Sofa beds are to furniture what skorts are to fashion. Some people appreciate their practicality and versatility. Others think they’re awkward and ugly.
These days, though, the couch-meets-mattress hybrid is gaining appeal. As homes, particularly urban apartments, are getting smaller, sofa beds can be invaluable for turning a living room into a guest bedroom.
The only thing harder than spending a night on a bad sofa bed, though, is finding a good one. Ontario-based interior designer Kelly Harvey says the problem lies in how sofa beds are typically designed, which can, annoyingly, leave them impractical as both sofas and beds.
“The spring structure of the sofa needs to be gutted to make room for the mattress,” she says, “so the sofa seats are uncomfortable. Then the mattress mechanism has to be so thin that it makes the bed uncomfortable. Honestly, when possible, I tell clients to opt for inflatable mattresses.”
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Hope, however, is out there. Nova Scotia-based designer Deborah Nelson recently sourced a sleeper sofa from Montreal brand Montauk. While the model, called the Geoffrey, has no spring structure, its foam cushions are padded with down feathers to compensate for any lost plushness. The cavity for the bed is also extra-deep, allowing for a thicker memory-foam mattress.
To test the Geoffrey, Nelson saw it in person, sat on it, pulled out the bed and lay down. “I typically would suggest someone visit a showroom or retail location to source upholstered furniture,” she says. “It’s important to test these things out.”
Nelson also suggests bringing a tape measure. “The sofa bed should fit well and be functional for the room,” she says. “There needs to be adequate space around the bed when in use.”
Pam Grills, a professional ergonomist and president of Ottawa-based ErgoPrime, says a sleeper sofa can provide a good night’s sleep, even with regular use. “The goal is to find a sleep surface that supports the body while maintaining reasonably natural spinal alignment and providing adequate cushioning at pressure points, such as the shoulders and hips.”
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Grills recommends looking for a sofa bed with a solid frame. “A thicker mattress may provide more cushioning, but thickness alone does not guarantee comfort or support,” she says. “The support structure should be even and stable. Uneven areas beneath the mattress may take your spine out of comfortable alignment.”
Futon-style sleeper sofas can be a good alternative to conventional pull-out models, as they can allow more foam, springs or other structural support. The trade-off is that the cushions may feel firm compared to a conventional mattress.
“A topper made of memory foam or another cushioning material may help reduce pressure and improve comfort when the existing mattress feels too firm,” Grills says.
Mike Harnett, a sleep expert and president of Vancouver-based Solaris Fatigue Management, agrees. “The most obvious fix to improve the comfort would be a topper mattress. But then you have the problem of storing the topper somewhere.”
Fortunately, some sleeper sofas have built-in storage compartments. In which case, such sleepers are less like skorts, more like Swiss Army knives.
When shopping for a sofa bed, look for options that provide an even sleeping surface (and are also a bit stylish).
Six buys to try
Felix Studio Bed
The Felix Studio Bed, from Australian brand King Living is a clever option for solo sleepers. The entire seat is essentially a thick, heavy-duty mattress, slightly larger than a twin. At the push of a button, it slides out from the back of the sofa on a mechanized track for ease of use.
Neptune
The Neptune is a sleeper sofa from Montreal brand Cozey. Rather than incorporate a built-in mattress, this model has a back that folds down to create an even sleep surface. Part of the appeal is the customization. It comes in a range of formats, including two-seaters and sectionals with built-in storage for bedding.
ISO
The ISO sofa bed from Quebec-based Must Société is a futon-style sleeper with a twist. It is composed of sleek, armless, side-by-side chairs. They can pull apart, swivel, tilt or unfold into a variety of configurations, including chaise lounges or a conjoined bed.
Sven
The Sven, the long-time bestseller from Vancouver-based Article, has been described as the “Goldilocks of couches” – not too soft, not too firm, but just right. Originally just a sofa, it’s now available as a sleeper. By pulling two discreet tabs, the seat quickly folds out into a foam-padded mattress.
Geoffrey
Part of the appeal of a Montauk sofa is that they are all hand-built in Montreal, with carefully constructed frames fashioned from solid, sturdy wood. Upholstery fabrics and mattress formats are customizable – the bed can be either a double or a queen.
Blair
One of the challenges of a sofa bed, indeed any bed, is that individual preferences vary. The stylish Blair, from Delta, B.C.-based Kavuus, is customizable with different mattress types, including spring-based or gel-topped. The firmness of the cushions is also variable according to taste.