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Original poster

Making a lounge into a lounge/bedroom.

26 replies

CoffeeRunner · 23/01/2021 23:00

Has anybody else had to turn their lounge into a bedroom-come-lounge?

If so, what sofa bed do you have that is suitable for daily use?

We have three bedrooms. DS1 is 23 & autistic. He has to have his own space. DS2 is 19 & DD is 9. To this point we have shared the largest bedroom with DD.

However the time is fast approaching when she will need her own space and when sharing a room with her parents will be highly embarrassing.

We can’t afford to move - the extra bedroom is an another £150k here - and can’t extend. We are fine with making the lounge our bedroom for the next few years but would need a sofa bed which would be sturdy enough for daily use but also presentable enough as an actual sofa should we ever be allowed visitors again .

Does this exist?

OP posts:

Original poster

CoffeeRunner · 23/01/2021 23:02

Please excuse the extra ‘an’.

OP posts:

Palavah · 23/01/2021 23:04

Does it need to be just presentable as a sofa or comfortable too as your main sofa?

Original poster

CoffeeRunner · 23/01/2021 23:08

We have two sofas at present, so there is no need for the sofa bed to also be our main sitting on sofa.

In fact, one of the two we have has barely been sat on.

OP posts:

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Home improvement

Original poster

CoffeeRunner · 23/01/2021 23:09

Sorry, for clarification, the sofa bed would replace the barely used sofa.

OP posts:

Namechange2020lalala · 23/01/2021 23:09

I watch a lot of small space videos on YouTube and the best solutions I've come across are the ikea hemnes day bed and also Murphy wall beds. That way your bed is made up already.

Although this company www.furl.co.uk/sofa-beds seems good too.

EatingAllTheCookies · 23/01/2021 23:10

Is one room big enough to put a partition ( prob spelt wrong but I can't seem to spell it for some reason)

I know you said can't extend. Does that include loft conversion?

Original poster

CoffeeRunner · 23/01/2021 23:14

The largest room could be partitioned but it’s long & thin so only one half could have a window.

We did enquire about loft conversion but were told it would be “almost impossible”. I think it was because we are a corner house in a terrace. You couldn’t easily raise just our roof?! Something like that anyway.

OP posts:

Original poster

CoffeeRunner · 23/01/2021 23:15

@Namechange2020lalala

I watch a lot of small space videos on YouTube and the best solutions I've come across are the ikea hemnes day bed and also Murphy wall beds. That way your bed is made up already.

Although this company www.furl.co.uk/sofa-beds seems good too.

Thank you. I’ll take a look.

OP posts:

EmmaGrundyForPM · 23/01/2021 23:15

Dont bother with a sofabed, even very expensive ones aren't comfortable enough for every day use.

Get rid of your second sofa and buy a murphy bed. Then get a couple of beanbags or directors chairs which you can move out of the way at night when you fold down the Murphy bed.

movingonup20 · 23/01/2021 23:28

What is the situation with your 23 year old - could he live independently or does he need care? I only ask because there's supported living options (dp's dd lives in one) that's not a care home that could be an option especially as you are overcrowded. Your council adult social services coordinator should be able to advice on local providers.

TitsalinaBumSquash · 23/01/2021 23:31

We had to do this for years OP.
IKEA is your friend with everyday sofa beds. The corner one that you store the bedding in the chais is alright or the metal one that you can put a fitted cover on in the daytime.

It was utterly miserable tbh (not from a comfort point) if there is any other way then I'd look at that.

Defenbaker · 23/01/2021 23:38

I agree with @EmmaGrundyForPM sofabeds are not comfortable enough for long term use. Also, they aren't very comfortable as sofas either - the worst of both worlds! Not a solution, just a waste of money.

Just get rid of one sofa (or move it into the bedroom with DD - there will be space when your bed is removed) and put your double bed in the lounge, then arrange some kind of partition to screen the sleeping area off. It won't be ideal but it's not forever, and as for daylight - not essential for the sleeping area, so not a problem really. Explain to DD that you will need to keep a your wardrobe in her room, rather than reduce living room space too much.

In a few years chances are one of your adult DC will leave home so this solution seems sensible.

FlyingByTheSeatof · 23/01/2021 23:40

It's easy enough to just screw some wooden planks up to create a frame and then screw plasterboard on and paint to create 2 rooms from one. It's really easy. If you want a door just measure the gap for a door and frame

dizzycatdance2 · 23/01/2021 23:50

The clei company do some very fancy sofa beds that use a full size "real" mattress.

.they are not cheap £6000 but way cheaper than an extension and if used for a few years then sold on could be pretty cost effective. I was lucky enough to get one for 500 on eBay.

EBay often have second hand Murphy beds also look out for study beds, depending on your lounge layout could combine a desk / tv unit and Murphy type bed.

For everyday use a bed with a full mattess that you don't have to make up every day is, I think, a must.

ElizaLaLa · 24/01/2021 00:03

Can't the 19yo move out?

ravenblur · 24/01/2021 00:15

Could you consider a loft bed? Then you could put a real sofa underneath. It would be more comfortable to sleep in than a sofa bed.

Or if you have high enough ceilings, a mezzanine bed?

shinynewapple2021 · 24/01/2021 00:23

Caravan on your drive for your 19 year old to live in ?

ThatDamnKrampus · 24/01/2021 00:32

No idea sorry, hope you do find a solution.

I can't believe people are suggesting getting the kids to move out/into a caravan! Oh sorry kids we know this is your home but we just don't have the room for you anymore...see ya! 🤦🏼‍♀️ Only on MN would someone asking for sofa bed advice be told to kick her kids out!

hellasciously · 24/01/2021 00:35

You can get Murphy beds that look like cabinets.

TomBradysLeftKneecap · 24/01/2021 00:39

Ikea Hemnes is absolutely fine for occasional use but awful for regular use.

There's a tiktok famous sofa that is US based so I have no idea if it's gone to the UK but it pulls out to a full double mattress and has a place to store bedding. So it really is a sofa in day and bed at night. Let me try and find a link

shinynewapple2021 · 24/01/2021 20:19

@ThatDamnKrampus

No idea sorry, hope you do find a solution.

As you say though , you are not able to offer a solution .

And most 19 year old lads I know would love the opportunity of having their own little self contained accommodation (I've got one for the record )

It was just a suggestion . There are a few people round by me got caravans on their drives and it looks to me as if they are using them as extension to their houses .... we are a bit downmarket compared to a lot of MN though !

feelingverylazytoday · 24/01/2021 20:33

What about a futon, OP? Aren't they meant to be slept on?

problematicbehaviour · 24/01/2021 20:48

Whoever said the Hemnes isn’t comfortable for every night sleep is wrong... just get the best mattresses for it.

user1493494961 · 24/01/2021 21:15

Is there room for a double bed if the largest room was partitioned. You said only one half would have a window but I would sooner sleep without a window than sleep on a sofa bed in the lounge.

Berthatydfil · 25/01/2021 09:02

Do you have room in your garden for a nice insulated garden room with power and broadband? You could create a room for your 19 year old out there ?

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