Sofa Beds. This type of sleeper sofa just folds down into a bed. Similar to a futon, the mattress for sleeping on is the cushions that you use to sit and rest your back on. Unlike the pull-out couch, a sofa bed has no cushions that you need to move and find a place to put them.[1]
What is a pull out sofa called?
Sleeper sofas are sofas that have a mattress tucked inside (so you can also call them a pull-out couch!), underneath separate couch cushions. You take the cushions off, pull out the mattress, and make the bed, and you’re ready to snooze.[2]
What’s the difference between sofa and sleeper?
Sleeper sofa: A sleeper sofa appears like a standard couch, but beneath its cushions lies a collapsible mattress. Most sleeper sofas are wide enough to comfortably fit two people, either on a full-size mattress or a queen-size mattress. 2. Sofa bed: A sofa bed does not have a collapsible mattress within its frame.[3]
What are the different types of sleeper sofas?
Sleeper Sofa. A sleeper sofa looks the most like a traditional couch, and it comes with a built-in mattress (ranging from Twin through King size). Sofa Bed. Although commonly confused with sleeper sofas, sofa beds don’t have an internal mattress. Futon. Daybed.[4]
What is a pull out bed called?
A sofa bed or sofa-bed (in the US often called a sofabed, hide-a-bed, bed-couch, sleeper-sofa, or pullout sofa) is a multifunctional furniture typically consisting of a sofa or couch that, underneath its seating cushions, hides a metal frame and thin mattress that can be unfolded or opened up to make a bed.[5]
Can you sleep on a sleeper sofa every night?
For the majority of sofa beds on the market, the answer is no. Standard sofa beds don’t give you the back support you need and cause you discomfort. However, when it comes to a Furl sofa bed , yes you can sleep on it every night.[6]
Can you take the mattress out of a sleeper sofa?
Removing the bed from a sleeper sofa is an especially good idea when you move to a different home or if you need to discard the sofa. By removing the bed you remove a considerable amount of weight from the sofa itself. By breaking up the weight, it makes moving both the sofa and the bed a much easier task.[7]
What is the definition of a sofa bed?
: a sofa that can be made to serve as a bed by lowering its hinged upholstered back to horizontal position or by pulling out a concealed mattress.[8]
How much weight can a pull out bed hold?
Full size sleepers hold twice that, supporting two people up to 250 pounds each. Queen sleepers support up to 600 pounds, and King sleepers up to 650 lbs.[9]
What size bed is in a pull out couch?
While there are some common sizes like a queen sofa bed mattress (60×72), a full sofa bed mattress (52×72), and a twin sofa bed mattress (35×72), many of the sleeper take unique sizes. This mattress can be made in depths ranging from 3″ to 5″ which means you’re going to get the perfect fit.[10]
Can sleeper sofas be comfortable?
Many of today’s sleeper sofas are surprisingly comfortable as is, thanks to thicker mattresses and minimal supports. However, if you still find your sleeper sofa mattress is uncomfortable, one easy way to improve its feel is with a mattress topper.[11]
What makes a sleeper sofa?
A sleeper sofa is a sofa with a mattress that pulls out and converts into a bed. The mattress is generally hidden and can either pop out or fold out. The comfort and style of a sleeper sofa will vary, and mattresses can range from inflatable to Tempur-Pedic.[12]
A double sofa bed is a piece of furniture that can function as a sofa during the day and a bed at night. It is popular in apartments and houses where space is limited.
The popularity of these beds has increased over the years because they are convenient, practical and stylish.
What is sofa bed double?
A pull out bed in a sofa with the size of a double bed. over a year ago.[1]
What is a double sofa called?
A sofa bed or sofa-bed (in the US often called a sofabed, hide-a-bed, bed-couch, sleeper-sofa, or pullout sofa) is a multifunctional furniture typically consisting of a sofa or couch that, underneath its seating cushions, hides a metal frame and thin mattress that can be unfolded or opened up to make a bed.[2]
What is the purpose of a sofa bed?
A sofa bed is that furniture that serves as a couch for sitting in the day time and as a bed for sleeping in the evening. These are specially designed to serve this dual purpose. There are many styles of sofa beds to choose from ranging from size to construction to the type of mattress used inside of it.[3]
What is the difference between a sleeper sofa and a sofa bed?
Most sofa beds are similar to futons. This type of furniture lies flat, forming a bed, and doesn’t have a traditional mattress. However, sleeper sofas include a buried mattress within their frame that you can easily unfold or fold when needed.[4]
Can I sleep on a sofa bed every night?
Although sofa beds are comfy, we wouldn’t recommend sleeping on them every night. If you are worried about your back, we recommend a memory foam mattress topper.[5]
Are sofa beds good for everyday use?
Sofa beds can be good for long term use, but it’s not advised. A dedicated mattress and bed frame will always be better than a sofa bed as they are specifically built and designed for sleep.[6]
How many people can sleep on sofa bed?
Most sleeper sofas are wide enough to comfortably fit two people, either on a full-size mattress or a queen-size mattress.[7]
What size is a sofa bed mattress?
Length for sofa bed mattresses ranges from 68 to 74 inches, depending on the brand. The widths for typical sofa beds are: twin, measuring 24 to 38 inches, full, measuring 39 to 54 inches, and.[8]
Are all sofa beds uncomfortable?
Mattresses used in sofa beds are notorious for being cheaply made and uncomfortable. Low-quality materials, bad designs, lack of support, cheap foam and more all contribute to feeling complaints about feeling the coils poking and jabbing through the padding.[9]
How do I know if my sofa is a sofa bed?
Typically, sofa beds, like futons, are designed to lay out flat to form a bed. They don’t offer a traditional mattress. On the other hand, a sofa sleeper has a mattress hidden within its frame that can be unfolded for easy use.[10]
How wide is a double sleeper sofa?
Full Size Mattress: 54″w x 75″d. Twin Size Sleeper Sofa Mattress: 38″w x 72″d. Twin Size Mattress: 39″w x 75″d.[11]
How big is a queen size sofa bed?
Investing in one of the best queen sleeper sofas is something overnight guests are likely to thank you for, with a queen sofa bed offering a generous 60″ x 80” sleeping area on average, as opposed to a smaller full or twin-bed option.[12]
Aren’t we all always on the lookout for IKEA stores’ affordable and well designed furniture?
I know I am! And this is why, the sofa bed called ‘Solsta’ got my attention.
From the photos online, it looked like an ideal double polyurethane foam seater for small houses or flats. However, after ordering it and having it delivered, I’m slightly disappointed with its performance. But then, what else do we expect from something that is this affordable in the current inflating markets, right?
Well, after some days of use, I realised that this IKEA Solsta Sofa bed is not that bad after all and that is why, I am here to share my experience with you. Read on to decide if you’re investing in this sofa or not!
About Solsta
Supposedly a single person sofa, this product is now used as a double bed. The IKEA website says that it’s easy to assemble and the mattress is removable. Thanks to its colors, it only gets light strains that are easy to clean just with a simple textile cleaner, mild soapy solution, or an upholstery shampoo and is a low maintenance item for sure.
The sofa comes with an affordable price tag. It’s always nice to see ‘IKEA’ products in the market because it means long lasting quality at reasonable prices. There are many models online that are priced twice as much as this one is!
Design
Before we talk about the actual performance, let’s first analyse how it appears to the eye. The item comes in perfect product dimensions with its perfectly colored body. It is made out of non-flammable and non woven polypropylene material. Also, it has a very comfortable back rest and comes with a soft mattress.
Quality
Quality wise, it is way better than what you get in terms of foam and carpet from other online sources. All the tools needed for installation are provided along with manual instructions that make it even more convenient to assemble. Let’s not forget that it has a great sitting capacity of about three people.
Performance (Compared to Other IKEA Sofa Beds)
I have used this sofa bed both as a single person sofa and later on, when the mattress had to be removed, as a double bed for two people with satisfying results in the first case but average results in the second.
The mattress is a bit firm for my liking and the sofa cum bed offers very little space to sleep comfortably. There have been instances when I woke up with a backache.
Also, the spring-loaded mechanism that operates the single bed within this sofa doesn’t work as well as it should and sometimes you feel like some springs are missing or that the bed is sagging.
But you can’t deny the fact that this sofa cum bed is sturdy and durable enough for such a price tag. Also, it’s comfortable to sit on which means that I don’t have to spend much time worrying about my guests staying over at my place for more than two nights consecutively.
One thing that I, however, loved about this sofa was the sleekness in its design. It is a very compact sofa that doesn’t occupy a lot of space. I have a small apartment and it fits right in with my furniture.
What Makes It Look Like The Cheapest Sofa Bed?
This sofa bed is a bit heavy, about 55 kgs–so while assembling, be careful not to hurt yourself or others by dropping the product.
Another problem with this sofa is its functionality. IKEA has marketed it as a spacious bed but while assembling, I found that the product is neither comfortable for a heavy bodied one person, let alone for two people. Lastly, the mattress and body of this sofa do not come in sync and thus you can feel some space between the two while lying down on the bed.
Pros & Cons
As mentioned earlier, this sofa bed has some pros and cons associated with it which you can decide upon by going over my list below:
Pros
Affordable price tag
Compact
Stylish looks that blend with your apartment’s style easily
Cons
The mattress is too firm for comfort
Spring mechanism doesn’t work well
Less bed length and bed width
Final Verdict!
I can say that this polyurethane foam bed is a good buy for people who have limited means and need functional furniture at the same time. Otherwise, investing in something else might not be such a bad idea!
Honestly, for the price it comes in, I think this is a good option for anyone looking for an affordable sofa. I would rate the performance of this product 3 out of 5 and recommend you to get it if you’re tight on budget!
I hope my review helps you decide whether to purchase this product or not. Just don’t expect too much from it.
Sleeper sofas and futons are the necessities of small apartments, especially those with frequent overnight guests. Although many people might confuse them to be the same, they are pretty different. However, both serve the same purpose, i.e. providing additional sleeping space through the hidden mattress. Before you head on to buying a couch for dual purposes, we recommend knowing the differences between the two. Our guide on a sleeper sofa vs futon will help you through the process.
We will first explain what exactly a sleeper sofa and a futon is and then compare their use, functionality and features to help you decide the better option for your house.
What is a Sleeper Sofa?
A sleeper sofa is much like a couch that was later molded to perform as a bed as well. Primarily, sleeper sofas are couches, and their overall construction is much similar to them. It means that working as a sleeper is its second function.
That is why sleeper sofas have an overall look of a couch. They also have a built-in foldable mattress which later opens through the folding mechanism. In this way, it transforms into a bed while sleeping at night.
What is a Futon?
A futon is a Japanese-style bed. As its primary purpose is to act as a bed, it doesn’t have a sofa construction. However, futons are still ideal for sitting during the day and sleeping at night.
In general, futons have seat cushions, which serve as a mattress for sleeping at night, and the cushions act as pillows. They are also comfortable both for sleeping and sitting.
Sleeper Sofa vs Futon: Key Differences
Comfort
When talking about sleeper sofas, the comfort level is perhaps the most important factor to consider. After all, they are not only meant for sitting during the day but also the night.
As sleeper sofas have a complete bed frame hidden inside the sofa frame, they are much more comfortable than futons. Futons only have one mattress, which is most often thin and prone to wear and tear.
Although futons are ideal for sitting, they might not be the most comfortable option for the night. It all depends on the type of mattresses in both.
Frame Design
The frame design of the sleeper sofa and futon makes both of them different. While sleeper sofas have a pull-out design, futons don’t.
The sleeper sofas require you to remove the seat cushions and take out a whole frame from the inside. But, futons have one cushion all over. You mold that cushion into two during the day, and lay the backrest flat at night.
Although both of them behave as regular couches, they have completely different mechanisms. The entirely different mattresses in the sleepers make them extremely comfortable.
Both of these styles are much different, and the option you choose for your living room depends on your choice.
But, there’s much more to unveil still!
Space Saving
Although sleeper sofas are adapted to act as both couch and bed, these types of furniture don’t save space. That is why many people consider futons ideal for dorm rooms and small apartments.
As mentioned before, you have to pull out a bed from inside the sleeper. Although sleeper sofas are highly comfortable and offer a dual purpose, they also take much of your room’s space. So, you have to measure the size of the couch when fully opened as a bed. Otherwise, it will come in the way of some other furniture piece.
On the other hand, futons offer comfort while occupying less space. It is because they only have cushions that you reassemble to convert into a sofa. The cushions are soft and fluffy and give you maximum comfort even on a hard surface.
That is why most people consider futons an excellent option for a bedroom or guest room.
Upholstery And Design
The upholstery of both the futon and sleeper sofa are different.
A sleeper sofa is a kind of sofa bed that often has a wooden frame for the couch, but the inside bed has a metal frame. The metal bars make the mechanism robust and durable, and the sofa bed gives the exact feeling of a real bed.
A futon frame usually comprises wood. It has a wooden backrest as well with a hinged mechanism, so you can easily lay it flat. Also, the footrest has a hinged frame, and you can lift it to make it look like a bed.
Although most futon frames are wood, you might also find some with metal frames.
Ease of Transition
The ease of transition from a sofa to a bed is perhaps an essential factor to consider. A sofa bed should not only offer the ideal sitting position to the guests, but it should also convert easily into a bed.
If you frequently have unexpected guests and use the sofa bed often, the ease of transition is the most important factor to consider.
As sleeper sofas have a pull-out mechanism, they are not easy to convert from a standard sofa to a bed. The metal frames are heavy and require labor from your side to take out the frame. Also, as the mattress is inside the frame, it makes it even heavier.
But, futons don’t have such a mechanism. You can easily convert them into a bed without more support. The simple design allows you to lay down the backrest and lift the footrest, transforming it into a bed in no time!
Final Words
The main difference between a futon a and sleeper sofa is the frame design. Both have various styles for upholstery, and you can also customize them.
Although futons look like sofa beds, they aren’t. That is why our sleeper sofa vs futon guide covers the key differences between both.
By reading them, you can definitely decide the better one according to your preference.
Admit it or not, sleeper sofas have added many conveniences to our lives and saved us from making our guests have a terrible sleep. By acting as a convertible sofa, we can use them in small spaces without them occupying too much space in our living room, also giving enough space for other furniture.
If you’re also impressed by their multifunctional design and want to add a sofa bed to your living space, we have a guide to the best sleeper sofas under $500. It will help you decide exactly what features your sleeper sofa should have!
Along with a buying guide, you will also get detailed reviews about different sofas, and you can choose your best sleeper sofa under $500!
So, let’s get started.
Buying Guide
Type of Mattress
As you want your overnight guests to have a sound sleep, you need to look for a mattress with thick padding to provide optimum comfort.
While comfortable cushions can offer a plush feel while resting the head, the type of mattress will keep the whole body relaxed.
When it comes to the type of mattress, you can either opt for memory foam or innerspring mattresses.
Memory foam mattresses are highly comfortable and can mold to your body shape. So, they are highly suitable for people who want all-around comfort while sleeping.
On the other hand, innerspring mattresses have coils or springs attached, which offer a bouncy feel. In general, a sofa with more than 500 coils is comfortable.
Depending on your sleeping style, you can choose the right one for your sofa bed.
Mattress Size
Sleeper sofas come in several mattress sizes.
Some of them will break into two separate beds after opening. Also, you can find options of queen-sized or twin mattresses inside the sleeper sofa.
So, you can choose between different options, depending on the number of people you want to accommodate in the sleeper sofa.
Ease of Opening And Closing
We already know that sleeper sofas are multi-purpose. You can use them as a couch during the day and as a bed at night.
Luckily, we now find several styles of sleeper sofas, and newer ones keep coming into the market to offer convenience to customers.
So, the ease of opening and closing these sofa beds is essential to consider.
As you have to bear the weight of almost half a bed while opening the sofa, it’s important that the couch has an efficient opening and closing mechanism.
Such sofas have a swift folding metal mechanism to make the process easier. In this way, you don’t have to bear the heavy weight of the couch again and again.
Apart from this, we also see sleeper sofas with a split-back structure seating, which can also be appropriate for living rooms.
The modern sleeper sofas go a step ahead and allow you to flatten the back and armrests, so you don’t have to lift the bottom of the sofa to open it. It functions much like a futon and can prove beneficial for people with a large space in the room and want an elegant design.
Others would come with removable armrests for added convenience.
If you don’t want a pull-out sofa, you can opt for the futon design for a contemporary look in your living space. Although this type of sofa bed might not be the most comfortable, a futon can be ideal for both sitting and sleeping.
Upholstery
The upholstery of the sleeper sofa also plays an essential role in its portability and durability. The durable fabric will make the sleeper sofa last longer and give it a modern look while it sits in your living room.
You can choose your favorite material from the different options mentioned here.
Velvet
Microfiber fabric
Leather
Polyester
Cotton
Faux leather
Long-lasting microfiber fabric is an excellent choice as it has stain-resistant properties and provides a stylish look to the furniture.
Tufted velvet couches are also common nowadays because of their luxurious and aesthetically pleasing look due to the tufted design. If you want to go with an elegant style, you can opt for leather sofas. It is stain-resistant yet firm to give a vintage look to the couch and enhance the appearance of the other furniture in the living room.
As leather sofas are expensive, faux leather is also an appropriate option. While being less in price, it offers the look of genuine leather.
Seating Capacity
The seating capacity also plays an essential role in the best sleeper sofas under $500. After all, sleeper sofas are not only meant for a movie night or sleeping but also sitting during the day.
So, you should consider the capacity according to the number of people in the house. If you’re tall yourself or a tall person will sleep on the sofa at night, you might need a larger sofa.
A better idea is to check the dimensions of the sofa as well to get the perfectly sized one in your house. But, don’t forget to measure the available space. For smaller living spaces but more people in the house, we recommend buying a sectional sleeper sofa.
But, a higher capacity is ideal for large spaces. As only one person can sleep on a sofa bed, extra seating means more space to ensure a comfortable sleep. Such sofas also have a higher weight limit, which makes them perfect for heavy individuals.
Reviews of The Best Sleeper Sofa Under 500
Vonanda Sofa Bed
If you want a couch that can fulfill multiple purposes in a compact design, the Vonanda sofa bed will be your ultimate choice. It can act as an ottoman, lounger, bed, and sofa, making it suitable for small spaces. Although it might be ideal for one individual, the weight capacity of 440 lbs. can handle more people at the same time, depending on the size.
This high-quality convertible sleeper sofa also comes with breathable linen fabric to offer a comfy look to anyone who sits. With the exceptional durability and stain resistance, you can expect it to last for several years.
The mattress also has zig-zag springs and density foam. Thus, we can say that the Vonanda sofa bed will definitely offer a comfy and soft feeling.
Adding more to the features, the durable metal legs make it a versatile piece of furniture to upgrade your lounge.
The swift folding mechanism of this adjustable sleeper sofa is impressive. We also like the grey color, which gives it an elegant look.
Pros
The sofa is easy to move with its lightweight design.
The seat and the cushion are comfy.
The all-in-one design makes it a perfect fit for small homes.
The frame of the sofa is sturdy and durable.
Cons
It feels firm while sleeping.
Esright Sofa Bed 3-in-1 Convertible Chair
Although it may seem large, the Esright Sofa Bed 3-in-1 convertible chair is the perfect sleeper sofa to fit in a small space. The overall robust frame and soft seat ensure a comfortable feel while sitting and sleeping.
It also comes with two throw pillows, one large and the other small. The smaller one can act as a cushion while sitting to offer the correct posture. On the other hand, the larger pillow is ideal for sleeping at night or for people wanting all-around comfort while sitting.
This tufted sofa also comes with linen fabric. As linen is exceptionally soft and gives a comfortable feel, you can rest assured about getting a sound sleep on this sleeper sofa.
We also like the convenient opening and closing mechanism of the Esright convertible sofa bed. It has moving wheels and a strap, which helps you pull out the legs.
If you’re suffering from back issues, you can adjust the backrest in different angles to maintain the best one.
Also, the weight capacity of 330 lbs. and high-quality steel frame makes it a durable sofa bed for almost everyone!
Pros
The sofa is stylish and looks attractive in the lounge.
The sofa fabric is well-made with clean lines.
The extension mechanism is swift and offers no inconvenience while converting it into a bed.
The adjustable backrest is an impressive feature for ultimate comfort.
Cons
Both the chair and bed feel hard while sleeping.
Saemoza Sofa Bed
The Saemoza sofa bed is a highly functional sleeper sofa at a reasonable price.
This versatile piece of furniture can be the perfect touch-up for your lounge. The whole structure of the Saemoza convertible sofa bed is robust, and the linen fabric with a high-density sponge ensures a relaxed sleeping position.
We also like the adjustable backrest, which you can offer five different positions for a comfortable posture. Although it doesn’t have arm rests, we think it will be ideal for tall people.
While being a low-maintenance sofa, it can be the best affordable furniture you can add to your lounge!
We like that you can use it as an ottoman, couch, bed, and lounger. This compact design offers so many conveniences without taking too much space in the room. From a small ottoman to a full-size sleeper, the Saemoza sofa bed fits all your needs!
Pros
This multi-purpose sofa has a heavy-duty frame and is comfortable.
It also converts into a wide sleeper sofa that can accommodate two people easily.
It has a modern design, and the upholstery is smooth and comfy.
This sleeper sofa is easy to use as it doesn’t require any assembly.
Cons
The overall quality needs improvement.
Final Words
When buying a sleeper sofa, you might need to consider a few things to make the process convenient. After all, the sofa should not only match the color scheme of your lounge but should also be functional.
So, our list of the best sleeper sofas under $500, along with the buying guide, will help you spend your hard-earned cash at the right place!
From our reviews of the best sleeper sofas, you can choose the right one that matches your budget and style!
