The best sleeper sofas are truly versatile furniture, offering a sofa and a bed in one unit. These adaptable pieces are the perfect furniture for entertaining guests, offering seating for socialising in the day and comfortable bed for guests when the party winds down.
However, just like the best best couches, a sleeper sofa isn't only functional. With a little thought for design, the right sleeper sofa can transform the look of a room with inviting texture, color and shape.
From compact sofa beds that offer space-saving, multifunctional design for the occasional overnight guest, to spacious sectionals for everyday use in the lounge, we've rounded up the best sleeper sofas you can buy. Our favorite in 2023 is Anthropologie's Denver Trundle Sleeper Sofa (opens in new tab), handmade in America.
Amy is an interiors expert trained in design. After graduating, she spent several years in the design industry before pivoting to homes journalism, covering furniture, décor, and product reviews across Homes & Gardens, Livingetc, and Ideal Home. Amy picked these sleeper sofas for their design, the quality of their materials, and their value.
Best sleeper sofas
Why you can trust Homes & Gardens Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
The Denver Trundle sleeper sofa from Anthropologie (opens in new tab) offer's welcoming, laid back comfort.
Its sleeping surface might not be huge, but the pull-out trundle section offers a much more comfortable night's sleep than the couch alone would do. The design also offers the option to extend the couch into a comfortable chaise whenever you're in need of putting your feet up!
Available in a range of pretty linen and velvet shades, we think the Denver Trundle is the perfect option for a guest room or for bedroom ideas for teenager's; where the multifunctional seating and extra sleeping space is ideal for impromptu overnighters and accommodating extra guests.
One of the best sleeper sofas for everyday use in the lounge, the Mulholland Drive Sleeper Sectional from Apt2B (opens in new tab) offers spacious seating thanks to its roomy chaise longue module.
The solid wood base creates a stylish and contemporary look, whilst over sixty upholstery options allow plenty of color choices to make it your own.
Considering the sofa's generous width, we would have liked to see a queen-size mattress rather than a full-size mattress hidden in its depths, but, to cushion the blow, you can upgrade from the innerspring mattress to the memory foam alternative to treat your guests to a little luxury – and there is always the chaise section to offer taller visitors a little extra legroom.
It doesn't get more cozy and inviting than the Kipton Sleeper Sofa from Arhaus (opens in new tab).
A great option if you're looking for a more compact, space-saving design, the 84" sleeper sofa can fit into smaller spaces with ease. Part of the wider Kipton series (opens in new tab), with armchairs, ottomans, swivel chairs and sofas to match, it is easy to integrate and coordinate the design with a range of other furniture pieces.
We love the versatile nature of the Kipton which has that elusive quality of blending perfectly into either a modern or classic interior, and the choice of upholstery options is second to none.
And the best part? That compact sleeper sofa hides a generous queen-sized mattress, so guests will be just as happy with your furniture choice as you are.
Custom made in Los Angeles, the Melrose chaise sleeper sofa (opens in new tab) offers a queen-size, deluxe 5.5" thick innerspring mattress, plus a handy reversible chaise section that can be swapped from left to right as suits your interior – we love the flexibility of this design.
Available in over sixty upholstery options, including a range of neutrals as well as color-popping velvets, the design makes a versatile solution for the living room, offering style, comfort and extra legroom for those who like to lounge.
There's also a good selection of coordinating furniture if you want to blend the sleeper sofa in with a wider living room suite, including loveseat, ottoman, and plenty of straightforward sofa options.
Defined by a smart and simple design, typical of Ikea furniture, the FRIHETEN Sleeper Sectional can integrate into all manner of styled spaces.
We love the uncomplicated, modern silhouette and the ease of assemble. The hidden storage is also ideal for storing extra bedding and cushions for when you want to transform the design into a sleep space. The storage compartment can also be used to keep other accessories such as books, games and blankets - great for keeping a living room tidy!
The FRIHETEN is only available in a small palette of relaxed, neutral colors in 100% recycled polyester fabric, but the design's price point, comfortability and simple design language make it a well-loved choice on Homes & Gardens.
This robust leather sleeper sofa manages to combine minimalist, modern design with classic materials to create an utterly timeless look. We love that the design looks as at home in a contemporary loft apartment as it does in a traditional period property.
The Maxwell sofa bed from RH (opens in new tab)can be crafted in thirty premium types of leather, from barely-there Pebble to rich Chestnut and dark Espresso. There are also a wealth of woven fabrics to choose from including linens, velvet, and on-trend boucle.
Feather and fiber seat cushions ensure a comfortable sitting experience, whilst the cooling gel-topped mattress comes with the choice of a generous full, queen, king or extra-large king sleeping area.
The luxurious, curvaceous design of the Monroe Drive sleeper sectional from Apt2B (opens in new tab) brings some Mid Century Modern, Hollywood glamor into the lounge.
Available in over sixty fabric options, we especially like the velvet upholstery in pastel shades, which add a further softness to the rounded corner sofa configuration.
Ideal for zoning a larger room, this large, sophisticated sectional design has the benefit of being constructed from separate smaller units – including two straight sections and the curved corner unit – which makes installing it into rooms with tricky access a much less daunting proposition.
As with previous Apt2B sleeper sofas, we would have preferred to see a queen-sized mattress on offer, but there is the option to upgrade from the innerspring mattress to a memory foam topper if preferred.
Fusing cozy, comforting fabric with the smooth, timeless and durable nature of leather, the Sloan Chenille and Leather Sleeper Sofa by Interior Define is a elegant celebration of contrasting material, shape and texture.
A design that looks and feels modern and luxurious, we love the sophisticated and stylish design of the Sloan.
With multiple Chenille fabric and leather colors to choose from, you can also choose from a range of wood finishes for the sleeper sofa legs, your number of seat cushions, your filling (standard down, double down, down alternative) and your mattress type (standard or memory foam).
Allowing you to create the perfect design for your space, the Sloan is also available in a range of other sizes and configurations - the options are endless.
Striking, glamorous and contemporary, the Jonathan Adler Lampert Sleeper Sofa is defined by a simple, sleek silhouette with a high tuxedo back and elegant detailing. With button tufting, bolster cushions and the option for adding a unique nailhead trim, this sleeper sofa comes in a grand selection of fabrics and color finishes.
The design looks and feels just like the original Lampert Sofa – but with added versatility! The smooth glide mechanisms allow for the sofa to be easily transformed into a bed when required.
This sleeper sofa is definitely on the more expensive side, however, it makes for a great option if you're looking for that little bit of luxury when deciding on the best sleeper sofa.
How we chose sleeper sofas
H&G is one of the oldest interior design magazines in the world, and we have more than a century's experience of reporting on home design and décor. Our editors and writers have clocked up decades of expertise as reporters, designers, gardeners and home renovators. This experience informs all of our content, and not only do we use our knowledge and expertise, but we only recommend products that we would personally use.
While these couches were too large for us receive samples, our choices are informed by our teams’ expert shopping and customer understanding. We chose these couches based on style and value for money, and thanks to our dedicated news team covering all the latest developments in design, you can be sure that we're on top of 2023's latest trends. Though we couldn't test them in person, every product we featured was considered in the same way we test small and large appliances.
For further information about how we conduct our reviews and for our product-testing process explained, explore how we test on Homes & Gardens.
How to buy a sleeper sofa
Firstly, check your measurements. It may sound obvious, but if you are measuring up for a large piece of furniture yourself then check, check and check again!
As well as width, make sure to take into account the sleeper sofa's height, especially if it needs to fit under any existing architectural details, like a windowsill or picture rail, and remember to also consider the sofa's depth, especially for a chaise or corner sofa bed, as you want to ensure there is still plenty of room to walk and move around the sofa.
Browse our guide to sofa scaling: how to choose the right sofa to get tips from the experts on the most successful ways to scale your furniture within a room.
You'll also need to check there is still plenty of space once the sofa bed mattress is extended. A good tip is to mark out the sofa dimensions on your floor with masking tape to get a feel for the floor space it will take up.
Next, consider access dimensions. If you have a narrow entranceway or awkwardly shaped hallway, or you want to position your sleeper sofa on the first floor and need to negotiate a staircase, then measuring up to ensure your sofa bed will fit through any tricky access points will save a lot of stress on delivery day.
A sectional sleeper sofa that is built in several parts and can be configured in situ is a good option for homes with difficult access.
Sleeper sofa FAQs
Which is the best sleeper sofa?
The best sleeper sofa for you will depend on a range of factors, including whether you want to use it for everyday or occasional seating and how many guests you need it to accommodate, plus how long they're likely to be staying.
If you're looking for a sofa for everyday use in the lounge - that can also double up as extra sleeping space when the house is full - then the comfort of the main sofa is going to be paramount. Look for a sofa that has all the makings of a regular sofa - like a solid wood frame, webbed backing, feather and fibre seat cushions and upholstery options you really love.
As with a regular sofa, consider how many people will be using the furniture on a daily basis. If you have a large family or regularly entertain - or just want space to sprawl - a chaise, corner or sectional sleeper can be a good investment.
If the sofa bed is only likely to get occasional use, and you just want to add extra functionality to a guest room or home office, then a more compact sofa bed, or even a daybed, might fulfil your requirements, and will offer a more budget solution for the odd overnight guest.
What size mattress sleeper sofa do I need?
Although many sofa beds are marketed as being equipped with a full-size mattress, by comparing to the average measurements for a standard mattress – see below – you will often find they come up a little shorter or narrower than you may be expecting.
This isn't necessarily a problem if guests are only staying a night or two, but if you have friends or family staying for longer – or taller guests to accommodate – then this could be an issue, so it's well worth checking what size mattress your favorite sleeper sofa has as default, and if you can upgrade to a larger size.
Mattress sizes:
- Full: 54” x 75”
- Queen: 60” x 80”
- King: 76” x 80”
- Californian King: 72” x 84”
However, make sure you measure. Not every sleeper sofa fits this pattern exactly, as some models have a couple inches shaved off to accommodate the design.
Which is the best sleeper sofa mattress material?
Just like a regular mattress, a sofa bed mattress can come in a range of different designs; from more comfortable memory foam and pocket-sprung mattresses at the top end of the market to the firmer foam-filled mattresses most commonly used in the most affordable sleeper sofas.
The decision on which type of mattress you and your guests might prefer ultimately comes down to personal preference. We've covered the best firm mattress and the best mattress for side sleepers, so we know that side sleepers tend to like a soft mattress, and front sleepers usually need a firm mattress. Of course, this will vary by your guest, so you'd be best to aim for a medium-firm mattress, which tends to suit most sleep styles.
As with most things in life, you generally get what you pay for, so if you want to offer guests a sleeping experience that will make them eager to return, then it can be wise to invest in the best sleeping surface your budget allows.
-
-
Decluttering checklist – 26 things you can clear out right now
Tackle these clutter hotspots and you’ll notice the difference straightaway
-
When should you start vegetable seeds indoors? Expert tips to avoid the pitfalls of sowing too early
Plan your vegetable sowing schedule to ensure your plants are ready and in great shape at the right time
