mattress size and quality: once you’ve shortlisted your sleeper sofas, ask the salesman about the mattress and the materials used as a good mattress makes all the difference for a good night’s sleep.
• Sofa frame: if you want a sleeper sofa that will last for years, if not decades, look for one with a strong frame. 
• Cushions: while checking the mattress and sofa frame is common practice, customers often overlook the quality of cushions which is important in the case of sofa beds because these cushions are likely to be used as pillows. 
• Mechanism: some sofa beds are too complicated to pull out and assemble so be clear about what you can and can not manage. If you're willing to spend extra for the mechanism, sofabeds with electric motors are incredibly easy to use with a remote. 
• Storage: this can be an important factor for smaller apartments, so if you’re facing storage issues, look for sofa beds with storage. 

What are the best sofas for sleeping? 

Our team has been selling some of the world’s best, most comfortable sofas for more than 40 years now, so you know that you can trust them when it comes to sofa recommendations.

Here are their top picks for sofas that you can comfortably sleep on:

1 - Indy Sofa Bed by Fama - Best Overall

A comfortable sofa, a relaxing recliner and a super-spacious bed - Indy is truly the most amazing sofa bed that you’ll never want to get out of. And there’s no hassle of setting up the bed as this award-winning sofa bed comes with an electric motor that can be controlled using the remote or even your phone. Unlike most sofa beds, Indy comes in a very compact structure which makes it suitable for all types of spaces. 

“My favourite thing about this recliner is the customisation option - from bold to minimalistic, there are literally hundreds of fabrics to choose from, so it’s really fun to create sofa beds that perfectly blend with our client’s space,” says Lauren Austin, interior designer at FCI London. 

Dimensions: 204cm wide by 100cm deep as a sofa. 140cm x 204cm as a bed with a 35 kg polyurethane mattress.

2 - Big Bag Sofa Bed by Campeggi - Best sleeper sofa for small apartments

The distinguishing feature of this sofa bed is its backrest, which consists of self-supporting cushions, covered in natural leather for added comfort. It can be converted from a sofa to a single bed with a few simple movements. 

“This is a sleeper sofa that I would recommend for simple, sophisticated living rooms,” says Cristina, senior interior designer at FCI London, “as it can be easily matched with any other sofa without altering the overall mood of the space.” 

Dimensions: 200cm by 82cm as a sofa. 112cm by 200cm as a single bed and 193cm by 185cm as a double bed. 

3 - 2 Much Sofa Bed by Twils - Best pull-out sleeper sofa for kids' room

For kid's bedrooms, we need a bed that’s both functional and fun - luckily, 2 Much sofa bed checks both these boxes. If required, an extra storage unit can also be added to the base.

Dimensions: 90x200 cm, 80x200 cm

4 - Webby Daybed by Porada - Best indoor daybed

If you’re looking for a place to relax or take a gentle nap rather than a proper sofa bed to sleep on, then this is the product for you. Porada is a revolutionary Italian brand that is known for its love for wood, which is evident in the solid canaletta walnut frame of the Webby daybed. 

“The capitoné cover on this daybed gives it a very luxe look, especially for placing it in the hallway, bedroom or even for extra seating in the living room. From a sleeping perspective, it is comfortable enough for a nap and comes with an elegant and convenient bolster cushion,” says Cristina.  

Dimensions: W 183 cm | D 73 cm | H 42 cm

5 - Strips Four Poster Daybed by Skyline Design - Best outdoor daybed

Transform your garden into a luxurious zen den with this daybed’s captivating structure and rattan detailing.

The fabrics and structure are all-weather friendly and you can complete your space with matching dining tables, chairs and sofas from the strips collection.

The posters and drapes on this daybed mean that you can get the privacy you want as you relax in your outdoor oasis. 

Dimensions: W 215 cm | D 200 cm | H 220 cm

6 - Zephiro Sectional Sleeper Sofa by Cierre - The best sectional sofa that you can sleep on

If you want a modern, sectional sofa for your living room that can double up as a bed to accommodate your last-minute guests, Zephiro is the right sofa bed for you.

It is one of our most comfortable sofa beds - made in Italy with soft upholstery, cushioned lining and the unmatchable craftsmanship that Cierre is known for. 

If you need extra space, you can add a chaise lounge to the two-seater, which also offers pull-up storage for your pillows and blankets. 

Dimensions: Available in two sizes, W 110¾" in | D 63½" in | H 33½ in and W 118½ in | D 63½ in | H 33½ in. When unfolded, the maximum depth is 85½

7 - Aa1 Sofa Bed by Misura Emme - Best leather sleeper sofa with removable cover

Aa1 sofa was originally designed in 1932 by Alvar Alto, who is known around the world for his organic approach to design. Alto’s focus was greatly on the simplicity and functionality of furniture which is evident in this sofa bed. 

While the tubular structure of this sofa bed looks stunning when paired with leather, the removable covers can also be customised in fabric. 

Dimensions: W 203 cm | D 86-93 cm | H 70 cm

8 - Como Chaise Longue by Brabbu - Best chaise lounge for sleeping

Named after an Italian lake, the Como chaise lounge looks as dramatic and captivating as its namesake. 

According to our interior designer and business manager, Benjamin Ibanzez, “Como is perfect for cosy reading corners in the living room, bedroom or the home office. It is fully upholstered in cotton velvet which gives it a very luxurious look and this is why it immediately catches your attention in any setting.”

Dimensions: W 88 cm | 34.6" D 160 cm | 63"H 88 cm

Here are a few more chaise lounge suggestions from Ben: 

10 - Dakota Sofa Bed by Felix Collection - Best 3-seater sofa bed for sleeping (with storage)

A modern sofa bed with a clean, unmistakable design that is enhanced by contrasting topstitching.

You can use it as a two-seater sofa bed or get a chaise lounge with optional storage. It’s a contemporary classic that works well with all types of interiors. 

Dimensions:  W 215 cm | D 97 cm | H 76 cm

11 - Summertime Sofa Bed by Barel - Best Vintage Sofa bed in solid iron

This vintage style sofabed is made in solid iron that has been completely hand forged in Italy. It also comes with wheels, so it is easy to move around if you need to adjust your furniture for the guests. 

Dimensions:  W 215 cm | D 95 cm | H 101 cm

Sleeper Sofas on Clearance Sale

If you want to upgrade your interiors on a budget, choose any of these luxurious sleeper sofas from our clearance sale: 

• Vigo Lounger by Potocco
• Aston L-shaped sofa bed by Felix collection
• Master L-shaped Sofa by Valore Collezione

Summing Up

Sleeper sofas are truly versatile and multi-purpose products that are extremely useful for modern homes. While they appear to be typical sofas during the day, they easily convert into comfortable beds at night. 

Although you could transform a standard couch into a makeshift bed by adding a cushion and a down duvet, the best sleeper sofas are made to help you get some good quality sleep.

Our top pick is the stunning Indy Sofa Bed by Fama. However, there are several different choices on this list that can suit your style and needs.

If you need more help choosing the best sleeper sofa, just book an appointment and our designers will be in touch..