Sofa beds often get a bad reputation for being as temporary as the weekend guests they host. However, this need not be the case. What's more, according to interior experts, there are a few things to design around a sofa bed that will help guests feel more at home — and as though the sleep set-up is more intentional.
It goes without saying that investing in one of the best sofa beds should be your first port of call. But the second? Double-duty decor, like a side table that doubles up as storage, a bookshelf that serves as a divider, and purposeful nearby sockets that make charging tech easy. There should also be enough space to open out the bed, so it doesn’t feel like guests are putting you out (instead of you putting them up).
Instead: “Designing around a sofa bed simply requires treating the space in both scenarios equally,” says interior designer Jen Baxter. “You want it to feel like a proper guest room and a comfortable den or office — not a compromise or an afterthought." So, without further ado, here are designers’ design must-haves to add around any sofa bed.
1. Layered Lighting
Whether it’s your garden room or a small spare room that doubles as an office by day and a guest room by night, lighting schemes can make all the difference to the look and feel of a space. And when it comes to the room where your sofa bed is, experts suggest that the same rules apply.
"Use a mix of soft overhead light, bedside or floor lamps, or a dimmable option,” suggests Monika Puccio, buying director at Sofa Club. “Lighting defines comfort and flexibility. Guests may want to read, relax, or wind down — not be stuck with only harsh overhead lighting. So layered lighting creates a cozy atmosphere and gives them control over brightness."
In 2025, main lights are a no-go. Add a metallic accent to your guest space with this modern table lamp in a soft, mushroom-inspired shape.
2. Include Accessible Surfaces
Modern bedrooms are designed a little differently from guest spaces. For starters, most guests won’t need bundles of wardrobe space to store their clothing. Nor will they necessarily need a vanity unit to get ready at. However, there’s a 99.9% chance they will need some accessible surfaces to place their prized possessions, like their phone, glasses, and a glass of water.
This is why Monika recommends including a small side table or shelf, a basket or drawer for personal items, and easy access to outlets for charging devices.
“Guests feel more at home when they can keep things organized and within reach,” she notes. “Even a small nightstand or trunk at the foot of the bed adds practicality and makes the space feel intentional, not temporary.”
Whether they are staying for a night or three, help guests keep their personal items in sight and in reach with a side table that doubles up as surface space and storage.
3. Add Comforting Layers and Textures
Now that the temperatures have dropped, you can never have enough layers to keep guests cozy and comfy.
So, along with adding the best bedding for a guest room (like a mattress topper, fresh linens, pillows, and throw blanket) and soft furnishings around the sofa bed — like a rug underfoot and additional cushions — Monika also suggests mixing and matching your textures.
“Sofa beds can feel utilitarian; so layering comfort transforms them,” she says. “Plush textiles, good sheets, and tactile warmth signal care and turn the space from ‘makeshift guest bed’ into a ‘restful retreat’.”
And interior designer Jen Baxter, founder of Baxter Hill Interiors, agrees. “Layering textures, like grasscloth walls, a wool rug, and a chunky throw, adds warmth and comfort without clutter,” she says. “When the bed is open, everything still feels intentional and inviting, designed to make guests feel at home.”
The good news is that there is no shortage of places to buy bedding. There are also a variety of affordable alternatives to high-end bedding, like Amazon’s Bedding range that looks expensive (but actually isn't).
The more throws, the better. And this lightly hand-quilted floral bedspread, which is made from 100% linen, will look good draped over your sofa bed during the day and after dark.
4. Add a Curtain For Privacy
From bookshelves to plants, clever design additions like these can help multi-functional spaces feel more intentional and private. If space allows, you could always take some inspiration from Eris Koutsoudakis, co-founder at Meraki Design, and add a doorway curtain.
“The room in the image was designed with guests in mind, which is why we added a curtain — it allows the space to be closed off for privacy and creates a cocooning feel when used as a guest room," Eris says. "There’s also a small sink and cupboard tucked away for guests to use, so it functions as a comfortable, self-contained space when needed."
5. Incorporate Thoughtful Details
The last design detail to add to your guest's space? Thoughtful additions, such as artwork, lamps, rugs, books, and flowers, make a space with a sofa bed more inviting.
“These touches bring life and personality, ensuring the space feels harmonious rather than improvised," Sonia Lazowski, founder of Virajo, a Paris-based interior design studio, says.
"In this design, to make the area comfortable for overnight guests, I added a caravane coffee table to hold a lamp — creating a sense of intimacy and offering a practical surface for personal belongings," the expert explains. "The result is a warm, inviting corner, ideal for relaxing or even an afternoon nap."
So, as you can see, a guest room with a sofa bed doesn't have to feel stark, desolate, or void of personality. In fact, it should feel the complete opposite so that it feels like a home away from home.
That said, there are a few common guest room mistakes to avoid to ensure you're not contributing to a cluttered, poorly planned sleep space.
