Look for a sleeper sofa that fits your space, including when it is put away and when it is extended. It should also be comfortable with cushions that provide enough support and construction that will ensure your guests have a nice place to sleep for years to come.
Here are the best sleeper sofas to provide extra accommodations even in a small space.
If you are worried about the overall profile of a sleeper sofa, the Barrett is the solution. It has clean lines that can work with a variety of styles. It also comes in 17 fabric options, although 15 of them are made-to-order and will take longer to ship. It isn’t the cheapest option on our list but offers one of the best values. If you end up loving it, you can also get other pieces in the same style to create a whole-room look.
Price at time of publish: $1,899
Like all furniture from Ikea, you will need to assemble the sofa. You can pay for expert assembly, but that will increase the price slightly. It comes in five different fabric options. Reviewers noted that the cushions were very hard and that you may want to invest in a mattress topper to increase your comfort. Fortunately, bedding, pillows, and a mattress topper can all be stored inside the couch when not used as a bed.
Price at time of publish: $699
This is an expensive sleeper sofa for its size but comes with white glove delivery included. There are an impressive 91 fabric options, including performance fabrics, outdoor fabrics, and velvet. They are made-to-order, which means that delivery will take 10 weeks or longer and you can’t return the sofa unless there are manufacturing defects.
Price at time of publish: $4,249 for Performance Heathered Basketweave, Graphite
This is an expensive sofa, one of the priciest on our list. That’s not surprising from West Elm and given its leather fabric options. But what may not work for some is the 12+ week delivery timeframe. At the time that we are compiling this list, delivery estimates are six months out from the time of ordering!
Price at time of publish: $4,499 in Gray Smoke, Ludlow Leather
It should be no surprise that this is the largest sofa on our list. Sectionals in general tend to be wider and take up more space. What makes the Eliot worth the extra floor space is the included chaise lounge that doubles as storage. You can store extra sheets and pillows or other home living items, like toys, blankets, or even holiday decorations. If storage is at a premium in your small space, this sofa will do triple duty–seating, sleeping, and storage.
Price at time of publish: $4,913
Because it is made-to-order, the sofa can take awhile to be delivered. It is also one of the shallower options out there, which some people may dislike. For apartment living, however, the smaller size is a great feature.
Price at time of publish: $1,662
It only comes in three colors, Stratus Gray, Atelier Ivory, and Shoreline Blue. All three work with a variety of decor styles but overall the sofa does not have much customization available. Because it uses the back of the sofa for part of the sleeping surface, it can be harder than a traditional mattress. A mattress topper is a great way to make it more comfortable but it will need to be stored separately.
Price at time of publish: $1,399
It has five fabric options, six leg finishes, and three different arm profiles. You can also choose reversible or non-reversible cushions. Because it is modular, adding additional elements like a chaise lounge or additional seating is also possible. The sleep surface is comfortable but small, best for only one person. The sleep kit does come with custom sheets and a quilt, a good addition given that it is an unusual size.
Price at time of publish: $1,890
Keep in mind that you will need to get a mattress separately. This allows for more customization since you can buy the mattress of your choice but will add to the overall cost. If you want something that will blend into other living room furniture, this may not be the look you want because it does look more like a bed than a couch or sofa.
Price at time of publish: $521
The mattress is made of foam and gel, which keeps you cool. The supports are reinforced and have adjustable feet to make sure that your pull-out bed is level even if your floors are not. This is not a cheap sleeper sofa but it is a quality piece of furniture that you will love for years. If you want some extra sleeping space and a quality piece of furniture but aren’t ready to spend a lot on a Queen-sized sleeper sofa, this is a great option.
Price at time of publish: $2,499 in Performance Everydaylinen, Oatmeal
“Size is the number one consideration when picking out any piece of furniture,” says Coleman. “If you will be constantly bumping into your furniture or can’t get around it, it just won’t work for your space.”
Comfort
The most comfortable sleeper sofas have a pull-out mattress and reinforced base to prevent sagging. A thicker mattress will provide more support but often means that the sofa will be larger. Fold down sleeper sofas are another option but most have less cushion and comfort since they use the back of the sofa as part of the sleeping surface. Adding a mattress topper is a great way to make any option more comfortable.
Construction
Sleeper sofas, especially pull-outs, have more complicated construction than a regular couch. Look for a sofa that has quality mechanical parts that will hold up over time. If you have to assemble the sofa yourself, expect to take some extra time if you need to connect these parts and pieces.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Katie Begley, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. Katie has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. Living in an apartment and hosting out-of-town family has given Katie the chance to test out different sleeping arrangements, including some of the sleeper sofas on our list. She also consulted with design expert Megan Coleman and used The Spruce tester data to compile the list of top recommended sleeper sofas for small spaces. First measure your space for the couch configuration. This includes the width, height, and depth. In small spaces, the width is often the limiting factor. Then measure your space for the extended sleeper configuration. For pull-out mattresses, this extends the depth to accommodate both the mattress and the back of the sofa. If the mattress length is 80 inches, you will need to also add in the depth from the back of the mattress to the back of the sofa, usually between 6 and 12 inches. Fold down sleeper sofas offer a sleeping surface that uses the couch seat and back. This means that it often takes up less space but will extend into the room at least a little bit. Keep in mind that folding down the back of the sofa may require some additional room away from the wall. You might have to pull the entire sofa out from the wall by 6 to 12 inches before you are able to fold it down.
