Investing in one of the best foldaway beds is a task that I've been meaning to tick off my to-do list ever since I moved away from the beloved tube line two years ago. After all — as far as I'm concerned — the sign of a truly successful girls' night is getting so engrossed in gossiping that someone ends up accidentally missing their last train home. So, squeezing some kind of convertible sleeping solution into my living room would be ideal.
Thankfully, there are lots of different types of foldable beds to choose from – from utilitarian camp beds that are lightweight and compact enough to slide seamlessly underneath the sofa, to sophisticated armchairs and footstools with nifty hidden bed mechanisms. Alternatively, the options are pretty much endless when it comes to classic fold-out futons, floor cushions, and chair beds.
Basically, there are foldable beds out there to suit all spaces and specific storage requirements – and I've made sure to include as many different types as possible in this edit. My personal favourite? It's got to be the Cayla Chenille Pop Up Sofa Bed – which would just make the cutest addition to my little reading nook.
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How I tested the best foldaway beds:
Clearly, testing each individual fold away bed ourselves wasn't feasible — so we were strict with making sure we covered all bases for every model before giving it the GLAMOUR seal of approval. So, if a fold away bed has made it into this edit, you can guarantee that we've looked at key practical details like how easy it is to collapse, fold up, and manoeuvre — or alternatively, how discreetly the pull-out bed mechanism has been designed to tuck away inside a comfy armchair or upholstered bench.
And when it comes to comfort, we've relied heavily on the reviews, and have made sure to only pick the fold away beds that ideally comes with a mattress — or at least have some kind of plush and upholstered seat cushion. Find more info on how we test here.
Why you can trust me:
I've been working as a lifestyle journalist for about a decade – but I started out in the home and interiors space, and it's definitely still my area of expertise. Covering everything from new releases and trend-led interiors edits, to detailed product guides and one-off furniture reviews, I regularly write for the likes of Glamour, Livingetc, GQ, and ES Best – meaning that I'm well-equipped to pull together this edit of the best foldaway beds.
Always keen to keep up with the latest trends and brand launches, you'll often catch me checking out new collections and furniture ranges in the flesh at press events, and even putting homeware products to the test in my own home. Plus, I've also got a long list of interiors experts to call on for expert tips and tricks whenever needed.
Ahead, the best folding beds that'll accommodate any overnight guests in 2026.
Specifications:
- Bed size: Double bed.
- Comes with a mattress? No — just plush polyester fibre filling.
- Mattress/sleeping area dimensions: W191cm x L77cm.
- Bed weight: Doesn't say.
- Delivery cost: From £29.99.
Why we love it: As lovely as it would be to have a dedicated guest room, it can feel like quite a waste of precious square-footage on a day-to-day basis. If you regularly work from home, it would make sense to turn it into a study instead — and it can still double as a spare bedroom if you furnish it with this chic pull-out bed that comes in a range of different woven, corduroy, and velvet fabrics.
Thanks to its clever click clack mechanism, this one quickly and seamlessly folds out to the size of a typical double bed mattress. While — when it's tucked away as a small two-person seat — it takes up considerably less room than your typical clunky sofa bed, thanks to its compact armless design, and thin tapered wooden legs.
“We needed a small sofa bed for our office for when guests stay, and this one has been perfect,” says one happy DUSK customer. “It's comfortable to sit on, folds out easily, and in terms of assembly all I had to do was add the legs — which I did easily.”
Save when you shop for the best fold away beds with these DUSK discount codes at checkout.
Specifications:
- Bed size: Single bed.
- Comes with a mattress? No — filling made with PU foam and polyester fibre.
- Mattress/sleeping area dimensions: W83cm x L180cm.
- Bed weight: Doesn't say.
- Delivery cost: From £9.95.
Why we love it: With its soft and snuggly boucle upholstery, sturdy backrest, and deeply cushioned seat, this clever chair would make a reliable addition to any cosy corner or reading nook. And best of all, it's got a clever metal frame that folds out fully flat — so it can be quickly and easily transformed into a makeshift bed for impromptu sleepovers.
Providing little in terms of elevation, you do feel like you're sleeping pretty close to the floor — but this makes it particularly well-suited to kids, or attic bedrooms with especially low ceilings. “I used this chair to create a TV snug under my daughter's cabin bed, and she absolutely loves it,” writes one pleased parent.
And it's still certainly comfortable enough to parents to snooze on — with one reviewer commenting that she's happily slept on it for a few hours here or there when tending to her young children in the night.
Save when you shop for the best fold away beds with these Dunelm discount codes at checkout.
Specifications:
- Bed size: Small single bed.
- Comes with a mattress? Yes — memory foam mattress.
- Mattress/sleeping area dimensions: W73cm x L190cm.
- Bed weight: 15.4kg.
- Delivery cost: From £9.95.
Why we love it: A great all-rounder, this fold away bed offers the perfect balance of convenience and comfort. With its relatively lightweight frame, 360-degree foot-locking castors, and compact 24cm deep size when folded up, one of the best things about it is just how quick and easy it is to set-up and put away.
Meanwhile, the sturdy Mono-Tex platform base, zinc-coated steel frame, and handy built-in headboard ensure that it's still a stable and supportive place to sleep. And the mattress has been made with two different layers of responsive Memory eFibre that'll keep your guests feeling comfortable and supported all night long.
“This is the comfiest fold up bed I have ever tried,” one customer writes. “Really hardwearing, it's stood up to all five of my children playing on it. It's also easy to move around, easy to fold, and super supportive. Amazing value for money!”
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Specifications:
- Bed size: Double bed.
- Comes with a mattress? Yes — foam mattress with a polyester and viscose cover.
- Mattress/sleeping area dimensions: W113cm x L180cm.
- Bed weight: Doesn't say.
- Delivery cost: From £49.
Why we love it: A squishy yet sophisticated alternative to a typical coffee table, upholstered footstools are great for putting your feet up while watching the telly — while also still being sturdy enough to balance a tray of piping hot teas. A lovely addition to any living room, this gorgeous Loaf one boasts a traditional deep buttoned design, comes in 141 different fabrics, and will be installed in your exact chosen spot by the delivery crew.
But best of all, it also happens to have a handy fold-out double bed frame and foam mattress stashed inside — with the ‘lid’ seamlessly transforming into a tall statement headboard. So it's the perfect piece of furniture for anyone who wants to be able to easily turn their living room into a spare bedroom when it's required — but can't find a sofa bed they like.
Specifications:
- Bed size: Large double/Queen size bed.
- Comes with a mattress? No — just a high-density foam filling.
- Mattress/sleeping area dimensions: W145cm x L173cm.
- Bed weight: 6kg.
- Delivery cost: Free for orders over £100.
Why we love it: While it might not feel like a sophisticated enough sofa bed to have in your living room for grown-up guests to use, this slouchy fold-out bed will certainly come in handy if you have kids. In a teenager's bedroom, it's the perfect laidback seat to lounge on while playing the PlayStation or snuggling under a blanket — but it would also work well in a playroom for little ones as a comfy foam sofa that sits flush to the floor.
Great for sleepovers and slumber parties, simply unfasten the ties and open out each section to easily turn it into a double mattress made entirely from dense foam. Plus, the bolstered backrest doubles as an impromptu headboard — and it comes in Jet Black or Flint Grey upholstery.
“I bought this to use as a spare bed for when my granddaughters stay over — and it's also made a nice sofa for them to sit on and watched a movie together," writes one pleased customer. “I'm pleasantly surprised!”
Save when you shop for the best fold away beds with these Argos discount codes at checkout.
Specifications:
- Bed size: Small single bed.
- Comes with a mattress? Yes — e-Fibre mattress.
- Mattress/sleeping area dimensions: W70cm x L190cm.
- Bed weight: 1.1kg.
- Delivery cost: Free for orders over £100.
Why we love it: One of the best value folding beds on the market, this convenient and compact option by Jay-Be helps you efficiently turn any space into a makeshift bedroom. With its sturdy steel frame, supportive platform base, and durable and breathable e-Fibre mattress, reviewers say that's it's the perfect semi-permanent bed — and it's also surprisingly comfortable.
Weighing just under 9kg, it's relatively lightweight and easy to unfurl — so it's the kind of bed that you can quickly set-up for a last-minute sleepover, or easily carry from the car to your camping spot. Simple and effective – we really can't complain.
"I bought this so my daughter can have a friend to stay in her small room which isn’t big enough for even a small double bed," says one Argos customer. “It's just what we needed — great quality, easy to put up and fold away, and apparently very comfortable.”
Specifications:
- Bed size: Small double bed.
- Comes with a mattress? No — just a polyester and foam filling.
- Mattress/sleeping area dimensions: W115cm x L190cm.
- Bed weight: Doesn't say.
- Delivery cost: From £9.95.
Why we love it: The ultimate accent piece for a small living space, this modern armchair seamlessly transforms into a small double bed — without in any way sacrificing on style. Upholstered in a beautifully soft and cosy chenille fabric, it comes in three different colours – but I'd go for this orange one if you're after the perfect statement seat for a cosy corner or reading nook.
In terms of design, I absolutely love the playful and contemporary feel of its gently curved backrest and subtle piping, and the plump seating is just as comfortable for sitting as it is for sleeping. Want to turn it into a bed? Just pull-out and pop-up the bed mechanism, and collapse the backrest.
Specifications:
- Bed size: Small single bed.
- Comes with a mattress? No — just foam filling.
- Mattress/sleeping area dimensions: W60cm x L180cm.
- Bed weight: Doesn't say.
- Delivery cost: From £19.
Why we love it: Overnight house guests will love the transformative power of this unassuming cubic foot stool. You wouldn't know it from just looking, but the removable cover conceals a neatly stacked, three-sectioned floor cushion that easily unfolds to create an extra sleep surface when required.
A stylish spot to rest your legs or place your drink, it's a multipurpose piece of furniture that's well worth stashing underneath your coffee table. Plus, it comes in over 140 different fabrics — so you'll have no trouble finding one that works seamlessly with your chosen design style.
Arguably more of a floor mattress than a proper bed, it's pretty close to the floor — but it still makes a great last-minute option for an unexpected overnight guest in need of somewhere to crash after a night out.
Specifications:
- Bed size: Small double bed.
- Comes with a mattress? Yes — e-Pocket sprung mattress.
- Mattress/sleeping area dimensions: W113cm x L190cm.
- Bed weight: 25.7kg.
- Delivery cost: Free for orders over £100.
Why we love it: With its smart and compact design, and plush mattress made with 400 individual pocket springs that each adapt to the contour and shape of your body, it's not surprising that this is one of the most popular folding double bed options. After all — it's a worthwhile purchase if you don't have a spare bedroom or pull-out sofa for when the in-laws come to stay.
Its generous 200kg weight capacity means it'll comfortably accommodate most couples — and the mattress also boasts impressive temperature-regulating technology to ensure your guests wont get overheated during the night. “We had two people sleeping on this bed for a weekend, and got absolutely no complaints,” adds one impressed customer.
Our only real gripe is that some reviewers say you can really feel the metal bar in the middle of the bed frame — so purchasing a mattress topper is recommended.
Specifications:
- Bed size: Small single bed.
- Comes with a mattress? No — just upholstered fabric.
- Mattress/sleeping area dimensions: W75cm x L183cm.
- Bed weight: 42kg.
- Delivery cost: From £19.99.
Why we love it: With its gorgeous sand coloured upholstery, and unique pull-out mechanism, there's a lot to love about this bed in a box. Transforming into a single bed within a matter of minutes, the box lid lifts up and pivots into a soft fluted headboard — and then you simply unfold the bed mechanism from within the box. Plus, it even arrives fully assembled.
Got overnight guests who typically come with a little one in tow? Pop the Madeline at the foot of the bed in the spare bedroom — and while it might just look like an upholstered footstool or bench seat on first glance, they'll be delighted when you reveal that it's actually a proper additional sleeping space.
Specifications:
- Bed size: Two singles, or one king bed.
- Comes with a mattress? Yes — two foam mattresses.
- Mattress/sleeping area dimensions: W80cm x L200cm or W160cm x L200cm.
- Bed weight: 32kg.
- Delivery cost: From £30 — or click and collect for free.
Why we love it: Certainly one of the most multifunctional pieces of furniture we've found, these beds can be configured as two side-by-side singles, pushed together to use as one comfy king size, or stacked on top of each other to create a space-saving daybed.
“These stackable beds have been a great buy for my son's room,” says one IKEA customer. “The bed itself is comfy enough for everyday use, and we love how quickly it can be transformed into two beds when he has a friend stay over.”
Both beds boast sturdy and durable solid pine frames — but are still lightweight enough for easy manoeuvring. Is it technically more of a stackable than foldable design? Yes. But we feel that the uniquely versatile and space-saving construction of these beds make them well and truly worthy of an honorary spot in this edit.
Specifications:
- Bed size: Small single bed.
- Comes with a mattress? Yes — deep sprung mattress.
- Mattress/sleeping area dimensions: W76cm x L197cm.
- Bed weight: 30kg.
- Delivery cost: Free for orders over £100.
Why we love it: Fitted with a supremely plush and thick mattress, this single folding bed is guaranteed to be just as comfy as any permanent set-up. The deep sprung mattress is highly durable and supportive — and it's topped with a comfort layer of luxury lambswool that's naturally hypoallergenic, and also actively wicks away moisture to help with temperature regulation throughout the night.
“I've had this bed for around 3 weeks now, and I've been getting the best sleep I've had in months,” says one particularly happy Argos customer. “Sleeping on a sofa bed for around four months left me with significant back problems — but since swapping to this one, the pain has reduced so much that I've finally been able to get back to my normal daily activities.”
But clearly, all that comfort and stability comes at a slight cost — with pretty much all reviewers agreeing that this Jay-Be model takes up a fair bit of space, and has a visible under-bed mechanism that's quite the eyesore. Plus — weighing in at 30kg — it'll be pretty tricky to drag with you up or down a rickety loft ladder. So, be sure you've got a big enough cupboard or closet to hide it away in before you add it to your basket.
Specifications:
- Bed size: Small single bed.
- Comes with a mattress? No — cushion filling not specified.
- Mattress/sleeping area dimensions: W76cm x L185cm.
- Bed weight: Doesn't say.
- Delivery cost: From £6.99.
Why we love it: This classic single futon features an exposed frame with a clever fold-out mechanism, and has been meticulously made from sustainably sourced pine. And best of all, its 12.5cm deep-filled cushion proves just as comfy in the seated position as when its converted into a single mattress.
Giving you that little bit more structure and elevation than you'd get with a simple fold out floor cushion, the Maggie is a truly sophisticated piece of furniture that's stylish and comfy in equal measure. It also boasts a highly durable and hard-wearing cotton cover that's available in 14 different contemporary colours — from muted tones, to eye-popping brights.
A read through the reviews will quickly let you know that customers are pretty much united in the belief that this high-quality single futon is seriously good value for money. “A stylish and comfortable piece of furniture, this futon looks great in my spare room — and comes with the added bonus of doubling as a spare bed when needed,” writes one of the many customers who left a glowing five-star review.
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Specifications:
- Bed size: Small single bed.
- Comes with a mattress? No — just the polycotton and fibresprung fibre filling.
- Mattress/sleeping area dimensions: W60cm x L185cm.
- Bed weight: 6.3kg.
- Delivery cost: From £3.50 to £24.
Why we love it: Seriously slouchy and invitingly comfy, this low-sitting sofa bed will be the envy of all who lounge – or snooze – on it. Filled with a plump fibre filling, its even got snap fasteners to help secure it into a seated position, and also transforms into a small single bed mattress when completely unfurled.
With its clever foldable mattress design, and helpful carry handles, it's the perfect portable sleeping solution for camping trips and festivals — and it's lightweight enough to easily transport to and from the car park. And, best of all, it comes in a range of chic and contemporary fabric options — as well as a larger size, which is great if you like the sound of a floor sofa that transforms into a cosy small double bed.
Specifications:
- Bed size: Double bed.
- Comes with a mattress? Yes – foam.
- Mattress/sleeping area dimensions: W133cm x L188cm.
- Bed weight: Doesn't say.
- Delivery cost: From £119.
Why we love it: It may look like an unassuming (albeit luxurious) ottoman, but what this velvety cuboid conceals is a very handy fold-out bed — complete with a sturdy metal mechanism, and a comfy foam mattress. So while it simply looks like a typical unholstered bench seat, it's actually the ultimate hideaway folding bed.
Rather ingeniously, the lid of the box becomes the headboard of the bed — while the tall metal frame keeps you satisfyingly elevated as you slumber, just like a conventional sofa bed. Boasting exceptional craftsmanship, and some seriously shrewd design, this is a game-changing furniture piece you won't regret investing in.
In terms of fabrics, there are roughly 100 for you to browse — from sumptuously soft velvets in bold and opulent tones, to textured basket and herringbone cotton weaves that feel fitting for a more neutral space.
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Specifications:
- Bed size: Single bed.
- Comes with a mattress? No.
- Mattress/sleeping area dimensions: W92.5cm x L180cm.
- Bed weight: Doesn't say.
- Delivery cost: £4.95 for standard delivery.
Why we love it: Upholstered in a soft woven fabric in a stylish olive green colour, and accessorised with a back cushion and a weighted bolster cushion, it's safe to say that this is one of the most sophisticated foam fold-outs i've ever come across. A chic yet understated addition to any living room or home office, its armless design also makes it well-suited to small spaces.
Not just a pretty face, it's also been cleverly fitted with a wooden base with springs – so it'll offer considerably more support and comfort than your standard foam floor cushion. And best of all, it actually meets the measurements of a UK single mattress – so your overnight guest wont be short on space.
Specifications:
- Bed size: Double bed.
- Comes with a mattress? No.
- Mattress/sleeping area dimensions: W135cm x L190cm.
- Bed weight: 24kg.
- Delivery cost: From £9.95, depending on your location.
Why we love it: Turning a study or child's bedroom into a guest room for someone who's staying with you for a prolonged period of time? This fully foldable double bed takes fifteen minutes max to assemble – just unfold the upholstered frame, use the eight bolts and Allen key provided to screw in the central support rail, and then attach the wooden slat base.
Topped with a comfortable mattress of your choosing, it's guaranteed to be considerably more supportive to sleep on than a camp bed or sofa bed. Plus the pretty linen-look upholstered frame leaves it looking considerably more sophisticated. And when your guests have left, just fold it up, and stow it away in the loft until next time.
Foldaway bed FAQs:
Is it bad to sleep on a foldaway bed?
As a general rule, sleeping on a rollaway or folding bed is totally fine for short periods. Space-saving and portable, they're great for occasional weekend guests and children's sleepovers — and also make convenient temporary sleeping solutions for home renovations and house moves.
But while some of the more premium models do provide improved levels of comfort and support, foldable beds generally have much thinner mattresses, and have less stable (and sometimes creaky!) frames that don't support your weight as well as a proper bed frame. So, they certainly shouldn't be used as a permanent or particularly regular sleeping solution — especially if you already have issues with back or joint pain.
How thick is the mattress on a foldaway bed?
Mattresses on folding beds are generally quite thin — and annoyingly, the more compact your bed folds up, the thinner its mattress will likely need to be. Most popular folding beds seem to have mattresses that are between about 6 and 13 centimetres thick — and foam is typically the chosen filling, as it compresses well. Keen to upgrade the comfort and support levels? Just add a luxurious mattress topper.
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