
I've been updating my list of best sleeper sofas each year for about four years now, and things have usually changed slowly. This past year, however, things changed a good deal and I have a bunch of new entrants to the field. Enjoy!

I've been updating my list of best sleeper sofas each year for about four years now, and things have usually changed slowly. This past year, however, things changed a good deal and I have a bunch of new entrants to the field. Enjoy!
HIGHLIGHTS:

>> One Night Stand from Blu Dot ($1800) - This is a great new solution, which takes mid-century styling and has it fold open to make a bed in a cool way.

>> Twighlight Sofa from DWR ($1700) - A very popular solution, this daybed design is slim and modern, without any fuss.

>> Havana Sleeper Sofa from DWR ($3150) - Aaron really likes this because it's big and low with storage.

>> Troy Sleeper Sofa from Crate & Barrel ($1400) - Very traditional design with a bi-fold innerspring mattress, but it consistently gets high marks.

>> Dawson Sleeper from Room & Board ($2700) - We really like the design of the bed for longer stays. Their "comfort sleeper" design has no springs and gives you a really comfortable, even bed surface.

>> Nomade Express from Ligne Roset ($4245) - A classic design with simple action, the quilted back folds down to give you a nice big bed surface with no springs or bars.

>> Flex Sofa from CB2 ($999) - Similar to the Nomade, but at a fraction of the price, this is a nice budget solution.
OTHER BEST SHOPS:
• American Leather/American Upholstery - Readers swear by this company and their quality is well known.
• Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams - These guys make the sofas for Crate and Barrel and others, so they're solid with good prices and classic styling.
LOCAL TO NYC:
• Carlyle Convertibles - Multiple experiences say these folks are the best as custom sleepers and on the expensive side.
• Avery Boardman - The most luxurious, to the trade only.
THE REST:
• Ikea!!
• Pottery Barn
• Jennifer Convertibles
• Bo Concept
• Sleepersofa.com
• Lofasofa.com
I saw the one night stand from blu dot in person, and it was LOVE at first sight. It opens in the coolest way. There's a photo of it hanging on my dream wall.
I just wish it was available in pleather. A dinner guest dropped a meatball on my white cotton duck sofa the other night and....well, need I say more.
view GreatFriend's profile
Innovation USA makes great convertible sofas.
view sasha12514's profile
Has anyone bought DDC Cosma sofa? Is it comfortable? I tried the Blu Dot one, it looks great but is so hard...
view stefanie's profile
That Havana Sofa is darned sexy, I only wish I could find it in other fabrics - Dark Taupe and Light Taupe are kinda boring...
view bepsf's profile
I sat on the Nomade Express at a Ligne Roset store and man is it comfortable and good-looking. Armless sofas are not usually very loungy, but because the back is so tall you can actually rest your head on it, you could watch a movie on this sofa and be completely relaxed. It's also somewhat longer than the photograph suggests, and with no arms would seat three very comfortably.
If it hadn't been for the $5000 price tag (price varies by upholstery) I might have walked out of the store with it. But it's the perfect splurge for someone in a studio, where there's typically no room for both a bed and a sofa.
view Matilde's profile
Has anyone actually slept on any of these? I'd love to replace the queen bed in the cramped guest room with a sofa bed, but it would be cruel to subject the elderly parents to a grueling night of agony on an uncomfortable or too-low sofa bed.
view FiatLex's profile
You mean "best (mid-century) modern sleeper sofabeds"...
a whole realm of other possiblities are missing here!!!
view ilovebc's profile
I can't get over the stacked up Navy chairs in the Ligne Roset Picture. What a great space saver!
view Molunat's profile
This really doesnt seem that different from year to year. Its always the same companies( Room and Board etc etc). Perhaps you could do sofabeds in different categories. This "All the Rest" business is not instructive and doesnt help steer someone to the right sofa that is less than $1000.
view Trumystique's profile
I bought the Twilight sofa in 2006, intending to use it as a bed in my studio. It was so stiff and uncomfortable that I ended up returning it. FiatLex, I would definitely not use this for elderly parents - it was miserable. I ended up buying a pair of Ligne Roset multy chairbeds and they are wonderfully comfortable. The price was a lot higher, but everyone who has visited raved about them.
view snovak's profile
Thanks, Snovak. Since we have the luxury of a dedicated guest room (and frequent guests!), we should probably just keep the bed.
view FiatLex's profile
American Leather makes by far the best sleepers with their comfort sleepers.
http://www.highfashionhome.com/furniture-sofas-sleepers.html
view designsnob's profile
@ilovebc
not a single one of these options are mid-century. i would venture a guess that every single one of these was designed in the last five years (ten at the most).
view twelveindustries's profile
I bought the Flex Sofa from CB2 and it becomes $1200 w/ s&h. It's beautiful, it goes into 3 positions (90, 45 and flat) and it's firm but very comfortable. It's a junior queen. I liked the legs better than the Ligne Roset. The fabric is also really, really durable which is great for my two large dogs.
view brooke@freshquarters.com's profile
I would love it if you guys would do a best non-sleeper sofa post. I live in NE which means I need to buy my sofa online. I would be great to have advice from folks who have a chance to sit on some of the sofas available!
view jd2's profile
I do think these are all good possibilities. One other that i particularly like (and yes, sell in my store, Propeller - because i like it!) is the apt named SLEEPER by Bensen.
While similar in its clam-shell design to the Ligne Roset, what is innovative about it is that, unlike most clamshells, in the seated position the seat and back are angled - not flat - which makes for a much more comfortable sit. Of course, it flattens out when in the bed position. It's available in countless fabrics colors weighs in at least $1,000 less than the LR model. It's also a very clean, low profile design which makes for a darn-good looking sofa.
I don't seems to be able to post a foto here so you can check it out it at Propellermodern.com
cheers,
Lorn
view propeller modern's profile
I agree with Trumystique: I would love to see reviews of some less expensive sleeper sofas, along the lines of the CB2 one and cheaper.
view Julia B's profile
Some great choices here! I would like to express my personal joy about our most recent purchase after considering all reasonably priced options - the Orion Wallhugger futon frame! Looks like beautiful furniture as it is solid dark walnut. With the proper futon this covers all bases - closed=modern, clean sofa with endless cover/pillow choices; open=fab daybed and instant guest room. Can float anywhere in room and looks great from every angle. Under $1200 with high grade futon (not counting customized pillows, etc...)Happy to send pix if anyone interested. Link: http://www.futoncreations.com/orion-wallhugger-futon.html
view LIB212's profile
I agree with designsnob that American Leather makes the best sleep sofa. I have often suggested them for my Interior Design clients. Not the thing if you are looking for a bargain but it is the think if you are looking for high quality and comfort...I am looking forward to spending the night on my son's American Leather sleep sofa...hint,hint Jeff!!!
Wishing you a brightly colored day,
Mary Nolte
view mary nolte's profile
I purchased the American Leather Dawson sleeper, and it was the most uncomfortable thing I ever slept on. Having a small studio apartment, I needed a bed that I could use for everyday use, but I awoke sore all over. After two weeks, I returned it to Room and Board and went out an purchased the Orion Wall Hugger by Strata. Not only was it less than half the price, it is absolutely beautiful. No picture does it justice. I first saw it at The Futon Shop in San Francisco, but as unable to find any Strata products in New York City. I simply called the store, and they sent it to me. The dark solid walnut horizontal slats are very modern, yet the piece is still warm looking. It is not very large, yet opens to a full double mattress. With the right mattress cover it looks good anywhere, and best of all I can finally sleep again. Sorry American Leather, but I would never buy your products to sleep on for a guest, let alone for every day use. The Nomade by Ligne Roset is simply to expensive, albeit it is beautiful. I also liked the slider by DWR, but also pricey, and has a slit down the middle which is not comfy for every day use. The Orion was the perfect choice, and at only $700 a real bargain!
view paulie's profile
Paulie - I wonder if you purchased an older version of the American Leather Comfort Sleeper? The Dawson is an older style, and I haven't heard a negative comment yet on the newest version of the Comfort Sleeper. It has 4 1/2 inches of a down/foam blend mattress, and there's an option for a Tempurpedic mattress too. They've covered the mattress in an anti-microbial Crypton fabric which keeps it resistant to germs, spills and stains. The Comfort Sleeper is a great space saver as well, since it opens 10 inches less into a room than other sleepers - which is great for studio apartments. And with no bars or springs under the mattress, it's a firm but comfortable sleep surface. I hope you get to try the newest version some day!
view jgreen99's profile