A sofa by day, a bed by night. Yes, the sofa bed is that universal piece of furniture that can serve both your needs to consolidate space and provide that perfect sleeping arrangement for future guests.

Not all sofa beds are treated equally, so it’s important to have a guide to help in your search for the perfect one for your needs. Here’s what you should look for when buying a sofa bed.

How is the structure of the sofa?

While you will be using the sofa bed for both sitting and sleeping, you will use it more often for sitting purposes. This is why it is so important to make sure that the bones of the sofa are strong, made of good quality materials.

Don’t be afraid to ask the store what type of wood it is made with, and avoid buying frames made of softer woods like pine. Hard woods are the best, like maple and oak.

Sofa Bed

How is the upholstery?

Almost as important as the bones of the sofa is the upholstery. Determine what you want the upholstery to be made of, whether it’s leather, synthetic or natural fibers. Check out the stitching as well as the quality and firmness of the cushions.

Consider your own preference for the fabric and what your couch should feel like. You’ll also want to consider whether or not the fabric wrinkles or pills, or how easy it is to clean.

How well does it open and close?

A good quality sofa bed will lift up and out smoothly without sticking, squeaking or rattling. Inspect the mechanisms carefully to make sure it is well put together so it won’t break or the bolts won’t come loose easily.

You also want it to be sturdy once it’s pulled out for your guest. It would be embarrassing for your guest to feel like they broke the bed when the frame wasn’t very sturdy to begin with!

Is the mattress good quality?

It’s a given when you have a mattress that folds, that you will have to sacrifice some quality. Even so, you can get a good quality mattress with a sofa bed. Some manufacturers, particularly when purchasing a modern sofa bed, will have options like ones with inner springs or gel memory foam, allowing you to choose your preferred style of mattress.

Does it fit your space?

It is always a good idea to make sure that you measure the area you plan to have your sofa bed in, and matching those measurements with the sofa bed before purchasing. Don’t forget to measure it when it is opened all the way.

Is it comfortable?

Now, this is a relative question. One person’s comfort could be another’s torture. However, if you are the one buying it, you are probably the best judge of that comfort. Sit on the cushions for a few minutes. Unfold the bed and lay on the mattress to see how it feels. Open and close it a few times to get a good feel for what it will feel like.

Doing these things and all the above-noted items will make sure that many of your sitting and sleeping needs are done so with the right amount of security and comfort to last you for years and years to come.