Whoever came up with the sofa bed was a genius (and quite the businessman). Designed to shift between a comfy sofa and a cozy bed with a bit of elbow grease, this modern living room marvel lets even homes with limited space like studio apartments enjoy the best of both worlds. It’s proof that luxury and versatility can go hand in hand.
While a sofa bed is first and foremost living room furniture, it can also be a great addition to other living spaces. Place it in your home office for a spot to take a quick break from work or, in the spirit of today’s topic, the guest room for visitors to spend the night in. If you don’t own one yet, modern sofa beds should at least be worth mulling over.
With the right additions, any sofa bed can rival a dedicated sofa or bed in terms of coziness and comfort, respectively. Here are some examples to consider:
Pillows of Varying Firmness
Getting pillows for your stylish sofa bed is one thing, but choosing based on firmness is another. A spread of purely soft or firm pillows isn’t always ideal, especially for a type of furniture with dual roles. Whether sitting or sleeping, any standard pillow must be able to provide ample support.
Pillow firmness is determined by how much it gives way to the user’s weight. There isn’t a standardized pillow firmness scale; manufacturers use their own scales in marketing their pillows. One scale used by the Sleep Foundation takes a general approach. (1)
SoftConforms with the user’s head or body without too much resistance |
MediumMaintains a delicate balance between soft and firm levels, ideal for general use |
FirmResists any weight exerted, which can aid users with back or posture issues |
AdjustableThe amount of fill material in a pillow can be increased or decreased at will |
A mixture of soft and firm pillows can benefit a wide range of sofa beds. In sofa mode, soft pillows maximize comfortable seating; in bed mode, firm pillows provide better support during bedtime. The good thing about this setup is that overnight guests with preferences to the contrary at least have two kinds of pillows to choose from.
A full spread of medium pillows is also a good option, though it limits the guest’s choices. On the other hand, you don’t want to inconvenience the guest (and, by extension, you) by letting them adjust the pillows’ filling.
As for how many pillows you need, only your preference can determine that. Naturally, a sofa bed with so many pillows that there’s hardly any space to sit on defeats the purpose. If you need a rule of thumb to live by, the 2-2-1 rule works. (2)
- Two large, matching pillows, one for each side
- Two small, matching pillows, one for each side
- A feature pillow at the center, usually the smallest of the pillows
Some good places to find an assortment of pillows and top-quality sofa beds include the ECOSA New Zealand website. While buying online doesn’t let you see the product in person, some sellers offer a limited trial after purchase that lets buyers ask for a refund if the item doesn’t satisfy them.
Pet-Friendly Sofa Slipcover
It makes sense to keep the separate guest bedroom closed when you aren’t expecting someone to stay the night. But sometimes, you can forget to close the door and let your furry companion (if any) inside. Even a well-trained pet can still leave hard-to-remove dander on the sofa bed or, worse, rip and tear it for some reason.
To preserve your precious sofa bed, blanket it in a pet-friendly slipcover when not in use. As the term implies, it tightly wraps the cushions (in some variants, the entire furniture) in scratch-resistant fabric, preventing pets from damaging the delicate sofa bed fabric underneath.
Tight-weave slipcovers are highly popular because of their cost-effectiveness compared to more premium materials. Some examples include canvas, denim, and microfiber, which also make wiping off dirt and dust a breeze. Genuine leather is another excellent choice, but be prepared to spend a tad more. (3)
The covers are designed with aesthetics in mind, knowing that some owners want them to constitute the sofa bed’s default appearance. However, removing them for the guest is a good idea due to the aforementioned dirt, dust, and dander. Don’t forget to regularly wash them according to their care instructions.
The Right Color
Have you ever been curious about what a blush-pink sofa bed would look like in a mostly white room? It would certainly stand out, not just because white is a neutral color. If you want your sofa bed to be the focal point of the guest room, picking the right hue is crucial.
Anyone who has spruced up their homes before knows that color is no stranger to interior design. Dr. Anthony Enwin, an interior design expert at Rivers State University in Nigeria, explained in a paper that colors are often overlooked during the interior design process. People don’t realize that they’re the best way to evoke emotions and create an impact. (4)
Making your sofa bed the center of attention in a part of the house is one way, though by no means the most popular. That honor goes to the complete opposite: blending the sofa bed with the overall décor without disappearing into it.
However, just because one color evokes the emotion you desire doesn’t necessarily make it practical. Neutral tones may blend well with the rest, but they can be a pain to keep tidy. Ask yourself how practical maintaining a sofa bed of a particular hue will be in the long run.
The Wrap-Up
There’s almost no reason for homeowners not to get a sofa bed for their homes, let alone the guest room. Combining comfort and coziness, this multipurpose piece of furniture can be augmented with aesthetically pleasing add-ons like pillows and covers.
References:
1. Pillow Research Methodology [Internet]. Sleep Foundation. 2022. Available from: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/research-methodology/pillows
2. Quint J. The 2:2:1 Throw Pillow Rule Will Change the Way You Style Your Couch [Internet]. PureWow. 2016 [cited 2025 Jan 30]. Available from: https://www.purewow.com/home/how-to-style-throw-pillows
3. McMahan D. The Best Couch Materials for Dogs — and the Worst Ones [Internet]. Apartment Therapy. 2018. Available from: https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/best-sofa-fabrics-for-pet-owners-256230
4. Enwin AD, Ikiriko TD, Jonathan-Ihua GO. The Role of Colours in Interior Design of Liveable Spaces. European Journal of Theoretical and Applied Sciences [Internet]. 2023 Jul 6;1(4):242–62. Available from: https://ejtas.com/index.php/journal/article/view/143/107