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Sleeper sofas for overnight guests – tips to keep them happy
Sarah Morris is an avid writer of home decor and product reviews. She covers furniture products and more for ChosenFurniture.
If you’re the happy owner of a sleeper sofa bed, you may become curious as to how to dress and beautify your sofa. It comes in one or more sizes, colors, or patterns, but there are actions that you can take to change the way it looks so that you can get the feel you like and the look that matches your style and comfort.
If you have a sofa bed that matches the color scheme of your room but you feel like you’d like more, keep reading for styling options you can apply to your sleeper right now, with minimal costs.
Create A Theme or Color Palette
Like with any styling, to start you need a plan – start with the question: what state of mind and style do you want to achieve?
This will give you some ideas on a color palette and ultimately the accessories you select. Want to add autumn vibes? You might like to use some of this season’s colors, like orange, ivory, brown, gold, or burgundy. Or would you prefer a soft and romantic palette? Pink, red, blue, and gray is a winning combo!
Do not forget about the color tones! We all prefer rooms where we can switch off and relax. Colors can have a huge influence in helping minds to calm down. Often, colors and shades of blue, green or neutral tones work best. Don’t be afraid to use them. Or, you can use timber and metal in a trendy rustic-meets-industrial look.
You can also get your sofa bed to match your room color decor (or diversify) simply by adding different kinds of patterns and fabrics just as described below. You can add the patterns by using a throw pillow, throws and blankets, slipcovers, and quilts.
Throw Pillows
It’s easy to refresh your sofa bed style with a selection of decorative throw pillows. Add a set of toss pillows to bring a whole new look with minimal effort. Choose from unique patterns and designs in herringbone cotton, faux fur, and velvet – or mix and match textures, creating a unique design. With buttons, stripes, embroidery, tassels, patchwork, and other detailing, throw pillows make the perfect sofa bed accessories.
Throw pillows should be placed in specific layouts to get the most impact. It’s about harmony – if using multiple colors, textures, and patterns, balance the number and placement against one another. Induce symmetric design for pleasing the eye. For best results, mix them with other decorative pillows with patterns that are much more subtle. Using a throw pillow with contrasting fabric and textures can be just the thing you need to liven up your sofa.
Another way to style with decorative pillows is to bank on a mixture of colors. Works well for contemporary or modern sofas that mostly rely on a single color. Choose between two and five vivid colors for your palette, depending on how many colors you want to bring in, and lay pillows where they will get the most use.
If your sofa already carries a fair amount of vibrant tones, color isn’t always the way to go. Use pillows in soft, creamy pastels and neutral tones. Place these to alleviate the look of bright colors or tone down strong patterns like multicolored polka dots, florals, and jacquard. Plain white and black pillows are the most versatile – these can be placed almost anywhere to pull the design theme together instantly.
» Click here to discover Best Selling Throw Pillows on Amazon
Throws and Blankets
Throws and blankets help to set the atmosphere in a room. They do at least three things for any sofa sleeper.
First, it adds color. Decorative pillows rock, however, throws can have an even stronger effect since they cover a larger surface area.
Second, blankets thrive with their texture. You can have three or four textures going on at the same time: fuzzy, sleek, reflective and soft.
And last, they add a combination of practical and fashionable.
If you put a blanket over your sleeper sofa, you can add a pop of color to a neutral sofa. Using the right colorful blanket will draw the eye to the sofa without being annoying. Throws and blankets come in many different options that are sure to brighten your sofa bed.
» Click here for Top 20 Best Sellers in Blankets and Throws
Quilts
There are so many types of quilts; one of the most basic is a “pieced quilt”. The simplest definition of a pieced quilt is any quilt made up of different fabrics sewn together. A pieced quilt is also commonly referred to as a Patchwork Quilt.
It can be any type of block and virtually any construction technique: Half Square Triangles, Tumblers, Strips, you name it. Making a pieced quilt gives the creator pretty much endless freedom of design.
Pieced quilts can be themed or scrappy, they can be planned or unplanned, they can be vintage-inspired or modern, they can be of patterns or free form (wonky), etcetera.
Modern quilts are not always intended for use as bedding and may be used as throws, wall hangings, table runners or tablecloths. For modern quilts, the most popular is quilter’s weight cotton. It is 100% high-quality cotton so it usually shrinks less than other types.
It also bleeds less than other pieces of cotton, so it looks good even after washing. Quilts are also made with a combination of cotton and linen.
Keeping quilts for your sleeper bed encourages your guests to get comfortable and relax. the style is eternally popular: it’s relaxed, cheerful, and instantly invites you to make yourself at home.
» Click here to choose from Best Selling Quilts
Mattress Protectors
In order to protect your mattress, you need to equip it with the best mattress cover you can find. These covers help to protect against moisture, mildew, sweat, accidental bedwetting, can be hypoallergenic and aid in reducing symptoms of eczema, asthma, or other severe allergies. Considering the high cost of mattresses, using a mattress protector makes sense!
A mattress protector helps to prevent stains and marks but also can help to minimize dust, dirt, and other damage that will gradually degrade the performance and aesthetics of your mattress. While mattress protectors are especially helpful for people with allergies, we all benefit from using them.
Most mattress protectors come with some sort of waterproof material, typically Polyurethane made with vinyl. Because of the health risks associated with the toxins released by PVC, it is recommended that you avoid purchasing or exposing to products made with this material. Many brands are choosing to make waterproof mattress protectors that are vinyl-free.
Our Recommendation: SafeRest Premium Hypoallergenic Waterproof Mattress Protector – Vinyl Free. Need more alternatives? Click here to discover Top 100 best mattress protectors.
Slipcovers
There are two motives you’ll want to use a sleeper sofa slipcover: to change the color and to protect your sofa bed.
If the color of your sofa bed starts to annoy or get bored, then try a new tint. Picking up a couch that’s compatible with all different sizes of slipcovers is a good idea. The good about sofa covers is that they are super easy to use and make. Sofa covers are also great in case you are not going to use it a lot.
Slipcovers do cleaning and maintaining a breeze. Choose a sofa slipcover that is soft, waterproof, friendly with kids and pets. The ability to remove the slipcover and wash it gives you peace of mind in the event of spills or stains.
Things to note about sleeper sofa slipcovers:
- It makes clean up easier.
- It allows you to change the look of your sofa.
- It allows you to experiment with different colors, fabrics, and textures.
Top 5 Best Sofa Slipcovers (and Most Stylish!) That Are Cheaper Than Reupholstering Your Lovely Couch
Whether your sleeper sofa bed is new or decades old, a washable slipcover will help to keep it looking fresh at all times. We’ve rounded up some of the best options on the market today to help you find slipcovers that are great in both style and practicality.
#1 Sofa Shield Original Patent Pending Reversible Sofa Slipcover
Available in a large variety of colors, patterns, sizes, and shapes. Choose from a line of protectors sized to fit any sofa, loveseat, futon, recliner, chair, chaise, and sectional. Plus, they are all tested to be 100% machine washable and dryable.
Feature the most generous size to cover more of your furniture, have a much higher thread count for an extra soft feel, and the thickest and plushest filling for the most comfort. Come with an exclusively designed 2-inches thick strap (to help hold your cover in place) engineered to be strong and effective for your Sofa Shield cover. Not recommended for leather! LIFETIME no questions asked warranty.
#2 Easy-Going Stretch 1-Piece Sofa Slipcover
Protect your newly sofa from daily wear and stains. Various colors are available, you can choose the color you like to cover. Made of 20% spandex and 80% polyester, with high quality stretchy fabric, soft and comfortable.
Sofa slipcover fit seat width of 66 to 90 inches. It is machine washable, please wash at temperature around 30 degrees Celsius. Using mild laundey detergents are advised. Do NOT bleach and do NOT iron. Offer a 30 days no question asked warranty.
#3 Easy-Going 2 Pieces Microfiber Stretch Sofa Slipcover
Different colors and sizes are ready to purchase. Made of microfiber, it is soft, comfortable, and also sturdy. Sofa slipcover fits seat width between 66 and 90 inches.
Very easy to install, check the manual guide carefully, it can be finished within 10 minutes by one person. Easy care because it is machine washable, wash at a temperature around 30 degrees Celsius – mild laundry detergents are advised. Do NOT bleach and do NOT iron. Comes with 30 days no question asked warranty.
#4 PureFit Super Stretch Sofa Slipcover Spandex
Protect your sofa furniture from daily wears and tears, kids, scratches from pets, or accidental spills. It also transforms an old, worn-out couch into a stunning centerpiece of your room. Featuring non-skid elastic bottom and premium non-slip foam anchors.
Guarantee it will stay tight with no snag, no wrinkling, shifting or slipping even after sitting or taking a nap on it. Machine washable slipcover, wash at or below 30 degrees Celsius, do NOT bleach, or do NOT iron. Offer 6 months no question asked on all sofa covers.
#5 H.VERSAILTEX High Stretch Sofa Slipcover 2 Pieces
Super soft and comfortable, natural environmental and ECO-friendly. Protect your sofa from spills, staining and tearing, while still add luxurious and charming looking. Crafted from durable and soft high stretch knitted jacquard fabric (85% polyester and 15% spandex).
Effortless to install on and off, constructed with thick elastic bands to cover the bottom edges well for full protection. Machine washable for easy care and maintenance, separately in cold water on the gentle cycle, do NOT use bleach and iron.
Sofas covers will increase the longevity of your sofa or couch and help to retain its aesthetic appeal over time. This is especially true if you have pets and kids in your household. Sofa covers are great for protecting your sofa from stains and shedding fur caused by pets such as dogs and cats. They are also effective at protecting your sofa from dirt, food particles, and spill-prone kids as well.
We find sofa covers to be extremely useful for protecting your sleeper sofa bed when you have guests or family staying over. Or even during large events or gatherings such as parties where spills are more prone to happen. Hence, in this article, we recommend some of the best sofa slipcovers to buy from top furniture brands.
Style Your Sleeper Sofa Bed – Extra Tips
- If you’re shy with color, consider using neutral bedding and bringing in color and interest using feature cushions and throws.
- You don’t have to style the sleeper sofa bed symmetrically, having some cushions stacked and another lying, or even reversing the color order of pillows can add a fun twist.
- If you’ve got the time and want a perfect sleeper sofa bed look, bust out the iron and give your sheets the once over.
- For each type of sofas, there is another way to decorate.
- Look at color references between the bedding and other things happening in the space — can you pick up colors from artwork or other decors?
- At last but not least — always keep your sleeper sofa and sofa bed clean. Check our recommendations on 5 Sleeper Sofas Cleaning Tips That Will Make You Snuggling Better.
Sarah Morris is a passionate home decor expert, how-to reviewer of furniture products, and a fact checker for ChosenFurniture. She is passionate about all types of design, with a personal preference for traditional, rustic, and modern. She has over 10 years of writing and editing experience, covering decor choices in the kitchen, living room, outdoors, and more.
