News

Oct 26, 2024

15 Best Sleeper Chairs in 2024 for Overnight Guests

Every item on this page was hand-picked by a House Beautiful editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. These are small space heroes. Anyone trying to make life work in a

Every item on this page was hand-picked by a House Beautiful editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

These are small space heroes.

Anyone trying to make life work in a small space knows that multifunctional furniture is a must. Take, for instance, the best sleeper chairs, which, like a convertible couch or cozy futon, serve one purpose by day and a completely different one after nightfall. As cozy as they can be, though, we’ll be the first to admit that a sleeper chair should not be your primary sleeping setup (investing in a good mattress is essential for high-quality sleep), but if you have houseguests come to visit, feel free to tuck them into one of these multifunctional masterpieces because, for a day or two, they're game-changers.

To find the best ones on the market, we did everything from testing them ourselves to reading all of the reviews, to even chatting with an interior designer, Connecticut-based Lisa Schwert Pohlschroeder, for some expert tips. Comfort aside, focus on the aesthetic, she suggests. “There are a lot of options on the market that range from simple and quiet styles to ones with elevated details, like nailhead trim and unique arm designs,” she notes. After all, if it’s going to live in your space, it may as well be beautiful. Ahead, shop all our favorites, which vary in style, price, and more.

Now, you may be wondering why we named this sofa the best on our list. Allow us to explain. As House Beautiful shopping editors, we are privy to some behind-the-curtain data that allows us to see which pieces are consistently the most clicked and purchased. Time after time, this sleeper chair wins with our readers.

Use this as a regular lounge chair during the day and, when the sun goes down, as a reclining sofa or full-blown bed. It comes in seven colors, but we're partial to the pale gray pictured because it looks the most modern. Pair it with a creamy beige area rug and a similarly toned throw blanket, and you're good to go. One reviewer said, "Amazing little piece of furniture. I bought it when I was expecting out-of-town company. They slept in my bed, I slept on the hassock, and I was quite impressed." Many customers said the sleeper chair becomes significantly comfier, too, with the addition of a topper. Need a mattress topper? We have a few suggestions.

Luckily, putting this cozy sleeper chair together doesn't require an expert, but for those who don't consider themselves very dexterous, feel free to enlist a professional for less than $100 on Wayfair. Otherwise, you only need about 10 minutes to snap and twist the pieces into place. The best part? Once it's assembled, transforming it from an armless lounge to a dreamy bed takes about two seconds. Just plop the throw pillow onto the floor, unhook the seat, and unfold it so that the hidden legs are visible and locked in place on the ground. That's it! One reviewer said, "I bought this in 2019, and I still love it. I bought a second six months later. Both are heavily used as beds for guests and myself when my daughter visits."

Anyone with only a little space to spare could appreciate this easy-to-use convertible chair, which simply folds and unfolds depending on how you want to use it. Associate Shopping Editor Janae McKenzie, who tested this sleeper chair out, says, "It folds all the way up into an armchair, the front half unfolds into a chaise, and the backrest folds down to create a cot shape. There are hidden extra legs for all the different formations, and it's spring-loaded, so it's super easy to use." Her only qualm, however, is that it's very low-profile, making standing up a bit more difficult than it is from a standard accent chair. Overall, she thinks it's a winner, recommending it to anyone in need of some extra sleeping space for overnight guests. "As an apartment dweller without tons of extra space in the living room for another armchair, being able to tuck this in my bedroom has been perfect. It's a budget-friendly pick that's great for small spaces," she adds.

We'll start by acknowledging that this is one of the most expensive options on our list, but we did not include it in vain. "I have had the luxury of both sitting and snoozing on this masterpiece, and I admit that it is just as comfortable as my queen-size bed at home," Associate Shopping Editor Jessica Cherner says. "Taking it from chair to bed required a bit of upper body strength, but once it was in bed form, I had a full eight hours of uninterrupted sleep." If the snowy shade is a bit too pale for you, opt for any of the other four neutral colors. Full disclosure: One of the reasons it's so expensive is because the bed part is an air mattress (which is included), not a pad. You can also spring for a more traditional mattress if you think you'll be using it a lot.

Even though sleeper chairs are great for overnight guests who need a place to lay their heads down, they still need to function as a regular chair on the other days. For the ultimate convenience while you're lounging, this sleeper chair includes charging ports inside its track arms so you can keep your phone juiced up. There's even a storage sleeve for magazines or books on the outside. The design itself is pretty compact, but with a deep seat and three reclining positions, it's big on comfort.

This sleeper chair from Crate & Barrel includes a hidden twin-size mattress, but with the deep, cushy seats, you wouldn't know by how it feels. At five and a half inches thick, the included mattress is thicker than most that are included in sleeper chairs, and the innerspring support will help prevent that dreaded sagging in the middle of the night. If safety is one of your main concerns, the locking headrest and anti-tilt feature in the mattress will ease your worries.

At first glance, this sleeper chair simply looks like an extra cushy armchair. The tufted back, seat, and included pillow make for an inviting silhouette. Simply pull out the attached tab to raise up a sleeper platform, and the backrest folds all the way flat for a comfy place to nap. The linen lounger is available in three neutral colors, so no matter which you go with, it'll blend in with the rest of your decor. It even has three different reclining angles, so it works as a chaise lounge in addition to a bed.

This extra-wide, extra-supportive sleeper is the kind of accent chair you want to curl up in and read for hours. It's definitely quite large, nearing the dimensions of a loveseat, which is why it's so easy to spread out on for a while. The seat is a bit on the firmer side, making it a great choice for anyone with mobility concerns or who doesn't want to sink into a chair they can't get out of. The silhouette is reminiscent of heirloom furniture, so we won't be surprised if this piece becomes something you pass down from home to home.

One of the most stylish picks on our list, this midcentury modern-inspired sleeper chair is a genius pick for small spaces. When folded up, the cane legs become supportive armrests and add texture to your space. Use it as a daybed, sofa bed, or simply a comfortable armchair—whatever your entertaining needs call for. The folded seat makes for an extra deep chair, so it brings that sink-in comfort. Pair with a cane sideboard for extra cohesion.

With elegantly tufted cushions, polished wood legs, and a low-slung seat, this lounge chair, which folds down into a twin-size bed, makes for a great addition to a small living room. Full disclosure: It may not be the most comfortable bed your guests have ever slept on, but for a night or two, it will get the job done. During the day, leave the included throw pillows and ottoman as they are to give the chair a little more personality. One reviewer added, "Love this chair! It arrived as described, goes nicely with my decor, is sturdy, and is excellent quality. Highly recommend!"

When the hidden mattress isn't being used, this is the ideal chair-and-a-half or loveseat. With dozens of colorways in performance velvet, plus a few linen options, it's a great way to add luxury to your living room. It's super customizable, depending on your choice of down or down alternative cushion fill and standard or memory foam mattress. The contrast piping adds dimension and brightness to even the most muted colorways. Plus, it's on sale for a great price!

Sleeper sofas aren't exactly famous for being comfortable, but this one is challenging the norm because it features feather and down-wrapped cushions. This is more luxe than some mattresses, and that's just the cushion. The mattress is an innerspring masterpiece with double-insulated padding and a quilted top. And the best part, if you ask us, is that when it's in chair form, you can't even tell it can also transform into a twin-size bed. Upholster it in any of the 100 colors and textures from Frontgate's massive fabric library.

Another brand with seemingly unlimited fabric options? Pottery Barn, whose slip-covered sleeper chair is easily one of our favorites. The key to a comfortable find is one that is as cozy as a chair as it is a bed, and this very wide option passes the test with flying colors. Also, depending on the level of plushness you prefer, you can choose between memory foam or lofty down-blend cushions. We're opting for the latter but to each their own.

The Katina from Anthropologie is more like a traditional sleeper sofa than anything else. You simply remove the seat cushion and unfold the hidden mattress. The only downside is that it's made to order, which isn't actually a bad thing since it's the most environmentally conscious way to shop, but it won't ship for about eight weeks. We still highly recommend this chair because, well, look at it. It's such a simple and cozy silhouette, and you can order it in two types of linen, velvet, or a polyester blend in more than 30 colors.

If you're in a hurry to add a sleeper chair to your living room setup, you may not want to get this one because it's crafted with such attention to detail that it doesn't ship for at least six weeks. Otherwise, we can't recommend this one enough. It's available in more than 50 performance fabrics, which hold up against everything from pets to spills. It's also comfortable. The pull-out mattress features sink-in gel foam, so your guests will actually be happy to spend the night here.

The thing about sleeper chairs is they're not meant to be long-term sleeping solutions. In fact, they work best for short-term stays, so they should be just comfortable enough for overnight guests, but there's no need to go all out and splurge on something that you likely won't use all the time. Here's what to look for when buying a sleeper chair.

Size: Sleeper chairs are usually the solution in a small space that can't fit a full-size bed. So when you're buying a sleeper chair, be sure it is small enough to actually fit in your space but isn't so small that it doesn't look proportional to the rest of the room. "Make sure the dimensions will fit well in your space both when the pullout is open and closed," Schwert Pohlschroeder says. "It's also good to double-check that it can fit up any stairs and through doorways." Trust us; nothing is worse than ordering a piece of furniture to realize it won't actually make it into your home (or room of choice) because the doorway is too small.

Adjustability: When it comes to adjustability, you'll likely want something that is easy to maneuver between the chair and bed configurations, so look for sleeper chairs that utilize crank systems, fold-out cushions, and anything else that can adjust in a matter of seconds.

Fill: The fill is arguably the most important factor to consider when looking at sleeper chairs. If the ones you're thinking about include a mattress, you'll want to pay attention to the material there as well. We highly suggest opting for cushion fills made of plush materials, including memory foam (gel-infused foam works as well) and feather-wrapped fiber. As for the mattress, the same materials apply.

There are a few varieties of sleeper chairs that all work a little differently. One is no better than the other; it just depends on what you prefer.

Twin bed: This one you'll probably already know how to use because it uses the same mechanical system as a sleeper sofa. Simply remove the seat cushion and tug on the leg of the folded-up mattress underneath.

Fold-out: We have a few fold-outs on our list. These are basically just regular chairs whose seat cushion is folded in half. To turn it into a bed, just unfold it and lay it down flat.

Loveseat: Loveseats are often a bit bigger than a twin size and typically employ a reclining back that can fold down so that it's level with the seat.

Schwert Pohlschroeder believes that people should utilize their living spaces to the fullest, regardless of their size. "One way to achieve this is by creating multifunctional areas that can serve several purposes. To optimize the value and usability of a smaller space, it is essential to incorporate flexible furnishings like sleeper chairs that can be used as seating during the day and as a bed at night," the design expert explains. Of course, sleeper chairs aren't limited to small living rooms, though. If you have a home office, craft room, or anything in between, feel free to stick this style in there for incoming guests.

We are experts in reviewing and buying big pieces of furniture, from mattresses to sectionals. When it comes to picking out the best (and affordable) seating for any space, Associate Shopping Editors Jessica Cherner and Janae McKenzie have been reviewing furniture for nearly ten years combined. For this particular story, we spent over 10 hours combing through reviews, ratings, and trusted home brands to pick out the best sleeper chairs on the market right now for House Beautiful readers.

For even more expert input, we consulted Lisa Schwert Pohlschroeder to explain why sleeper chairs are important space-saving solutions and how to shop for the best ones. Schwert Pohlschroeder is the founder and principal designer of Connecticut-based Innate Studio. The highly trained creative (she's a NCARB-certified architect licensed in both Connecticut and New York, and an ASID-certified interior designer) has been decorating gorgeous homes for nearly two decades. Before starting her own firm, she led the in-house design team at Douglas Elliman, advising clients on an impressive $28 billion residential portfolio. Of course, she's also a House Beautiful-approved expert, offering tips and design advice on historic properties.

Brooklinen Review: We Tested the Best Sheet Sets

The Best Platform Beds Are Comfortable AND Stylish

Why Your Bedroom Needs a Canopy Bed Frame

Our Editors' Go-To Amazon Bedding Is on Sale

The Best Pillows on Amazon for All Sleep Positions

Ditch the Air Mattress, You Need a Murphy Bed

What to Know Before Buying Buffy Comforters

Why It's Time to Switch Over to Sateen Sheets

These Super Soft Sheets Will Make You Sleep In

Everyone's Raving About These $35 Sheets

Ditch the Down Pillow for a Latex One—Here's Why

12 Items Our Editors Swear by for a Great Sleep