Which temp/guest bed

jemima82

I’m buying my first home and it will likely be a while before I can arrange a sofa and bed. 

Should I get a blow up mattress, folding camping bed or something else in the meantime? When I get a sofa it will ideally be a sofa bed (but not guaranteed). I want to have an option for guests in future but don’t want to buy a blow up if it’s rubbish, or a folding bed which will need storage space in future and could be a waste if I do get a sofa bed. 

Any thoughts appreciated! 

Belenus

Consider a roll up futon. It should be comfortable enough for you for a while.

We have one stored beside a wardrobe that is very useful for occasional guests.

FreeBear

Ugh.. Have memories of sleeping on a sofa bed. The worst night I have ever spent....

Buy a decent new mattress, and then pick up a cheap bed frame from ebay - Had a cheap frame delivered over the weekend. Only £40 (a standard single). A bit on the lightweight side, but it should do for a couple of years. It won't take up much space if/when I flat pack it and shove it in a shed.

Slinky

If supplying a blow up mattress for your guests, make sure there's a blanket or similar to go under the bottom sheet, as it will feel very cold otherwise as I know from experience.

We have a similar sofa bed to this we bought from the Futon Company. It's very comfortable with a really good mattress https://www.futoncompany.co.uk/sofa-beds/size/double-3-seaters/sofa-bed-futon-company-3-seater-double-sofa-beds-quad.html

kdotdotdotdot

I've been sleeping on a mattress on the floor for 18 months and am finally getting my bed frame next week and can't wait!  My reasoning was that I'll be needing a mattress anyway, so I bought a decent-ish one (budget limitations), but the bed frame wasn't so important. 

Before I could afford a sofa, I used a beanbag and continue to use it every day even now.  

I have also bought a single inflatable mattress for guests.  It's one of those that inflates automatically (just plug it in) which is brilliant, however it's 50cm high.  If you're thinking of going down the inflatable mattress route, I wouldn't recommend a very thick one because it's too high off the floor and I'm terrified I'll roll off it in the night.  They're also a tad 'squidgy' in a waterbed type of way that not everyone appreciates.  Eventually I'll get a sofa-bed for my guests but in the meantime they're going to have to balance precariously on a high inflatable mattress.

jemima82

Thanks for the replies! So I do actually have a bed frame arranged but it’s at a friends house and arranging pick up during COVID is more difficult that it would normally be.

The points about blow up beds feeling cold is a good shout, and also about the height. I had thought that guests would prefer not to feel close to the floor but that would be preferable to feeling like you might fall off!

It’s a one bed flat so I definitely don’t want to buy something properly-furniturey that would take up a fair amount of space. 

A roll up futon may well be a good idea for my situation! 😀

rach_k

Is it a cost issue, or just not being able to get something in time?  If it's cost, have a look on local Facebook groups or gumtree for a free bed with mattress.  We've given away a lot of decent stuff on there; there are always beds.  I don't think you'd want to be on a blow up bed for more than a few days and the better options are around the same price as a cheap-ish bed, so if you can afford those you may as well just get a bed now.

If it's ordering time, get an air bed and order something permanent.  Ikea is delivering within a week here.  

I wouldn't recommend sleeping with a mattress straight on the floor - it can get damp and mouldy underneath.  If you decide to do that, pay a little extra and get a set of slats to at least allow a little air flow.

goldfinches

Or see if you can get a free pallet or two from somewhere to put it on. Another source of good cheap furniture are the local charity shops, around here there are two or three that take used furniture and I've seen lovely sofas and armchairs etc. for sale for less than £80 including local delivery. And I mean lovely, Wesley Barrell and that sort of thing. 

Emmia

Futon sofa bed all the way, I've slept on numeous inflatables (that deflate slowly during the night) and sofa beds where you can feel the springs/frame through the mattress...

Futon sofa beds are comfy to sit on, and snooze on - the futon company has a great selection, and we have one in our spare room / study for guests.

twopenny

The charity shops will be open again soon. They will only take clean, fireproof ones so about £40. More patient and you can get one with drawers under so added storage.

We also have a Furniture Exchange which is primarily for people on benefits but anyone can buy. You just pay a bit more.

If it's not cost I bought one of these chair beds. The price made me gulp but a neutral colour it looks classy and really comfortable and wide both as chair and bed and no need for an extra mattress.. They do 3ft 4ft wide and 5ft.

https://www.hafrenfurnishers.co.uk/misofa-mya-chair-bed/p9412

I saw on in a charity shop too at about £20.

I'd road tested futons and camp beds and the cheaper ones you'd be better off on the floor.

jemima82

goldfinches said:

Or see if you can get a free pallet or two from somewhere to put it on. Another source of good cheap furniture are the local charity shops, around here there are two or three that take used furniture and I've seen lovely sofas and armchairs etc. for sale for less than £80 including local delivery. And I mean lovely, Wesley Barrell and that sort of thing. 

Desperately waiting for Scotland’s charity shops to reopen, as it was always my plan to buy secondhand 😁