Best Sofa Beds for Adults
Looking for the perfect sofa bed for adults? Whether you're setting up a guest room, maximising a small living space, or creating a multi-functional area, finding the right sofa bed can make all the difference between a good night's sleep and a night of tossing and turning.
The best sofa beds should nail all the essentials – comfy for Netflix binges, dead simple to fold out, and most importantly, give proper support for a full-sized adult to snooze soundly. After all, nobody wants to wake up with a sore back after a night on your sofa bed, whether that's you or your beloved houseguests.
With more options than meat at a Sunday barbie, choosing a ripper sofa bed can feel like a mission. That's why we've sorted this list and guide to help you navigate the world of adult-friendly sofa beds, focusing on the stuff that actually matters – comfort levels, clever designs, and the features that'll guarantee you and your guests proper, restful sleep.
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Key Takeaways
Comfort is non-negotiable for adult sofa beds—look for thick mattresses, supportive structures, and pressure-relieving features like Kloudcell® cushioning.
Different sleep styles matter—side, back, stomach, and combo sleepers each have unique comfort needs, so choose a design that accommodates all.
Ease of conversion is essential—opt for sofa beds that transition quickly and smoothly from sit to sleep mode without complicated mechanisms.
Size and space planning is crucial—always measure both the sofa and bed dimensions, including room clearance and doorways, before purchasing.
Style and durability go hand in hand—select high-quality fabrics and timeless designs that match your home décor and withstand everyday use.
Top picks like the Byron, OG, and Stunner combine comfort, smart storage, and thoughtful engineering, making them ideal for regular adult use.
Koala Sofa Bed (formerly Cushy Sofa Bed)
There's a reason our Koala Sofa Bed has won the Product Review Award three times—it's a champion at delivering comfort in a compact package. This is the sofa bed for extra sleeping spaces where every centimetre counts.
Why adults love it:
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Sits to sleep in seconds with a smooth, one-motion fold-out mechanism
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Integrated Kloudcell® topper provides cloud-like support that's a far cry from the thin mattresses of old-school sofa beds
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Standard mattress sizing ensures your guests get a proper night's rest (and you earn those host brownie points)
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Multi-purpose pillowy cushions designed for both sitting comfort and sleeping support
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Compact footprint that works beautifully in smaller room or apartment
The Koala Sofa Bed is the perfect and practical solution for versatile spaces and frequent guest use. Its optimised firmness and perfectly angled backrest make it genuinely comfortable for sitting, while its easy-clean, stain-resistant fabric handles the rigours of everyday life.
Wanda Sofa Bed
Wanda is the ultimate multi-tasker—a stylish chaise sofa, comfortable daybed, and full queen-sized bed all wrapped into one stunning package. For those who refuse to compromise on style or function, Wanda delivers both with flair.
What makes Wanda special:
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3-in-1 functionality gives you a chaise sofa for everyday, a daybed for lounging, and a queen bed for sleepovers
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Clever reversible chaise that can switch sides effortlessly to restyle your room
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Two-step transformation from sofa to bed, engineered with the perfect sleep angle
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Comfort kit included with a plush Kloudcell® topper for cloud-like support when in bed mode
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Contemporary colours inspired by the Australian landscape, upholstered in luxe demi-bouclé fabrics made with at least 30% recycled materials
Wanda is perfect for style-conscious adults who need flexibility from their multifunctional furniture. Its thoughtful design details—from smooth curves to balanced proportions and flowing lines—make it as beautiful as it is practical.
Byron Sofa Bed
The Byron is the ultimate in luxury out of our list of best sofa beds, combining deep-seated comfort with full queen bed functionality. It's not just a sofa that happens to fold out—it's been engineered to nail both sitting and sleeping experiences equally well.
Key features that set it apart:
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Award-winning design that transforms from a stylish sofa to a comfy queen bed with just a single movement
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Cloud-soft comfort with Kloudcell® cushioning and a 15 cm-thick queen-size mattress with washable topper
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Practical washable covers that are easy to remove and clean, perfect for homes with kids, pets, or clumsy wine drinkers
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Generous hidden storage to tuck away bedding, pillows, and other essentials when not in use
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Deep sink-in seats with the most generous cushioning in our sofa bed range, perfect for serious lounging
The Byron is your best mate when you need a genuine, proper night's sleep for guests or yourself. Its smooth fold-out platform reveals a ventilated base to keep you cool while you snooze, making it ideal for regular guest use or everyday sitting.
OG Sofa Bed
The OG Sofa Bed is where it all began—our original game-changer that combines unbeatable value with award-winning design.
Why it stands out from the crowd:
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No squeaks or creaks, thanks to its innovative design—just perfect sleep without the painful soundtrack
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Ultra stylish yet super comfy, proving you never have to compromise between a good sofa and a good pull-out bed
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4-second conversion from sit to sleep with no tools or tricks required
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Integrated Kloudcell® topper ensures your short-term guests might find it hard to leave
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Modern minimalist styling that works in virtually any space
The OG is ideal for budget-conscious buyers who don't want to sacrifice quality. It delivers comfort without compromise, with a sleep surface that genuinely supports adult bodies properly.
Stunner Sofa Bed
The Stunner lives up to its name, taking sofa bed design to the next level with its elevated sleeping platform and clever storage solutions. It's the summit of sofa beds, designed for those who demand the best.
What makes it stunning:
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Elevated, off-the-floor sleep surface for a more bed-like experience that's easier to get in and out of
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Just 6 seconds to transform from stylish sofa to perfect sleeping platform—simply slide, flip and tuck in
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Ultra-wide, hidden drawers beautifully upholstered to maintain style while providing practical storage
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Stress-free assembly with manageable pieces that one person can put together
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Premium fabric options, including luxe boucle in Choppy Waves and Woodlands for the Luxe Edition
The Stunner is perfect for those seeking maximum comfort and sophisticated design. Its elevated platform makes it feel more like a proper bed and less like you're sleeping on a sofa—a distinction your adult guests will definitely appreciate.
Each of these Koala sofa beds comes with our famous 120-night trial, so you can properly test your new sofa bed and make sure it's the right fit for your adult sleepers.
Understanding Sofa Bed Comfort Levels
When it comes to sofa bed types, there's a wide range of options to suit different comfort needs. Not all sofa beds are created equal, and understanding where each type sits on the comfort scale can help you make the right choice for your home.
Why Comfort Matters for Adult Sleepers
Adults have different sleep needs than children, and these needs become more pronounced as we age. A supportive sleep surface is essential for:
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Preventing back and neck pain
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Ensuring proper spinal alignment
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Reducing pressure points on shoulders, hips, and knees
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Promoting better sleep quality and duration
Poor sleep doesn't just make for cranky guests—it can affect overall health and well-being. For adults who might be staying several nights or for those using a sofa bed regularly, comfort isn't just a nice-to-have; it's essential.
Different Sleeping Positions and How They Affect Comfort Needs
Your preferred sleeping position (or that of your guests) should influence your sofa bed choice:
Side sleepers need adequate cushioning around their shoulders and hips to prevent pressure points. Look for sofa beds with Kloudcell® technology that provides both softness and support.
Back sleepers require even support across their entire body. Convertible sofa beds with multiple support zones work well for maintaining proper spinal alignment.
Stomach sleepers typically need firmer support to prevent their midsection from sinking too deeply. Sofa beds with flippable comfort layers like the Koala Mattress allow you to choose the right firmness.
Combination sleepers who change positions throughout the night (which most adults do approximately 20 times per night) benefit from responsive materials that adjust as they move.
How Sofa Bed Design Impacts Both Sitting and Sleeping Comfort
The best sofa beds offer excellence at both functions—sitting and sleeping. Here's how design affects each experience:
For sitting comfort:
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Seat depth determines how supportive the sofa feels when sitting
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Backrest angle affects how relaxed or upright the sitting position is
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Cushion firmness influences how much you sink in versus feel supported
For sleeping comfort:
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Mattress thickness is crucial (thinner mattresses typically mean less comfort)
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Support mechanisms (like slats or platforms) prevent sagging
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Edge support helps maintain comfort across the entire sleep surface
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Ventilation features keep sleepers cool throughout the night
Premium options like the Byron Sofa Bed and Stunner Sofa Bed are engineered to provide exceptional comfort in both configurations. With features like deep seat and plush cushions for lounging and Kloudcell® cushioning for sleeping, these designs prove you don't have to compromise on either function.
Key Factors to Consider When Buying a Sofa Bed for Adults
Shopping for a comfortable sofa bed isn't just about finding something that looks good in your lounge room. For adult sleepers, there are several crucial factors that separate a night of blissful sleep from one spent counting sheep on an uncomfortable surface. Here's what you need to keep in mind before making your decision.
Comfort Level
Let's be honest – comfort is king when it comes to sofa beds for adults, as they need proper support and cushioning.
The thickness and materials of the mattress type (from a very firm mattress to a mid-firm one) make a world of difference in sleep quality. Our Koala sofa beds provide the perfect balance of softness and support, contouring to your body while keeping your spine aligned.
Traditional innerspring mattresses in sofa beds can be noisy and sometimes create pressure points, while memory foam or hybrid options tend to offer better contouring and pressure relief. Premium options like the Byron Sofa Bed include a queen-size 15 cm-thick mattress with Kloudcell® cushioning that feels just as comfortable as a regular bed.
Support structures and mechanisms are equally important. The best adult-friendly sofa beds feature robust frameworks that eliminate that dreaded "bar in the back" feeling. Look for designs with solid platforms or multiple support zones that evenly distribute body weight.
Finally, never underestimate the importance of trying before buying. This is where Koala's 120-night trial comes in bloody handy. Spend a few nights actually sleeping on your new sofa bed to ensure it meets your comfort needs.
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Quick Fix for Lumps: A memory foam topper can smooth out lumps or uneven spots in older sofa bed mattresses for an instant comfort upgrade. |
Functionality
Ease of conversion should be a top priority. The best adult-friendly sofa beds are space saving and can be transformed from sofa to sleeping surface in seconds, without requiring Olympic-level strength or engineering degrees. Our Byron Sofa Bed transforms with just a single movement, while the Stunner takes only 6 seconds to convert – just slide, flip, and you're ready for sleep.
For durability with regular use, look for robust mechanisms with minimal moving parts that can wear out. The fewer components involved in the conversion process, the less chance something will break down over time. Koala sofa beds are designed for the long haul, with mechanisms tested thousands of times to ensure they keep working smoothly year after year.
Size and Space
Measuring your space properly is step one. Don't just measure where the sofa will sit – you need to account for the fully extended bed dimension and ensure there's enough clearance. Remember to measure doorways too, to make sure your new sofa bed can actually make it into your home!
Think about traffic flow when the bed is extended. The ideal placement allows the bed to be fully extended without creating obstacles or requiring furniture rearrangement every time a guest stays over.
Koala offers a range of fabric options and customisation choices inspired by the Australian landscape. From the Ocean Salt and Sand Bank finishes of the Byron to the Blush Sunset and Green Wattle options for the Wanda, you can find the perfect match for your style. Many of our fabrics are made with recycled materials, too, so they're as good for the planet as they are for your living room.
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Fabric Matters: If you have pets, opt for microfibre or woven fabrics, which resist scratches and are easier to clean than velvet or leather sofa beds. |
Durability and Quality
A sofa bed is an investment, and you want it to last through years of sitting and sleeping.
Frame construction and materials form the foundation of durability. The quality of the frame directly impacts not only the lifespan of your sofa bed but also how comfortable it remains over time. Koala uses FSC®-certified timber and sturdy steel frames in our sofa beds, ensuring they can withstand daily use without sagging or creaking.
Don't overlook fabric durability and care requirements. For adult use, especially in busy households, opt for stain-resistant, easily cleanable fabrics. Also, always check the care instructions before purchasing – a sofa bed that requires professional cleaning after every minor spill isn't practical for most homes.
Sleep Tight, Sit Right
Let's be honest, most sofa beds have a rep for being back-breakers. But finding the right one for you and your mates doesn't need to be a nightmare. A quality sofa bed isn't just furniture – it's an investment in your home's functionality and your guests' ability to look you in the eye the morning after.
Skimping on quality might save a few dollars now, but your back (and your friendship) will pay for it later. The best adult-friendly sofa bed is one that has everyone waking up feeling refreshed.
Ready to upgrade your guest sleep situation without compromising on comfort or style? Koala's cleverly designed sofa beds combine no-tools, no-worries assembly with cloud-like Kloudcell® comfort, all backed by our famous 120-night risk-free trial.
Whether it's Netflix binges that turn into accidental sleepovers or the in-laws dropping by "just for the weekend," our sofa beds have got you sorted. Easy to buy. Easy to use. Easy to try. Easy to love.
Give your living room the versatility it deserves – and your guests the sleep they'll thank you for. Try one for yourself (and sleep on that decision for 120 nights if you fancy).