Best guest beds: daybeds, sofa beds, and blow up mattresses

a large grey day bed – one of the best guest beds – with cushions, a book and a kettle on top of it, in a grey living room, with white panelling on the walls, artwork propped up against the wall, a black floor lamp, and a window to the left

(Image credit: Sofa.com)

last updated 21 July 2022

The only way to be ready for unexpected house guests is by having an extra bed on standby, whether you live in a large house with a spare bedroom or a tiny apartment. We've done all the legwork to find the best guest beds for stylish – but comfortable – sleepovers for homes (and budgets) big and small. Some look like sofas, some like beds – and some are fiendishly disguised.

Already decided on the option for you? Browse our best sofa beds round-up for the ultimate in multifunctional furniture, and see more bedroom-related advice, buys and design tips on our hub page.

The best guest beds

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1. Invest a grey day bed

Grey day bed from sofa.com in a grey living room

If your home conveniently turns into a hotel most weekends, investing in a sofa bed or an elegant day bed seems like a smart choice. The Douglas sofa bed from Sofa.com, would look great pushed underneath a window to create a kind of window seat effect, or, if you have got the room, in the hallway. Imagine, literally opening your front door, and taking a quick nap on the day bed!

Find more gorgeous grey sofas in our buyer's guide.

2. Buy what is possibly the best guest sofa bed ever

a large brown sofa bed with beige brown and white bedding and pillows, placed on a wooden floor with a brown rug, a black and white print on the wall, white walls, and a wooden bedside table with a beige lamp

We think this might possibly be one of the best guest beds EVER. Perfect for small or large bedrooms, spare bedrooms, a small living room, or the corner of a larger space, its looks mean it will fit into both contemporary and traditional spaces (although we'd probably style up with throw cushions more in keeping with our scheme; the ones in the picture aren't included) and it comes as a one-, two- and three-seater.

The Kelso’s clever pull-out mechanism is easy: simply lift the base of the sofa bed and pull it out towards you to create your sleeping area. With a sprung slatted base and foam mattress, your guests are guaranteed a comfortable night’s sleep. Better still, you can also add a concealed storage drawer to your Kelso sofa bed. It comes in two sofa fabric options: Sherlock (faux suede) and Nirvana (plain fabric, shown).

Kelso sofa bed by Dreams – a large brown sofa bed armchair with two brown pillows – in a living space with windows, a tiled floor, a patterned rug, and a plant and print to the right

3. Choose a multitasking corner sofa bed with storage

Ikea Friheten sofa bed – a large dark brown/grey sofa bed in a dark room with grey walls, a grey carpet, a brown side table and one black feature wall

A corner sofa that not only converts into a bed but also features a discreet storage compartment? That’s three major boxes ticked by Ikea’s Friheten sofa. Simply remove the back cushions, pull out the underframe, and hey presto, you’ve got an extra bed. Store your extra sheets and pillows under the chaise lounge. The Friheten is £450 from Ikea.

4. Make comfort the priority

Habitat’s Kota three-seater sofa bed – a large orange/red three-seater sofa with a high back, on a white floor in front of black crittall doors, with a wooden and black side table next to it with a black mug and plant on it

Habitat’s Kota three-seater sofa bed is very much designed for utmost comfort, with a supportive foam and fibre filling and mechanism that allows it to flip all the way down, converting into a double-size bed. As well as dark and mid grey, it’s available in a rather jazzy orange hue. It's £395, from Habitat.

5. Pick a chair-bed for small spaces

a small grey armchair bed, in a chic living space with white panelled walls, a built in wooden storage unit with books and plants, on top of a dark wooden floor with a white rug, and a traditional white floor lamp

If space is limited – or you already have a cherished sofa that you’re loath to replace – how about a chair-bed (aka a daybed)? Furniture Village’s Newman bed comes equipped with a matching footstool – simply click the chair flat, throw on a single duvet or blanket and you’re good to go. It makes a stylish chaise lounge for daytime lazing, too. It costs £439, from Furniture Village.

Find more of the best daybeds in our dedicated buyer's guide.

6. Save even more space with a folding bed

a basic folding bed with wooden headboard, a black frame, and a black and white mattress, in a room with a light wooden floor, a white rug, pink walls, a white chest of drawers, and a window with black frames

A folding bed is a clever contraption indeed. Often these can slot under an existing bed, or in a cupboard – and they couldn’t be easier to prepare when unexpected guests come a-callin’. Wayfair’s Jubilee bed comes with its own mattress, and is a bit of a snip at £104.99.

Check out all of Wayfair's sofa beds.

7. Invest in a quality bed for a guest bedroom

stunning pink and green bed with pink ottoman, wooden bedside table with accessories on top, a light wooden floor and a thin grey rug, against a dark black wall

Make like Monica from Friends and go all out on your guest room, with a bed possibly even better than your own. When you don’t actually have guests it’ll serve as a peaceful sanctuary too. Sofa.com’s gorgeous Cleo double bed (upholstered in Lychee Smart Velvet) is £1,310.

8. Choose a contemporary style guest bed

a contemporary blue single bed with blue and white/grey cushions, a grey blanket, a grey and white patterned, and a white marble side table with rose gold lamp on it

While practicality is key, you shouldn’t have to compromise on style when investing in a sofa bed. Dunelm’s Navy Rowan single bed is about as sleek as it gets, upholstered in a smart herringbone fabric. With a sprung slatted frame, the Rowan is available in double-form, too. £499, Dunelm.

Dunelm have some amazing guest beds and sofa beds that are stylish and budget friendly so make sure you go and check out all of their offerings.

9. Make a statement with a colourful guest bed

Made.com green Haru sofa bed in a white minimalist room, with framed artwork resting against the wall, a white and wood floor lamp, and a black side table

Make your sofa bed work for you – Made.com’s hip Haru bed is available in a range of sumptuous materials and cheery colours, from Butter Yellow to Flame Orange, making it irresistible whatever its incarnation. It costs £299, from Made.com.

Check out more nifty sofa beds from Made.com.

10. Don't compromise on size with a clever transformer bed

grey John Lewis Sonoma sofa bed to the right against a wooden slat wall, patterned floral wallpaper to the left next to a wide window with blue blind, and slate tile floors, with a wooden coffee table and large white rug

At first glance just a humble daybed, one swift manoeuvre is all it takes to convert John Lewis’s Sonoma Sofa Bed into a luxurious kingsize bed. With magnetic bolster cushions that can be used as pillows – or arms at either end – the Sonoma is ideal for spare rooms, studies and living areas. It's £699, from John Lewis.

Shop more guests beds and sofa beds from John Lewis.

11. Choose an air bed as a simple and affordable option

Dreams Comfort Air Bed Kingsize – a huge grey and white airbed in the middle of a room with a wooden floor, with grey walls and a large window with white linen curtains

If you’re after something temporary, cost-effective, and that you can keep in the cupboard, an airbed is your ally. With an in-built electric pump, Dreams’ heavy-duty Comfort Air Bed inflates with the simple flick of a button, deflating with the turn of a dial. At only £54.99, it doesn’t matter if this bad boy only comes out once or twice a year too.