A sleeper sofa is a convenient addition to any home as noted in our holiday sleeper sofa guide, but especially smaller homes and apartments that may not provide the luxury of a guest room.
You may have been using an ordinary sofa or an inflatable mattress to put up houseguests thus far. That’s fine for your old college roommate, but if your grandparents are coming out for a long weekend, you will need to provide better accommodations. It’s time to start shopping!
In the past, sleeper sofas have had the reputation of being bulky and uncomfortable, but this is no longer the case. Far from it, in fact — today’s sleeper sofas are both fashionable and enjoyable for sitting and sleeping. This is important, because you may only use yours for sleeping a few times a year, so you want to make sure the sofa part of your sleeper sofa does its job as well as the bed part.
What should you look for when shopping for a sleeper sofa? We encourage you to read on and reference our related article: "3 Things to Look for in a New Sleeper Sofa".
Choose a Sleeper Sofa You’ll Love to Look At
Even though the function is more important than form, start with looks. No one wants an ugly sofa front and center in the room, so only consider the ones you like the looks of.
Many styles allow you to choose not just the color, but the fabric too. So first, make sure you like the design, then ask about customization.
Microfiber is a great choice if you have kids or pets. Its easy-to-clean surface means your sleeper sofa will look nicer, longer. If you live alone and you’re the type to ask guests to take their shoes off when they come into your home, you would probably be safe choosing leather or white linen.
Get a Feel for Your Sleeper Sofa
Next, sit on the sofa. Does it feel like you’re sitting on a rock? If so, move on to the next one.
Once you’ve found one that’s comfortable to sit on, try out the bed. Don’t settle for a mattress that’s too hard or too soft. Channel Goldilocks and keep trying them until you find one that’s just right! The fibers mold to your body, creating the perfect sleeping experience for anyone who spends the night on it.
Another important consideration when choosing a sleeper sofa is that you not be able to feel the supporting metal bars and springs through the mattress. Anyone who has slept on a hotel sleeper sofa or rollaway bed knows what we’re talking about. The mattress should be thick enough so all you feel is blissful comfort.
A Sleeper Sofa Should Be Easy to Use
While you’re checking out the mattress, make sure you can pull it out and put it back easily. Some sleeper sofas are too heavy and hard to maneuver. Get one that glides in and out easily.
If you need to get out the directions or watch a YouTube video to figure out how to get the bed in or out, you will probably be better off with another selection.
Size Matters with Sleeper Sofas
Although sleeper sofas come in all sizes — up to king — space-saving options are popular, so you will have lots of choices for smaller pieces with full-sized beds.
But if, for instance, you are having a long-term guest, or you’re renting an efficiency in the city and plan to use the sleeper sofa as your bed every day, you may want a larger size. The space-saving nature of a sleeper sofa allows you to choose any size you want and rest assured that it can be tucked snugly away come morning.
If you’re in the market for a sleeper sofa, visit your local City Mattress store today and we’ll help you choose the perfect sleeper sofa for you. You can also view our selection online in our Sleeper Sofa collection.