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Many Australians are well aware of the importance of making the most out of limited space. And whether you live in a tight apartment or a more spacious home, there’s always the need for an extra bed when an out-of-town guest comes to visit for the holiday. Thanks to sofa beds, you won’t have to sacrifice your comfort, nor will you have to pay an arm and a leg to make it work. We’re here to help you learn everything there is to know about sofa beds, the various types, sizes, materials and pricing, with the goal of helping you choose the best one for your needs.
What Is A Sofa Bed?
Similar to the name, it’s a piece of furniture that serves as both a sofa and bed. It can be just a sofa if you’d like, or it can open up to a bed with a pull-out mechanism that you would barely notice was really a sofa. It’s specifically designed to save space and offer an additional bed for those visiting your home.
Types of Sofa Beds
There are a variety of sofa beds out there and the best option is really dependent on your specific preferences and needs. The most common type of sofa bed is referred to as a Pull-Out Sofa Bed, and it includes a bed that’s folded inside to sofa that can be pulled out and put back at any time quickly and easily. Another type of sofa bed is a Futon Sofa Bed that turns into a bed by folding the backrest flat. Daybeds are sofas that can also be used as beds, however they don’t have a pull-out mechanism built in, but does include a mattress that’s the same size as a sofa. The last type of sofa bed is a Sleeper Chair, which also as the name suggests, is a chair that can be folded out into a bed.
Sofa Bed Sizes
There are different size sofa beds to fit a variety of needs, and of course, spaces too. The most popular are twin, full and queen sizes. For two guests to comfortably sleep, a queen sofa bed is ideal.
Sofa Beds: The Mattress
The mattress is an essential part of a sofa bed, especially when it comes to comfort. Most sofa beds have a built in standard innerspring mattress that tend to be thin and not the most comfortable. Some sofa beds however, come with a memory foam or gel-infused mattress, providing more comfort and support than the standard ones.
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What To Look For
A sofa bed that provides support and comfort is crucial, and this tends to come from a memory foam or gel-infused mattress. These types of mattresses conform to the shape of your body, offering pressure relief and isolation – similar to sleeping in a bed with a great mattress.
Pricing
The price depends on a variety of actors, including the size, materials used and the quality of the sofa bed. They can start from as low as AUD$200 and can go up to over AUD$2,000 for a luxury queen size sofa bed. Regardless of your budget, you’re likely to find a good fit that works for you.
Materials
Sofa beds come in different materials, depending on the type of sofa bed and the brand, but they tend to be made from leather, fabric, and microfiber. Fabric tends to cost less and come in a variety of patterns and colors, while leather is often more durable and stylish, but comes at a higher cost. And microfiber is also commonly chosen as it’s comfy, soft, and can be easily cleaned.
Choosing the Right Sofa Bed
Finding the right sofa bed for you doesn’t have to be a challenging task. It’s important to just make sure that you know what to look for and you’ll be able to easily make a confident purchase. Consider firstly the size of your space, whether it would fit well and if the size of the mattress is suitable for the amount of guests you’d like to have. Always be sure to examine the comfort of the sofa bed, just as you would with a mattress before purchasing it, which can usually be found with memory-foam or gel-infused mattresses. The materials should also be taken into consideration, ensuring that it not only matches with the decor and look of your home, but also that it’s durable and easy to clean. Lastly, the price is also always a huge factor to consider, and while a high-quality sofa bed may be more expensive, if it’s more durable you’ll save more in the long run. There’s also, of course, no price on comfort and a good night’s sleep!
In Summary
Sofa beds offer a great solution for those who are looking to maximize their space without compromising on comfort. We’ve covered everything you need to know about sofa beds and how to choose the right one for your needs. Our comparisons and reviews of the top brands can also help you easily make a more informed purchasing decision, allowing you to also get the best value for your money.
