A child sits and plays on the Koala Stunner sofa bed in a bright lounge room with large rug and bookshelf

Searching for a kids’ sofa bed? Koala has you covered.

We know. There was no such thing as a comfortable kids’ sofa bed when we were young. It was either the rusty old death trap pull-out at Gran’s or a sleeping bag on the floor. 

But today’s kids are privileged. They get a lot of things we never did. Personalised water bottles, fridges in the classroom, kids’ yoga classes, the list goes on. 

To ensure their comfiness (and your sanity), we’ve created a simple guide to kid (and adult) friendly sofa beds. We cover what to look for when buying one, the type your family needs, and give ourselves a plug with a chat about the Koala range of sofa beds. Let’s get comfy.

Why Parents Need a Sofa Bed (and a Stiff Drink)

As parents, we need just about all the help we can get. And sometimes, it comes in an unexpected form — like a simple sofa bed for the kids. Weighing up whether this is a worthy addition to your home? Ponder these nuggets as you do.

Space

No fancy guest room? Is the kids' bedroom too small to cram anything else into it? A sofa bed offers a smart, small-footprint option, perfect for sleeping with minimal space. Plus, options like a children's play sofa add double-duty functionality — seating by day, cosy snoozing zone by night.  

Frequency of Use

Have regular house guests? Want a special hideaway bed for when you're sick and just want to die alone (relatable)? The best sofa bed designs offer the 'ahhh' factor, with the comfort of a kids' sofa and the support of a proper bed, all in one tidy package.

Kids’ Ages

Parents with babies and toddlers might sometimes need to camp out in their rooms. Families with older kids will love the convenience of having an extra bed for when their homes turn into sleepover central. Our sofa beds suit a range of kids, from little ones to teens, and come in playful designs that won’t cramp their style.   

Budget

As a 2-4-1 furniture item, splurging on a sofa bed sometimes costs more. You’re getting a combo of a kid’s lounge chair and bed in one, and they’re big enough for the adults to sleep on too. Still, it’s essential to set a budget and stick to it.

Our sofa beds come in a range of sizes and all go from sit to sleep in seconds, perfect for kids of every age

Kids’ Sofa Beds: The Must-haves You Must Have

It’s official: the family’s getting a sofa bed. Wooo! But before you go shopping around for one of these fancy kids sofa chairs or flip out sofas, there are certain must-haves you’ll wanna tick off your list to make sure you find the perfect match for your home (and your tiny humans). 

🧒 Safety. A good sofa bed meets safety standards, is stable and well built, and should be easy to pull out. Especially for children's play sofas, you want soft edges, solid stability, and nothing that’s a pinch hazard during playtime. 

🧒 Size. Choose the sofa bed to fit your kids’ size, but keep the grown-ups in mind too. With guests (and possibly you!) sleeping on it, a little extra room never hurts. Some flip out sofas offer ample space while staying low-profile. 

🧒 Material. We want soft, snuggly textures. We want tough-as-nails durability. And we want "wipe-off-the-juice-box" easy cleaning. An ideal sofa bed is upholstered with fabrics that feel good and survive the chaos.  

🧒 Comfort. Long gone are the days of bony, creaky sofa beds. These days, even children's play sofas are designed with comfort in mind — a proper balance of firmness and plushness for growing backs (and sleepy parents). 

🧒 Design. As cool as it may be for a five-year-old, a racing car sofa bed is not the vibe when you’re 15. Opt for a neutral design that ages with your kids (with fewer hormones). 

🧒 Functionality. Sofa beds are more than crash pads. Look for multifunctional designs that are light to move, easy to pull out, fold back up, and don’t chew up too much room in the kids bedroom. Bonus if they double as kids sofa chairs during the day.

🧒 Price. Now is not the time to cheap out. While a bargain is always great, a mid-range sofa bed that goes the distance, is safe to use and feels comfy laying on is worth chucking a few gumnuts at.

Kids' Sofa Beds From Our Koala Range

Sure, we can’t create a time machine to take you back to when you were child-free and full of zest. But we can offer a bloody good sofa bed that makes parenting a little easier.

The Koala x Bluey Playtime Sofa Bed

Our Koala x Bluey Playtime Sofa Bed is a kids sofa bed covered in bespoke Bluey-inspired artwork. Quick-slip, water-resistant and washable covers (and a washable mattress topper) mean kids can play, spill and snack with no dramas. It comes as a Single Sofa Bed or a 3-Seater (Queen), so it suits a playroom or a sleepover-ready lounge.

The Koala Sofa Bed

The OG Sofa Bed, our budget sofa bed, is our go-to staple, more Aussie than a Bunnings sausage sizzle on a Saturday morning. It pulls out in one smooth movement and is simple enough for teenagers to set up solo (no adult supervision required). It’s great for smaller bedroom setups and even works in playrooms where every square centimetre of space counts.

The Koala Sofa Bed [4th Gen]

The Koala Sofa Bed [4th Gen], our comfortable sofa bed, is so comfy the whole family will want in. Its removable, machine-washable, water-resistant covers handle juice spills, and a Kloudcell® topper makes it a proper bed for sleepovers. From lounging during cartoons to afternoon snoozes, it’s a hit for kids and grown-ups alike. Think of it like one of those plush kids chairs, but with grown-up cred.

The Stunner Sofa Bed

Need to stash the Lego mines and still have a luxe spot to sleep on? Enter the Stunner, our raised sofa bed. This gem has an elevated sleeping position, integrated storage (yes, you can hide all their stuff), and a three-step set-up that’s so easy, even the most exhausted parents can handle it. It's one of those couches you’ll want in every child’s room – stylish, practical, and comfy to boot.

Sofa Bed Simplicity

Wondering whether sofa beds are worth it? The best part about ours is their compact footprints. These beauties will squeeze into the smallest children’s bedrooms, playrooms, or even those awkward corners where flip-out sofas usually don’t stand a chance.

And if your little one is a tad too little for a big-kid upgrade, check out our kids bedroom furniture range, with everything from toddler beds to nursery essentials, all made with high-quality materials and comfort, safety and durability in mind.

Whether it's naptime, storytime, or a full night’s sleep, Koala makes furniture that’s made for modern families – and all the chaos that comes with 'em.

A Sofa Bed for Today’s Families

Doing double duty in style, our pull out sofa bed range is fit for any room and family. Check out our range of quality, sustainable and durable furniture for your home, and snag yourself a bit of comfort. You’ve earned it.

Back to blog