Don’t just sit around, sleep on it…

If you’ve ever lived the student life, practiced the art of couch surfing (globetrotting using friend’s couches as ‘accommodation’) or lived in a city where shoe boxes pass as studio apartments (I’ll give you a hint – starts with a ‘Lon’ ends in a ‘don’) then you’ve most likely come to realise that not all sleeper couches are created equal. www.apartmenttherapy.com sums it up nicely: “You can sleep well on a couch, but some ARE better than others, and money does seem to buy you a better night’s sleep in this category.”

The sleeper couch has gotten quite sophisticated over the past decade, it’s no longer reserved for resilient students who don’t get enough sleep to worry about loose springs giving them free acupuncture at night. The sleeper couch has become a homeowners secret weapon in maximising their living space – the furnishing touch when it comes to multitasking. Whether you live in a place that the estate agent described as ‘compact’, or in a sprawling suburban oasis with a spare bedroom for every relative, if the idea of being able to create an extra bedroom in a minute appeals then you need to know the facts…

The most common types of sleeper couches are the convertible and studio couches – the convertible couch mattress pulls out or folds out from the seat; the studio couch’s back drops down level with the seat, creating a sleeping surface. When choosing a sleeper couch here’s a handy checklist to keep in mind:
• Did you test the mattress of the sleeper sofa for comfort?
• Do the legs of the sleeper sofa have protectors or rounded ends so the floor is not damaged?
• When the sleeper is pulled out, does it lock into position?
• Does the mechanism of the sleeper sofa work easily, smoothly, and quietly?

Grafton Everest’s Decorator Range includes two sleepers – the Tango and the Salsa – both of which are ‘convertibles’ and would pass this ‘high-quality sleeper couch’ checklist with flying colours!

Variety is the spice of life – even in the couch department. The hunt for the perfect sleeper couch can be daunting, simply because sleeper couches come in many different shapes, sizes, designs and levels of comfort. We want you to make the right choice, so here are four ways (courtesy of www.ehow.com) to evaluate your needs and find exactly what you’re looking for:

Determine how your sleeper couch will be used. Sleeper sofas can be used on a daily basis in lieu of a more traditional bed, or they can be used as a place for visitors to sleep. If you plan on using the sleeper sofa regularly, be sure to choose one that is comfortable and durable.

Size up your options. Sleeper sofas can come in many different shapes and sizes. Most sleeper sofas pull out to be queen-size beds, though some companies sell sleeper chairs that pull out to become twin-size beds.

Know your price range – and shop within it. From luxury, top-of-the-line sleeper couches to ‘cheap and cheerful’ futon-style sleepers, there is a sleeper to fit your budget. However, always remember that you get what you pay for – so ask yourself, “how much is a good night’s sleep really worth?”

Try before you buy. It is best to see and feel the sleeper in person. Take some time to sit in the sofa and determine the difficulty level of converting the sofa into a bed.