Shoppers Guide to Buying Sofa Beds
If space is limited, a sofa bed could be the answer to a challenging situation. A sofa would be more comfortable for sitting during the day, and when bedtime comes you can simply pull it out and have a bed.
Sizes
Before shopping for a new sofa bed, measure up the room that you want to furnish, and do not forget about the doorways. If your doorway is narrow or if there are corners to manoeuvre around, you could order a sofa bed with arms that bolt on or one that comes in two parts.
To determine the best size for your sofa bed, think about how many people you would like to seat on it and the size and shape of the room where it will be located. Another thing to consider is whether one or two people will be using it for sleeping.
Corner sofas can be a good option for large rooms if you want to seat more people at a time and make the room feel cosy.
Materials
Leather sofas are becoming popular, and they are very easy to look after. In the past they were rather expensive, but new manufacturing techniques produce more affordable leather upholstery these days. It is very durable, and cleaning leather is simple – just wipe with a damp cloth. Do not place a leather sofa very close to a radiator so the leather will not dry out, and keeping it in direct sunlight may cause the colour to fade in the same way as fabric.
Fabric materials for sofas come in many colours and textures. If you have children or pets, you may want to choose a fabric that is strong and cleans easily. Since most people keep sofas quite a while, select a colour that you will not tire of quickly. If you are not certain how a particular fabric will look in your room, ask for some fabric samples to try in your home. Keep in mind that a strong colour may tend to fade if it is placed in a very sunny room. If you choose a more neutral colour, you can liven it up with bright scatter cushions to change the look of your room more often.
Sit on the sofa that you choose to see if it feels comfortable, and pull out the sofa bed mechanism to be sure it operates easily. For the best value, do not skimp on quality just to get a cheaper price. Select a sofa bed that is well made with good quality materials that will hold up well. You will have to live with your choice for a long time, so take care to make a wise decision.
