An Interior Designer Explains How to Buy the Perfect Sleeper Sofa

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As much as we’d all love myriad guest quarters in our homes, we often have to get creative with what we’ve got. Enter small sleeper sofas that you can use in a living area, home office, or any other space that you want to double as a comfy space for your overnight visitors to spend the night. In order to make sure we picked the best possible pieces for House Beautiful readers, we chatted with a seasoned interior designer who knows a thing or two about how to make the most of a small space. Heather Goerzen, former designer and current design director at Havenly, offered some tips, tricks, and suggestions for buying sleeper sofas that will definitely come in handy when your friends and family come to visit.

“Many popular home brands are now carrying beautiful sleeper sofas that allow you to make the most of your space, so don’t just settle for anything,” she suggests. “Rather, see them as an opportunity to infuse your signature style into a space while also serving a highly functional need.” She’s not wrong. The best furniture—whether it’s serving one purpose or five—is as stylish as it is functional. “As a designer, while I’m absolutely a fan of something pretty, I often find that great design tends to blend form and function,” she adds. “For smaller homes or those needing rooms to pull double duty, sleeper sofas can be a wonderful and design-forward solution.”

Living in a smaller space often forces you to get clever about the way you shop, so if you want to test those skills, go ahead and peep our top picks.

Vati Buckler Ivory Sofa Bed

In our opinion, the best multi-functional furniture is anything that you would never guess can double as something else when it's in its main position. Case in point: This sofa bed from Article, which, as a sofa, looks like a sofa yet can also turn into a bed. This piece comes in only two shades, beige and brown, but what it lacks in color options it makes up for in supreme coziness. It unfolds into a queen size bed complete with an included memory foam mattress, and then folds back up into a sofa whose cushions are filled with high-resiliency foam, duck feathers, and polyester fiber.

"I bought this sofa bed for a multipurpose room/office and it's great! It's super comfortable to sit on and doesn't overwhelm the space," one reviewer says. "I think it's a great balance of design and function that can be styled to fit any room (my office has black walls and it pops so nicely!)" It's also in stock and ready to ship, so if you need something good in a pinch, you can't go wrong with this find.

2-in-1 Sofa Bed

Available in both a full and queen size, this sofa bed may be the perfect finishing touch for any small space. It may not be the most luxurious option on our list, but it does the trick. One reviewer says, "Compared to inner spring alternatives, this one is far more comfortable to sleep on and is the ideal size." One thing to note: While you won't need to buy a separate mattress, you may not get the best sleep of your life on this Balus find if you want something thicker because the included pad is only two and a half inches thick. It is made of high-resilience foam, so it will definitely provide plenty of cushioning where you need it most.

Sloan Sleeper Sofa

We don't like to play favorites, but this Interior Define find is definitely at the top of our list for a reason. "I had the luxury—yes, I am calling it a luxury—of experiencing this sleeper sofa in the brand's Brooklyn store and it is as much a bed as it is a couch," Associate Shopping Editor Jessica Cherner says. "I would even go so far as to say that if you're decorating a small space from scratch, you could skip the bed altogether and just sleep on this." Interior Define lets you pick both the seat cushion fill and the mattress material, so you can customize it to fit your exact needs. If you like a double down feather blend sofa and a memory foam mattress, feel free to go all out. "I sat on the memory foam mattress (as opposed to the standard alternative) and can confirm it is extremely cozy. If I was feeling really tired that day, I can almost guarantee I would have fallen asleep right then and there," Cherner adds. You can also choose one of the hundreds of fabric options to upholster your sofa.

Whitman Sleeper Sofa

This is another piece that you'd never guess can turn into a comfortable queen size bed when it's in sofa-form because it boasts the same level of style as any other West Elm sofa. At 82 inches wide, it's not the smallest option on our list, but if you're dying to incorporate this piece into your space, we suggest pushing it against a wall so that it isn't taking up too much valuable real estate on the floor. It also requires zero upper body strength to shift it from sofa to bed. All you have to do is lift the edge of the cushion and tug on the tabs, which reveal a whole additional section that, when combined with the seat, creates a queen size bed. Like most West Elm seating, this is contract-grade, so it won't fall apart—no matter how many out-of-towners you'll host. Did we mention that white glove delivery is free?

Convertible Sofa Bed

This has a similar mechanism as the previous sofa bed in that you don't have to lift a super-heavy contraption to transform this from a couch to a bed. Full disclosure: Its easy-to-maneuver mechanism is about the only thing this and the previous pick have in common, which may be obvious considering the price difference. That said, if you're not looking to buy a sofa that would double as your own everyday bed, this will absolutely work for the occasional overnight guest who's spending a day or two at your home. One happy customer says, "Was very simple to put together and is easy to move around. Great little pull-out for small spaces."

Athena Sleeper Sofa

If the idea of a neutral sofa doesn't vibe with you or your space, why not go a little nuts and opt for an eye-catching pattern? After all, pieces like this tend to get tons of compliments and work as worthy conversation-starters at parties. It's not just attractive, though. It's also made of high-quality materials that make it even more comfortable, including turned birch wood legs, gently sloping arms, and a feather-filled seat cushion. What's more, it unfolds into a queen size bed. One customer who bought the Athena for her New York City apartment says, "This couch is super comfortable! The bed is super comfy as well. This couch is super heavy though—it's 250 pounds." She's right; it is super heavy, but you can spend $149 for white glove delivery so that you don't have to worry about breaking your back lifting it.

Pull-Out Sofa Bed

Available in three neutral tones, including the pale blue corduroy pictured, this pull-out sofa bed is an easy buy for any space because it's the perfect size. At just 57 inches wide, it can squeeze into any living area—no matter how small. If you can spot the tiny tabs, you probably already know how this thing goes from sofa to bed and that the process doesn't involve any heavy-lifting. The best parts, however, don't actually have anything to do with how easy it is to convert; it's the included USB charging ports in both armrests, and the adjustable backrest that can recline at three different angles.

Brittany Round Arm Sleeper

This sofa bed by the Novogratz design duo is one of our favorites because it comes with a plush memory foam mattress that is specially designed to conform to your body's curves and distribute weight evenly. We'd suggest opting for small throw pillows when you're using the Brittany as a loveseat, letting the channel tufting shine.

It comes in eight colors, all of which have a kind of sultry and earthy feel to them, and wooden tapered legs that splay outward a bit, which gives this sofa the midcentury feel. It also happens to be the perfect size. In fact, one reviewer says, "This is a great size sofa. It fits perfectly in my small living room."

Modern Sleeper Sofa Bed

Available in four colors and two fabrics, including velvet and chenille, this affordable find is one of the best sleeper sofas for small spaces. For starters, it comes with two detachable side pockets for everything from television remotes to water bottles. It also opens up to reveal a 78-inch-long bed, making it ideal for children and adults alike. One customer says, "This fits perfectly in a tiny room we have, which can now be used for guests. It's easy to open and close, too. Would recommend this product. Everyone that sees it wants to get one." You didn't hear it from us!

Henry Sleeper Sofa

Folded up, the Henry looks like a traditional sofa, but with a little elbow grease, it transforms into a queen size bed (spring mattress with a pocket coil system included). If you're short on space, though, opt for the twin size, which folds up into a loveseat. Did we mention that it's completely customizable when it comes to the fabric? We'd consider that a win in our book. The brand recommends preserving your sofa by tucking the mattress back into the frame without any sheets or bedding on it. Feel free to use any sheets you like though, as any queen size will fit.

Warwick Velvet Flared Arm

If you're really tight on space, this flared arm sleeper chair is the piece for you. It clocks in at just under 50 inches wide (47.64, to be specific) and comes in a few punchy shades, including emerald, gray, blush, and, of course, navy. While some of the other sleeper sofas on our list may be a bit intuitive when it comes to turning it into a bed, this one requires a skim of the manual first. Simply fold down the back so that it's flush with the seat. Then, unhook the top of the seat and unfold it to reveal a twin size bed. The two matching pillows are included, and can definitely be tucked into pillowcases for low-maintenance convenience. One reviewer says, "Great little sofa bed. We added a mattress topper to make it a bit softer and it was very comfortable for our guest." This reviewer may be onto something. If you know you'll be hosting rather often, you may want to invest in a mattress topper.

Elisabeth Linen Convertible Chair

It's rare that any type of multi-functional furniture requires no assembly, but there's an exception for everything, and Etta Avenue's Elizabeth is it. As a chair, it's pretty low-to-the-ground and as a twin size bed, it's basically a mattress (albeit a very comfortable one) on the floor. So it's not exactly ideal if your guests will be staying with you for days at at time, but for a night or two, this is a great find. Plus, it's basically $200, which is a steal for such a comfortable small sleeper sofa. "I brought this for my 19-year-old—we live in New York and have limited space in our apartment—because she didn't want a regular bed," one reviewer says. "This was perfect! She can have it in her 'mini living room,' as she says."

Nora Sleeper Sofa

This channel-tufted sofa may look like a typical chair and a half, but there's way more than meets the eye: First, it unfolds into a full-size bed. Second, and perhaps equally as important, it's available in more than 50 color and fabric options. You can also choose between a classic innerspring mattress and a memory foam alternative. One reviewer says, "This couch is stylish, INSANELY STYLISH, supportive, comfortable, and very sturdy. I did the memory foam upgrade, and it made it extra cozy." As you can see from the photo, it's a true apartment size sofa.

Aesthetic and function aside, this is a good investment because it comes with a 100-day guarantee, free shipping, fabric swatches, and a lifetime warranty.

Ashton Sleeper Sofa

This adorable sofa may not be ideal for your adult houseguests, but if you have kids, this 65-inch long pull-out couch will become the sleepover oasis. And at just 25 pounds, it's also easy to move around. The best part? It comes in seven colors and fabrics, including this dreamy blue chenille tweed. Here's the thing: Technically, it is from Pottery Barn Teen, but there is nothing juvenile about it. Of course, if you go with two fluffy pillows and a black-and-white photo of palm trees, it could skew young, but if you style it with more sophisticated accessories, this could easily be the chicest piece in the room. It may look a bit wide, but it's designed for one person to sleep comfortably. Unless you'll be using it for kids, two people may be a tight squeeze. If you are thinking of incorporating it into your kid's room, rest assured that they'll be able to turn this from a sofa into a bed easily.

Payne Sleeper

This 72-inch-long sofa bed includes a useful fold-down armrest with two cupholders, but when you close the armrest and fold the back cushions down flat (so that they're flush with the seat cushions), you've got yourself a twin bed. It does require some assembly—all the tools you'll need to put it together are included—but if you're not in the mood to test your skills, opt for expert assembly for an additional $104. For a customer who was in search of a small space-friendly find who ended up snagging this, she says, "Pretty comfortable and does not take up a lot of space." No, it will not rival your memory foam mattress, but it will definitely work for a night or two.

How We Picked the Best Small Sleeper Sofas

When we give products the House Beautiful stamp of approval, we generally like to experience and live with them. While using the products we recommend is usually possible when it comes to, say, L-shaped sectionals or scented candles, it's a bit harder with a large and niche piece of furniture, like a sleeper sofa. That said, we wanted to make sure anything we say is worth the financial and spatial investment in your home, and is in fact, the best, so we spent hours researching the best small sleeper sofas on the Internet. Not only did we opt for a wide price range that spans thousands of dollars, to accommodate everyone's budgets, but we also considered a variety of styles. Most importantly, we read as many reviews as possible to get the most accurate sense of what each product is actually like and how it functions. We put forward the good, the bad, and everything in between. After all, we've tested enough samples to know that no product is perfect, but we'll try to get as close to perfect as possible.

How to Choose a Small Sleeper Sofa

Heather Goerzen, Havenly's design director, has a few opinions when it comes to buying small sleeper sofas. Of course, the most paramount element to consider is size, as you're trying to make one work in a relatively small space. We use the word "relatively" because what is small to one person may not be to another, so before buying your sleeper sofa, be sure to peep the measurements of both the couch and your room. These three factors are the most crucial, according to Goerzen.

Scale: "Today, sleeper sofas come in every size and shape, from sectionals to armchairs, so choose what works best to optimize the flow and function in your room," she explains. "Remember to think about how you want to use the sofa portion most, though. Whether it's for movie nights, lounge time, entertaining, or all of the above, use the primary function of your piece in sofa-form to determine the dimensions." She has a point. Unless you'll be using your sleeper sofa as a couch during the day and a bed every night, you'll likely be using it as a couch most of the time and a bed whenever you happen to have guests.

Style: This may seem obvious, but don't focus so much on the scale and making it fit in your space that you forget about how it looks. choose something that complements your specific style. Consider the palette, form, and fabric to elevate your design. If this is going in a high-traffic area (a living room that doubles as guest space), look for performance fabrics that will hold up over time," Goerzen says.

Comfort: Like we and Goerzen suggested earlier, you will probably be using your sleeper sofa more as a couch than you will as a bed, but don't totally forget about the bed portion. It should be comfortable for your guests. Goerzen suggests, "Read the reviews on the mattress itself. If you can test it out, even better. Some sleeper sofas support longer mattresses, which certainly can grant a more comfortable night's sleep." While we do agree that reading reviews is always a good move, we've actually included the most informative snippets from verified reviews.

Are Sleeper Sofas Actually Comfortable?

If we're being honest, which we always are, few people prefer a sleeper sofa to an actual bed. That said, there are so many worthy options on the market today that are debunking the myth that all sleepers are uncomfortable. "The comfort will largely depend on the mattress itself. I would recommend a memory foam or spring mattress for the most comfort," Goerzen notes. "And of course, if you have the opportunity, head to a local store to try them out for yourself." Plenty of the small sleeper sofas on our list come with memory foam mattresses, but quite a few don't even need a mattress, as they use the cozy seat portion of the couch that doubles as the bed.

What’s the Difference Between a Sleeper Sofa and a Futon?

Though both sleeper sofas and futons are both furniture pieces that can double as a bed, there is a key difference: the mattress. While sofa beds' mattresses are often hidden in or underneath the frame, futons are the mattress. As you'll see, our list includes both—by definition. One is not better than the other, but if your guests are picky or a bit high-maintenance, we suggest going with a traditional sleeper sofa over a futon.

Why Trust House Beautiful?

For this story, Associate Shopping Editor Jessica Cherner, who has nearly eight years covering design and decorating her own small New York City apartment, spent hours combing through reviews and ratings to find the best small sleeper sofas on the market right now. Plus, after interviewing more than 30 seasoned interior designers for home tours and expert tips on decorating, she was able to tap Goerzen for some shopping suggestions. Goerzen has been at Havenly since March 2017, first as a designer and, now, as the brand's director of content and design. During her nearly seven years at the online decorating service, she has designed more than 20 projects across the country, making her advice invaluable.

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