Best Sofa Beds for Christmas Guests: A UK Buying Guide

Friends and family coming for Christmas, but no spare room? A sofa bed solves the problem without giving up space all year round. You get a comfortable sofa for everyday living and a proper bed when guests arrive. This guide explains the main types of sofa bed, how to measure your room and what to look for so your guests actually sleep well.

Why choose a sofa bed for guests?

A guest bed only earns its space a few nights a year. A sofa bed earns it every day. It turns a living room, study or snug into a guest room in minutes, then folds away so the room goes back to normal. For homes without a spare bedroom, it is usually the most practical way to have somewhere proper for visitors to sleep.

Types of sofa bed

Corner sofa beds

Corner sofa beds give you the most seating, which makes them a good choice for families who all want to sit together in the evening. The corner section stays in place while the main seat pulls out into a bed.

• Dunstan Universal Corner Sofa Bed – £549
• Glenmore Universal Corner Sofa Bed – £898
• Kirkby Universal Corner Sofa Bed – £898

Universal corner sofa beds

A universal corner can be set up with the chaise on either the left or the right. That makes it a safe choice if you are not sure which way round it will fit, or if you might rearrange the room or move house in future.

U-shaped sofa beds

U-shaped sofa beds wrap around the room and suit larger living spaces where you want seating for a whole family plus a bed for guests.

• Glenmore U Shape Corner Sofa Bed – £1,089
• Ullswater U Shape Corner Sofa Bed – £1,398

Electric sofa beds

An electric sofa bed opens at the touch of a button, so there is no pulling or lifting. It is a good choice if the sofa bed will be used often, or by someone who would find a manual mechanism awkward. Try the Torrin Electric Sofa Bed (£1,298).

Not enough room for a sofa bed?

In a smaller room or a child’s bedroom, a daybed with a pull-out trundle can sleep two in the footprint of a single bed. Look at the Clay Metal Daybed with Trundle (£214) or the Veera Guest Bed with Trundle (£430), or browse all daybeds.

How to measure for a sofa bed

1. Measure the room with the bed open. Check the opened-out length on the product page and add at least 50–60cm so guests can walk around it.
2. Check the way in. Measure doorways, hallways and any tight turns on the stairs. Corner sofas usually arrive in sections, but each section still has to fit through.
3. Think about furniture you’ll move. A coffee table in front of the sofa will need to go somewhere when the bed is open.
4. Choose which side the chaise goes. If you can’t decide, a universal corner lets you swap later.

What makes a sofa bed comfortable to sleep on?

• The mattress. Check the mattress type and depth on the product page. A deeper mattress generally feels more like a proper bed.
• The mechanism. A smooth, sturdy mechanism opens flat and doesn’t leave gaps or bars across the back.
• The bed size. Most sofa beds open to a double. Our bed size guide explains what each size means in centimetres.

Order in good time for Christmas

Sofa beds are large items and delivery times vary by product, so order early if you want it in place before guests arrive. The estimated delivery time is shown on each product page, and every sofa bed comes with free delivery to UK mainland addresses.

Browse all sofa beds or call us on 01752 418 418 if you’d like help choosing.