Best sofa bed: how to find the model that suits you

Why choose a sofa bed?

A sofa bed meets a simple need: enjoying a real sofa every day while having an extra sleeping solution when needed. It's the natural choice for studios, small apartments, or simply for hosting guests without a dedicated bedroom. But the best sofa beds go further: they make no compromise between seating and sleeping comfort.

For a long time, sofa beds had a reputation for being uncomfortable or visually unappealing. That's no longer the case. Today's models offer refined designs, smooth mechanisms, and sleeping surfaces that rival a real bed. This evolution has made the sofa bed a must-have piece in contemporary living rooms, whether in a student studio or a family apartment. To get a full overview of all our models, our selection of the best sofas also includes fixed, corner, and modular formats.

5 criteria for finding the best sofa bed

1. Seating comfort. A sofa bed is first and foremost a sofa. The seat should be welcoming, with dense foam that won't sag after a few months. Look for a density of at least 30 kg/m³ for long-lasting support. Removable covers make maintenance easier and extend the lifespan of the sofa.

2. Sleeping quality. This is what separates a good sofa bed from a bad one. For regular use, choose a mattress at least 12 to 15 cm thick in high-resilience foam. For daily use, go up to 17–18 cm. The sleeping surface should be large enough to sleep comfortably: at least 130 to 140 cm wide for two people.

3. Opening mechanism. A good mechanism unfolds and folds back in seconds, effortlessly and without noise. The simplest systems (fold-out foam, clic-clac) are also the most reliable over time. Avoid overly complex mechanisms that may start to creak after a few months of use.

4. Closed and open dimensions. Measure the available space in your living room, but also the clearance needed once the sofa is unfolded. This is the most common mistake: buying a sofa bed that, once opened, blocks a door or leaves no space to move around.

5. Design. The best sofa bed should look great when closed. If it only looks like a designer sofa when opened, it's a disguised bed, not a true living room piece. The lines, proportions, and finishes should be as refined as those of a fixed sofa. Discover our full collection of sofa beds to compare formats and styles.

Focus on VOLTA: the designer sofa bed by NV GALLERY

In our collection, the VOLTA sofa bed illustrates what a convertible can be when design is not secondary. Inspired by seventies aesthetics, VOLTA features rounded lines, a deep seat, and warm materials (tweed, velvet, bouclé), making it a true decorative piece, not just a functional item.

On the practical side, VOLTA offers a 190 x 133 cm sleeping surface, sufficient for two people. Its fold-out foam mechanism is remarkably simple: it unfolds and folds back in just a few movements, without removing the cushions. Its eucalyptus wood structure ensures strength and durability, while high-density foam guarantees comfort both when sitting and lying down. Available in several colors and finishes, VOLTA adapts to all interiors, from contemporary living rooms to cozy studios. For green lovers, our green sofas explore shades from cactus to khaki.

Placed in a living room or a large bedroom, VOLTA ticks all the essential boxes: it looks great during the day, is comfortable at night, and is easy to live with every day. It's a sofa you choose for its design and keep for its comfort.

3 types of sofa bed mechanisms to know

Not all sofa beds work the same way. The mechanism influences comfort, ease of use, and durability. Here are the three main families.

Mechanism	Principle	Best for	Point to note
Clic-clac	The backrest folds down to form the bed	Studios, occasional sleeping	You sleep on the seat, limited comfort
Fold-out foam	The mattress unfolds from the seat	Regular use, design living rooms	Simple and reliable, like VOLTA
Rapido	Independent mattress on a metal frame	Daily sleeping	Heavier, requires clearance

The fold-out foam mechanism, used on VOLTA, offers the best balance between simplicity and sleeping quality. It does not require removing the cushions and is easy to handle. The rapido mechanism is better suited for those who sleep on their sofa bed every night, thanks to its thicker independent mattress. The clic-clac remains the most economical solution for occasional use. For a complete overview of sofa formats, explore our full collection.

Which color and upholstery for your sofa bed?

The color and upholstery of a sofa bed matter just as much as for a fixed sofa. It's a piece of furniture that remains visible at all times in the living room, so it needs to blend harmoniously into your décor.

Neutral tones: the safe choice

Beige, sand, and light grey are the most popular colors for sofa beds. They adapt to all styles and evolve easily with your décor: simply change the cushions or the rug to refresh the atmosphere. The VOLTA in sand tweed perfectly illustrates this approach: a warm shade and a textured fabric that adds character without imposing a direction. Our beige sofas and white sofas offer a wide range of shades in this family.

Statement colors: bold without getting tired of them

Cactus green, aqua blue, rust: these shades bring personality to the living room without going overboard. In velvet or bouclé, they gain depth and age well. VOLTA is available in these bold colors for those who want a living room with a strong identity. Our brown sofas and yellow sofas complete the palette for lovers of warm tones. For larger seating, discover our 3-seater sofas and 4-seater sofas. And for classic straight formats, our straight sofas remain a reference.