How to Find a Comfortable Sleeper Sofa

You've come to right place in search of a comfortable sleeper couch. We've compiled our top picks based on their quality, customization options and (most importantly) comfort.

To come up with our list we talked to home testers as well as experts such Jennifer Stephan, sleeper Couch owner at Muse Design Studio, Florida. We also took into account the dimensions of the mattress when it's expanded as well as how easy it is to switch between bed and couch mode.

1. Comfortable Cushions

Many of us have had the pleasure of sleeping on a pullout sofa bed in the past, whether at the time of a sleepover or snoozing in your friend's home. Unfortunately, a majority of these are stiff, uncomfortable, or both. There are a variety of alternatives to this furniture. With a few easy steps, you can find a sleeper sofa that is as comfortable to sit on as it is to lay down and sleep.

Look for an item with a mattress that is comfortable. Ideally, the mattress should be spring or memory foam rather than a futon sleeper couch. These types of mattresses last longer and have an upscale feel than a thin mattress that has a tendency to sag. Also look for soft, supportive cushions that aren't overly firm. A cushion that is more firm might feel more comfortable at first However, it can also cause back pain.

In addition to selecting a mattress that is comfortable, you'll want to consider the material and color of the cushions, as well as the ease of put together and clean the sofa. You could even choose the sectional that converts into a queen-size bed, which is ideal for those looking to maximize space in their living room.

Whatever style you like there's a sleeper couch that will meet your preferences. It isn't easy to find the most comfortable one. To help you out, we tested eight of the most comfortable sleeper sofas to the PEOPLE Snooze test. We tested them, which compared comfort, durability and ease of assembly and cleaning. We also spoke with experts from the industry for further insight on what makes an ideal sleeper sofa.

Find our top picks and get ready for a relaxing night's sleep, and maybe even a few visits from friends and family.

2. Sturdy Frame

If you're going to make the investment of buying a dual-use couch, you want it to last. Castagna suggests looking for frames made from furniture grade plywood or woods that have been dried in a kiln. This helps ensure the sofa will stand up to a lot of usage and won't become damaged over time.

She also suggests paying attention to the size and quality of the mattress when choosing a sleeper couch. While traditional sofa beds often feature thin, uncomfortable mattresses, modern models offer thicker and more comfortable foam mattresses that are comparable to the traditional mattresses. Our top choice for runners-up is Joybird for instance has a queen-sized mattress that folds out of the sofa, making it simple to put up and remove for overnight guests.

If space is an issue then consider a futon bed that eliminates the necessity for a mattress by providing a flat sleeping surface that can be covered with sheets. It's important to measure entrances, stairs and rooms before purchasing a futon sofa sleeper couch bed so it can fit into your home in a comfortable manner.

Another alternative to think about is a convertible sectional which usually has an armchair and a queen-sized mattress that pulls out from under the seat. It could require more effort to convert an existing couch into a bed, but the end result is worth it if planning to host a large number of friends or family members.

In the end, you might be interested in a custom sleeper sofa with an elegant and contemporary style. Many brands such as Rove Concepts or Anthropologie offer customizable options. These include the choice of fabric and colors as well as mattress sizes and types as well as wooden leg finishes. This lets you personalize your sofa to match your style and budget.

The Dream Sofa Marseille Sofa Sleeper is one example. It's available in a variety of upholstery fabrics and colors, ranging from velvet to pet-friendly twill and boucle. It also comes in four different sizes of wooden legs as well as layers of fills and foams. This allows you to select a level of comfort that meets your requirements. These customizations, however, can increase the cost and lead to longer delivery times.

3. Easy to Assemble

A sofa-sleeper can be a great choice for a multipurpose space. It lets you transform your living space from a relaxing sitting space to a welcoming guest bed at night. The challenge is choosing the right sofa bed to fit within your space and can fit through narrow hallways or doors. Fortunately, there are many options for sofa beds that can be put together and disassembled in a matter of minutes to suit your space and pass through doors that are standard size.

The first step to creating a comfortable sofa bed is choosing the correct mattress. You should consider the frequency of use and if you have any special sleeping needs, like back support or motion isolation. Most sleeper couches will come with spring or memory foam mattress. Mattresses made of springs are a good option for sleepers as they're durable and affordable. If you're looking for a more soft and more luxurious choice choose memory foam, which is shaped to fit your body and aids in maintaining proper spinal alignment.

After selecting your preferred mattress type, you should select a sofa bed that has a pull-out mechanism that is easy to use. Look for a sofa that features an easy, fabric handle on the side of the frame that can assist you in lifting and releasing the mattress. It's recommended to test the pull-out mechanism at the store prior to purchasing if possible to see how smooth and seamless it will operate in your home.

The Avalon sleeper sofa from Anthropologie is a fashionable option that is available in a range of upholstery fabrics. It can be customized to your liking. This sofa is a stylish option that comes with a wide selection of upholstery fabrics, and it can be customized to suit your preferences. The Avalon features a hidden platform with a queen-sized mattress made of memory foam.

West Elm's Harmony Sleeper Sofa is another comfortable option. It features a queen-size Gel Foam Mattress as well as an adjustable design. This sleeper sofa can be customized with different add-ons. It also comes with a seat that scored 2 on our firmness score. It's available in a number of upholstery and color choices and styles, including the boucle style that is popular.

4. Easy to Clean

A sleeper sofa is a real workhorse in your home. It's a sofa by day and a bed at night. Therefore, it must be comfortable and have a good mattress. It should be simple to switch from one mode to another. If it's hard to switch positions, then you won't utilize the sleeper feature as often as you should.

It is important to clean the sleeper sofa on a regular basis just like any other piece of furniture. Regular vacuuming is a great way to remove dust and debris that tends to build up in corners. You can also make use of a sponge or cloth to clean any surfaces of the sofa frame like its legs.

If you have children or pets, you might want to shampoo your sleeper sofa more often. Snack crumbs, pet fur and other undesirable substances could attract insects and mites and can be irritating to you and your guests. This is why Mehas suggests vacuuming your sofa once a week and shampooing it every two years.

Be aware that certain fabrics such as leather require more maintenance than other types. Leather can look dull and dry if exposed to moisture over the course of a long time. You should restrict the time you leave your leather sleeping bag in direct sunlight, and keep it away from any water sources.

If you want a comfortable sleeper that is also easy to clean you should consider a custom-made option such as the Dream sofa Marseille Sofa Sleeper. This model lets you customize nearly every aspect of the sofa, which includes many different fabrics, four wooden leg finishes and three mattress sizes. You can also pick from a variety of pillows and blankets that can be customized to create the perfect look in your living space. Modway Cagney Sofa Sleeper is a minimalist design that is easy to clean and comes in many color options.