Um, just because you live in a small home or apartment, doesn’t mean your besties can’t come to visit every now and then! All you have to do is invest in space-saving furniture (because, I hate to break it to ya, but your guests really don’t want to sleep on that flat air mattress you’ve had since college). Luckily, there’s one solution that’ll make them happy and allow you to make the most out of minimal square footage: the sleeper sofa!
Not only are small sleeper sofas and daybeds totally space-efficient, but they also offer peak functionality when, say, your parents decide to “drop by” for an unannounced visit. With a few quick adjustments, you can turn your stunning small sofa into a makeshift bed that’s comfortable and sturdy—one less thing for them to pester you about, yay! Or, hey, you can finally host some out-of-town friends for the weekend and not totally stress out about where everyone's gonna sleep.
Another upside of investing in a sleeper sofa? When you upgrade to a larger place—we’re manifesting, people!—it will still come in handy. You can place it, for instance, in your future home office so it can easily transform into a guest bedroom. Or you can keep it in the basement for all your future kiddos’ sleepovers. We love a piece of furniture that you’ll get major mileage out of for years (and decades!) to come. Ready to shop? Check out the 16 best small sleeper sofas to consider adding to your space right now.
Perhaps you’ve never considered purchasing a faux leather sofa, but this one will convince you otherwise. It’s sleek and has chrome metal legs. Switching it from a chic sofa to the ultimate cozy bed would be seamless, thanks to its polished contour and memory foam structure. When expanded, it is the same size as a twin bed.
THE REVIEWS: “I ordered two for a large den, they are nice and I plan to order two more for the large area,” one shopper noted. “This was a very good deal for me and will provide a lot of functional seating for the den gatherings.”
Instead of traditional arms, this long sofa—which features a mid-century modern design and a solid wood frame—has two stackable cushions on each side that can be removed or rearranged for the best part of the day (aka naptime).
THE REVIEWS: "Honestly...it's gorgeous," one reviewer wrote. "I resisted buying this couch, worried that there would be issues. Had a few arguments with my boyfriend about it. Finally, I decided it was worth the risk and honestly I'm so glad I did. I love this couch. Came with a few nicks on it that Kardiel paid to repair (nothing serious, barely noticeable stuff). Their customer service has been great from my perspective. I'll trust them moving forward."
Dimensions: 91" x 46" x 20"
Color options: 4
3
for a leather couch-lover
Safavieh Chelsea Contemporary Velvet Foldable Futon Bed
3
for a leather couch-lover
Safavieh Chelsea Contemporary Velvet Foldable Futon Bed
Cushions flatten out over time, according to some reviews
It’s nearly impossible to find a leather sleeper sofa for under $1,000, but of course, we pulled through for you. <3 This one with modern chrome legs looks just as pretty unfolded into a bed as it does in sofa form.
THE REVIEWS: "I purchased this Safavieh Chelsea foldable futon for extra sleeping space," writes one reviewer. "When my older grandchildren come over to spend the night with me, it's a quick way for them to get some rest on."
With a sleek silhouette and flecked oat wool fabric that looks like linen, this modern and luxurious play on the classic daybed will instantly elevate any room you put it in.
MY REVIEW: "If you prioritize style over comfort, add this incredibly chic daybed to your cart ASAP. It’s not the plushest piece in the world, but the modern design and chrome hardware will make *quite* the statement.”
If you’re as obsessed with the rattan trend as we are, you’ll love this coastal-style sofa bed that feels relaxed yet fashion-forward. The cherry on top? Ivory linen cushions!
THE REVIEWS: "It's better than expected! I went back and forth, deciding if I should pay this much for a couch, and I'm so happy that I did," writes one reviewer. "Delivery was seamless as well."
Some reviewers say the cushions don't provide enough support
The super-stylish boucle is undeniably one of the softest materials in existence, so is it any wonder that this sleeper sofa is incredibly plush and lush? The built-in platform bed has pocketed coil mattress innersprings, so it offers support that feels as good as a real bed.
THE REVIEWS: "This sleeper sofa is PERFECT and it's beautiful. It's easy to unfold into a bed as well," writes one reviewer. "I've had a lot of happy guests that have slept on it and said it's great for sleeping in addition to being a great couch!"
Trying to keep your living room ~aesthetic~ in check? Stay true to your color scheme with this sofa that’s customizable by material and color.
MY REVIEW: "At under five feet wide, this space-efficient sleeper sofa that turns into a full-size bed is ideal for small studio apartments or large bedrooms."
With a glowing 4.5/5-star average (and almost 500 total reviews!), this Albany Park option is a standout. The rust color will add style and character to any room, plus reviewers say it's unbelievably comfortable.
THE REVIEWS: "This couch is perfect and exactly what we were looking for. It is very comfortable for two people to lay on, and it looks way more expensive than it is," writes one reviewer. "The seat cushions were very firm at first but have broken in a bit in the last month and become more comfortable, but still completely hold their shape and look great. The fabric does attract dog hair a bit, but nothing a lint roller can't handle. The rust color is amazing and is a great complement to our other furnishings. Highly recommend!"
This couch is like a dress with pockets: oh-so stunning but also uber-practical. The velvet upholstery supported by its hardwood frame gives it a truly timeless look.
THE REVIEWS: "Absolutely in love with this dresser. Super spacious, stunning, soft open/close doors, stylish and perfect for my baby boy," writes one reviewer. "Something he can use and hold on to for a long time. Also came fully assembled except for the legs (and we didn’t have to pay extra for it!). Highly recommend!"
A successful nap is yours for the taking. This couch is sleek and modern, but still cozy enough to get some quality rest.
THE REVIEW: "Actually the setup was simple and quick. The quality was a pleasant surprise as well," one reviewer writes. "The internal storage was definitely a bonus, and I would add it to any room. Great item at a fair price!!!"
Love that vibrant, midcentury modern vibe? This sofa bed offers a slightly vintage feel, adding personality to any space while still easily folding down for your guests to use.
THE REVIEWS: "I am very happy with this purchase. It is well made and absolutely gorgeous piece. The style of legs makes it very sturdy and safe feeling," writes one reviewer. "It does not creak or have any looseness in couch or bed form. Took about an hour to assemble (mostly one person job). The couch is comfortable and easy in couch or futon form. I am thinking about purchasing some type of mattress topper because the back of the sofa has ridges and that can be bothersome once it's laid down. Will def recommend to others."
Gotta store the blankets somewhere—why not inside the sofa? Plus, this piece is as customizable as it gets, from which side the chaise is placed on to the color and fabric.
MY REVIEW: "If you want some serious bang for your buck, your best bet is a large sectional that doubles up as a sleeper sofa and has a storage chaise like this one from West Elm. It's worth the investment because the classic, clean-line silhouette will literally never go out of style."
One reviewer says the dimensions stated online are a little off
It’s the best of both worlds! This one is big enough to feel and look like a sofa, yet small enough to fit in almost any space, no matter how little square footage you’ve got.
THE REVIEWS: "Very solid piece of furniture for this price point. I love the color and velvety texture of the fabric. The seat cushion is quite firm, but the back of the sofa is comfortable to sit against," one reviewer writes. "The assembly instructions could definitely be improved, but I was able to put it together without the help of another person. The mattress is a bit thin, so I use a twin-size mattress topper whenever someone sleeps on it. The pillows that were included are also somewhat small for the size of the sofa, so I opted for some larger ones. All in all, it gets the job done and I would definitely buy it again."
One reviewer said the buttons on the cushions fell off after about a year
Come for the retro style and stay for the versatility. This sleeper is easy to spot clean, thanks to the performance fabrics, and you can order it in so many colors and materials!
THE REVIEWS: "This is the nicest sleeper sofa I've ever sat or slept on. I didn't expect it to be this comfortable as a sofa. The cushions are very comfortable," one reviewer writes. "The Essence Ash fabric appears durable. It's big enough to hold a family of four easily for movie night. This review is after a week of ownership."
This is the ideal sofa to fit in your room without taking up too much space or attention. This twin-size sleeper is perf for a party of one, and you can add a foam mattress topper for extra support.
MY REVIEW: "It's available in nine *stunning* colors, plus it features a low-key curved silhouette that'll match any interior design style."
Some reviewers say the pull-out bed is smaller than it looks online
With a playful, rounded shape and striking colors like sapphire blue and moss green to choose from, this sleeper sofa is best for those who want to make a design statement. Bonus: There’s a storage compartment underneath the seat!
THE REVIEWS: "This is a wonderful sofa bed and very very comfortable," one reviewer writes. "Looks great and is definitely worth the money. Love this addition to our home! A++++"
Daisy Maldonado is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan who loves writing about fashion trends, must-have beauty products, and digital culture. When she's not writing, you can almost certainly find her shopping (she knows her credit card numbers by heart) or obsessing over celebrity news. Although she’s acquired an extensive closet over the years, her favorite item she owns is a Harry Styles Love On Tour hoodie she purchased at his concert in Manchester. Daisy's work has appeared on Refinery29, The Daily Beast, E! News, Allure and more. Keep up with all of her chaotic travels, NYC life and fashionable moments on her Instagram.
Mekita Rivas is an editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers fashion, culture, and lifestyle. She writes about everything from the best leather totes and books she can't put down to plants, podcasts, and politics. Prior to joining Cosmopolitan, she was a senior contributing fashion editor at PopSugar and Bustle. Her writing has been published in dozens of publications including The New York Times, Vogue, Harper's BAZAAR, Women's Health, Refinery29, and others. She currently splits her time between New York City and Washington, D.C. Follow Mekita on Instagram, where you'll typically find a mix of her snapshots from fashion week and various editor travels.