How to Find a Comfortable Sleeper Sofa

You've come to the right place if you're looking for an easy sleeper couch. We've compiled our top picks based on their quality, options for customization and (most importantly) comfort.

To make our list, we looked over information from home testers as well as consult with experts such as Jennifer Stephan, owner of Muse Design Studio in Florida. We also considered the full size sleeper sofa of the bed when it is extended, and how easy it was to switch from couch mode to bed mode.

1. Comfortable Cushions

Most of us have been a part of a pull-out sofa bed regardless of whether it was at an overnight sleepover as a kid or snoozing in your friend's house. Unfortunately, a majority of these sofas are uncomfortable, stiff, or both. There are a variety of alternatives to this furniture. With a few easy steps, you can find a sleeper sofa that's just as comfortable to sit on as it is to lie down and sleep.

First, look for a sofa with a supportive mattress. The ideal mattress would be spring or memory foam rather than a futon. These materials last longer and look more like a traditional sofa than a sagging, thin mattress. Also look for soft, supportive cushions that aren't too squishy. While a cushion that is firmer may appear more comfortable at first, it could eventually cause back pain.

In addition to selecting a mattress that is comfortable, you'll want to consider the fabric and shade of the cushions as well as the ease of build and clean the sofa. You could even choose an ottoman that can be transformed into a queen-sized bed which is ideal for those who wish to maximize space in their living room.

Whatever style you like, there's a sleeper sofa to meet your needs. However, it can be difficult to track down the comfiest one. We put eight of the most comfortable sleeper sofas through the PEOPLE TEST sleep tests, comparing the durability and comfort and ease of assembly and cleanup. We also spoke with industry experts for more information on what makes a comfortable sleeper sofa.

Find out more about our top picks and prepare yourself for an evening of rest and relaxation, and maybe a few more visits from your family and friends in the near future.

2. Sturdy Frame

If you're going to make the investment of buying a dual-use couch you'll want it to last. Castagna suggests a sturdy frame made of kiln-dried hardwoods or furniture-grade plywood. This will ensure that the sofa can endure many years of use and won't be damaged over time.

She also recommends paying attention to the size and quality of the mattress when selecting a sleeper couch. While traditional sofa beds typically come with uncomfortable, thin mattresses, modern designs feature thicker and more comfortable foam mattresses that are comparable to the traditional ones. Our second-placed choice from Joybird provides a queen-sized bed that folds up from a sofa, making it simpler to put up for guests staying over for the night.

If space is an issue, consider a futon sleeper, which eliminates the necessity for a mattress by providing a flat sleeping surface that can be covered with sheets. Before buying a futon couch bed, it is important to measure the room and board sleeper sofa including the stairs, entrances and rooms.

A convertible sectional is another option. It typically has a chaise, and a queen-sized bed which can be pulled out from under the seat. Although it might require a bit more effort to convert the couch to bed, the final result is worth it when you're hosting a gathering of friends or family members.

You may also want to think about a sleek and modern sleeper sofa that is made to order. Many brands like Rove Concepts or Anthropologie offer customizable options. This includes the choice of fabric and colors, mattress types and sizes as well as wooden leg finishes. This allows you to customize the sofa to fit your preferences and budget.

The Dream Sofa Marseille Sofa Sleeper chaises is available in a variety of upholstery fabrics that are pet-friendly, such as twill, velvet, and boucle. It's also available in four different wooden leg widths and layers of fills and foams that give you the ability to choose the degree of comfort that best suits your preferences. These customizations can increase the price and lengthen delivery times.

3. Easy to Assemble

A sofa sleeper could be a great option for a living space that can be used in multiple ways. It can to transform your space into a comfortable sitting area to a comfortable guest bed at night. However, the challenge may be when choosing a sofa sleeper that can be placed in your space and fit through narrow doors or narrow hallways. There are many sofa beds that can be disassembled and reassembled to fit your space.

The first step to becoming a comfortable sofa sleeper is choosing the best mattress. You should consider the frequency you'll use it and if you have any special sleeping needs, like back support or motion isolation. The majority of sleeper sofas sleeper sofas come with either a memory foam or spring mattress. Mattresses made of spring are a great choice for most people because they are durable and cost-effective. If you're looking for a more soft, more luxurious option go with memory foam which is shaped to fit your body and helps maintain the proper alignment of your spine.

After you've decided on the type of mattress you want it is crucial to select a sofa bed with an easy to use pull-out mechanism. Find a sofa that features an easy, fabric handle that is attached to the side of the frame to assist you in lifting and releasing the mattress. It's recommended to test out the pull-out mechanism in a store prior to buying, if it's possible to gain an idea of how smoothly and seamlessly it will function in your home.

If you're looking for a sofa that looks like it's beautiful even when in sleep mode as it does when reclined and relaxing, take a look at Anthropologie's Avalon sleeper sofa. This sofa is a stylish option that comes in a variety of upholstery fabrics, and it can be customized to your liking. The Avalon features an unintentionally concealed platform that houses a queen-sized mattress made of memory foam.

Another option that is comfortable is West Elm's Harmony sleeper sofa, which comes with a queen-size gel foam mattress as well as a modular design. This sleeper sofa is customizable by adding different accessories and the seat cushion, which scores a 2 out of 5 on our scale of firmness. It is available in a variety of colors and fabrics, including the well-known Boucle.

4. Easy to Clean

A sleeper sofa is a real workhorse in your home. It's a couch during the day and it's a bed at night. So it needs to be comfortable and have a great mattress. But it also needs to be simple to switch from one mode to the other. If it's difficult to switch between modes, then you won't be able to use the sleeper feature as frequently as you should.

It is important to clean the sleeper sofa on a regular basis, like every other furniture piece. Cleaning it regularly is a great method of getting rid of dust and other debris that tends to build up in corners. You can also employ a sponge or a cloth to clean any exposed surfaces of the sofa's frame, like its legs.

You might want to clean your sleeper sofa more frequently when you have children or pets. Food crumbs and pet fur could attract insects and mites which can be a nuisance for both you and your guests. For this reason, Mehas suggests vacuuming your sofa once a week and washing it at least twice a year.

It's also important to keep in mind that certain fabrics, such as leather, require more maintenance than others. Leather can look dry and dull if it is exposed to moisture over an extended period of time. It is recommended to be careful not to leave your leather sleeping bag in direct sunlight, and keep it out of any sources of water.

If you're looking for a comfy sleeper sofa that's also easy to clean, you should consider an option that is customizable like the Dream Sofa Marseille Sofa Sleeper. This model allows you customize almost every aspect of the sofa, including a variety of fabric options and four wood leg finishes, and three mattress sizes. You can also pick from a variety of blankets and pillows that you can customize to create the perfect look for your living room. If you are looking for a less cluttered style, the Modway Cagney Sofa Sleeper offers simple design that's easy to clean and comes in a variety of colors.