Bed solutions for guests
Guest Bed Ideas for Overnight Visitors
The last thing any thoughtful host wants is for their guests to be uncomfortable or feel unwanted and in the way…and no one wants cranky, sleep-deprived visitors! At the same time, however, the days of every homeowner having a dedicated “spare bedroom” to house guests are long over.
Between the pandemic-fueled rise in home offices and multipurpose spaces, most homeowners no longer keep a full or queen bed “all dolled up” for company. And for urban residents and apartment dwellers, the concept of “extra” space is relegated to a someday fantasy.
Luckily however, there are a number of creative solutions for squeezing in some extra sleeping space during the holidays and beyond. Here are some of our top picks for guest beds:
1. Memory Foam Futonamazon.com
Thank the Japanese for inventing the futon, the lightweight flexible mattress designed to be folded or rolled up, allowing a bedroom to be used for other purposes during the day. Traditional Japanese futons don’t have quite the same level as cushioning as Western sleepers tend to prefer, which has given rise to an entire category of convenient and comfy framed futons, including the Novogratz Tallulah Memory Foam Futon, ranked “best overall” in our researched guide to the best futons. This classic vintage futon doubles as additional seating and features a sturdy wood frame, sleek wooden legs, button-tufted arms and back, and high-density foam and memory foam cushioning to provide support and comfort. The futon is upholstered in a soft velvet available in blue, grey, green and pink, and also features a split-back design that can be independently reclined to create multiple positions for lounging and sleeping.
Get the Novogratz Tallulah Memory Foam Futon at Amazon for $310.13.
2. Versatile Sofa Bedamazon.com
Multi-purpose, multi-position, functional, and just plain fun, the Vonanda Sofa Bed is a convertible chair, ottoman, lounger and bed all in one compact package.
This versatility earned the 4-in-1 Vonanda Convertible top marks as “best overall” in our guide to the best guest beds. The Vonanda Sofa Bed can be folded completely, becoming an upholstered ottoman measuring 37 inches long by 27 inches wide and 17 inches high. The backrest adjusts to five positions for lounging; when the unit is fully extended into a bed, it measures 37 inches wide by 74 inches long. A three-inch-thick foam mattress ensures guests can sleep in comfort.
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Get the Vonanda Sofa Bed at Amazon for $399.98.
3. Murphy Bed Chestamazon.com
For years, Murphy beds were the Rodney Dangerfield of the furniture industry: they “got no respect,” often serving as a punchline on old sitcoms. But in today’s space-crunched society, the Murphy bed is finally coming back into its own as a stylish and chic alternative way to provide extra sleeping space. This Night & Day Furniture Murphy Cube Cabinet Bed is a perfect example, giving the appearance of an attractive hardwood storage cabinet while concealing a queen-size bed complete with a six-inch, tri-fold, premium gel memory foam mattress.
When closed, the cabinet measures 36.6 inches high by 64.1 inches wide and 26.4 inches long, taking up just 10 square feet of floor space; open, it measures 25.7 inches high by 64.1 inches wide and 80.3 inches long.
Get the Night & Day Furniture Murphy Cube Cabinet Bed at Amazon for $1,797.
RELATED: Buyer’s Guide: The Best Murphy Beds
4. Cotamazon.com
This Coleman Camping Cot, Air Mattress, and Pump Combo proves that you don’t have to be the outdoorsy type to enjoy quick and easy comfort, earning it a ranking of “best with cot” in our researched guide to the best air mattresses. The air mattress itself is a supportive eight inches high when fully inflated, and the included folding cot raises the sleeping surface to 22 inches. The air mattress features a stable and supportive ComfortStrong Coil construction and an AirTight system with Double Lock valve to prevent the mattress from leaking. The included air pump operates on four D batteries, and a handy storage bag is also included.
The sturdy steel cot construction can hold up to 300 pounds and accommodate sleepers up to six feet tall, yet weighs less than 14 pounds for prime portability.
Get the Coleman Camping Cot, Air Mattress and Pump Combo at Amazon for $73.99.
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5. Sleeper Sofawayfair.com
Sleeper sofas have a lot of negative associations, including unattractive aesthetics for hosts and uncomfortable nights of tossing and turning for guests. But today’s sleeper sofas are a whole new world, as this Lesley 87” Square Arm Sofa Bed indicates, earning it a “best overall” rating in our sleeper sofa buying guide. This square arm sofa combines an 87-inch long seating surface with a pull-out queen-size bed to accommodate multiple sleepers. The sofa bed is offered in a dazzling selection of more than 154 fabric choices, including sturdy, easy-to-clean Sunbrella and Sustain fabrics that are as attractive as they are durable.
Get the Ebern Designs Lesley 87” Square Arm Sofa Bed at Wayfair for $1,369.
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Traveling with the little ones can be stressful enough without worrying about where they are going to be safe and secure while sleeping. Fortunately, the award-winning The Shrunks Toddler Travel Bed is easy to use, easy to transport and features a special “guard rails and tuck” design that prevent the child from falling over the edge—standard-sized crib sheets and blankets tuck into the inner air mattress to keep the sleeper safe. The bed is sized specifically for children, at an inflated size of 60 inches long by 37 inches wide by 9 inches high, earning it the “best for kids” designation in our researched guide to the best air mattresses. The Shrunks Toddler Travel Bed package includes an electric pump that inflates the bed in 30 seconds, as well as a compact carry bag and a repair kit.
Get The Shrunks Toddler Travel Bed at Amazon for $72.99.
RELATED: Childproofing Checklist for Crawling Babies and Toddlers
7.
Sleeper Chaisewayfair.com
Ooh, la la! You would never guess that this très chic Latitude Run Crisma Vegan Leather Chaise Lounge also delivers extra sleeping space. The modern square tufted design and slanted chrome legs present a sleek contemporary aesthetic while the split-back construction allows the piece to be adjusted for seating, lounging, or sleeping. This faux-leather piece weighs just 44 pounds but can hold up to 617 pounds. It’s 30 inches wide and 65.6 inches long when flat.
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Get the Latitude Run Crisma Vegan Leather Chaise Lounge from Wayfair for $289.99.
8. Double-Height Air Mattressamazon.com
People of a “certain age” will definitely appreciate the height of this EnerPlex Double Height Inflatable Bed…as will anyone with back or knee problems that make getting down on the floor a nightmare. And space-constrained homeowners will love the compact size and built-in dual pump that inflates the mattress in less than two minutes.
When fully inflated, the twin-size mattress measures 80 inches long by 60 inches wide by 16 inches high, yet when deflated, the bed takes up no more room than a 1-foot-square package for easy storage.
The mattress is constructed of puncture-resistant PVC in a sturdy coil beam configuration, and also features a premium comfort top flocking to prevent leaking and provide non-slip stability. The combination of features, portability and reasonable price earned the EnerPlex the “best bang for the buck” designation in our researched guide to the best guest beds.
Get the EnerPlex Double Height Inflatable Bed w/ Built-in Dual Pump at Amazon, priced from $77.57.
RELATED: Countdown to Christmas: 25 Projects to Get Done Before the Holidays
9. Roll-Out Futonamazon.com
Take a page from traditional Asian sleeping styles by providing guests with a firm but comfortable sleeping surface with this D&D Futon Furniture Cotton/Foam Traditional Japanese/Thai Floor Rolling Futon Mattress.
The roll-out futon doubles as a yoga meditation mat and features a three-inch thick filling of 90% cotton, 5% polyester and resilient polyurethane foam. The roll-out futon measures 80 inches long by 30 inches wide by 3 inches thick and weighs just 15 pounds, making it easy to stow or take on trips; it’s a portable and affordable sleeping option selected as offering the “best bang for the buck” in our researched guide to the best futon mattresses.
Get the D&D Futon Furniture Cotton/Foam Traditional Japanese/Thai Floor Rolling Futon Mattress at Amazon for $86.
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10. Rollawayamazon.com
Offer your guests a combination of exceptional support and luxurious comfort with the Milliard Deluxe Diplomat Folding Bed, a practical and portable solution that was named the “best overall” in our researched buyer’s guide to the best rollaway beds. The Milliard Diplomat Folding Bed features a full-steel, reinforced wire lattice frame that can handle up to 300 pounds.
Its layered foam mattress incorporates a 3.5-inch supportive foam base and a cushy 1-inch memory foam top. The bed measures 75 inches long by 38 inches wide by 17 inches high, yet folds up into a slim, 14-inch profile on smooth-rolling wheels, allowing it to be tucked away in a closet when not in use.
Get the Milliard Deluxe Diplomat Folding Bed at Amazon for $379.99
RELATED: How to Make a Bed (the Right Way)
11. Reclining Two-Seateramazon.com
Two can get cozy…or one can sprawl out in comfort on this GDF Studio Hana Plush Cushion Tufted Back Loveseat Recliner that can do double-duty as a sleeping nook. The two-seat recliner takes up a small footprint, measuring just 46 inches wide by 37 inches deep by 39 inches tall, yet has room enough for two. The surprisingly affordable recliner earned a “best budget” designation in our researched guide to the best reclining sofas.
Get the GDF Studio Hana Plush Cushion Tufted Back Loveseat Recliner at Amazon for $407.
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If you prefer a traditional Japanese futon, it doesn’t get more authentic than the FULI Japanese Traditional Igusa (Rush Grass) Tatami Mattress. This classic hand-crafted tatami mattress is made by Japanese artisans from 100 percent rush grass (igusa) and serves as either a sleeping surface or a decorative floor covering. One benefit of sleeping on a classic tatami mattress is that it helps keep the back and body straight and the spine neutral. The lightweight tatami mattress tips the scale at just 6.5 pounds and folds in thirds, allowing it to be tucked away easily when not in use.
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Get the FULI Japanese Traditional Igusa Tatami Mattress at Amazon for $198.
The prices listed here are accurate as of publication on September 7, 2022.
Guest bed ideas – five clever ways to sleep overnight visitors
Expecting a houseful of visitors? Be prepared when family or friends come to stay at any time of year with our guest bed ideas.
We’ve got solutions for spaces of all sizes, from roomy lounges to box rooms.
1. Set up the sitting room with a sofa bed
If you often have guests come to stay, but don’t have the luxury of a spare bedroom, then a sofa bed can be a great solution for creating a multifunctional living room. A sofa bed will work best in a separate sitting room - rather than an open-plan space - so that guests will have some overnight privacy, although they also work well as additional seating/sleeping space in a guest room if you are so blessed, or as a multifunctional option in a home office.
There are two main sofa bed options; a pull-out design with a separate mattress that lifts out of the sofa base, and a click clack model where the sofa's backrest folds down and the seat and backrest become the sleeping surface. A pull-out option is generally the more comfortable choice, and the closest in resemblance to a 'normal' sofa, however, they can be expensive. A click clack model is generally more affordable, but makes for a firmer sit/sleep experience.
Find more buying information - plus the top sleeper sofas on the Ideal Home team's radar - in our guide to the best sofa beds.
(Image credit: Sofa.com)
Buy now: Nolan 3 Seater Fabric Sofa Bed, £219.99, Argos
2. Let the kids camp out with a bed-in-a-bag
If lack of space is the big issue, consider a bed that can be stowed out of sight in a cupboard or the loft when not in use. Folding mattresses are a great sleepover option for children’s rooms. Choose from unfolding foam Z-beds or cubes to roll-up mattresses that pack up into an easy-to-stow storage bag.
3. Invest in hideaway beds for the kids' rooms
(Image credit: Room to sleep)
If your children have friends over regularly or your guest room is on the small side, why not consider a hideaway bed or day bed? Truckle-style hideaway beds have a second bed underneath the main one which rolls out on wheels – a great choice for a child’s room.
Some hideaway beds have an underbed with folded legs that raise the second mattress to the level of the main bed – a good option for adult guests.
In the market for a mattress? Best mattress – the top choices for a perfect night’s sleep
4. Keep guests off the ground with a folding bed
(Image credit: Made.com)
Folding guest beds range from the basic camp-bed style to the more sophisticated bed-in-a-footstool design.
Buy now: Haru Single Sofa Bed, Marshmallow Grey, £169, Made.com
5. Put them up in any room – with a blow-up bed
(Image credit: Aldi)
Inflatable air beds are the ultimate space-saving solution. Many come with air pumps or self-inflation devices that take a minute or two to blow it up.
Buy now: Similar inflatable pull-out sofa, £50, Argos
Choose one that's perfect: Best air beds – the best air mattresses for comfy camping and snug sleepovers
Whichever option you go for, be sure to layer it up with plenty of bedding.
Add at least two pillows, a duvet and an extra throw so guests can get as cosy as they like. Make sure there's a light nearby, too. If you're choosing a sofa bed, it's easy enough to place it next to a side table with a lamp for reading.
But even if your guest bed is a pop-up affair, it's worth setting up a lamp next to it. Grab an adjustable lamp from your desk, or move a floor lamp and place it so guests can turn it on and off from their bed.
Sweet dreams!
Amy Cutmore is Editor-in-Chief, Homes Audience, working across the Future Homes portfolio. She works on titles including Ideal Home, Homes & Gardens, Livingetc, Real Homes, Gardeningetc, Top Ten Reviews and Country Life. And she's a winner of the PPA's Digital Content Leader of the Year. A homes journalist for two decades, she has a strong background in technology and appliances, and has a small portfolio of rental properties, so can offer advice to renters and rentees, alike.
What if guests: 6 options for organizing a spare bed
1 Folding sofa in the kitchen
Almost in any kitchen you can find a place for a folding sofa.
In a spacious room you can put a long sofa-book, it will accommodate two guests. The length of the table should be slightly less than the length of the sofa, but not by much, otherwise it will look disproportionate. It is better to choose dining chairs with soft upholstery so that the whole composition looks harmonious. nine0005
In a smaller room, you can put a sofa with a pantograph pull-out mechanism. It is narrow and unfolds forward, it turns out a sleeping place for one. Choose a throw and cushions for the sofa so that their color echoes other elements in the kitchen, such as chairs.
Instagram: @s_kuhni
Instagram: @s_kuhni
2 Daybed or folding chair
If you have a small living room in your house, then it makes no sense to place a bulky sofa in it for the sake of guests, especially if they do not spend the night with you very often.
In this case, you can try to find a couch on which it is convenient to lie down and watch TV in everyday life. It will fit well into a modern classic interior and give it a little bohemian chic. Place an elegant floor lamp nearby for comfort or hang a sconce on the wall.
Another option is to purchase a folding chair. This is a more modern solution, it will suit those who strive for a laconic style, for example, Scandinavian. nine0005
Both options are fine if guests are staying for one or two nights, as sleeping on a couch or chair for more than a couple of days is hard on the back.
Instagram: @imodern.ru
Instagram: @imodern.ru
3 Transforming bed
Those who often visit friends or relatives for a long time will need a bed that is hidden behind a niche. At the same time, the niche looks like an ordinary cabinet and does not stand out from the general design, and the lifting and lowering mechanism is quite easy to use.
This is a good solution for those who like minimalism in the interior. nine0005
Instagram: @mebeltransformermetra
Instagram: @mebeltransformermetra
4 Bed on the loggia
A glazed and insulated loggia can be turned into a cozy lounge area using a podium or a bed. Sketch pillows, hang a garland and a projector for watching movies. And when friends stay overnight at the house, this place will come in handy to put them to bed. nine0005
Equip drawers under the bed, then guests can put their things there, and at other times you can put bed linen and various small things inside.
Don't forget to place a heater on the loggia in case of a cold night and add an additional wall lamp. To make guests feel comfortable, it is worth hanging a curtain on the window that separates the bed and the room.
nine0004 Instagram: @xoxodecoInstagram: @tepliysever
5 Stackable bed
If your child often has friends over for sleepovers, you can buy him a stackable bed.
In fact, these are two bed frames that are stacked one on top of the other. When someone comes, you can separate them and get two separate beds.
IKEA
6 Two-level bed
Another option is to install a two-level bed, where the child's workplace will be located on the ground floor. Then there will be more free space in the room, and it will be possible to place an ordinary folding bed or an air mattress there for his guests.
Instagram: @detskie_mechty_
Instagram: @detskie_mechty_
Prepared by
Maria Revina
tips for hospitable hosts — INMYROOM
After reading this post, you will learn how to create a harmonious interior in which your guests will feel comfortable
If you are a sociable person and a hospitable host, then in your house there will surely be a secluded place where your relatives and friends can spend the night or even a few days.
Of course, a lack of square meters can get in the way of your hospitality. After all, in small apartments it is a bit crowded even for the owners themselves. therefore let's consider the option in which the area of \u200b\u200bthe dwelling allows you to allocate guests an entire room, and not just a place on a folding bed. nine0005
So, how to arrange a room in which at different times they can to visit people with different tastes and preferences? Several universal decisions will help you pass for a hospitable host.
Furniture
The guest room is the practicality of a hotel rooms, framed in an atmosphere of home comfort. Therefore, the interior based on concepts such as comfort and functionality. If the bed will be uncomfortable, and things will have to be hung on a chair, guests are unlikely to appreciate the beauty of the walls or tasteful accessories. nine0005
First of all, it is necessary take care of the organization of the bed. At a minimum, you need to place in the room a double bed or a sofa bed to be able to accept several people.
The best option would be two single beds on wheels that can be pushed together or moved apart as needed. In this case, you can put guests both together and separately.
Another obligatory detail of the interior of the guest room is a place to store things. If the area allows, it is better to choose a closet. nine0005
And don't forget that it should be empty and not littered with little-used owner's things. There must be enough in the closet. hangers. Some shelves can be taken under clean towels, which can guests use fresh linens, extra pillows and blankets.
If the guest room is cramped, the wardrobe can be replaced chest of drawers, as well as hang a few coat hooks on the door or walls.
Color
In most cases, the guest room plays the role bedrooms, so the atmosphere in it should be comfortable and soothing. Refrain from bright and too dark shades. Neutral light floor tones and walls will help your guests relax. nine0005
It is important that the shades match definition of "unisex".
