Foam for Sofa Beds and Chair Beds
Chair beds and sofa beds are a great choice for hosting overnight guests. They're incredibly popular in the UK, most notably because most British homes don't have a spare bedroom for visitors. As they become a permanent feature once bought, it's worth spending time finding the option that best suits your needs, budget and space.
Chair beds vs sofa beds: the difference
There's an ongoing debate about which is best, and many outlets use the terms interchangeably, yet there are a few fundamental differences. The most obvious is size: chair beds typically sleep one person and fold to the size of a single armchair, while sofa beds usually suit two, span the width of a standard sofa, and fold within the sofa's main body.
Which is right for your space?
The size of your space is likely the key consideration. Despite many UK homes having small box rooms, people are often tempted to fit a full-size or small sofa bed to maximise sleeping space – but how often do guests stay? If the answer is "not often", a single chair bed is worth considering. These have skyrocketed recently, fuelled by interior designers sharing small-space bedroom ideas on Pinterest and similar sites. They most commonly fold in a "Z" shape and, being compact, are often made from strong, high-quality materials for a premium finish that complements any small space.
Foam for comfort
If you host often, guest comfort is probably the biggest factor. Thanks to their larger size, sofa beds accommodate a range of mattress types – a memory foam mattress, a combination mattress (memory foam and standard polyurethane), or a stacked foam mattress of different layers – chosen entirely on your comfort, support and sleep needs. Chair beds, by contrast, are typically made with a very high-density polyurethane foam to help them retain their shape when folded and used as a chair. For a fold-away guest option, our guides to daybed foam and the DIY foam futon bed are useful companions.
Refilling sofa and chair bed cushions
Whatever you choose, the foam filling will likely need rejuvenating at some stage. For modular sofa beds that simply lie back to form a flat surface, the cushion components may need replacing sooner than expected. For this, eFoam offers an easy sofa cushion refill service with a choice of foam fillings cut to size – and we can refill your cushions for you, whatever the type, so just send them to us.
To discuss your sofa or chair bed requirements, contact one of our friendly advisers. Whatever your choice of sleep solution, eFoam is on hand to keep it in top condition.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a chair bed and a sofa bed?
A chair bed typically sleeps one person and folds down to the size of a single armchair, while a sofa bed usually suits two people, spans the width of a standard sofa, and folds within the main body of the sofa.
What foam is best for a sofa bed?
Larger sofa beds can take a range of mattress types, such as a memory foam mattress, a combination of memory foam and polyurethane, or a stacked mattress of different foam layers chosen for your comfort and support needs.
What foam is used in a chair bed?
Chair beds are typically made with a very high-density polyurethane foam, which helps the product retain its shape when folded up and used as a standard chair.
