Born from NASA technology and perfected for sleep.
Last updated: April 2026
Whether it’s birthdays, seasonal holidays, children’s sleepovers, or family occasions – there usually comes a time when we have guests over to stay. Whether you want a temporary sleeping space or a fully functional guest bedroom, you’re likely to want to weigh up your choices in guest beds. There are many different types of guest beds and we’re going to show you what we have available, what styles are best suited to different needs, and recommend some mattresses to fit our guest bed frames too.
A guest bed is essentially named after what it is – a bed for your guests – and there are lots of different types of guests beds available. Some are ideal for last-minute sleepovers in the living room, while others are designed as a stylish piece of furniture for a spare bedroom.
The most important factor when deciding which guest bed is best is whether it's a temporary or permanent sleeping space. Our guest beds are all either multi-use or able to be hidden away, making them perfect for short-term use if you don’t have a full spare room. For a spare room where there’s room for a permanent bed, explore our storage bed guide instead.
The list below highlights all the different types of guest beds we have on offer. Each bed has its own benefits depending on you and your guests’ needs.
Sofa beds are a great space saving and multifunctional choice. By day, your guests can sit comfortably; by night the sofa transforms into a comfy bed space. This versatility makes them ideal for living rooms, spare rooms and guest bedrooms.
You can choose from different sofa bed mechanisms. For example, an A-frame mechanism works by you pulling it out at the front, with the sofa back folding out to create the bed and mattress surface. With clic-clac frames, you simply drop the back all the way down to make a bed or create a recliner position by dropping it back only slightly – it makes a ‘clic clac’ noise as you move it.
To protect your sofa bed from wear and tear, cover it with a fitted sheet each time guests stay and add comfy pillows and a single, double or king-size duvet, depending on the size of the sofa bed.
Don’t be fooled by the name – a day bed isn’t just for daytime napping! A day bed is a lot like a sofa bed, as it can often have a pull-out mattress or storage drawers and gives you an area to sit on during the day. The main difference between a day bed and a sofa bed is that day beds tend to have a headboard and foot board resembling a regular bed, whereas sofa beds look just like sofas until you convert them to a sleeping space.
Day beds require standard single mattresses, so standard single bedding fits perfectly.
A folding bed is great if you only have guests occasionally or don’t have a spare room to use as a guest room. You can easily fold it up and store it vertically, so it doesn’t take up much space when not in use. When folded, a folding bed typically measures from around 101cm (H) x 77cm (W) x 23cm (D) to 120cm (H) x 80cm (W) x 30cm (D) - and weighs around 18.2kgs - but we recommend checking the weight and folded dimensions of the model you’re buying. When guests come to stay, it’s easy to move the folding bed into position by gliding it on its castors, then simply fold it down and add your guest bedding.
Mattresses included with folding beds tend to be around 10 cm deep and you can buy fitted sheets that are specially designed for them. Depending on the size of your folding bed, add a single or double duvet and some comfortable pillows.
Perfect for sleepovers or guests that crash out after a house party, air beds are quick to set up and provide a comfy sleeping space. They come with an electric pump so they’re easy to inflate and they’re puncture-resistant, so you don’t need to worry about an air bed deflating in the night. These versatile beds pack up into a box for storage, so they’re ideal if you’re short on space.
You can sleep on an air mattress every night if you wish, without compromising on comfort. Depending on how you’re using your air bed, add the bedding of your choice, from a king size fitted sheet and duvet to just a sleeping bag.
If you regularly host grandchildren or multiple generations under one roof, consider beds that work for different ages and situations. A day bed with a pull-out trundle underneath sleeps two children comfortably, while bunk beds in a dedicated guest room mean cousins can share sleepover adventures together.
For older family members, accessibility matters. Look for beds at a comfortable height that are easy to get in and out of. In the colder months, consider adding an electric blanket to take the chill off the sheets on cold nights.
If you choose a sofa bed, folding bed or air bed, you won't need a separate mattress for your guest bed.
However, you'll need one or more standard single mattresses for a day bed, and you can choose from our selection of memory foam, pocket sprung and traditional spring single mattresses
A medium firmness is usually the safest choice. You won't know every guest's sleep preferences, and medium strikes the balance between supportive and comfortable for most people. If you regularly host guests with back pain or mobility issues, a slightly firmer mattress may help them get in and out of bed more easily.
If you're pairing a mattress with a folding bed frame or need to store it between visits, a rolled mattress is worth considering. These arrive compressed and expand once unboxed, making them easier to manoeuvre up stairs or into smaller rooms.
Some visitors are sensitive to dust mites or certain materials. A hypoallergenic mattress can help them sleep more soundly, especially if your guest room doesn't get aired out regularly between visits. Pairing the mattress with a mattress protector keeps everything fresh and extends its lifespan as well.
For more detailed guidance on finding the right mattress, take a look at our personal comfort guide.
If you're considering a guest bed, then your guests’ comfort is probably one of your main priorities while they're staying with you. However, temporary guest beds such as sofa beds and air beds don't have the best reputation for their comfort, so which one is best?
The best choice when it comes to a comfortable guest bed is one that allows for a regular mattress such as a day bed or trundle bed. These are designed for daily use and will be much thicker. As mentioned above, if you can purchase a separate mattress, there are lots of options to help with comfort levels.
If you need a guest bed that can be put away, such as a sofa bed or fold-away bed, then you can still make sure that your guests have a comfortable stay. Our temporary guest beds are high-quality products and have come a long way in terms of comfort. However, we would highly recommend a mattress topper for guest beds with thinner in-built mattresses, these will add depth to the mattress and help cushion any firm elements.
Once you've chosen your guest bed and mattress, a few thoughtful touches can turn a spare room into somewhere your visitors genuinely look forward to staying. Invest in soft, cosy bedding and a couple of good quality pillows. Having a spare pillow or two of different firmnesses means guests can choose the one that suits them. Fresh sheets make all the difference, so pop them on just before your visitors arrive rather than leaving them made up for weeks.
If you have space, consider adding a bedside table for their belongings and perhaps a blanket box or an empty drawer where they can store their suitcase contents. Nobody wants to live out of a bag for a long weekend. For more ideas on creating a welcoming atmosphere, have a look at our guest bedroom ideas for colour schemes and styling tips.
For more hosting tips, from offering the right refreshments to giving your guests space to settle in, take a look at our guide to sleep etiquette when hosting overnight guests.
There are many space-saving beds which take up as little room as possible, even with additional storage solutions.
Sofa beds come in a variety of styles and sizes. With a range of styles, shapes and practical features, we're sure you'll find the perfect match.
A sought-after bed by older kids and teens — this guide will give you reassurance.