My Son's bed has finally broke - this is because every time he sits at his desk, he moves his bed across the room to create more space. He does have a good sized bedroom but one wall is taken up with a walk in wardrobe and the airing cupboard so no furniture can go along that wall and then he has so much music equipment and other furniture that there isn't much free space in his room no matter how we arrange everything. We have been thinking about replacing his bed with a sofa bed or futon which will give him the space he wants but I don't know if their is such a bed on the market that is made for everyday use - I know some say they are suitable but are they and do they give adequate support and comfort? Also a big factor is how easy they are to convert from sofa to bed. I thought I would come here and ask the wise forum people - has anyone got experience with sofa beds or futons?

TIA :-)

Both myself and OH had them years ago when we lived with our parents and can both honestly say they're rotten as everyday beds.  Unless things have progressed hugely since then I really would stick to a proper bed.  We both suffered from sore backs from ours.  Also, although when you're buying it they look a doddle to put up and down, in reality you can't really be bothered doing it every day.

I don't know how old your son is, but I'd be inclined to consider one of those cabin type beds; the ones with the bed on top of a unit or something.

After sleeping on an ikea futon for 6 months after our house fire, I can honestly say don't bother! They may be practical with regards to saving space but they are uncomfortable and a pain in the behind to try and put a sheet on!

My neice had a sofabed for every day use and it didn't last long and was not very comfortable - wasn't a cheaper one either.

hi their yes i do , like you my son broke his pine bed when he was around 15 years old so as he was a teen i got him a double futon metal from argos cost around £160.00 and withing in 6 months the back started slipping down till in the end it looked aright mess i wanted to was the cover oneday and i unzipped the thing and inside was totally not what i had thought it wouls be , it was all in bits not like a whole piece of foam but the only way to get this stuff out was to pull in in bits , free flow stuff, i mean whats the point of  zip on the cover if you cant take out the insides to wash the cover,
id say just dont go for the one i bought.

he now has a cusioned sofa bed that dont pull down that was given to me by my boss from her house as she no longer had room for it she had it for 4 year and we have had it for 5 years its got beige cushions that the covers come off and wash up perfectly and its from Habitat (not a shop id normally go in ) im more cheap and chearful but seems you do get what you payfor so i'd shop around ,
i begrudge buying a bed a year my mattress was another cheap argos product well it was ment to have been £300 i got it in sale £150, and its totally rubbish lasted 6 months before it was in stame condition as the one i'd had before that i payed £500 for and that lasted me 12 years

in fact heres a pic of the one i bought , i did before and after pics of sons room when i last sorted it out for him, hes 22 now i expect him to sort his own room lol

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/8140/1704071314.jpg

and heres the one boss gave us

http://img200.imageshack.us/i/1704072124.jpg/

http://img406.imageshack.us/i/1704072126.jpg/

and i must say honestly it STILL LOOKS that ok for a second had sofa :-)

Futons are too low for me but I bought this Ikea sofabed with the cheapest mattress almost 2 years ago. I sleep on it for a month at a time when I have a bitch whelping and visitors use it at least twice a month.  I find it extremely comfortable and very easy to pull out and put back.  The price is unbelievable for the quality.
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/S69840090

Not a futon - very uncomfortable - I would look for a loft bed / high sleeper too - both my daughters have had them and they were great for giving extra floor space - you can even get double versions now :-D

this kind of thing

Westcoast. That is one of the beds hat i have been looking at but with the most expensive mattress with the latex memory foam topper. How exactly does it pull out? I have been wondering because it doesn't show any pics on the website. Are there any feet that can dig into carpet etc?

If you have the money to go the whole hog could you get him a bed that folds up into the wall.  We had them in an appt we used to stay in on holiday and they looked like cupboards from the outside but when folded down were 2 single beds.  I suppose it would only work if he bothered to put it up each day.

> If you have the money to go the whole hog could you get him a bed that folds up into the wall.  We had them in an appt we used to stay in on holiday and they looked like cupboards from the outside but when folded down were 2 single beds.  I suppose it would only work if he bothered to put it up each day.

That is a very good idea but aswell as probably being very expensive I should imagine, Lewis will want somewhere to sit in his room when the bed is away so a sofa bed would be perfect.

> I would look for a loft bed / high sleeper too

this idea is good but I wouldn't be able to change the bedding - I have a disability and wouldn't be able to get up the ladder. Son could learn to do it but it wouldn't be to my standard and that would do my head in.

It's a very strong metal base.  I'm not sure about feet digging in to carpet as mine is on Karndean.
You literally pull the front bar forward and the whole thing lays flat.  You then lift where the back folds and push the front bar and the whole thing goes back into a sofa.  It takes 2 seconds to undo and 2 seconds to fold up.
It's not the prettiest and not the one that I wanted, but it's the one that was the right size for my room and I'm so glad that it's the one that I bought - it's brilliant! :)

ouch - very expensive

http://www.wall-beds.co.uk/prices.html

> It's not the prettiest and not the one that I wanted, but it's the one that was the right size for my room and I'm so glad that it's the one that I bought - it's brilliant!

I thought the same when looking at them but practicality must lead the way on this one. There is a really nice faux leather metal action sofa bed on ebay but there is no mention of suitability for everyday use. I have found a couple of reviews on the lycksele sofa's and people mention that no matter which quality mattress you buy they are all the same thickness so some have chose to buy the cheaper mattress and add a separate 3" memory foam topper - what do you think?

If doesn't show on the Ikea website but you buy the lycksele in 3 seperate pieces.  The metal base, the mattress and the cover.  I bought the white cover but always keep a throw over it so probably wouldn't buy the cover again.  Although not in daily use, my cheap mattress has been well used and shows no sign of wear.  I have a back that shouts if I sleep on a soft bed and I find this very comfy and haven't considered a topper necessary. 
At around £50 (I think?) it would be worth considering the possibility if buying a new mattress every 12 months but I can't see it necessary with one body if you turn the mattress regularly.  The base isn't going anywhere!  If it was in daily use, you could leave the duvet lying over the top for a cover, which would make making up the bed even simpler.........

> I bought the white cover but always keep a throw over it so probably wouldn't buy the cover again.

> If it was in daily use, you could leave the duvet lying over the top for a cover, which would make making up the bed even simpler.......

Does the cover not hold the mattress in place or anything when in the sofa position? If its not necessary then maybe I wont bother.

Mattress stays put on its own. :)  When I have pups and am using it all the time, I just fold it up with the duvet on, which looks like a cover.

Best thing to do is to look at one at Ikea.  Be patient or ask for a demo to pull it out/back.  I found it difficult at first, trying to make it harder than it is - I even used the 'I'm a lady and can't do it' for the first few times! :)  But it's actually so simple it's silly! :)  If you're anywhere near Somerset I'll happily give you a demo! :)

It's 18" high as a sofa and that's the same height when it's a bed so although not the height of a real bed, it's certainly not on the floor like a futon.  My 88 year old Father slept on it on Saturday night with no problem. :)

Your faced with what I was, I took son to Dreams beds and he informed them he wanted a water bed!!!! the guy could see from my face THAT HE DID NOT HAVE ANY IN STORE< OR ELSE! We brought a lime green futon. Its superb with a spring interior matress a bit diffecut to fold but 10 years later we are still using it as a spare and its comfortable.  They do full time sleep quality as well as cheapie put you up, but you do pay for what you get and our was over £300 10 years ago.

ouch alright i almost choked on my tea as your link opened :-o

> the guy could see from my face THAT HE DID NOT HAVE ANY IN STORE< OR ELSE!

ROFLMAO!!!  :-)  :-)  :-)

lovely tidy bedroom chelzea girl wish I could get mine to keep his room tidy lol

Just thought that I would let you know, we have been to Ikea today and bought the Lycksele sofa bed with the cheaper mattress. The member of staff who helped us order agreed that the cheaper mattress was the firmest and used along with a decent topper should be really comfy. We ended up buying the black cover after all......Son said he didn't like it without but then again, he wasn't paying was he  ;-)  We stopped off at dunelm and bought a nice thick mattress topper and now its all built and we're very happy with the ease of use and quality/value. Lets hope Son finds it comfortable. Thank you for helping me to decide.

Brilliant!  :)

We aim to please!