There is nothing more uncomfortable than getting out of your own comfortable bed and walking down the hallway to see your guests cramped onto an uncomfortable couch or nestled together for warmth in the floor. Every home should have guest beds of some variety. Happy guests makes for happy mornings!
You may be thinking you don’t have the space in your home for guest beds or that you really cannot afford to purchase a new bed at this time, but there may be some options on the market that you haven’t yet considered.
Sofa Bed
One of the most compact types of guest beds out there is the sofa bed. Since the actual bed tucks underneath the cushions of the couch which you use everyday anyway, you have the luxury of having it completely out of the way until it is needed.
The only catch to a sofa bed is that most of the mattresses are quite thin since they have to be tucked into that compact space. It is still preferable than the couch itself if you only have guests occasionally, but if you have sleepovers more frequently you should consider purchasing a thick mattress topper that can be placed on top of the mattress when it is in use.
Air Mattress
Air mattresses are nothing like they used to be. You can now purchase air beds that actually feel very similar to a real bed. Many of them are raised now as well, so adults do not have to crouch all the way down to the floor to get on them. This also eliminates the feeling of sleeping on the floor.
Some of the fancier air mattresses come with a remote control which controls the firmness of the mattress while you lie on it. Some will even adjust the air differently on each side of the bed. These of course are more expensive than a basic camping air mattress, but they can be taken down in minutes when not in use and give your guests the feel of sleeping on a real bed when made up with sheets and pillows.
Most people prefer a good air mattress to roll away guest beds, and they are more compact for storage and easier to take down.
Futon and Singles
If you have a small space in a room of your home where a single bed or a futon could fit, these make excellent guest beds and can be used as a very comfortable couch for your family when not in use.
Futons come in a wide variety of frames and styles, but the wooden frames are better for use as guest beds. They tend to be sturdier and can usually handle more weight. You can also purchase mattresses very similar to a mattress on a regular bed, including innerspring, memory foam, and latex futon mattresses.
Single guest beds can also be incorporated into your home for everyday use, even if they are not placed in a bedroom. Try putting them into a corner of any room of the house and covering with a nice blanket that hangs to the floor. Line the walls around the bed with pillows that go with the décor of you room and it can be used everyday as a couch, and on occasion as a guest bed.
