While your options might be smaller than shopping for a quality sofa, there are a lot of benefits to having a sofa bed and they come in handy more than you think.
They're the ultimate lifesaver when friends pop around, family visit from out-of-town or for when your kids want to have a sleepover. Plus they're always useful during the holiday season.
"Contrary to popular belief, sofa beds can look great and be extremely comfortable to curl up on after a long day at work," says Temple & Webster's Style Team.
A sofa bed is a space-saving and quick-change version of a bed that best suits apartment living or small bedrooms. However, they can also suit everyday use so long as you know what you're looking for.
"A plush sofa with plenty of cushions will have you in disbelief that beneath your seat is a metal frame."
To help find the best sofa bed for your space, we've consulted the experts for their suggestions and have rounded up some of best sofa beds below for every budget...
As sofa beds are required to be a more compact size, this can mean the bed is thinner than a standard mattress and the length can fall short. However, this doesn't necessarily mean less comfortable.
Over time the sofa bed design has evolved, with new materials like memory foam, favoured by popular brands like Koala, are changing the game.
"The challenge for sofa beds is that it has to be comfortable when sleeping on it, but also when sitting on the sofa bed," says Koala's product design team. "While the experience with most sofa beds is generally pretty uncomfortable (you hit a middle bar in the middle of the night), the Koala Sofa Bed has multiple layers for optimal comfort."
Most sofa beds are either a clic-clac, which is where you can simply push the back of the sofa down until it lies flat, or the traditional pull-out sofa which typically has a metal frame that is stowed away inside the sofa.
"When shopping for a sofa bed there are many considerations - function, comfort, size and how much you want to spend. Firstly, decide where it will be used in the living room or guest room? The second consideration is comfort and finding a type of mattress that suits your needs," says Kylie Burgon, Senior Furniture Buyer at Freedom.
If a clic-clac or pull-out aren't to your taste, there are other creative and low-maintenance alternatives. One option is a modular sofa, which can be arranged into a bed or why not try a stacked style sofa bed, which is where the firm seat cushions become the mattress.
Cushy sofa bed in Gum Leaf (double), $1699, Koala
Shop now at Koala
The Cushy comes in six stylish shades and folds out into a bed in seconds. As the winner of the Product Review 2023 Award and recipient of over 500 five-star reviews, this is a cult favourite sofa bed.
"Super easy to assemble and move," wrote a reviewer. "It is a super comfy couch (have fallen asleep on it many times) and an equally comfy pull out bed! Very impressed!".
Copenhagen 3 seater sofa bed, $529, Temple and Webster
Shop now at Temple and Webster
This futon sofa bed features linen upholstery, a solid eucalyptus wood frame and a built-in cup holder to keep your beverage or belongings nearby!
Artiss lounge sofa bed, $212.95, Myer
Shop now at Myer
Perfect for guests after a long relaxed day of catching up. This floor sofa bed is adjustable in five positions in a minimalistic design.
Armidale single sofa daybed with trundle, $449 (usually $499), Temple and Webster
Shop now at Temple and Webster
It's the additional bed tucked away underneath that makes this functional day bed a great design addition to any kid's room.
Brosa Lana sofa bed, $799, Kogan
Shop now at Kogan
Add a touch of glamour to your home with this sleek velvet sofa bed which comes in three gorgeous colours: navy blue, dusty rose or bottle green. Additionally, a throw blanket is a great way to add some texture and colour to your space, like this one from Soga International.
Esben 3-Seater velvet sofa bed, $499 (usually $1499), Luxo Living
Shop now at Luxo Living
You don't need to compromise on style with a sofa bed. This handsome piece from Luxo Living would introduce a mid-century edge to any living space.
Emma sofa bed, $1799 (usually $3999), Emma Sleep
Shop now at Emma Sleep
Made from sustainably-sourced fabric and wood, the Emma sofa bed features built-in storage compartments and comes with a 100 night trial.
Koala sofa bed in Lunar Grey, from $1199, Koala
Shop now at Koala
If you're a fan of Koala's mattress-in-a-box, you're bound to love its sofas. This memory foam sofa bed comes in three different sizes and four colours and has a four-second set up.
Love a discount? Find your Koala Mattress Discount Code here.
Nixon fabric sofa, $2249, Freedom
Shop now at Freedom
This shape-retaining sofa is made cosier with its plush fabric cover and foam and fibre-filled cushions.
Rio 2.5-seater sofa bed, $1365 (usually $1950), Ecosa
Shop now at Ecosa
Stay comfy whether you're sleeping, lounging, or a bit of both. Made from the same premium cushioning foam that Ecosa is known for, simply lift and transform your sofa into a bed in an instant.
Cristoph 3-seater sofa in Cloud Grey, $1124, Brosa
Shop now at Brosa
With an understated, sophisticated design, this modular sofa bed would suit a broad range of decorating styles. Available also in blue.
Barret leather sofabed, $3749 (usually $4999), Freedom
Shop now at Freedom
After a chic and functional sofa bed? This one from Freedom has natural leather upholstery, a supportive high back and pillowy cushions and armrests.
You may also like:
The best quality sofas that you won't want to get up from
11 of the best 'mattress in a box' options for a sound sleep
How often should you wash a mattress protector?