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The Best Sleeper Sofas, According to Interior Designers
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Shopping for a sleeper sofa that doesn't look like the sagging hand-me-down you had in college can take some patience and digging. While comfort is an obvious consideration, you also want something that's going to look nice in your adult apartment, especially if it serves as your primary sofa during the day. "The sign of a quality sleeper," says interior designer Keita Turner, is "that you walk into the room and don't know it is one."
Turner notes that many sleeper sofas, particularly those on the cheaper side, "get a bad rap." But these days, it's totally possible to find stylish and affordable pieces that convert with minimal effort and also ensure a full night's rest. To help you figure out the best sleeper sofa for your space and budget, we consulted Turner and 15 other interior designers for their suggestions. Below are their 29 favorites, which cover a range of styles and price points, from easy futon-style foldouts to fancy (and customizable) sofas with queen-size memory-foam mattresses that might even rival what's in your bed.
For an affordable sleeper sofa that's still stylish, Annie Mueller, a senior designer at online interior-design service Havenly, recommends this one from Pottery Barn Teen. The compact, two-seater sofa converts into a twin-size bed, making it ideal for smaller spaces. Mueller likes that the square arms look contemporary, adding that it's a great "budget-friendly option." She suggests using it in "a teen's bedroom or play space," but we happen to think that it would also look nice in an adult living room. The sofa's seat cushion unfolds to create the mattress, which rests on the floor.
According to Yaiza Armbruster, the founder of design office Atelier Armbruster, "it's really hard to find sleeper sofas that are nice and comfortable as sofas and as beds, and small enough to fit inside New York City apartments." One sleeper sofa that she says meets those criteria is this convertible ottoman from Ikea that Armbruster calls "phenomenal" for its compact size, and the fact that it reminds her of an ottoman from a high-end design company that she used to own. The cushion unzips in half to unfold into a narrow mattress (not exactly a twin size, but close), and it can also be combined with other modules in Ikea's Vallentuna collection to create a sofa. It's this flexibility that Armbruster appreciates, adding that it could be a "second sleeping option in a living room."
Armbruster also recommends this Ikea daybed, which she bought for her kids' room so their friends have somewhere to sleep (and sit) when they come over for sleepovers. It's actually quite versatile and can be used as a single or double bed (a trundle pulls out from the base to create a double-bed frame). The daybed's seat is made up of two twin foam mattresses set on top of each other. To create a double bed, simply move the top mattress onto the pullout. As far as looks, it's fairly basic as is, but Armbruster says that the daybed is easy enough to customize — she did so by simply painting it pink. Bonus: It comes with two large drawers for storing linens.
Decorist designer Kyler Karstens loves this "more unique" rattan daybed, which she says will give a room "a punch of personality" in addition to a place to sleep. (Rattan is material that designers like for its versatility and timelessness, which is why it's used in lots of sofas as well as in mirrors and armchairs.) Karstens says this daybed's "one-of-a-kind form and texture" make it "the perfect option" for adding a touch of "bohemian flair" to their space. It's designed to accommodate a twin-size mattress, but buyers should know a mattress is not included.
This convertible sofa comes recommended by interior designer Jennifer Wallenstein, who likes it for its low price point, relatively lightweight frame, and ability to fit into small spaces. It's upholstered in microsuede — a fabric that she says is durable and easy to clean — and the seat easily unfolds to become a full-size mattress. While it's currently out of stock, it will be restocked in late November, according to the retailer, which allows you to provide your email address for updates on availability.
Kelly R. Collier-Clark, principal designer at Plot Twist Design, recently sourced this sleeper for a client's family room primarily used by two teenage girls. "It was a perfect, durable sofa from a trusted retail brand with a great budget-friendly price point," she says. For highly functional spaces, she recommends full sofas with queen-size mattresses like this one, tempting as it might be to hop on the daybed trend. "They are great for everything, from out-of-town guest lodging to teen slumber parties and movie nights."
If you are looking for something trendier, Collier-Clark says that this well-priced option from West Elm should fit the bill. "It's an amazing piece for an office, guest room, or even a reading nook in a large living room," she notes. "I would recommend a daybed option for maximizing space without sacrificing style." The Shelter daybed can be styled minimalist or maximalist, and is available in two different widths, depending on how much space you have.
Decorist designer Megan Wright calls this daybed, which doubles as a faux mid-century-modern statement piece, "the ultimate flexible piece of furniture." Functional as a chaise or bench, the Baxton's double-stacked foam cushion makes it comfortable enough to sleep on, too. Its design details are chameleonic: Walnut-stained legs provide an upscale touch, but the Baxton isn't so overpoweringly vintage-looking that it will clash with the rest of your living room. "The style is clean and streamlined, so it could be mixed in with any design," says Wright.
While it's at the pricier end of under $2,000, Interior Define's Sloan Sleeper comes recommended by three of our experts — Mueller, Decorist designer Linzie Merchant, and Lisa Spicer, a designer at virtual interior-design service Modsy — for its versatile style and customizability. Spicer says that its clean lines can work in a range of interior-design schemes, and both Mueller and Merchant agree. As far as customizing it, the sofa is available in more than 60 fabric options "from neutral grays to bold velvet fabrics," according to Spicer, and you can also choose cushions, fill options, and even different leg styles — an element that Merchant says is "really important when selecting a sofa." Mueller adds that "this gives customers the ability to find the configuration that is most functional for their space." The foldout 5.5-inch-thick queen-size mattress is topped with memory foam.
As easy to operate as your college-era futon but considerably more contemporary in its aesthetic, interior designer Mandy Cheng says that you can basically slap a sheet on the CB2 Flex and call it a night. The modern-looking piece is made with high-density foam and pocketed coil springs and flips down into a queen-size bed (given how much a regular sofa and queen-size mattress can cost, the fact that you're getting both with this piece makes the price seem even more justified). Cheng adds, "Generally speaking, the nicer the cushion fill (wrapped down, a mix of foam and down, or memory foam), the better night's sleep your guests will have."
Karsten recommends this daybed from Pottery Barn Teen, which has a slip-cover and "simple lines" that give it more of a traditional feel. The slip cover, she notes, is removable, which "allows you to easily keep the fabric clean." You can get the daybed in multiple fabric options, any of which Karsten says would "look beautiful layered with a mixture of bold pillows." The price shown is for a twin-size daybed, but this style comes in larger options, too, including full and queen. Any size you choose will accommodate a standard, like-size mattress — but you'll have to get that separately, as this does not come with a mattress.
Both Turner and Armbruster are fans of the Tandom sofa for its sleek look and small footprint — Turner also says it reminds her of a mid-century wood-and-metal-frame sofa that her parents have owned for decades. As with many of the contemporary sleeper designs recommended here, this one doesn't involve a bulky pullout. The oversize, high-density cushions and seat easily convert into a queen-size bed, while the armrests become head- and footboards. To make it feel more luxurious for guests, Armbruster says you can customize it with "fancier" sheets or patterned textiles.
Mueller is another fan of daybeds. "If you have an existing sofa that you don't want to replace, but need additional sleeping surfaces," she says they can make a great alternative to traditional sleeper sofas. But Mueller also thinks daybeds can stand in for traditional sofas, too, if you're looking for something different (and multi-functional). She recommends this model with a whitewashed rattan frame that she says would "add texture and contrast to a space." It's pricier than the other rattan daybed on this list, but that's because it comes with a five-inch-thick, twin-size mattress made of Fibercore.
Ted Roberts, the style and design chief for Schlage, recommends this daybed for its "exceptional structural integrity." Part of its durability, according to Roberts, comes from the fact that the daybed is available in several styles of "performance" fabric, including linen and basketweave materials, that's meant to withstand heavy use. You can sleep on it as is (which would be like sleeping on a mattress that's slightly smaller than a twin), or pull out one of the cushions and place it on the floor to create a wider surface (that's somewhere between a queen and king mattress). Turner is also a fan, saying that Luna's clever design resembles a much higher-end piece: "It's very slick, I almost can't believe that it's Pottery Barn."
Alessandra Wood, the VP of Style at Modsy, recommends this deep-set sleeper. She likes its versatility, saying that the sofa's simple, straight edges can work in a variety of décor styles. The sleeper, which features a removable uni-cushion for its seat, opens into a queen-size bed with a 5.25-inch-thick coil-foam mattress.
Here's a futon-style option that easily converts to a queen-size platform bed with a pocketed, coil-spring mattress. Spicer recommends it for its simple mid-century-modern look and notes that the sofa's light-gray fabric is a great base for just about any accent color. She suggests adding some personality to it via a couple of blush-pink throw pillows. Or, to create more of a contrast, Spicer says to try navy or black-and-white cushions instead.
If your overnight guest will be sleeping alone, Wallenstein suggests this chair-size slip-covered sofa. It has a metal pullout base (so it runs on the heavier side) that folds out to support a 5.5-inch-thick twin mattress, which meets one of her requirements for a good innerspring mattress: "You want them to be about five or six inches thick at minimum," Wallenstein says.
Decorilla design expert Devin Shaffer told us his go-to source for quality sleeper sofas is Joybird, and he suggests this cushy, plush sleeper sofa with a mid-century frame for someone who wants a do-it-all piece. "When it comes to seating, it's always best to find places that pride themselves in production," he says. "Joybird has an in-depth preview of How It's Made for each of its products and offers a 365-day return window and lifetime warranty." The fully customizable sleeper comes with a five-inch-thick memory-foam mattress that pulls out.
Interiors specialist Alyssa Kapito recommends this modular sofa from Design Within Reach. She points out that while more traditional sleepers are necessarily wide and bulky to accommodate the inner pull-out mechanism, at 39 inches deep, this one's "a little thinner, and great for shallow spaces." For lounging around solo or with guests, the Tuck Sleeper can also be partially extended into a multipurpose chaise. Basically a sofa, daybed, and sleeper in one, it's available in numerous fabrics and colorways — the crêpe linen in saffron is particularly appealing.
Kapito calls this daybed with a well-disguised trundle "really functional but also really clever." The Bedford's fabric and leg colors are customizable, and its high-density queen-size foam mattress is devoid of any back-poking springs. Go ahead and let this piece roam free, rather than placing it against a wall. "You could put this in the middle of your living room and nobody would know that it was a sleeper sofa."
Armbruster likes the Twilight sleeper because "it looks nice, is comfortable, and opens up to what's essentially a king-size bed." It's more or less made of two parts — a cylindrical backrest bolster that can be adjusted to customize seat depth, and a large seat cushion made out of foam that turns into the mattress. Simply pivot the bolster up, then remove the cushion and place on the floor. When pushed up against the sofa's base, the cushion creates a bed that's larger than a queen but slightly smaller than a king.
"The CB2 Club Queen sofa is very compact and looks nice as a day-to-day sofa in a smallish apartment," says Armbruster. She says it's a great guest-bed option for occasional visitors and likes that it comes in many color and fabric options, including linen, cotton, wool, and polyester blends. The pullout bed is topped with a 5.25-inch-thick coil-foam mattress.
Mueller likes the "more casual lines" of the Denver trundle, saying that it would be a perfect choice for "a boho-inspired living space or a teen's playroom." It's also handmade to order in the U.S., which means you can customize it to your liking, choosing among basket-weave linen, Belgian linen, and velvet for the fabric, and up to 21 different colorways, depending on fabric. A trundle pulls out to form a queen-size bed with a pillow-top mattress.
Interior designer Kendall Wilkinson says her go-to source for sourcing sleeper sofas for clients is American Leather, because it carries "very clean and sophisticated contemporary styles" that are usually available in multiple sizes and a wide variety of fabrics, making it easy to customize a sofa for just about any space. "Right now, we are coveting the Perry model with its sloping arms that give an overall modern feel," she says, "with a warm and more sophisticated silhouette." It's definitely a splurge, but Wilkinson promises that the sofa's sleeper mechanism is "effortless to operate" and that its "overall quality is excellent." Plus, she adds that the company is easy to work with. The Perry is available in sizes that range from a chair-and-a-half that pulls out into a cot (and starts at $$3,049) to this three-seater that pulls out into a five-inch-thick king-size mattress made from high-density premier foam. The brand also offers mattress upgrades in any sizes of the Perry, too.
Carlyle is the retail sister company to custom upholsterers Avery Boardman, which means "they are able to offer a similar level of custom options normally afforded only to designers in the trade," according to Turner. One of those custom options is a pullout woven-steel bed trundle free of any painful metal bars. Turner recently outfitted a client's home office with this supremely comfortable sofa, customizing its dimensions, seat style, back style, arm details, and base — even incorporating the client's own croc-embossed leather fabric for the cushions.
As some of the above models suggest, sleeper pullout sofas tend to run more expensive (and to be much heavier, given their interior metal frames). But they're the type of thing that, if you're willing to invest in them, will last you for years. For a minimal, high-end couch that you can keep in a guest room (and use for a long time), Wallenstein recommends this made-to-order queen sofa from buzzy furniture brand Apt2B. "It has a simple modern design, and offers some customization options." For example, you can choose from a 5.5-inch-thick innerspring mattress with pillow top, or one made out of memory foam.
This Chesterfield-style sleeper sofa has a more modern silhouette than the one above, combining classic tufting with a boxy frame and plinth-style base. Modsy's Katherine Tlapa says that its deep seat is "as comfortable as it gets," and notes that the sofa, which comes with a spring-coil queen mattress, can be customized with more than 65 upholstery options.
If you're pulling out all the stops on a roomy sleeper sofa with all the bells and whistles, Wallenstein says this Vesper king-size sleeper is "high-quality with a beautiful design." It has a pullout, density-foam bed ("make sure yours is density foam") with a four-inch-thick mattress that rests on a wooden platform, and you can get it made in fabric or leather. According to the brand, when opened, the king-size bed takes up nearly a foot less in depth than conventional sleepers, too.
Within this deceptively minimal sofa lurks a seriously comfortable bed, complete with a five-inch-thick gel mattress that the brand says provides "cooling comfort" for hot sleepers. Kapito is surprised by just how well Maxwell pulls off the con: "You can't even tell that it's a sleeper sofa." She adds that the timeless boxy shape would "look beautiful in both traditional and contemporary spaces."
If you're saddled with a sleeper sofa that's not as comfortable as you'd like, a foam-mattress topper goes a long way, according to Cheng. She says something like this Dreamfoam "will eliminate any semblance of the seam, even out any height variations between the seat cushion and the back cushion, and make the bed so much more comfortable."
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Futon With Pull Out Drawer Flair Interiors
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