How to Find a Comfortable Sleeper Sofa

You've arrived at the right spot if you're looking for a comfortable sleeper couch. We've picked our top models, based on the quality, options for customization, and (most importantly) comfort.

To come up with our list we talked to home testers and experts such as Jennifer Stephan, owner at Muse Design Studio, Florida. We also considered the dimensions of the mattress when it's expanded, and the ease of it to switch between couch and bed mode.

1. Comfortable Cushions

From sleepovers in the childhood to snoozing in the apartment of a friend, many of us have had the experience of sleeping on a pull-out sofa bed. Unfortunately, a majority of these are uncomfortable, stiff or both. There are a variety of alternatives to this furniture. With just a few easy tips you can have a sleeper sofa that's just as comfortable to sit on as it is to lay down and sleep.

Find an item with a mattress that is supportive. The ideal mattress would be memory foam or spring instead of a futon sleeper sofa. These types of mattresses last longer and provide more of a traditional feeling than a thinner mattress that sags. Also look for cushions that are soft and supportive, but aren't overly firm. A cushion that is firmer may feel more comfortable at first However, it can also cause back pain.

When choosing a supportive mattress, you'll want to consider the material and shade of the cushions as well as how easy it is to build and clean the sofa. You can even opt for a sectional that transforms into a queen-size bed, which is a great option for those who wish to maximize space in their living room.

No matter what style you prefer there's a sleeper couch to suit your requirements. But it can be tough to find the most comfortable one. To assist you, we put eight of the best sleeper sofas on the PEOPLE Tested snooze test, which compared comfort, durability and the ease of assembly and cleaning. We also spoke with industry experts to get their thoughts about what makes a comfortable sofa sleeper.

Discover our top picks and prepare to enjoy a comfortable night's rest. Maybe even a few visits from friends and family.

2. Sturdy Frame

If you're planning to make the investment of buying a couch that can be used for both purposes you'll want it to last. Castagna suggests a sturdy frame composed of kiln-dried woods or furniture-grade plywood. This will ensure that the sofa will stand up to a lot wear and tear and won't be damaged in the course of time.

She also recommends paying attention to the size and quality of the mattress when picking a sleeper couch. Modern designs offer thicker and more comfortable foam mattresses than traditional beds. Our runner-up choice from Joybird, for example has a queen-sized mattress that folds away from the sofa, making it easy to put up and remove for overnight guests.

Consider a futon bed if space is a concern. It eliminates the need for mattresses by providing a flat surface that can be covered in sheets. It is important to measure the rooms, staircases and entrances before buying the futon sofa bed to ensure that it can fit into your home in a comfortable manner.

A convertible sectional is a different option. It usually includes the chaise as well as a queen-sized bed that is pulled out from under the seat. Although it will require some effort to convert from couch to bed, the final result is worth it if you're hosting a gathering of family members or friends.

In the end, you might be interested in a custom sleeper sofa with an elegant and contemporary style. Numerous brands, such as Rove Concepts and Anthropologie offer custom options, such as fabric and color choices as well as a variety of mattress sizes and types and the option of wooden leg finishes. This allows you to customize the sofa to suit your personal style and budget.

The Dream Sofa Marseille Sofa Sleeper is available in a variety of upholstery materials, including pet-friendly twill, velvet, and boucle. It's also available in four different wooden leg widths and layers of fills and foams which allow you the option of choosing the level of comfort that meets your needs. These customizations, however will increase the overall cost and result in longer delivery times.

3. Easy to Assemble

A sofa-sleeper can be a great option for a space that can be used for multiple purposes. It allows you transform your room from a relaxing sitting space to a cozy guest bed at night. But, the problem could come when selecting the right sofa sleeper to be a good fit and fit through narrow doors or narrow hallways. Fortunately, there are many options for sofa beds that can be assembled and disassembled easily to accommodate your space and pass through doors that are standard size.

The first step in creating a comfortable sofa bed is to select the best mattress. Consider how often you will use it, and if there are any specific needs you have, like motion separation or back support. Most sleeper couches will come with memory foam or a spring mattress. Spring mattresses are a good option for most sleepers due to the fact that they're durable and affordable sleeper couches. Memory foam is a luxurious, softer option that conforms to the body's shape and promotes an ideal spine alignment.

After selecting your preferred mattress type, you should choose a sofa bed with an easy-to-pull-out mechanism that is simple to use. You should choose the sofa that has an upholstered handle on one side of the frame. This will help you to lift and lower the mattress. It's also a good idea to test the pull-out mechanism in a store prior to buying if you can to gain an idea of how smoothly and seamlessly it will operate in your home.

If you're looking for a sofa that looks stunning even when it's in sleep mode as it does when it's reclined and relaxing, look into Anthropologie's Avalon sleeper sofa. This sofa is a stylish option that is available in a variety of upholstery fabrics, and can be customized to fit your needs. The Avalon also features a hidden platform bed with the size of a queen-size memory foam mattress.

Another option that is comfortable is West Elm's Harmony sleeper sofa, which comes with a queen-sized gel foam mattress and modular design. The sleeper sofa can be customized with different add-ons. It also has an upholstery that scored 2 on our firmness rating. It's available in a number of colors and styles of upholstery, including the popular boucle.

4. Easy to Clean

A sleeper sofa is a real workhorse in your home. It's a sofa during the day and an overnight bed. So it has to be comfortable and have a comfy mattress. But it also needs to be easy to convert from one to the other. If it's hard to switch positions, you'll find yourself not using the sleeper feature as much as you could.

It is important to clean the sleeper sofa on a regular basis, as with any other furniture piece. Regular vacuuming is a great way to remove dust and debris that tends to accumulate in corners. It's also an excellent idea to clean any surfaces that are exposed on the sofa's frame like the legs, with a cloth or sponge.

If you have pets or young kids it is a good idea to clean your sleeper sofa more often. Food crumbs and pet fur could attract insects and mites, which are annoying for you and your guests. To avoid this, Mehas recommends cleaning your sofa every week and shampooing it twice a year.

Remember that some fabrics like leather require more care than other kinds. Leather can lose its luster and appear dry if exposed to moisture for long periods of time, so it is recommended to limit the amount of time your leather sleeper is exposed to direct sunlight. You should also avoid keeping it near any water sources.

If you're looking for a comfy sleeper that is also easy to clean then consider a customizable option such as the Dream Sofa Marseille Sofa Sleeper. This model allows you to modify almost every aspect of the sofa, including dozens of fabric options as well as four different wood leg finishes, and three mattress sizes. Plus, you can choose from a wide variety of blankets and pillows that you can customize to create the perfect look for your living space. Modway Cagney Sofa Sleeper is minimalist in design, easy to clean, and comes in a variety of colors.