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A new stylish sofa bed still has to be practical and comfortable!

Having a sofa bed is becoming more and more popular nowadays, especially as many new-build houses are actually quite small, putting space at a premium. A good sofa bed will enhance a sitting-room during the day, yet double up – with little fuss- into a bed for overnight guests.

Choosing a sofa bed should be simple and straightforward, but styles change over time and designers become more inventive, so the buyer needs to take care to purchase a sofa bed that is practical. Purchasing a stylish piece that makes a bold fashion statement as seating, yet does not perform adequately when transformed into a bed, will disappoint.

Most people choose a sofa bed to make the most of available space. This means that they are probably already struggling to find room for pieces of furniture, so they will want to ensure that the piece they buy does not take up too much of their precious space. Finding the perfect one may be a more difficult task than they first expected.

Many designers tend to get carried away when thinking up a new design, and may not always bear in mind that not everyone has a vast open-plan loft apartment or a manor house, where a big elaborate sofa bed may rightly take pride of place. Most homeowners want to make the most of their space and, although they will initially be attracted by an eye-catching piece of furniture, their paramount requirements will be that it fits their budget, the room for which it is intended and, above all, the purpose for which they are purchasing it. Today’s designers would do well to think of practicality before style.

A sofa bed should be comfortable when used during the day for seating, but should transform into a bed with very little effort. It will not be expected to turn into a king-sized four-poster so it does not have to be over-sized, with lots of superfluous cushions that have to be put somewhere when not in use; it simply has to turn into a basic double bed, offering a comfortable mattress to ensure a good night’s sleep. Large ‘statement’ pieces cost a lot more than compact practical ones, so the designers should consider practicality above all else.

The overall purpose of a sofa bed needs to be kept in mind, however much a designer wants to indulge in their creativity; keeping it practical will ensure satisfied customers for years to come.