Sofa Cum Bed - Things to Consider Before Buying

You might need a sofa cum bed if you live in a small house or a studio apartment. Some of you might also be looking at it as an occasional sleeping option. Have a look at the pros and cons of having a sofa cum bed in your house:

Pros:

1. It's a multi-purpose piece of furniture and can help you save space
2. It helps those who don't have a guest room in accommodating guests
3. It's comes in different mechanisms to suit different needs and decor styles
4. It will help you save money as you will be spending on one piece of furniture as against buying two

Cons:

1. It can be bulky and difficult to move
2. It does not match the comfort of a bed- almost always it's a compromise
3. It may not be as durable as a regular sofa or bed

You need to be sure as to how often you will be using your sofa cum bed. What will its primary use be? Will you be using it as a bed only when the occasional guest drops in? Will you be using it more often as a sofa than as a bed? Who will be sleeping on it- young kids or grownups? For your children's sleepover, pretty much any sofa cum bed will do since children weigh less. But if you plan to use the sofa cum bed as a replacement for your guestroom, buy a piece that provides adequate support to guests of all age-groups. If, on the other hand, you would be using a sofa cum bed in your studio apartment and intend to sleep on it every night, we suggest you save enough to buy a high-quality piece that provides complete back support, is easy to fold in and out, and is strong enough to be used 24X7.

Things to consider before buying a sofa cum bed

Mattress: A mattress could be made of foam, feather, fibre or coir. Choose the right material and thickness of the mattress for optimum support.

Mechanism: Different sofa cum beds such as a pull-out, spring, drop-end or futon will use a different mechanism. It's a good idea to check the bed by opening and closing it a couple of times.

Measurement: Always measure the space you have in hand- where you will be putting your sofa cum bed. Next, measure the sofa cum bed when it's used as a sofa and also when it's used a bed. Some pieces can look deceptively small, only to open up into a bed so huge that that it won't fit in the space you have.

Research: You may realize that you are able to find better deals online; even then, it's a good idea to go to a store and check out a few types of sofa cum beds available. Sit on the sofa and lie on the bed, open it up and close it down, and if you can, roll on it. All this will help you decide which type of sofa you need. Note down the price and compare the price online before making a purchase decision

Weight: Sofa cum beds are generally heavier than a sofa. It's a good idea to consider how often you will be moving it and from where to where. If you will help when you move it, you can go for heavier models as they are generally more reliable. If not, you will need something that is light enough for you to find your way with

Seller: Have you read some reviews by other customers who have purchased from the seller? Have you inquired about them from your friends? Are you aware of their returns policy? Collect as much information as you can about the seller you want to buy from.