Futon – Sofa Bed – Convertible Sofa – Daybed Furniture Design Buying Guide

Convertible Beds – A Guide

Thankfully, convertible sofabeds have gotten a lot comfier and stylish over the years. And of course, they’re convenient for extra sleeping space whenever visitors stay over – no need for a guest room!

But now that there are so many choices available, it can be a challenge to pick one out, or even decide what kind you would like. That’s why I have created a step-by-step guide to help you understand the different types of convertible beds – sofabeds – sleeper sofas -daybeds out there. Just look through the different varieties of beds, follow the steps, and you’ll be on your way to selecting a convertible bed that’s right for your home. If you need some help with yor decision just ask!

Convertible Sofas

These sofas have reclining backpieces that allow them to fully flatten out into a bed.

1. Choose your folding method

Click-clack (or “klick-klack”): a European method of clicking the back of the sofa backwards to create a bed. LifeStyle Solutions Aruba Casual Convertible Upholstered Sofa in Black

Split-back: the bed is divided into at least three different sections allowing different folding styles (from a seat, to a lounger, to a bed, etc). Lifestyle Solutions Casual Convertibles New Jersey Convertible Sofa in Black Leather

Extending arms: allows the arms to fold upwards or downwards. Lifestyle Solutions Serta Dream Convertible Nadine Sofa

2. Choose your design style

Modern: minimal and organized, this style focuses on bold colours and straight lines in its design. It is an advanced and artistic style. Lifestyle Solutions Casual Convertibles Orlando Convertible Sofa

Contemporary: Few adornments and geometric shapes compliment the contemporary interior style. The look is sleek and up-to-date, with lots of different colours and textures to choose from. Lifestyle Solutions Serta Dream Convertible Hailey Sofa

Casual or Country: The casual style is for homes with a comfy, laid-back vibe. Soft details and simple décor top off a room with casual design. Lifestyle Solutions Casual Convertibles Van Ness

3. Choose your convertible sofa material

Leather Convertible Sofabed: Heavy-duty, visually appealing, and simple to clean: that’s leather in a nutshell. It also wears better with age, making it an ideal selection for sofas. Leather is also available in a wide spectrum of colours, and there is the option of faux-leather and pleather materials that are inexpensive versions of real leather. Coaster Furniture Jetson Convertible Sleeper Sofa Bed

Microfiber Convertible Sofas: A few benefits of microfiber include its resistance to fur and dust, its soft texture, and low maintenance upkeep. Simply wipe it down with a damp cloth soaked in water and detergent to keep it sanitary. Plus, it’s inexpensive, but not low on quality. Global Furniture USA Sofa Bed in Burgundy Microfiber

Suede: Soft to the touch, simple to clean, and luxurious-looking, suede is an attractive material for your convertible sofa. Suede is resistant to stains because they can easily be wiped off its surface. LifeStyle Solutions Valencia Convertible Sofa

Futons

A futon is a mattress pad constructed of tufted cotton that can be placed on the floor or on a frame.

1. Choose your Futon frame

Bi-fold or Tri-fold: a bi-fold frame has the ability to fold once along its length. This is the standard type of futon frame that normally comes without a mattress, so you will have to find a bi-fold mattress separately. A tri-fold frame can fold at least three times, giving it more seating/sleeping possibilities. Tri-folds usually have a mattress included with their frame.

Elite Products Hermosa Full Metal/Wood Futon Frame in Espresso Finish,

Elite Products – Mali Metal Futon Frame and Mattress Set in Aubergine-Caper

Wooden/Metal frame: wood is generally a more pricey and heavy futon frame. It would work well in a living room or an office, since it wouldn’t be moved around often. The most popular choice with futon frames is metal because it is relatively inexpensive, light, and is the most available.

Elite Products Santa Barbara Full Walnut Futon Frame, Elite Products Evolution Full Metal Futon Frame

Futon Chair: Chair futon frames are a great idea for space-saving. They easily convert from an armchair to a twin futon sleeper. If you’re not sure you want to buy a full sofa just to get sleeping space, the futon chair is ideal for that. There are just as many styles and mattresses out there for futon chairs, as well as futons. Figure out whether you want a bi-fold futon chair that unfolds outwards, or a tri-fold that adjusts backwards and forwards. Elite Products Bridgeport Junior Twin Walnut Futon Chair

Folding methods: there are different options when it comes to folding your futon into a bed. A kicker is a small bit of wood or plastic between the seat rack that locks the futon in place once you’ve moved it to your preferred angle.

Click-clack options aren’t just for convertible sofas; futons use them too. Just click the backpiece of the futon backwards to a sleeping position. There is also the sliding pivot point that allows the futon to slide into place coming forward, so you don’t have to move the futon away from the wall.

2. Choose your Futon Mattress

100% Cotton: Since it is the most traditional type of mattress, it hasn’t been updated with any sort of blend. It’s an ideal choice for a floor mattress because if put in a frame, it may eventually sag with the constant folding. Look for a mattress padded with extra cotton on top for maximum strength. Elite Futon Mattress

Cotton/foam blend: Lighter and more rigid than full cotton, this blend is the most popular choice for its comfortable foam center that relieves pressure once you come in contact with it. Plus, it doesn’t get shapeless with folding because of its excellent flexibility.  Gold Bond Cotton with Double Foam Core Mattress

Cotton/polyester blend: This is the lightest of the mattress types, so it’s great for taking out of storage and placing on the floor or a frame. Choose your firmness by checking the amount of polyester in the blend – the more there is, the firmer the mattress will be. Polyester is also a hypo-allergenic material. Simmons Futons by Big Tree Comfort Sleep Full Size Futon Mattress

Innerspring: They are the heaviest of mattresses, because of its coils that make the mattress extra thick. However, they are the most bed-like, and they do well on the floor or on a frame. Be willing to pay a little more for the innerspring than the other types of mattresses. Simmons Futons by Big Tree Deluxe Spring Full Size Futon Mattress

3. Choose your Futon Cover

Cotton Fabric Futon Cover: generally machine washable and durable, cotton futon covers are also reasonably priced. Be sure to have more than one futon cover on hand in case one is accidentally damaged. Elite Products Solid Poly Cotton in Blue Futon Cover

Leather Futon Cover: you’ll have to spend more, but a leather futon cover lasts extremely long. The natural cracks in leather are naturally occurring from the animal skin, so if your leather looks scratched, it isn’t – it’s only the skin pattern. Elite Rust Luxe Leather Futon Cover

Suede: choose a suede cover for the ultimate in softness and comfort. It is also easy to clean; a spill can easily be wiped off. Sis Covers Premium Suede Midori Futon Cover

Sleeper Sofas

The sleeper sofa is a couch with a pull out spring-mounted bed that is hidden underneath the sofa pads.

1. Choose your size

Ottoman (21 x 28 inches mattress, 21 x 28 seat): ottomans with pull-out beds are a convenient choice for homes with minimal space, and they make a great accent piece when closed. Coaster Furniture Skyler Twin Sleeper Ottoman

Twin Sofa Bed (39 x 75 inches mattress, 28 x 54 seat): also a great space saver, a twin pull-out that doubles as a chair gives you an extra sitting and sleeping area. LaCrosse Benson Leather Twin Sleeper

Full or Double Sleeper Sofa (54 x 75 inches mattress, 54 x 54 seat): around the size of a loveseat, a full or double sofa bed can snugly fit two people or have enough space for a solo sleeper to stretch out. Van Gogh Full Sofa Bed

Queen Sofa Bed (60 x 80 inches mattress, 54 x 60 seat): for those with space to spare! Two people can rest comfortably in a queen sofa bed, and as a couch, it would be a great addition to the living room or basement den. Klaussner Furniture Biltmore Dreamquest Queen Sleeper

2. Choose your style

Traditional: traditional style is normally carried out with wooden, dark stained, old-world pieces that are classically detailed. The details are mixed with straight and curved lines. Kathy Ireland Home by Omnia Leather Laredo 3 Seat Sleeper Sofa

Rustic: another style that includes wood in its design is the rustic look. Wood is normally left unfinished, and this interior design has an outdoorsy, natural feel. Van Gogh Designs Tiffany Sofabed

Contemporary: for a current, swift, relaxed look. Lifestyle Solutions Casual Convertibles Roxbury Convertible Sofa in Beach

Modern: suitable for a room with a straight-lined, clean, functional look. Simmons Upholstery Paris Leather Queen Sleeper Sofa in Taupe 

3. Choose your material

Leather Sofa Bed: a long lasting, expensive-looking, luxurious sofa bed material is definitely found in leather. It’s a great material if you have kids, since it repels liquids and other stains easily. Distinction Leather Manhattan Leather Sleeper Sofa (multiple finishes)

Microfiber Sleeper Sofa: microfiber is generally an economical choice, for its price and its resilience. Plus it is simple to clean up. Global Furniture Sectional Sleeper Sofa in Beige and Brown Microfiber

Fabric Sofa Bed: while being durable and soft, fabric is also the cheapest option for a sofa bed material. Lifestyle Solutions Serta Dream Convertible Nita Sofa

Daybeds

Daybeds are basically twin beds turned sideways, with a foot, backpiece, and head that make it a couch by day and a bed by night.

1. Choose your Daybed frame

Wood Daybed: if you’re looking for the warming, friendly appearance of wood, choose a wooden daybed frame. They offer a decorative charm to any living space. Fashion Bed Group Fraser Wood Daybed with Link Spring

Metal Daybed: depending on what your style is, you can find a metal daybed frame that has an industrial feel or an antique, wrought iron look. Hillsdale Bonaire Daybed with Suspension Deck

Daybed with Trundle: a trundle is an extra twin bed that can be pulled out of a drawer underneath the daybed frame. Two beds in one! Young American Daybed With Trundle

2. Choose your Daybed Mattress

Memory foam: these mattresses are made with several layers of high-density foam for maximum comfort. The open cells in the form allow air to pass through it with body contact, and re-shape to adjust to the specific body type. It is naturally anti-microbial and hyper-allergenic. Gold Bond 12 inch Visco Touch Mattress

Innerspring: the standard mattress choice, mainly for beds. If you’re looking for a daybed that is most like your current bed, opt for an innerspring mattress. Its coils minimize noise and motion, resting in their own fabric compartment. Gold Bond – 8 inch Comfort Coil Mattress

3. Choose your Daybed Bedding style

Country: floral and plaid designs are elements of the country style. The theme is tranquility and texture. Southern Textiles Jolie 4-Piece Black Daybed Bedding Set

Retro: think back to the sixties for fun designs, like circles, but keep them contemporary by using a soft colour palette. Southern Textiles Halo 4-Piece Daybed Bedding Set

World: using patterns from different parts of the globe, like exotic animal skin, gives a room a flavourful, rich vibe. Southern Textiles Jaguar Onyx 4-Piece Daybed Bedding Set

A few final tips to remember when choosing a new convertible bed:

This is an investment piece that you’ll most likely have for a long time, just like a regular sofa – so don’t give up quality for a low price.

Accessorize! A new sofa bed gives you the chance to express your designing personality. Add great bedding and lots of fun, decorative pillows.

Be careful with mattresses that are lined with foam – they’re flammable. Keep them away from your fireplace.

Make sure your sofa bed comes with a warranty and you understand what it covers and what it doesn’t.

Trust your instincts – if you don’t really love it, don’t consider it!

For more options, be sure to check out:

Sofa Bed

Convertible Sofa

Daybeds

Futon

Sleeper Sofa

Nicolette Interior Design Diva

This entry was posted on Sunday, June 21st, 2009 at 4:46 pm and is filed under Family Room Furniture & Design Ideas. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.