Best Sofa Bed That’s Actually Comfortable

Prefer to not have a whole room dedicated to a spare bed? A sleeper sofa might be the perfect answer. While it isn’t going to be quite as comfortable as an actual bed (it doesn’t have the same supportive springs underneath), it can still provide a great night’s sleep if you buy the right one. The main thing to know is that shopping for a sleeper sofa is more than just picking the right style. There are also several different types of mattresses and configurations that affect sleeping comfort, sitting surface, and space planning.

The most important thing to look for when shopping for a sleeper sofa is good quality construction. You’re buying a piece of furniture that includes a mechanism and, as we all know, anything that involves moving parts has the potential to fail. For a quality piece, buy from a manufacturer that uses best practices in their furniture construction. Solid frames, well-made cushions, and top-of-the-line suspensions in sofas and chairs are an indication that their sleepers will be of equally good quality.

Hint: Sofa manufacturers don’t make their own sleeper mechanisms. As a result, different manufacturers often have the same mattress and mechanisms. Make sure the mechanism is from a reputable manufacturer like Leggett & Platt or Hickory Springs.

Now, let’s talk about the main types of sleeper sofas and some tips on figuring out which kind is best for you (for more about that, check out the second blog in our series on sofa beds).

Standard Fold-Out Innerspring Mattress

When you think of a sleeper sofa, this is most likely what comes to mind. A thin innerspring mattress folds up like a letter inside the sofa. The mattress is supported by thick canvas-like fabric that’s secured with springs on the sides. You’ll want to make sure the mattress is at least 5-inches thick (found on many of our Lee Industries sofa styles). The seating surface is on top of the mattress, so it doesn’t have the supportive suspension that you would find in a well-made non-sleeper sofa, resulting in a seating surface that is rather hard.  For more comfortable seating, choose optional seat cushion fill of innersprings wrapped in fiber or down.

Pros:	Cons:
Widely available and easy to find	When sleeping, you may be able to feel bars under the mattress
Almost infinite sofa styles from which to choose	Lacks the supportive suspension found in non-sleeper sofas (on sofas of lesser quality, seating surface may eventually sag)
Optional seat cushion fill is available for those who prefer softer seating
Less expensive than other types
Available in twin through king sizes
Good for:
Occasional sleeper use

Fold-Out Foam Mattress

The fold-out mechanism is the same as that used in standard innerspring sleepers, but with a foam mattress instead of an innerspring one. The mattress could be made of several components, like polyurethane foam topped with memory foam with a layer of fiber fill for extra softness.

Pros:	Cons:
Foam mattress conforms to your body for better support than that provided by an innerspring mattress	When sleeping, you may be able to feel bars under the mattress
Almost infinite sofa styles from which to choose	Lacks the supportive suspension found in non-sleeper sofas (on sofas of lesser quality, seating surface may eventually sag)
Optional seat cushion fill is available for those who prefer softer seating
Available in twin through king sizes
Good for:
Occasional sleeper use, if a plusher sleeping surface is preferred

Air Topped Fold-Out Mattress (Air Dream Mattress)

This innerspring mattress has the same folding mechanism as the previous two options, but comes with an inflatable air cushion layer on top. The air topper easily inflates with an electric control, creating a plush 11-inch mattress for enhanced comfort. This type of mattress is available as an option on the Lee Industries fold-out sleeper sofa styles.

Pros:	Cons:
Most comfortable fold-out mattress option	Lacks the supportive suspension found in non-sleeper sofas (on sofas of lesser quality, seating surface may eventually sag)
Thicker mattress reduces the odds of feeling bars while sleeping	As with any air mattress, there is always the chance of a leak (repair kits are widely available)
You can use the mattress inflation control to change the degree of firmness	Available only in full and queen sizes
Optional seat cushion fill is available for those who prefer softer seating
Good for:
More frequent sleeper use

 

Pull Out, Pop Up Sofa Sleeper

This style operates like a trundle bed: a bottom mattress pulls out and can either stay on the floor for two twin beds or pop-up to create a larger bed. When sleeping, you lie parallel to the back of the sofa, as opposed to the more traditional perpendicular sleeping arrangement. Our Aspen Sleeper Sofa by Lee Industries is this type of sleeper.

Pros:	Cons:
Provides both comfortable seating and comfortable sleeping	Firmer seat may not appeal to those who prefer a softer sofa cushion
Sleeping surface is an actual mattress like what you’d find on a bed	Limited styles
Supportive and firm seating surface	Available only in full and queen sizes
Takes up less space than fold-out sleepers
Flexible configurations are good for more than just sleeping: You can set up a chaise for movie nights
Good for:
Sofas that are used frequently for sleeping and sitting (as long as you don’t mind a firm seat)
TV rooms or spaces where you may want the option to create a family-size chaise
Guests who prefer to sleep on twin beds
Rooms where there is not a lot of space for a standard fold-out sleeper mattress

Solid Platform, Foam Mattress Sleeper

This sleeper sofa is available only through Lee Industries (Lee Sleeper Collection) and American Leather (Comfort Sleeper) and is one of the best options on the market. It features a foam mattress that rests on a solid platform with no bars, no springs, and no sagging. This sleeper design allows you to have a larger mattress while taking up less space in the room. Typical sleeper mattresses are 70 to 75 inches long while the one on the Solid Platform, Foam Mattress Sleeper is 80 inches long, the same length as a standard bed. The Stated Home offers the Lee Industries Sleeper Collection in our St. Paul and Branson styles.

Pros:	Cons:
Provides both comfortable seating and comfortable sleeping	Firmer seat (solid surface with no “spring”) may not appeal to those who prefer softer seating
Supportive platform surface provides sofa seating that doesn’t sag	Only available from Lee Industries and American Leather (call us at The Stated Home for information on Lee Industries and American Leather products)
Mechanism doesn’t have bars that can be felt through the mattress
All-foam mattress conforms to your body for better support than that provided by an innerspring mattress
Takes up less space than fold-out sleepers
Available in twin through king sizes
Good for:
Maximizing both seating and sleeping comfort
Rooms where there is not a lot of space for a standard fold-out sleeper mattress

This can be a lot to think about, so check out this table to help simplify matters. And don’t forget to visit thestatedhome.com to shop our collection of made-in-America sleeper sofas:

	Fold-out with Innerspring Mattress	Fold-Out with Foam Mattress	Fold-Out with Air Topped Mattress	Pull Out, Pop Up Sleeper	Comfort Sleeper with Foam Mattress
Good For Tight Spaces				X	X
Available in Twin - King Size	X	X
Full - Queen Size Only			X	X
Softer Sofa Seat	X	X	X
Firmer Sofa Seat				X	X
Extended Use for Sleeping			X	X	X
Infrequent Use For Sleeping	X	X	X	X	X