I've spent the last 5 years writing about sofa beds – these are the best times of year to shop if you want a bargain

A single sofa bed in orange velvet extended in a modern living room with brass ceiling light fixture.

If you're looking for ways to host overnight guests in your home, then a sofa bed can be an extremely useful purchase. However, there's no denying that this piece of multifunctional furniture is an investment.

Even the most affordable sofa bed will set you back at least £300 or so, with some costing in the realms of £3,000. Ouch. That's why it pays to know when to buy a sofa bed to make the most of the lowest prices throughout the year.