Full Size Sofa Beds

Caroline Patterson Interior Design Expert

Caroline is a young, New York-based interior designer and home decor writer, obsessed with textiles and designer furniture. Backed with rigorous training from a prestigious design school, as well as a profound understanding of material quality and fabric care, she offers spot-on advice on how to furnish your place with reliable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing pieces.

Updated 25/01/2023

Bigger than a twin, but sufficient for a large adult, these full-size sofa beds are easy to set up, and so comfortable to sleep on, your guest may never want to leave. In so many styles and colors, there is a perfect model of full-size sofa bed for your home, or office, or wherever a quick place to catch a cat nap might be. See collection for more details.

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Full Size Sofa Beds

Buying Guide

Space-saving and stylish, a sofa beds a wonderful addition to your home to accommodate overnight guests or provide a compact, versatile sleeping space for small apartments and condos.

But with the vast selection of sofa beds available, it can be challenging to find the perfect sofa bed to suit your style and comfort needs. Here is our comprehensive guide of tips and tricks to help you choose the best sofa bed for your space.

What are the Different Styles of Sofa Bed?

The key to finding the best sofa bed for your space is to choose a piece that finds the perfect balance between style and function. There are a variety of different styles of sofa beds to choose from that can match your home décor.

Futon

Futons are an affordable and convenient way to add extra sleeping space for guests. A futon consists of a mattress that is attached to the frame of the sofa. It forms the seat and the backrest.

Futons are ideal for occasional sleeping arrangements and feature a compact design that makes them an excellent choice for small apartments or guest rooms. They have a more casual look than other sofa beds, which can make itchallenging to coordinate them with your other living room furniture, so they are better suited to dens or recreation rooms.

Fold-Out Bed

Traditional fold-out sofa beds are the most discreet style as they have a rolled or folded mattress hidden inside the frame of the sofa. After removing the seat cushions, the mattress is pulled out and stabilized with metal legs. Modern fold-out sofas often feature a power opening mechanism for added convenience.

As a fold-out sofa looks identical to a standard sofa, you have a wide range of styles to choose from to complement your den. Choose a sofa with plush rolled arms and a rounded backrest for a traditional or country style home. Or try a sleek box or tuxedo sofa for a contemporary living area.

Pop-Up Sofa

A pop-up sofa eliminates the need for a traditional mattress as it can be reconfigured to create a comfortable sleeping space. Most pop-up sofas feature a pull-out or button mechanism for a quick and easy way to transform your living area or den for guests. Many pop-up sofas are available as a corner or sectional sofa and come in a wide variety of styles to blend effortlessly with your den décor.

Low-line button-tufted pop-up sofa beds are ideal for a mid-century modern living room, while a Lawson-style sectional with square arms and overstuffed back cushions is an excellent choice for a transitional home.

Daybed

If you are looking for a sofa bed that will primarily be used for sleeping rather than lounging, a daybed is your best choice. Most daybeds are twin size and feature a wooden or metal frame with loose, removable back cushions. Daybeds are an excellent choice for a den, child's room, or guest room.

Which Size Sofa Bed Should I Buy?

The right sizesofa bedfor you depends on who will be sleeping on the sofa and the space you have available. Sofa beds are available in a full range of sizes, from twin to king. A larger sofa bed is preferable for better comfort for your guests, but if you are tight on space, a convertible loveseat or armchair can easily transform into an extra cot or single bed for guests.

Pop-up sofas and daybeds are the most compact option for small living areas, but they come in a wide range of sizes, so you need to ensure the length of the sofa is long enough to allow guests to stretch out comfortably while sleeping. Standard sofa length is 67"-83" with a sleeping space that measures 52"-55". Sofa beds with removable backrest cushions can add a few inches of sleeping space if necessary.

If you decide on a traditional fold-out bed, you need to allow for additional space in front of the sofa to allow for the mattress to unfold. A standard fold-out sofa extends to 72" long, but you need to add at least an additional foot of clearance around all sides of the bed so your guests can get in and out easily.

What is the Best Type of Sofa Bed Mattress?

The mattress is the most important component of a sofa bed. It not only provides a supportive place for guests to sleep but also impacts the overall comfort of the sofa. There are two types of mattress to choose from:

Innerspring

Most traditional mattresses are constructed from tight coils called innersprings. Innerspring mattresses adjust to your body as you move through the night; however, the coils deteriorate over time and can warp when folded inside a sofa bed. Non-folding sofa beds such as daybeds or pop-up sofas may feature innerspring mattresses, but they will need to be replaced more often than a memory foam mattress.

Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses are made from high-density visco-elastic foam rather than traditional springs. The biggest benefit to a memory foam mattress is that it offers consistent, even support by contouring to the shape of your body as you sleep. The foam bounces back into place when not in use. Memory foam is also hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites, making it ideal for sensitive sleepers.

The key to buying a long-lasting memory foam mattress is to consider the maximum weight capacity. Aim for a mattress that can support 1.8 - 2.5 lbs. per cubic foot for a mattress that provides the best support and lasts as long as the sofa bed frame.

You also need a mattress with the correct depth to offer the right level of support and comfort without making the folded sofa appear bulky or misshapen. Look for mattresses between 4 - 5.5" thick.

Are There Any Additional Features to Consider?

Modern sofa beds come with a range of additional features to enhance their functionality to make them one of the most versatile pieces of furniture in your home. Look for some of the following features when shopping for a sofa bed.

Storage

Many models of pop-up sofa beds and daybeds feature added storage underneath the seat cushions or inside the frame. This is the perfect solution for storing extra bed linen, pillows, and cushions to quickly and easily make up the bed when unexpected guests arrive.

If you are low on space, look for sofas with a storage chaise that has a hydraulic lift with internal storage. Alternatively, you can try a daybed with smooth-gliding drawers located underneath the frame.

Built-in Shelves

Sofa beds that feature armrests with built-in shelves on the outside offer space for guests to store books, phones, and other essentials to keep them within easy reach during the night. They can also double as a stylish display space for accent pieces, lighting, and indoor plants.

How to select a comfortable and durable full size sofa bed?

To select a comfortable and durable full size sofa bed, start by choosing a reliable frame. Traditional hardwood is still the best option, especially if you’re planning on using it fairly often, but you can find some good metal frames, too.

You also need a practical mechanism so that you won’t struggle to turn your sofa into a bed every single time.

As for comfort, you need a full size sofa bed that’s inviting both when you’re using it as a couch and as a sleeping solution. For the former, look for thick foam padding. As for the mattress, both innerspring coil and foam options will fold easily, but be sure not to skimp on quality.

Innerspring mattresses are better if you prefer an element of bounce and, potentially, softness, whereas the memory foam is famous for retaining your shape, which might work better depending on personal preference and sleeping habits.

What style of a full size sofa bed should you choose?

You should choose a full size sofa bed that complements the rest of your furniture and room. Try and keep your interior style consistent from lines to signature colors. For example, a shabby chic sofa bed will have a more decorative frame than an industrial or minimalist model.

We also recommend choosing a full size sofa bed in a color that contrasts against your wall but is already present elsewhere in that room: that way, it’ll stand out without looking out of place.

What features should you look for in full size sofa beds?

When you’re looking at full-size sofa beds, consider:

How well-constructed the base of the bed is—avoid single metallic rails, for example, right down the middle of the bed
How easily you can pull out the bed—will it be a one-person job or two?
The actual measurements of the mattress—a full-sized mattress is 53x75; you’ll want to make sure yours is at least similar so you can easily get sheets and other linens
How much the sofa matches your decor and is comfortable to sit on while it’s folded up
Whether the sofa bed includes any storage, so you can keep bed linens and pillows nearby