A sofa bed is a sofa that converts into a bed — full seating during the day, a sleeping surface when you need it. It's the most practical dual-purpose furniture you can own, designed for rooms that have to do two jobs: a living room that doubles as a guest room, a home office with an occasional bed, a studio flat, or simply a household that has people to stay now and then.
The clever part is the mechanism. Depending on the design, the bed either folds out from beneath the seat on a metal frame, or the backrest reclines flat to form the sleeping surface. The right type for you depends mainly on one thing: how often it will actually be slept on — which is exactly what the guide below helps you work out.
Sofa beds come in every size and finish in our range — 2 and 3 seaters, corner designs and styles with built-in storage, in fabric and leather, and in a full range of colours.
Sofa beds convert in different ways, and the mechanism affects both how good the bed is and how it looks as a sofa. Here are the main types and who each one suits.
A proper bed frame and mattress fold out from beneath the seat cushions on a metal action. Because it has a dedicated mattress separate from the seat, it gives the most bed-like, comfortable sleep — the closest thing to a real bed. The best choice if guests stay often or it'll be slept on regularly. The trade-offs: it's heavier and needs floor space in front to open out.
The backrest pushes down flat to turn the seat into a bed — quick, simple and tool-free. The sleeping surface is firmer and flatter than a pull-out (the seat is the mattress), so it suits occasional overnight guests rather than nightly sleeping. Click-clacks tend to have a sleek, contemporary look and take up less space.
A sofa bed with a hidden compartment — usually under the seat — for storing duvets, pillows and bedding. Ideal for flats and spare rooms where you need somewhere to keep the bedding the sofa bed requires. Available with both pull-out and click-clack mechanisms.
A corner sofa that also converts to a bed, often with storage in the chaise. The most space-efficient way to get generous everyday seating and a guest bed from one piece — perfect for an open-plan room or a busy family space.
| Type | How it converts | Sleep comfort | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pull-out / fold-out | Mattress folds out on a metal frame | Best — most bed-like | Regular / frequent guests |
| Click-clack | Backrest folds flat | Firmer, flatter | Occasional overnight use |
| Storage sofa bed | Pull-out or click-clack + storage | Depends on mechanism | Small spaces, bedding storage |
| Corner sofa bed | Corner with fold-out bed | Good — often with storage | Multi-use family rooms |
If the sofa bed will be slept on often, the mattress is the single most important thing to get right. A great frame with a thin mattress still makes a poor bed.
Pocket-sprung mattresses are the most comfortable, with individual springs that support the body much like a proper bed. They're the choice if anyone will sleep on it for more than the odd night — well worth it for regular guests or nightly use.
Foam and memory-foam mattresses are a good middle ground — supportive, lighter and easy to fold, and memory foam moulds to the body. A sensible option for fairly regular use.
Thin fold-out and click-clack surfaces are firmer and best kept for occasional overnight guests. For the odd night they're perfectly fine; for regular sleeping, step up to a pull-out with a sprung or foam mattress.
The rule of thumb: match the mattress to how often it'll be used. Occasional guests — a click-clack or basic fold-out is fine. Frequent guests or nightly sleeping — choose a pull-out with a pocket-sprung or quality foam mattress. Call us on 02476 705 600 if you'd like help judging which you need.
The size of the open bed usually follows the size of the sofa. As a rough guide:
| Sofa size | Typical open bed | Sleeps |
|---|---|---|
| 2 seater sofa bed | Single to small double (90–120cm wide) | 1, or 2 at a squeeze |
| 3 seater sofa bed | Double (135–140cm wide) | 2 |
| Corner sofa bed | Double, plus storage | 2 |
Always check both the sofa dimensions and the open bed dimensions on the product listing, and measure the floor space in front so the bed has room to fold out fully.
Every sofa bed qualifies for free standard UK delivery, with premium fast-track available if you need it sooner.
A sofa bed needs to work as a sofa in its closed footprint and have room to open out in front. As a sofa, leave at least 80cm of walkway clearance; as a bed, check there's enough clear floor in front for the mechanism to fold out fully — a pull-out needs more depth than a click-clack.
| Sofa size | Typical sofa width | Closed depth | Allow in front to open |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 seater | 150–180cm | 90–100cm | ~110–140cm |
| 3 seater | 190–220cm | 95–105cm | ~120–160cm |
Standard delivery across the UK is free on all in-stock sofa beds, typically within 7 to 10 working days. If you need it sooner, premium fast-track delivery gets your sofa bed to you in 36 to 48 hours for a small extra charge. Either way you receive a confirmed delivery date once your order is placed — not a vague window — and the day before delivery we call to confirm a 2-hour arrival slot.
Our own two-person employed team — not a courier — delivers your sofa bed, positions it in your chosen room and removes all packaging. If you've added old sofa removal at checkout, they take your existing sofa away on the same visit.
Sofa beds are heavier than standard sofas because of the bed mechanism, so access matters. Smaller designs arrive as a single piece; corner sofa beds usually come in sections. Before ordering, check the sofa will pass through your front door (standard UK doors are around 76cm) and any tight corners in your hallway. If you have any access concerns, call us on 02476 705 600 before placing your order — we'd rather solve it beforehand than deal with a problem on delivery day.
We've been supplying quality sofas to homes across the UK for over 20 years. Here is what every order includes.
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It depends on the mechanism and mattress. A pull-out sofa bed with a pocket-sprung or quality foam mattress is genuinely comfortable for regular sleeping — close to a proper bed. Click-clack designs are firmer and best for occasional overnight guests. Match the type to how often it'll be slept on.
A pull-out (fold-out) sofa bed has a separate mattress that folds out from under the seat on a metal frame, giving the most bed-like comfort — best for frequent use. A click-clack converts by folding the backrest flat, which is quick and space-saving but firmer, suiting occasional use.
Roughly in line with the sofa size: a 2 seater sofa bed typically opens to a single or small double, and a 3 seater or corner sofa bed to a double (around 135–140cm). Always check the open bed dimensions on the product listing and that you have floor space for it to fold out.
For regular or nightly use, a pocket-sprung mattress is the most comfortable. Foam and memory foam are a good middle ground. Thin fold-out surfaces are best for occasional overnight guests. The more often it'll be slept on, the more the mattress matters.
Yes. Our range includes corner sofa beds that combine generous everyday seating with a guest bed, often with storage in the chaise — ideal for multi-use family rooms.
Many do. Storage sofa beds include a hidden compartment, usually under the seat, for duvets and pillows — handy in a flat or spare room where you need somewhere to keep the bedding.
Fabric (chenille or weave) is soft and warm and comes in the most colours; leather and Leather Aire are the most wipe-clean and hard-wearing. Faux leather gives the wipe-clean look on a budget. Choose based on the room and how much wear it'll get.
Most in-stock sofa beds are delivered free across the UK within 7 to 10 working days. If you need it faster, premium fast-track delivery gets it to you in 36 to 48 hours for a small extra charge. You receive a confirmed delivery date at checkout and a 2-hour arrival window the day before.
Yes. Easy finance options let you spread the cost so it's easier on your pocket. Apply at checkout in minutes. Subject to status and approval.
Every sofa bed comes with a 5-year warranty covering the frame and mechanism. Full warranty details are listed on each product page, and claims are handled directly by our team on 02476 705 600.
We offer 14-day returns on all sofas including sofa beds. If it isn't right — wrong size, wrong colour or change of mind — call us within 14 days of delivery on 02476 705 600. We arrange collection and process a full refund. It must be in its original condition.
Furniture Instore · Coventry | Free standard UK delivery — 7–10 working days | Fast-track 36–48 hrs | Easy finance | 5-year warranty | 14-day returns | 02476 705 600 · Mon–Sat 9am–5pm
