Sofa Bed / Hideaway

[SkunkedAgain]

We want to put a sofa bed / hideaway in our basement so that we've got a place for guests to stay (now that our family is growing). I haven't found much good information on the internet yet. Does anyone have any recommendations in terms of what to look for or what to buy? My parents will be sleeping on it when they visit, so it can't have uneven bars poking through the mattress!

[PurpleFloyd]

By hideaway are you talking about a Murphy Bed?

[Dave]

Sofa beds are HEAVY. I've been there. If it was me, I'd buy one of the deluxe blow up beds. Ya just plug 'em in and hit the switch to inflate or deflate. They're quite inexpensive, comfy and easy to store. Can get the bed height model so easy to get in and out for older folks.

[Smokey]

I would recommend the Klik-Klak (or Clic-Clac?) style vs. the traditional sofa bed. Much more comfortable for sleeping on. The back and armrests (if it has them) have a rachet mechanism that allows you to lay the back and armrests down into a flat configuration.

[delcecchi]

My daughter has a futon, that we gave her from our house, that is quite comfortable. My wife and I have slept on it many times and it is fine. Sort of a pain to make back into a sofa but great as a bed.

My advice is to lay on it for a while and you will be able to tell.

[CAMAN]

I would suggest a futon as well. They make some that are more comfortable than the pillowtop bed I have at home. My parents have one at their place that I sleep on once in a while and I really like it. My aunt and uncle also have a couple at their cabin that I use whenever I'm up there and enjoy those as well.

[Tom7227]

I have never encountered a hide a bed or whatever you call them that was worth a darn as either a sofa or a bed. Buy a regular sofa and then spend a hun on one of the delux blow up rigs. The only issue with them is that you're low to the ground and as you get older it's a bit tough to get up out of one.

[Dave]

The only issue with them is that you're low to the ground and as you get older it's a bit tough to get up out of one.

My brother and sister-in-law have one that's about 24" high. Not bad at all for getting in and out.

[Redlantern]

If you want to avoid having guests/inlaws coming to visit, get the sleeper sofa. If you actually want them to return, a futon will help.

[SkunkedAgain]

Interesting advice everyone. I will look into the futons. We do want my parents visiting and they are approaching their 70s so easy of entry/exit is important.