How to style a sofa bed (so that it actually looks good)

Christian Bense says ‘we actually leave our mattress topper on the sofa bed mattress, it folds back with it on. We discovered leaving it there was handy. Also, don’t be stingy with the pillows. Every bed needs at least four, so don’t leave guests with a measly two to make do with. Four pillows always. Scatter cushions in addition.’

He continues, ‘admittedly part of the admin of a sofa bed is not being able to leave the thing dressed,’ Christian explains, ‘so therefore you need the bedding to be accessible enough to use. We have a divide and conquer mentality in our flat. The pillows are kept in the TV cabinet, therefore easily accessed, and the rest of the sheets and bedding are kept in a drawer in the hallway along with guest towels. That way we can just direct guests there if they need to grab anything.’

Jodie recommends time-saving measures such as ‘keeping the bedding made up with the pillowcases and duvet cover on, as fumbling around late at night with a surprise overnight guest is no fun. If space allows, position a storage ottoman in front of the sofa to keep bedding and pillows in.’

In a vicarage by Tamsin Saunders, a sofa bed upholstered in a lagoon blue linen sings out against dark plum walls. A 1950s abstract hangs above the original 19th century chimneypiece painted an earthy, mustard and a long desk, painted a warm red, was designed to tuck under the window. Nothing matches, but everything coheres.

Chris Horwood

It’s the little things

There are plenty of lovely touches that will make your guests’ experience nicer too. Jodie recommends buying a ‘couple of rechargeable lamps so your guests have a little light source near them when they hop into bed, as well as a water carafe and hot water bottle on hand.’ Christian’s advice is in the same vein. He notes that ‘one of the lamps in the living room was chosen so it could be used as a reading lamp for guests when in bed. We have actually linked all our living room lamps to a voice-enabled Alexa, so you don’t have to get up to turn the on or off. Great for guests: “Alexa, turn on my reading lamp!”’

For Todhunter Earle, the trick is to ‘open up the sofa bed before guests arrive – if you can – and make it up to look exactly as you would a guest bed. Use your best bedlinen, feather pillows and duvet, cushions, and a throw or a bedspread.  This will make it look and feel more like a comfortable bedroom than an emergency sofa bed situation.’

In designer Sophie Ashby’s Spitalfields house, a pair of artworks by Anna Van Der Ploeg hangs above a Milano Bedding sofa bed in Gaia’s nursery. The sofa bed and stool are covered in Kelly Wearstler for Lee Jofa fabrics, and the cushions are made from an assortment of vintage textiles and scrap fabrics.

Simon Upton

Comfort is key

Last but definitely not least, comfort is key for a great night’s sleep. As the team at Todhunter Earle advise, ‘a mattress topper is the obvious and easiest way to make your sofa bed more comfortable as they are so simple to put on and now come in so many different thicknesses to suit anyone.’ Jodie agrees, noting ‘for one night most sofa bed mattresses are fine, but for longer stays it’s good to invest in a good quality mattress topper to make the set-up a little more comfortable.’

Perhaps the sofa bed dilemma is best summarised by Christian’s sage advice. ‘Don’t try live in limbo. If the sofa bed is used as a bed only a couple of times per month, don’t bother about making the admin of it easy. I think a sofa bed piled full of lovely scatter cushions and pillows adds to the charm of an adult crashing in the lounge for a couple of nights.’