Everyone I was looking for for this function was united in providing good lighting to make your guests feel that provision is being made. And so, if your savings room needs to be recharged by some coincidence, then the winning formula is a combination of wall lights and side lights for reading – all controlled from a central toggle switch on each side of the bed. “But a plug-in reading lamp, one on each bed, is ideal,” Harding reassures.
Of course, not everyone has the luxury of a dedicated guest room, and this is where the sofa bed comes into play. Emma Valerio, home design stylist at John Lewis & Partners, says sofa bed sales have become increasingly sought after. “When buying one, it is best to consider what it will be used for most of the time,” she says. “If it’s for the living room, then go for a design with arms, a supportive back and a folding mattress; if used occasionally and will live in an office or small space, then a click-clac style offers less space and offers a more streamlined aesthetic.
John Lewis introduced a range of sofa beds. It is part of the retailer’s wallet-friendly Anyday range and has received a four-star (out of five) rating. For those on a tighter budget, Gunning suggests looking for the Isla from sofa.com, the Sophie from Love Your Home and the Pudding from Loaf. “They are comfortable and do not look like a rigid, generic sofa bed. And remember: a double mattress is nicer to sleep on than a triple. ”
Gunning is also a fan of vintage screens to zone out the sleeping area and offer privacy. “These are charming additions to living rooms and ideal for dividing open-plan spaces,” she says. “Etsy, eBay and vintage marketplaces like Pamono and Vinterior have a lot.”
Perhaps controversial, Harding intends to do away with a sofa bed altogether. “I would rather choose a good quality inflatable mattress, because it does not take up much space. Argos and John Lewis have amazing, and it’s worth getting an electric pump to save the hassle of hand pumping. ” She also strives for double beds in children’s rooms: “Guests get a whole bedroom for themselves and children love the novelty of camping on yoga mats or inflatables in their parents’ rooms. They are also much easier to read bedtime stories in! ”