Deciding between a sofa bed and a traditional bed for a spare room: Weigh in on the ongoing dispute
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In modern homes, spare rooms often serve multiple purposes, acting as home offices, extra wardrobe space, and accommodating guests. For those who have chosen sofa beds as their primary guest sleeping solution, upgrading to a regular bed can provide a more spacious and comfortable experience for both the host and their guests.
Jenny McFarlane, our platform's Senior Digital Editor, is one such individual who has opted for a sofa bed in her spare room. Her choice of a lovely Loaf bed serves her well, especially during "musical bed nights" with kids. Another member of our team, Thea Babington-Stitt, our Managing Editor, has also opted for a sofa bed due to space constraints in her flat.
Rebecca Knight, our Homes News Editor, initially chose a sofa bed for her spare room due to its multi-purpose nature. She graduated with a Masters degree in magazine journalism from City, University of London in 2018 and joined our platform's website team in 2019 as a Digital Writer. Later, she moved into the position of Homes News Editor. Knight's current sofa bed, a Made.com Haru sofa bed, receives mixed reviews regarding comfort levels.
When upgrading a small multi-purpose guest bedroom from a sofa bed to a regular bed, the best ideas focus on maximizing space efficiency while maintaining comfort and style. Selecting a regular bed with a slim frame and a high-quality mattress for guest comfort, but mindful of spatial constraints, is essential.
Replacing bulky nightstands with wall-mounted shelves or floating nightstands that free up floor space is another smart move. Utilizing vertical space for storage by installing shelves or hooks for guests’ belongings, or under-bed storage boxes to keep the room tidy, optimizes the limited space.
Maintaining an open, airy layout to create a perception of space — avoiding overcrowding and keeping pathways clear — is crucial. Adding versatile furniture like a storage bench at the foot of the bed, which can serve as seating and storage, further enhances functionality without cluttering the room.
Personalizing the space with thoughtful touches such as a water carafe, ambient lighting on both sides, a mirror, and easy access to Wi-Fi information to make guests feel welcome elevates comfort to a hotel-like experience. Consider furniture or décor that doubles for other uses when the room is not occupied by guests, such as an ottoman with storage or a small desk that can be used as a workspace.
After moving to a more spacious flat, Knight is considering upgrading her guest bedroom ideas with an actual bed. For those who, like McFarlane and Babington-Stitt, prefer to stick with their sofa beds, the key is to choose a model that fits well in the space without visually dominating, such as Babington-Stitt's sofa bed that folds out to a double and fits well in her multi-purpose spare room.
In conclusion, these approaches help transform a small multi-functional room into a cozy, practical, and inviting regular guest bedroom, making the most of limited space without sacrificing style or comfort.
In the ongoing pursuit of maximizing space and enhancing lifestyle within modern homes, some individuals opt for home office solutions within their multi-purpose rooms, such as Rebecca Knight who uses her multi-purpose room for work, given her position as the Homes News Editor on our platform. For others, interior-design decisions, like incorporating a home-and-garden aesthetic, can make temporary guest rooms more inviting, while maintaining functionality beyond hosting guests.
