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Choosing a Sofa Bed: At a Glance
- Measure it closed and fully open. Leave room to walk, open nearby doors, and put the coffee table somewhere out of the way.
- Try opening and closing it yourself. Check the lifting effort, handle position, and any cushions you’ll need to remove.
- Test the mattress on its frame. Consider who will sleep on it, how much space they need, and how long they usually stay.
- Make sure you enjoy sitting on it. The seat depth, cushions and arms should feel comfortable for everyday use.
- Check the delivery route before ordering. Share measurements of doorways, tight turns, stairs, and elevators with the delivery team.
When you don’t have a spare bedroom, a sofa bed can make it easier to have friends and family stay over. You want your guests to sleep comfortably, and you also want a sofa that looks good, feels comfortable and fits the room you use every day.
In a small living room, choosing one takes a little planning. A sofa can fit neatly against the wall but leave hardly any space once the bed opens. A compact design might save floor space but offer less seating than you need. Looking at both arrangements before you buy will help you find something that works for your home.
If you plan to shop sofa beds in Toronto, take your room measurements and a few photos with you. Try the models you’re considering as both a sofa and a bed so you can compare how they feel and see how much space they need.
Leave Room to Move With the Bed Open
A sofa bed that fits along the wall can still block a balcony door when the mattress comes out. Ask for the model’s overall width and depth in both positions, including any clearance needed behind the backrest. The mattress dimensions alone won’t tell you how much floor space the furniture needs.
In a small condo, you need space for the open bed and somewhere to put the coffee table. MPAC’s analysis of condos built from 2020 to 2024 found a median size of 616 square feet for new units within Toronto’s former city boundaries. That doesn’t leave a whole lot of room to comfortably fit everything you want in your home. A sofa bed is a practical option when you’re short on space but still want to have guests stay over. Before choosing a larger bed, check where the other furniture will go and whether you can still move comfortably through the room.
Mark the open bed’s outline on the floor using tape suitable for your flooring. Move the coffee table to the spot where you would put it during a visit, then walk through the room. Check that nearby doors open properly and that guests can get in and out of bed and reach the bathroom. Allow extra space for anyone who uses a mobility aid.
Choosing Between a Double and a Queen
A queen gives guests more sleeping room, while a double may leave a more usable living room. Compare the full dimensions of the models you’re considering, since arm width and frame design also affect how much space they occupy.
Think about who usually stays over. One occasional guest has different space needs from two adults sharing for several nights. Mattress length matters too, particularly for taller guests. Some sofa bed mattresses are shorter than standard bedroom mattresses, while others offer a full-length sleeping surface. Check the actual measurements before choosing a size or buying sheets.
Choose a Mechanism That Suits Your Space and Routine
How often will you open the bed? A few visits each year is different from folding it away every morning so you can use the living room. Consider the effort involved in converting it, along with how it fits when open.
With a pull-out sofa bed, a separate mattress unfolds from inside the sofa. You can assess the seating and sleeping surface separately, which is helpful if you have a clear preference for how each should feel.
A fold-flat or click-clack design lowers the backrest to form a bed. The upholstered seating becomes the sleeping surface, so try it in both positions. Pay attention to any joins between cushions and the space needed behind the sofa when it opens.
A pull-forward platform or trundle design extends the sleeping area using a section stored underneath. Look at how the surfaces meet and how far the opened bed projects into the room.
A chaise or sectional can use different opening mechanisms. Its shape alone won’t tell you how it converts or how much clearance it needs.
Try Putting the Bed Away, Too
Watch a demonstration, then open and close the bed yourself. You’ll get a better sense of the lifting effort, where you need to stand, and whether you can reach the handle comfortably.
If you’ll be using it on your own, complete the whole process without assistance. A mechanism that looks easy in a demonstration may feel different when you operate it yourself.
Notice which cushions come off and where you would keep them overnight. If you’ll be converting the bed frequently, removing and replacing those cushions will be part of the routine.
Give the Mattress a Proper Try
Pressing a mattress with your hand tells you very little about how it will feel to sleep on. Have the bed opened fully and lie down in your usual sleeping position.
Give yourself time to notice whether the surface feels even, whether you sink into an uncomfortable dip, or whether you can feel part of the frame beneath you. Change position and try the edge of the bed. If two people will regularly share it, testing it together can help you judge the available space and support.
Mattress Thickness and Support
A folding mattress has to fit inside the sofa and move with its mechanism. That makes it different from choosing a mattress for a permanent bed.
The Sleep Foundation describes 10 to 12 inches as a standard mattress profile. A folding sofa bed needs a mattress designed for its frame, so check which mattress options the manufacturer approves.
Ask what supports the mattress when the bed is open, then judge how the complete bed feels. Terms such as “platform,” “slats,” or “foam” don’t tell you everything about comfort. If there are different mattress options, try them on the same sofa bed where possible so you can compare the difference.
Comfort for Longer Visits
A sofa bed can suit a week-long visit, but comfort depends on the model and the person sleeping on it. If guests regularly stay for several nights, ask which models are intended for frequent sleeping and give the mattress a thorough try.
The firmest option isn’t necessarily the most comfortable. A 2021 research review covering 39 papers generally favoured medium-firm mattresses for comfort and sleep quality. The studies varied and did not specifically compare sofa beds, so the findings don’t establish which sleeper model will suit your guests.
If the same family members visit regularly, ask what they find comfortable. Their preferences, height, and usual sleeping position can help you narrow the options. Where practical, invite them to try the bed too.
A compatible mattress topper may soften a firm sleeping surface, but it won’t correct a worn mattress or inadequate support. Choose one that fits the sleeper mattress’s actual dimensions. Plan to store it separately unless the manufacturer confirms it can remain inside the folded bed.
Consider the room’s lighting and noise as well. MyHealth.Alberta.ca’s sleep guidance recommends a quiet, dark, and cool sleeping environment. In an open living area, check whether curtains can block outside light and whether kitchen or television lighting will reach the bed.
Choose a Sofa You’ll Enjoy Between Visits
Once the bed is folded away, spend some time sitting on the sofa. Lean back, rest against an arm or stretch out as you would at home. A quick sit on the front edge won’t tell you much about an evening spent reading or watching television.
Seat depth makes a difference. If you like curling up, a deeper seat may feel comfortable. If you prefer sitting upright, you may want a shallower seat that lets you rest against the back cushions with your feet supported. Notice the cushion firmness and whether getting up feels easy.
Test the actual sleeper model you’re considering. A similar-looking sofa from the same collection may have different seating, so it’s worth trying the version you would bring home.
Make the Most of the Space Between the Arms
Overall width doesn’t tell you how much seating a sofa offers. Two models can take up a similar amount of floor space while providing different amounts of room between the arms.
Slimmer arms can leave more space for seating within a compact frame. Wider, padded arms may appeal if you like leaning against them. Compare both with the way your household uses the sofa.
The style should suit the rest of the room, too. Look at fabric samples beside your rug, curtains and other furniture, and consider how you’ll care for the upholstery. If covers are removable, confirm whether they’re washable before treating that as a practical advantage.
Make Sure It Can Get Into Your Home
Before ordering, measure the delivery route as carefully as the room itself. A wide front door won’t help if there’s a tight turn at the end of the hallway.
Include doorway widths and heights, narrow corridors, stair landings, and awkward corners. In a condo or apartment building, measure both the elevator opening and the space inside the cab. Check whether you need to reserve the elevator for delivery.
Some sofa beds can be disassembled for access. Ask whether the model you’re considering allows this, which parts come off, and whether reassembly is included. Compare the dimensions of the pieces being delivered with the openings and turns along the route.
Share your measurements and photos of difficult turns with the delivery team before placing the order. A diagonal measurement can help assess access, but it won’t establish whether the sofa can clear every doorway, corner, and elevator space. Confirm what the delivery service includes and how any assembly will be handled.
