Shopping for Sofa Beds

Sleeper sofas promise a lot, but they do not always deliver. Combining a sofa and a bed often results in a clunky piece of furniture that is not all that comfortable for sitting or sleeping.

Recently, though, that has been changing, as furniture manufacturers experiment with new designs that offer a twist on the standard pullout.

“A few years ago, sleeper sofas were all very heavy and hokey, because in order to fit that mechanism inside, the base had to be so thick,” said Janice Barta, an interior designer in Los Angeles. “It’s taken time for people to figure out how to make these things look cool.”

But it was worth the wait, as the sleeper sofa is one piece of furniture that is just as invaluable in a cramped city apartment as it is in a large home — in a den, say, or a library — where occasional guests need to be accommodated.

A sleeper sofa can help you “get the most out of the square footage of your home,” Barta said. “You can transform a room in minutes.”

— Is the mattress comfortable enough? “I usually buy a pillow top that can be stored in a closet,” Barta said, and pulled out to make the mattress cushier when guests arrive.

— How does it feel in sofa mode? “Some look great online but are a tad too shallow when you sit, or the material is too dense,” Barta said, so it is important to try before you buy.

— How does the bed open? Unlike the previous generation of sofa beds, today’s sleeper sofas have mattresses that pull out, fold down or slide out. If the bed will be used frequently, choose a model that is easy to operate.

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