What Is a Pull-Out Sofa? Pull-Out Sofas vs Convertible Sleepers

A pull-out sofa is a sofa with a folding metal frame and a mattress hidden inside the seat. Lift off the cushions, draw the frame forward, and it unfolds into a proper bed. All day it reads as an ordinary sofa. The bed exists only when someone needs it.

Pull-out sofa, pull-out couch and sleeper sofa all describe the same thing. The mechanism is identical; only the word changes depending on where you grew up. The genuine decision is not what to call it, but whether you want that hidden frame at all, because the alternative is a convertible sleeper that becomes a bed by folding rather than unfolding.

If you are shopping for an extra sleeping option for guests, those are the two main kinds of sofa bed, and the differences between them matter more than the photographs suggest.

What Is a Pull-Out Sofa?

Pullout sofas are the standard in most homes when it comes to sleeping arrangements for guests. Because the bed extends out from the frame, they are ideal for a larger room with space in front of the sofa. They also offer the option that is closest to a standard bed.

If you want a sleeping option for your guests that feels like a real bed, a pullout-style sofa bed is likely your best choice. Models like the Carnell and Vilander by Innovation have legs that fold out automatically as you open them, turning a 3-seater sofa into a full-size bed in one smooth motion. When closed, they save space by acting as a regular couch.

Carnell Sofa Bed With Slope Armsby Innovation · See productVilander Sofa Bed With Roll Armsby Innovation · See productNeah Queen Sofa Bed with Armsby Innovation · See product

What Is a Convertible Sleeper?

A convertible sleeper typically does not have a separate mattress hidden in the frame. Instead, it becomes a bed by changing its configuration: the backrest folds down flat so you can lie across the seat and back cushions. Because it opens within roughly its own footprint, a convertible sleeper is a better option for a small room.

Many convertible sleepers also offer modern designs that aren’t typical of pullout beds. If you’d like to get away from the look of a conventional sofa, a convertible sleeper such as the Cubed, Unfurl or Recast Plus can be the focal point of the room, with attractive fabric upholstery and slim wood or steel legs.

Cubed Sofa Bed with Armsby Innovation · See productUnfurl Sofa Bedby Innovation · See productRecast Plus Sofa Bed Dark Stylettoby Innovation · See productOsvald Sofa Bedby Innovation · See product

If you are concerned about the comfort of a convertible sleeper, most are designed with thick cushions, often over pocket or no-sag springs, so you can relax. The firmer feel may suit someone who prefers a firm mattress, and the bed position is comfortable enough for a guest or two to sleep on overnight.

A third option: modular sleepers

If you want the comfort of real mattresses without a mechanism, look at modular sleepers like the CozyPad. Its seat is made from separate mattresses that lie side by side to form a large bed, then stack back into a sofa during the day.

Add extra padding with bedding and pillows

Whichever option you choose, add some extra padding so your guests are more comfortable. Convertible sleepers tend to have firmer cushions, and pullout sofa beds tend to have thinner mattresses than conventional beds. Add a mattress topper to a pullout bed, or plenty of pillows to a convertible sleeper, to give your guests a great night’s sleep.

Both pullout sofa beds and convertible sleepers give you an extra place to sleep when you need one and extra seating the rest of the time. That flexibility is their real beauty. If you are creating a modern, minimalist space, decorating a smaller room, or need a guest room that doubles as an office, both options work well.

Once you have settled on a mechanism, the next decisions are size and type. Our guide to buying the perfect sofa bed covers the seven main sofa bed types, how to measure for one, and how to care for it once it arrives.

Matching your room’s decor

Browse all of our modern sleeper sofas and sofa beds in full, queen and king sizes. If you would like help from one of our design experts, contact us and we’ll help you choose the right one for your space.