Up your hosting game with one of the 15 best fold away beds (2024)

The best fold away beds are not just space-savers, they're a revelation for anyone looking to get more from their living space. And who doesn’t need an extra bit of room now and then? Whether you’re reworking a small home office, setting up a multi-use spare room, or even planning a child’s bedroom that can double as a play area, the fold away bed is your go-to solution. It’s all about transforming your space to suit your needs at a moment’s notice, and honestly, it’s kind of thrilling. One moment, you have a dining room turned study, and the next, voilà, it’s a suite for impromptu overnight guests.

Style-wise, these beds tend to fall into two camps: those that prioritise practicality and are designed to be folded up and stored away when not in use; and those that handily double as extra seating. The latter camp includes some super stylish armchairs, two-seat sofa beds, futons and floor cushions, and even compact footstools that ingeniously transform into a nifty extra bed when you need it. And with finishes and materials that mirror current trends, they integrate beautifully with any interior, from minimalist and modern to art deco-inspired.

The comfort factor is a huge consideration when buying a fold away bed, and this is where you’ll need to think carefully about how often you’ll be using the piece as a sleep surface, as opposed to an extra armchair, or if you’re going for a more practical fold up bed with a decent pocket-sprung mattress, whether you have the space to store it when it’s not in use – because in all honesty, these utilitarian styles don’t score high on aesthetics. That said, some of the latest models boast mattresses that rival the best traditional beds, ensuring a restful slumber without the typical drawbacks of a pull-out or sofa bed. Your guests will love you for it.

Naturally, we've been researching some of the very best, and lucky for you, come through with a thorough buying guide to help you find exactly what you're looking for – whether it's for the tiniest of apartments or most commodious of home spaces. There's something for everyone.

The best fold away beds – at a glance

• Best double guest bed fold away: Logan Small Double Sofa Bed, WAS £339, NOW £271.20, M&S
• Best luxury fold away bed: Jay-be Crown Premier Folding Bed with Deep Sprung Mattress, £309, Very
• Best folding floor cushion: Jackson Velvet Foldable Single Sofa Bed, £179, Dunelm
• Best hidden folding bed: Flip-Flop Footstool, £375, Loaf
• Best budget fold away bed: Jay-be Pioneer Folding Bed with Foam Free Smart Fibre Mattress, £79, John Lewis & Partners

Scroll for the best fold away beds to shop today

1. Guest bed for small spaces

Specifications:

• Bed size - Single.
• Mattress type? Rebound e-Fibre mattress rests on a J-Tex sprung base system.
• Pros: Compact and streamlined, boasts a decent mattress depth for comfort.
• Cons: The integrated headboard could be higher.

Why we love it: With castors so you can easily glide it to your home's dedicated out-of-sight hideaway when not in use, this folding bed frame is suitable for heavier adults with its more substantial sprung makeup, not to mention buyers of this little single bed will certainly get value for their money with its lifetime warranty.

2. Double guest bed fold away

Specifications:

• Bed size - Small double.
• Mattress type? N/A – velvet-covered cushioned foam filling.
• Pros: This one doubles as a stylish (and very handy) love seat.
• Cons: Nothing to see here!

Why we love it: Chic in appearance and most certainly not an eyesore for a guest room, this two seater foldable sofa bed is reasonably priced, can be personalised to your home's colour scheme with the option of four different fabrics, and is a plush lounger for reading, drinking tea and just generally relaxing.

3. Luxury fold away bed

Specifications:

• Bed size - Single.
• Mattress type? Deep sprung mattress with a luxury lambswool comfort layer.
• Pros: Thanks to its thick mattress, this one's as comfy as any permanent set-up.
• Cons: With its visible under-bed mechanism, it's no looker.

Why we love it: The Jay-be Crown Premier folding mattress bed features one of the plushest mattresses money can buy when it comes to single folding beds and, serving as a bit of extra shelving when compacted together (before you pull out and open up the mattress guest bed), it's one of our top selections for low-space households.

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4. Best hidden folding guest bed

Specifications:

• Bed size - Single.
• Mattress type? N/A - foam filling.
• Pros: Stylish and multifunctional, comfy.
• Cons: Some might not like being so close to the floor.

Why we love it: Overnight house guests will love the transformative power of this unassuming cubic foot stool. You wouldn't know if but the removable cover conceals a neatly stacked, three-sectioned floor cushion that simply unfolds to create an extra sleep surface when you need it. As a bed, the piece proves surprisingly firm and supportive, and as a foot stool, it is stylish and modern. It also boasts a huge range of fabric and colour choices.

5. John Lewis fold away bed

Specifications:

• Bed size - Small single.
• Mattress type? Foam Free Smart Fibre Mattress.
• Pros: Super compact and easy to fold and store away, you'd hardly know it's there.
• Cons: The mattress is on the thin side, so perhaps not suited for those with back issues.

Why we love it: One of the best value folding beds on the market, the Pioneer from Jay-Be has a slim enough steel frame so as not to ruin your décor, and features a durable spring base which, it so happens, is more heavy duty for long-term use than a foldable bed with slats. Simple, effective – we can't complain.

6. Best fold up single sofa bed

Specifications:

• Bed size - Single.
• Mattress type? N/A - velvet covering a foam fibre wrap filling, plus.
• Pros: This compact number doubles as a stylish co*cktail chair in the living room.
• Cons: It's not for those who prefer a softer sleep surface.

Why we love it: Somewhat of a single sofa bed come chairbed, this Habitat one-seater sofa bed is versatile enough for use with guests staying over or, equally, extra bedroom/living room seating and, that pink velvet! We love her.

7. Best camp bed/fold up bed

Specifications:

• Bed size - Small single.
• Mattress type? Foam Free Pocket Spring Mattress.
• Pros: Boasts a pocket-sprung mattress for comfort and support.
• Cons: Nothing of note.

Why we love it: Another one of the better Jay-Be value for money iterations, this folding bed includes free delivery, the signature Jay-Be J-Tex sprung base system for full body support and, in terms of design, it's one of the least offensive metal frames for fold up beds, so you don't have to accept all that factory-esque metal work and wheels into your crisp interiors.

8. Best stackable day bed

Specifications:

• Bed size - Two singles, or one king.
• Mattress type? Memory foam.
• Pros: Stylish, adjustable, supremely comfy, and it comes in a good range of fabric options.
• Cons: As an extra guest bed, it's on the pricey side.

Why we love it: Unlike conventional fold out, or even clic-clac sofa beds, this nifty number from John Lewis boasts a unique design. OK, it's more stackable than foldable, but when it comes to space-saving, it's up there with the best of them – call it an honorary inclusion. Cleverly, this mid-century inspired furniture piece boasts three-in-one functionality: stack it for a stylish day bed, separate it for two singles, or push them together to give your guests a king size bed to spread out in.

9. Comfortable fold up bed

Specifications:

• Bed size - Small double bed.
• Mattress type? 3D Airflow Pocket Sprung 400 Mattress.
• Pros: This one boasts a temperature regulating mattress for all-night comfort.
• Cons: Its integrated headboard falls a bit short.

Why we love it: Bunk beds may be space saving but a fold up double bed will serve you better if you're tight on space. This one is a bestseller on the John Lewis website and it's no surprise with its plush pocket sprung mattress, complete with a soft knitted polyester liner to keep your guests comfy.

10. Best single folding futon

Specifications:

• Bed size - Single.
• Mattress type? Unspecified.
• Pros: Easy to transform from chair to bed, made with sustainable materials.
• Cons: Nothing of note.

Why we love it: This classic single futon features an exposed frame made from sustainably sourced pine, while its deep-filled cushion proves just as comfy in the seated position as it does when rolled out as a bed. Giving you that little bit more structure and elevation than you'd get with a simple fold out floor cushion, the Maggie proves stylish and comfy in equal measure. It also boasts a highly durable and hard-wearing cotton cover that comes in a range of contemporary colours – including some eye-popping brights.

11. Best rated fold away bed

Specifications:

• Bed size - Large double/Queen size.
• Mattress type? N/A - zippered high-density foam filling.
• Pros: Highly practical, lightweight, and a doddle to unfold, and fold up again.
• Cons: It's not the most attractive furniture piece to have around.

Why we love it: No need for castors here, this chairbed sits flush against your floor and, when you inevitably need to use it to house extra guests overnight, you need only open up the ties and fold out the foam sections. The bolstered backrest also doubles as an impromptu headboard, so there's not much to dislike, really.

12. Best folding floor cushion

Specifications:

• Bed size - Single.
• Mattress type? N/A - filling made with PU foam and polyester fibre.
• Pros: Simple and stylish in design, comes with additional scatter cushion.
• Cons: There's little in terms of elevation, so you do feel like you're sleeping on the floor.

Why we love it:This nifty design is ideal for impromptu sleepovers. In three deep cushioned sections, the piece simply unfolds to become a makeshift extra bed. Without a frame, it is also reliably lightweight and fuss-free, and will handily slide under a sofa or bed if you want to store it away. That said, it makes for an attractive – and actually super handy – extra seat, too. A proper party piece.

13. Best foldaway bed for sleepovers

Specifications:

• Bed size - Small double.
• Mattress type? N/A - polycotton, fibresprung fibre and BQ foam filling.
• Pros: Portable, versatile, high quality, and with deep cushioning.
• Cons: No notes from us!

Why we love it: Seriously slouchy, and as invitingly comfy at it looks, this low-sitting sofa bed will be the envy of all who lounge – or snooze – on it. Its clever design allows it to unfold into a small double so it's suitable for up to two sleepers, and despite its floor cushion style, with its high-tech cushioning, it is up there with some of the best models with traditional mattresses. It also boasts a range of chic, contemporary fabric options.

14. Best multifunctional fold away bed

Specifications:

• Bed size - Small double.
• Mattress type? Foam.
• Pros: Doubles as a place to perch, comes in a vast range of colours and fabrics.
• Cons: This one's made-to-order with a 4-6 week wait time.

Why we love it: It may look like an unassuming (albeit luxurious) ottoman, but what this velvety cuboid conceals is a very handy fold-out bed, complete with a sturdy metal mechanism and a comfy foam mattress, just like those you'd find in a conventional sofa bed. Rather ingeniously, the lid of the box becomes the headboard of the bed, while the tall metal frame keeps you satisfyingly elevated as you slumber. Boasting exceptional craftsmanship, and some seriously shrewd design, this is a game-changing furniture piece you won't regret investing in.

15. Portable fold away bed

Specifications:

• Bed size - Single.
• Mattress type? Memory foam.
• Pros: Boasts a deep mattress, slatted base, easy to manoeuvre thanks to its nippy castors.
• Cons: This one doesn't score high on aesthetics.

Why we love it: Unlike most fold away beds of this ilk, this one boasts solid wooden slats. It metal frame proves reliably sturdy with a more substantial profile than some. But what we love most about the Costway folding bed is its ease of use: when in the folded position, the piece can be wheeled away to be stored, or moved from room to room - in fact, it's a doddle. Bragging a 10cm memory foam mattress, it also proves perfectly comfy. This one may not be the prettiest, but it is highly practical.