Are you looking for the perfect guest bed for your home? It can be challenging to find a bed that's comfortable for overnight guests, and that also makes the most of the available space. Fortunately, there are several types of guest beds that can accommodate your needs. Here's a quick list of the different types of beds for that next sleepover or family staying over:

Storage Beds

Storage beds are an excellent choice for guest rooms and are great for those who need extra storage in their homes, but have limited space. They provide ample storage space underneath the bed and often come with a box, drawers or shelves. While storage beds can be a bit more expensive than regular beds, you will not need to purchase as much separate storage furniture.  Always look at the quality of the opening mechanisms, as well as ease of opening and closing, to ensure they are going to withstand the test of time and are easy to access. 

Gaya Storage Bed

Sofa Beds & Daybeds

Sofa beds or day beds (depending on where you come from) are a great option for accommodating guests in small spaces, as they can easily transition from a couch to a bed.  They also make a great option if you do not have a guest room, and you need to accommodate guests in your living room.

They generally provide comfortable seating during the day by featuring three sides that act as the back and sides of the sofa (although some are available as a chaise longue) and then convert into a bed for a comfortable sleep at night. They come in a variety of sizes and colours, so you can find the perfect fit for your room.

Consider if you want the hidden bed that pulls out to be used only as a separate bed, or if it needs to be the same height, so you can put the two together to make a double bed.

The Bolzan Letti Fly and Biba sofa bed, shown above, both offer great flexibility for stylish looking sofas by day and pull out beds (twin or double beds) by night.

Bunk Beds

Bunk beds are a great solution for accommodating multiple guests in the same room. They provide an economical way to maximise space and can also be a great option for kids or spare bedrooms.

There is the possibility for different sizes of bunk beds.

The standard single Bunk Bed is usually 90 x 200cm on the top and bottom.

The alternative is to have a larger bottom bunk, e.g. 140cm x 200cm, which can accommodate two people, with a standard single (90 x 200cm) bunk on top, for example the Family Bunk Bed from Lifetime Kids:

The downside of bunk beds is that they can be a bit more difficult to climb up and down from for those less agile, so may not be a convenient solution for grandparents, but perfect for children's sleepovers!

Trundle or Stacking Beds

A trundle bed is another great option with the convenience of storing two single beds in the footprint of one single bed, with the second bed stored underneath the other.

It has a mattress and frame that can be pulled out on wheels and sit next to the main bed. These work equally well in guest bedrooms or children's bedrooms when having friends over to stay.

Lifetime Kids offer some great solutions with both guest beds and internal storage, as shown in the Cabin Bed with Guest Bed above.

The Müller Small Living Stacking Bed is another great option as you can simply unstack to reveal a spare bed! Within reason, you can stack as many beds as you want! 

Other Beds

Other options such as folding beds and air beds can be a great solution for short stays. Airbeds don't take up a lot of room and pack down small when not in use.  Folding beds offer a little more comfort, but can be less convenient as you have to have somewhere to store them when not being used. However, both options provide a less costly solution, but the trade-off here is usually comfort as these are typically the least comfortable of all the options.

Considerations:

Once you've narrowed down the type of guest bed you want, consider the following elements:

• Mattress: Choose a mattress that is comfortable and supportive, to ensure a good night's sleep for your guests. Consider the type of mattress that your guests would prefer. A really firm or soft mattress may be your choice, but something in the middle is better to ensure all your guests sleep well. If you need advice or to see samples, please do contact us.
• Storage: Look for beds with built-in storage drawers, shelves, or headboards, to provide extra storage space. This can be the perfect place to hide away extra bedding or toys for the grandkids that only get used when people are staying.
• Convertible design: 
  
  Look for a bed with multiple solutions, such as a sofa bed, to easily transition between a couch and a bed, always useful when the room the bed is in has another purpose when guests aren't staying.
• Bunk design: Choose a bed with a bunk design to maximize space, which can be used for storage or additional place to play for the kids. Some even offer a double bed on the bottom and single bed above.
• Height: Consider the height of the bed base as well as the mattress, especially important if you plan to use an existing mattress. Some beds offer an adjustable base so if you have a thick mattress, you can drop the height of the slats so your guests dont need a ladder to climb into bed at night!
• Quality: Check the quality of the materials and construction, you want this purchase to last for years to come. Where there is a mechanism make sure your mattress is within the weight tolerance, otherwise the mechanism could fail.
• Style: Make sure the bed will match the rest of the space. If you like Scandinavian design, then look for a simple, clean style or go for that luxury hotel look with a fabric finish that your guests will look forward to when they visit.

What types of bedding is best for a guest bed?

When it comes to outfitting a guest bed for your visitors, you want to make sure that you choose bedding that is comfortable and inviting. It’s best to use a medium weight comforter or a duvet that can be easily washed and dried. Bed sheets should be made from a breathable fabric such as cotton or linen, and a washable mattress topper can be helpful for hygeine purposes and for added cushioning and protection.

Try and offer some different firmness of pillows, these should be chosen for comfort but also come in a variety of materials, including down, synthetic, and memory foam. Be aware that some guests may have allergies, so for these synthetic solutions may prove to be a preferable filler versus feathers.

Having plenty of extra blankets on hand can be advantageous in case your visitors get cold. Lastly, don’t forget the finishing touches, like decorative pillows and throws, to create a cozy and welcoming space.

We hope you've found this guide to choosing the perfect guest bed helpful. Many of our beds at Milola are customisable so if you would like to talk with our team about any of the products you see in our bed collection, please feel free to contact us.