The Sleeper Sectionals Both You and Your Guests Will Love
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For the frequent hostess or the homeowner with a big family, a sleeper sectional can be a crucial furniture piece to have in your home. It transforms your space into a guest-ready haven in an instant, without the renovations needed for another bedroom. “If you are someone who tends to have a lot of guests or visitors, it's always nice to have an extra bed rather than a blow-up mattress,” California-based designer Michael Hilal says. “No one wants their in-laws sleeping on the floor." To make every one of your overnight guests who comes by comfortable, we put together a guide on how to find the best sectional sleeper sofa for your home.
Paula Serna, abc carpet & home's manager of interior design and trade, says that the benefit of having one is “the ability to have an extra ‘guest room’ in your home that can easily be tucked away when not in use.” There are two key aspects to selecting the right sleeper sectional for you: comfort and overall chicness. If the sectional is in your living room for instance, it's one of the first items people will see, so you may want to go with a more elevated option. You may also want to invest in a sectional that can hold up to wear and tear, as it'll likely see a lot of foot traffic.
Sleeper sectionals tend to be bigger pieces of furniture, so finding one that isn’t too oppressive can be tricky. You’ll need to do a little extra work to make it feel more homey. “Most of them have this level of formality to them that kind of feel like a rental apartment or a bad hotel room sofa,” Hilal says. The designer suggests focusing on dressing up the room surrounding the sectional. There are a few small touches you can add to elevate the space, from adding in throw pillows to high-quality rugs to even a vintage coffee table. This will also work to make the sectional feel more like a regular couch, for the days when the sleeper function isn’t in use. “A good sleeper sofa or sectional shouldn't have the appearance of a sleeper sofa, you want it to also double as your everyday sofa,” Serna says. “The less conspicuous, the better!”
To help you get started on the shopping, we rounded up options for the best sectional sleeper sofa you can buy right now. Scroll ahead to find our top picks—you and your guests will be happy to curl up for a nap on them anytime.
Modular Sleeper Sectional
If you're wondering how to turn this massive L-shaped sectional into a bed, the answer is: it's totally up to you. This is a modular sofa, meaning you can configure it however you see it. In sectional-form, it can comfortably seat eight, and when it's a bed, there's room for two, so feel free to invite plenty of people over for the holidays this year.
L-Shaped Sleeper Sectional
If white furniture isn't your thing, this affordable find comes in eight additional shades, including gray, olive, and pink. As you may be able to infer from the tabs on the ends of the cushions, you can turn this into a bed by pulling on them (the one on the chaise reveals storage and the one on the wider cushion pulls out into a full-size bed.)
Ameliarae Upholstered Sectional
If you have a weird corner in your living room that you need a couch to fill, this L-shaped sleeper sectional could be the answer. You can stick to almond linen and gray, great for the minimalist decorator, or the homeowner who loves to add flair with accents. Or, opt for a colorful accent with an ochre yellow or navy blue.
Charly Left Chaise Sleeper Sectional
The clean, crisp lines and track arms in this sleeper sectional make it a great fit to sit front and center in your living room. The sleeper mattress is also queen-sized, so it's great to house multiple overnight guests. It's available in a cream upholstery that blends in beautifully to any decor.
Harris 2-Piece Pop-Up Sleeper Sectional
For a smaller sleeper sectional that won't be used for too long at a time, this is the ideal budget pick. At just under seven feet wide, it's a great fit for a first apartment or as an addition to a regular sofa in the family room. Plus, it has a sturdy kiln-dried frame and a queen-sized sleeping area.
Yates Wide Sleeper Sofa & Chaise
Available in four sultry shades, including blue and teal (pictured), this sleeper sectional is pretty easy to transform into a bed. The best part? You won't hurt your back performing the transformation. All you have to do is slide the base piece up and out until it's level with the rest of the seat cushions. The whole process takes about two seconds.
Recessed Arm Sectional Sleeper
With its recessed arms and removable cushions, this sleeper sectional makes for a great addition to any living room or home office. The hero of the piece? Its cleverly hidden storage, which we'd suggest using for sheets, blankets, and pillows to break out when your overnight guests show up.
Convertible Sectional Sleeper
This Corrigan Studio piece is one of the more funky, less traditional picks on our list. Unlike the others, the chaise part of the sofa is the sleeper part, which is what we like about it. All you have to do is unlock the back and lightly press it down until it's flat. Et voila: a cozy bed for houseguests.
Avalon Sleeper Sectional
This couch is so customizable, you can even choose what color of wood you want for the base and legs. "This couch is amazing!" wrote one reviewer. "The fabric is beautiful and the couch is well made and super [comfortable]. It's higher off the ground than other couches, which we love and has enough room for all six family member to snuggle together for movie night."
James 3-Seat Bumper Sleeper Sectional
With so many performance-rated fabrics to choose from, this is perfect for those who prefer a statement piece out of their couch. You can even mix and match with piping color to create a truly striking piece in your home. "What a beautiful piece of craftsmanship," wrote one reviewer. "The fabric is luxurious and soft—yet cleans easily—and the construction is excellent. I upgraded the seat cushions to the down alternative seat cushions. I am so happy that I did. Firm yet so comfortable.
Doart Convertible Sleeper Sofa
Your overnight guests will feel so touched by the care put into their comfort after one night on this deluxe sleeper. The modern silhouette is not out of place in a luxury hotel. "I'm amazed at the quality of this sofa," wrote one reviewer. "Bought it for our vacation house and would totally buy one more for my personal home."
Tuxedo Sleeper Sectional
The vibrant color options in this sleeper sectional are a godsend. "We really like our new sectional!" wrote one five-star reviewer. "It's huge and perfect for our family movie nights. The cushions are well made and firm. Love the fabric. The kids like the pull-out memory foam mattress for sleepovers; not sure how comfortable it would be for adults."
Barrett II 3-Seat Queen Reversible Sleeper Sectional
The right sleeper sectional can replace the need for a guest room. "We needed a functional sofa that would fit condo living credentials: comfortable, modern, stylish, had storage and a comfortable bed for overnight guests," wrote one reviewer. "The queen pull out bed is really comfortable (and we are not embarrassed to offer it up as an option to overnight visitors)."
White Tufted Boucle Sleeper Sectional
This tufted and trendy bouclé sofa is a gorgeous choice for your living room whether you use the sleeper function or not. "The perfect addition to my apartment," one reviewer praised. "Love the color and material! An added bonus is the toss pillow, which makes lounging and watching TV even more comfortable!"
Mulholland Drive Sleeper Sectional
One of the best parts about a sleeper sectional is that there's still plenty of room to lounge on even when the mattress is unfolded, with a long chaise to cradle the mattress. There are some gorgeous woven textural options, too, adding some extra dimension without overwhelming your space.
Catalina Sleeper L-Sectional
A slightly smaller option than the Mulholland, this contemporary sectional is great if you have less room to spare in your living room. It uses a twin-size mattress to comfortably sleep one guest at a time.
Lucali Queen Sleeper Sectional
Serna loves the style and the comfort in this sleeper sectional, and says sitting down on it makes you second-guess the lack of traditional foundation. Plus, if you need options to choose from, it's offered in over 80 fabrics to fit your home's design.
Modern U-Shaped Modular Sectional Sleeper
For those looking for a more budget-friendly pick or want to take advantage of fast shipping, buy this one from Amazon. As an added bonus, there's storage underneath every seat, for everything from kids toys and remote controls to sheets for the overnight guest.
Are Sleeper Sectionals Expensive?
These pieces are not something you want to cut corners on. The price tag tends to be a bit higher on sleeper sectionals, but when you think about how they’re used, it's worth the investment on quality designs. After all, the mattress mechanism inside the sleeper is constantly being pulled in and out of the sectional.
“If you move furniture too much, especially wood furniture, things become a little bit looser,” Hilal says. “If you're moving this big metal contraption out of that, the stability shifts, so that's why you gotta buy a nice quality sleeper sofa.” You likely want yours to last for years to come, so the one-time investment is worth it for quality’s sake.
What Cushions Should I Look For?
Though the mattress will see lots of use in a sleeper sectional, most days it likely just functions as a couch, so having cushions that won't give out first is crucial. Memory foam cushions might be cozier at first but will start to sag over time, whereas pocket coil cushions might last longer, but be a bit more uncomfortable. Because the sleeper portion often takes the place of the couch’s foundation, comfortable cushions are key so you don’t feel like you’re sitting right on a metal frame.
“You can also look for mattresses with memory foam if you're going for extra comfort, or you can get a topper as you would with any bed,” says Serna. “My other recommendation for a sleeper sectional is always seeking out a durable performance fabric that will stand up against the additional use as both a bed and sectional.”
What Fabrics Are Best for Sleeper Sectionals?
Because of the space the sleeper sectional tends to take up, you’ll want to avoid overly patterned or loud fabric. Clean lines are your friend. “Keep the frame simple,” Hilal says. “Maybe if they have a nice textural fabric, keep it textural. The sofa on its own will feel and look a little bit cozier.”
Serna recommends a durable, upholstery-weight fabric for sleeper sectionals, such as cotton, poly blends or acrylics. Plus, fabric that can stand up to the constant motion a sleeper sectional goes through is crucial. Performance-rated fabrics are extra durable and easy to clean.
"Any kind of textured weave or chenille would be a great choice," Hilal continues. "A solid weave like a velvet might be more temperamental and crease from wear and removing cushions. I would avoid linen which could have the potential to become a wrinkled mess."
How Do You Clean A Sleeper Sectional?
Depending on the material of your sleeper sectional, anything from a lint roller to a quick gentle vacuum could be all you need to keep it clean. Your main enemy will be dust that collects between uses. "Most sleeper sofas come with performance fabric options and those will definitely keep it clean," Hilal says. "There is the potential for dust to collect under the sofa since you are opening it a lot, so I recommend a mattress cover and giving the frame a good dusting every couple of weeks."
How Should You Measure for a Sleeper Sectional?
Before you click "buy" on a sleeper sectional, be sure to map out how much space it'll take up in your home, so larger pieces don't feel like such a hostile takeover. "Make sure that you not only measure the space for the size of the bed when extended, but also for space for the furniture already in the room when the sleeper is open," Hilal says. "The last thing you want is absolutely no place for pieces like a coffee table or chairs when the bed is open. Otherwise you’ll become a furniture mover."
Why Trust House Beautiful?
House Beautiful is dedicated to finding the best pieces for your home, no matter your budget or design preference. We love to combine our own expertise with thorough research and consultation with the design experts we trust. House Beautiful shopping editor Janae McKenzie has years of experience scouring the market and finding the best products for home, beauty and wellness. For this piece, she spent hours researching the best sleeper sectionals on the market. She also spoke with California-based interior designer Michael Hilal and Paula Serna, abc carpet & home's manager of interior design and trade for expert insight into what makes a great sleeper sectional and how you can best use it in your home.
Hilal is an award-winning designer who was named one of Architectural Digest’s New American Voices. His work includes a focus on easy living, and he’s helped clients make the most out of their space by dressing up sleeper sectionals for aesthetic and function. Serna runs interior design and trade for abc carpet & home, and has over 15 years of insider knowledge in the furniture industry that helps her discern what makes a piece well-designed.
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