Home / Black Friday 2026 Furniture in the UK: The Department Guide
Black Friday 2026 Sofa Beds UK: What to Check Before You Buy
Shopping for sofa beds this Black Friday in the UK? Check mechanisms, mattress depth and room size first, with live UK listings to compare.
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Before buying a sofa bed, decide how often someone will sleep on it, then choose a mechanism to match. Measure the room with the bed open as well as closed, since an open double can take about 240 by 230 cm of floor. Check the mattress depth and type, and look for the fire label.
Comparing sofa bed mechanisms
The mechanism decides how a sofa bed feels and how much room it takes. Which? divides the options into three, and the right one depends on how often the bed will be used.
| Mechanism | How it opens | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Click-clack | Fold the back rest down and sleep along the sofa’s length | Generally smaller and less costly; slightly thinner, can be creaky, less suited to two |
| Fold-out | Fold the back rest, then fold the seat out, usually onto legs | A middle ground, typically larger and more comfortable than a click-clack |
| Pull-out | Pull a separate stored mattress out of the frame | Most like a real bed and feels stable; can cost more, and a thin mattress is uncomfortable |
For a single occasional guest, Which? suggests a chair bed could be enough. Couples should look at a two-seater at the very least.
Sofa bed mattress depth and type
Mattress depth is the figure to find on any listing. Which? says sofa bed mattresses are typically 10 to 13 cm deep, and that thicker ones are generally more comfortable. Retailer Furl describes 18 cm as its minimum for everyday sleep, so treat that as a higher bar to aim for if the bed will see nightly use.
Mattress type matters as well. Which? says mattresses with springs most closely mimic a bed, and that some luxury brands use pocket sprung ones, while some people find memory foam too hot. Sofa bed mattresses are thinner and less supportive than bed mattresses, and Which? warns that nightly use could worsen back or neck problems. For the occasional guest, an air bed may be more practical.
Sofa beds to compare
Check the opened length against the room, not only the sofa size. The links below split listings by mechanism and style.
Live listings, shown by eBay
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Measuring the room with the bed open
Room size is where sofa beds differ most from ordinary sofas. Which? says to check both closed and open dimensions, since the mechanisms create extra bulk. An open double takes about 240 x 230 cm, and an open single about 180 x 80 cm.
Furl lists its own sleeping sizes, width first, as a guide to what the names can mean:
- Single: 80 x 200 cm
- Small double: 115 x 200 cm
- Double: 140 x 200 cm
- King: 160 x 200 cm
- Super king: 180 x 200 cm
Other makers use different figures, so check the listing before you buy bedding. Furl also suggests 50 to 60 cm of clearance at the foot and at least one side. Poltrona Sofa advises measuring standard and extended length and width, plus the armrests.
Getting a sofa bed into the house
The delivery route needs the same care as the room. Measure doorways, hallways and stairs against the closed dimensions, and allow for packaging. Sofa beds are heavy because of the mechanism, so ask whether the seller delivers to the room or to the kerb only.
Fire labels and used sofa beds
Sofa beds count as upholstered furniture for fire safety. Business Companion says new ones must carry a permanent label headed Carelessness Causes Fire, usually behind a loose cover at the back or under a seat cushion. Used furniture sold by a business must meet the same standards. For any second-hand sofa bed, ask for a photo of the label, a photo of the open mattress and confirmation that the mechanism still runs smoothly.
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Frequently asked questions
Which sofa bed mechanism is most like a real bed?
Which? says a pull-out is the most similar to an actual bed, because a separate mattress stored inside the sofa gives a comfortable, stable sleeping space. A click-clack is generally smaller and less suited to two people.
Can you sleep on a sofa bed every night?
Which? says sofa bed mattresses are thinner and less supportive than bed mattresses, and that nightly use could worsen back or neck problems. If it will see nightly use, look for a deeper mattress and consider a proper bed instead.
How much room does a sofa bed need when open?
Which? gives about 240 x 230 cm of floor for an open double and about 180 x 80 cm for a single. Check the maker's closed and open dimensions, and allow room to walk around the bed.
Sources
Found in the Black Friday 2026 Furniture in the UK: The Department Guide department.