The living room is a place that connects the vast majority of families — it is in this room that guests are most often welcomed, favorite movies and series are watched, and evenings are spent with loved ones. Considering this, it is hard to imagine a living room without a comfortable sofa or sectional, which is why we decided to create a guide that will teach you everything about sofa beds: you will learn their advantages, discover what to pay attention to before purchasing, and understand how to match a specific sofa model to the room.
Sofa bed — everything you need to know before purchasing
A sofa with a bed function is a multifunctional piece of furniture that is hugely popular not only for its appearance and comfort but also for its utility. In many homes and apartments, a sofa bed serves not only as a place to relax but, in some situations, also takes on the role of a bed. With a sofa bed, you can not only provide yourself with a comfortable seat during the day but also an extra sleeping space for unexpected guests, friends, or acquaintances.
It is important to emphasize that a sofa bed is a significantly more functional and, consequently, practical solution, even for those with larger spaces. When given the choice between a piece of furniture that serves only one function or a multifunctional piece that is invaluable during movie nights or when hosting guests, the vast majority of people will choose the latter option. Below you will find the most important information that may be essential when making the decision to purchase a sofa bed.
When is it worth deciding to purchase a sofa bed?
A sofa bed is a piece of furniture that is an excellent idea for almost any space. Regardless of the area you have and how many sleeping places you need, an additional bed that can be hidden away at any moment is almost priceless. Despite the many obvious advantages of having a sofa bed, it is worth noting that this feature may not be the optimal option for everyone.
If your living room or the intended room for the sofa bed is too small to comfortably unfold the furniture, purchasing it would be pointless. In such a case, a traditional sofa would be a much better choice. An important detail that also needs to be considered is ensuring there is space around the furniture.
For example, if there is a coffee table directly in front of the sofa that you cannot move so that it does not interfere with unfolding the sofa, it would definitely be a better idea to purchase a classic sofa. This type of furniture saves your space, but it is important to remember that when unfolded, it often requires significantly more area.
Modern solutions allow not only for the use of designer shapes and forms that make the furniture look great but also for optimizing the weight of the sofa and providing as many functions as possible. Convertible furniture is not only an ideal option for the living room, but also a great proposal that will work well in a teenager's room, office, or guest room.
Sofas that do not have a sleeping function are an ideal solution for the living room or the so-called daytime area, especially when there is a bedroom and an additional room with space for a bed or a second sofa (this time a sofa bed) in the house or apartment. A significant advantage of non-sofa beds is their appearance — this type of furniture allows for greater creativity from designers and often features a more expressive form. Another great benefit is that small non-sofa beds are usually compact, which means they do not overwhelm the interior with their appearance. With two or more non-sofa beds, you can create a living space that is perfect for evening relaxation.
Advantages of having a sofa bed
If you are faced with the choice between a sofa bed and a non-sofa bed, you certainly want to know the advantages that each of these options can offer you. As we presented some benefits of non-sofa beds in the previous paragraph, in this section, we want to focus primarily on why it is worth purchasing a sofa bed. Below, you will find several points that we hope will convince you to buy a sofa bed.
Versatility
The greatest advantage of a sofa bed is that it is a piece of furniture with a wide range of applications. It can serve not only as a standard living room piece but also as an addition to a children's room, guest room, or even an office or study. Sofa beds provide a comfortable seating option for family members and guests during the day, and at night, they can easily transform into an extra bed if needed. The elegant finish ensures that the sofa bed is not just a practical item but also a decorative piece that adds style and sophistication to the room.
Sleeping function
As we mentioned, an undeniable advantage of sofa beds is the ability to create sleeping space. Interestingly, the sleeping function is useful not only during visits from family or friends but also when you have a studio apartment or limited space. In such cases, the sofa can easily and quickly transform into a comfortable bed that ensures a good night's sleep.
If you plan to use the sleeping function of the sofa bed daily, make sure that the furniture is of good quality and does not have tufting, protruding decorations, or textures that may be uncomfortable and impractical. Interestingly, upon deeper analysis, it turns out that not every sofa bed offers a sleeping function. How is that possible? Well, more and more often, you can find recliner sofas that are only partially reclining. These types of models offer greater comfort during rest (often reclining like armchairs, providing leg support), but are not suitable for a comfortable night's sleep.
Partially reclining sofas often provide the option for multi-step adjustment of the backrest angle and the lifting of the lower part, which serves as a footrest, which can be useful when you don't need extra sleeping space.
Additional storage space
One of the less obvious benefits of choosing a sofa bed is the storage space. If you want to create room for essential items such as bedding, a set of pillow covers, or other textiles, make sure that the model you choose has a storage compartment. It's worth knowing that not every sofa bed for the living room also has a storage function.
An additional storage compartment hidden under the sofa is a great choice for apartments and homes with limited space. However, it should be emphasized that even in homes with many nooks for storing your items, an extra compartment for bedding or other things like seasonal outerwear will be an advantage.
What to pay attention to when buying a sofa bed?
Before purchasing a sofa bed, it's important to do your research and clearly define your needs and requirements for this product. This way, you can be sure that the piece of furniture will be the perfect addition to your home or apartment. A well-chosen sofa is the foundation of any living room, daytime space, and other rooms as well. If you've never dealt with purchasing this type of item before, you should know that all is not lost, as below are some tips that will make choosing the perfect sofa easier than you think.
Quality of the sofa's craftsmanship
A high-quality sofa bed should stand out with excellent quality, allowing you to enjoy your dream piece of furniture for many years. If you want to choose a product that pays attention to every detail, even the smallest ones, select a model that not only looks great but also makes daily use comfortable and, above all, intuitive.
If you are looking for a sofa bed for daily use, avoid tufting and noticeable patterns. This way, your sleep will be much more effective. When talking about a sofa that will be unfolded every night, it is also important to pay attention to the system that allows it to be used as a bed. The unfolding or extending of the sofa should be easy and not strain either the furniture or the user's body.
At Eye on Design, you will find many proposals for sofas with a sleeping function, created by world-renowned manufacturers known for their attention to the needs of potential customers and their unique designs.
What upholstery material should you choose for your sofa?
Although it may initially seem that the choice of upholstery material is important only for the visual aspects of the product, it is essential to emphasize that both the type and quality of the material used for the sofa upholstery directly relate to its durability against external factors. Currently, there is a vast selection of materials on the market that differ in appearance, texture, thickness, as well as durability and other specifications. When deciding to purchase a sofa, it is crucial to pay attention to factors such as the fabric composition, its abrasion resistance, stain resistance, as well as its weight and form.
Starting with the first and thus the most important factor, namely the fabric composition, it is worth mentioning that the more natural fibers in the material, the more valuable and simply better it is considered. Unfortunately, natural materials often have lower resistance to abrasion and spills. Therefore, if you know that your sofa bed will be exposed to such episodes, opt for a fabric made from high-quality synthetic fibers.
Another important parameter is, of course, the aforementioned weight, which refers to the density of the fibers. The higher the weight, the thicker the upholstery material. One of the most common issues with upholstery fabric is its susceptibility to wear. The fabric's abrasion resistance is tested using a specialized Martindale test, which involves machine rubbing of the material until it tears.
Based on this test, the fabric is classified into category A, B, or C, where A indicates the highest quality material. If you have pets in your home that may negatively affect the durability of your sofa's upholstery, make sure that the fabric you choose has the best possible result in the Martindale test.
Among the most popular upholstery materials are:
- Velvet - an exceptionally soft and pleasant material that is divided into velvet, velour, and plush. Velvet is considered one of the most noble, and therefore also one of the most elegant and expensive materials.
- Chenille — a high-weight fabric that is distinguished by its resistance to stretching, abrasion, and other similar factors. This material is both soft and pleasant to the touch.
- Bouclé — bouclé, a natural material obtained from sheep fleece, is also known as boiled wool. This material is distinguished not only by its exceptional softness but also by its interesting texture: it features small knots, which are technically referred to as loop yarn. It is characterized by high quality and great appearance, but it is not recommended for homes with pets.
- Flock — a very soft-touch fabric that is resistant to abrasion. It is a synthetic equivalent of velvet. This material works well in homes with pets.
- Leather and faux leather — both leather and faux leather are materials that look great but require special care to maintain their condition. To enjoy the elegance that these materials provide, it is recommended to treat them with a protective coating and perform regular maintenance. Leather may not be a good idea if you have small children or pets in your home.
Optimal sofa shape
Another important aspect that should not be overlooked is the shape of the sofa. The choice of shape should primarily be dictated by the dimensions of the room and individual preferences. In the Eye on Design collection, you will find interesting sofa beds that will surprise you with their unique appearance and shape, as well as functionality. An exceptional look can not only delight you every day but also make your interior look like it belongs in a magazine.
A well-chosen shape will help you maintain the right proportions in the room and provide a better visual experience. Remember that the shape of the sofa should also be tailored to the anatomy of your body — this is especially important if the sofa is intended to serve as a bed for everyday use.
Match the size of the sofa to your space
Sofa size is a factor we have mentioned many times in this article. It is a particularly important element that cannot be overlooked. The size should be tailored to the possibilities of the apartment or house, as well as to individual needs and preferences.
When we talk about needs, we mean both visual and physical needs. A sofa that is too small can be not only uncomfortable but also harmful to your spine. If the intended room for the sofa has a small area, you should ensure that the piece is not too bulky or simply too large, as it may hinder daily functioning and overwhelm the space, making it look disproportionate and poorly arranged.
In small spaces, it's advisable to avoid large decor elements and bulky accessories. A great idea that will add lightness and class to the interior is to use furniture on legs. This is a solution often found in homes and apartments decorated in Scandinavian style.
How to match a sofa to your interior style?
When it comes to interior design styles, it's worth emphasizing that the sofa is an essential element of living room decor. When deciding to purchase one, you should be aware that it will not only be the central focal point of the room, but also a product that, in a sense, defines or highlights the style prevailing in your interior. If your room has already been arranged and you plan to buy a new sofa that perfectly fits the atmosphere of your home, it's important to pay attention to style indicators such as color, shape, model, and form of the sofa.
Scandinavian Style
Among the most popular interior design styles, Scandinavian style certainly ranks high, consistently appearing at the top of favorite and most versatile styles. Scandinavian vibes are primarily about natural materials, muted colors, and a warm atmosphere.
When choosing a sofa for a Scandinavian-style interior, opt for a model with wooden legs, upholstered in a beige or light gray fabric. It's important to remember that Scandinavian style is a very broad concept, as it has many variations that can differ drastically in extreme cases. A perfect example is the dark nordic variant, characterized by dark colors and timeless elegance. While it may be difficult to speak of a cozy and warm atmosphere here, natural materials still reign supreme in this case.
Glamour Style
If your dream interior is based on elegance and opulence, choose a sofa in glamour style, which may feature velvet upholstery, a classic shape with substantial backs, and tufting or accents in the form of gold or silver embellishments. A glamour style sofa should not only have impeccable appearance but also excellent quality.
Modern Classic Style
Modern Classic style is the perfect solution for those who appreciate traditional solutions presented in a modern form. If you dream of an interior that maintains traditional design but you want your rooms to keep up with the times, choose modern classic, which features materials such as wood, cotton, and leather, as well as simple forms and constructions reminiscent of past decades. When selecting a sofa for a modern classic living room, opt for a model with tapered legs or a classic sofa with a substantial appearance.
Boho Style
Particular attention should also be paid to boho style, which for the vast majority of people is associated with lightness, airiness, and the use of natural materials. In the case of classic boho style, we encounter a multitude of colors and hues. It is in good taste to combine many textures and different materials. The traditional boho style, in its original understanding, originates from the bohemian lifestyle. This term dates back to the 19th century and refers to the Parisian artistic bohemia known for its love of blending cultures and vibrant colors.
Similar to Scandinavian style, boho also has many variations. The most well-known and recognizable variation of the boho style is boho scandi, which is a symbiosis of ethnic style with the aforementioned Scandinavian vibes. As a result of this unique combination, a style has emerged characterized by the use of furniture and accessories in creamy color palettes, differing in textures. The boho scandi style is rich in various textiles with soft finishes, as well as wall decorations and handicrafts. When choosing a sofa for this type of interior, it's worth opting for a versatile model that can easily adapt to the ever-changing surroundings.
