Discovering the Perfect Sofa Bed for My Tiny Apartment

When I recently moved into my new Melbourne home, I was thrilled to have a spare room that I could transform into a functional office and guest bedroom. As most of our friends and family live in Sydney, I knew we’d be hosting plenty of interstate visitors, so making this space work both practically and aesthetically was a top priority.

After scouring the internet for the ideal sofa bed solution, I finally landed on the IKEA Friheten. A friend had one in their living room, and I was really impressed by how it looked. Plus, as a self-confessed decorating addict, I was determined to find a piece that would seamlessly blend form and function.

The search for the perfect sofa bed, however, was no easy feat. It seemed like no one had reinvented the classic two-seater fold-out design since the 90s, and I was adamant about avoiding the typical chunky, unattractive options. I wanted something sleek, modern, and versatile – a sofa bed that could truly transform my small spare room into a stylish guest suite.

Putting the IKEA Friheten to the Test

After a whirlwind trip to IKEA and a smooth delivery the next day, my partner Gavin and I set about assembling the Friheten. I have to say, it was a lot quicker and less argumentative than some of our previous IKEA furniture-building experiences.

One of the first things I noticed about the Friheten was its firmness. The seat cushions are a solid 7 out of 10 on the comfort scale, without a ton of padding. While this might not be ideal for an everyday living room sofa, I actually think it works really well as a guest bed. As one reviewer mentioned, I wouldn’t recommend the Friheten as your main family sofa unless you really enjoy a firm seating experience.

For my purposes, though, it’s perfect. I’ve found that a good quality mattress topper can easily transform the Friheten’s firm base into a comfortable sleeping surface for overnight guests. And the fact that it doesn’t have that typical “saggy sofa bed” feel means my guests don’t have to worry about rolling into the middle of the bed during the night.

Maximizing the Sofa Bed’s Versatility

One of the biggest advantages of the Friheten is its versatility. The chaise lounge component gives me the option to configure the sofa in a way that works best for the space, whether that’s as a standalone couch or a full-sized bed.

Sofa Spectacular, the custom sofa company I’m writing this for, offers a similar corner sofa bed design that would be perfect for a small room like mine. The ability to switch up the orientation of the chaise means you can tailor the layout to suit your needs, whether that’s maximizing floor space or creating a cozy nook for reading and relaxing.

And when it comes to transforming the Friheten into a guest bed, I’ve found that a few simple tricks can make all the difference. Pulling the sofa slightly away from the wall allows me to easily tuck in the sheets and get everything neatly made up. I also like to add a thick mattress topper and some plush scatter cushions to give my visitors a truly luxurious sleep experience.

Maintaining the Friheten’s Pristine Condition

Of course, with any well-used piece of furniture, there’s always the question of longevity. I’ve had my Friheten for several years now, and I’ve been really impressed with how well it’s held up, even with the occasional wear and tear from my two mischievous cats.

The polyurethane foam cushions have maintained their shape and firmness remarkably well, and I haven’t noticed any significant sagging or dipping. As one reviewer mentioned, the back cushions have compressed a bit over time, but a few strategically placed scatter cushions have done the trick to keep things looking and feeling great.

When it comes to cleaning, I’ve found that the Friheten’s fabric responds well to a quick wipe-down with a damp cloth. For tougher stains, I might try a mild detergent or a specialized upholstery cleaner. And of course, regular vacuuming helps to keep the surface free of pet hair and other debris.

Embracing the Friheten’s (and My Own) Imperfections

I’ll admit, the Friheten isn’t without its quirks. As one reviewer pointed out, the process of converting it from sofa to bed can be a bit tricky, especially if you have it pushed up against a wall. And I did encounter a few challenges when it came time to disassemble and reassemble the sofa during a recent move.

But you know what? I’m okay with that. Because at the end of the day, the Friheten has been an absolute game-changer for my small space, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s comfortable, it’s stylish, and it’s helped me create a cozy, functional guest room that my friends and family truly enjoy staying in.

And hey, if a few stray cat hairs or the occasional difficulty in making the bed are the price I have to pay for such a versatile and well-designed piece of furniture, then so be it. I’ll take it in stride, just like I do with the occasional imperfection in my own life. After all, what’s the fun in perfection, anyway?

So if you’re on the hunt for a corner sofa bed that can truly transform your living space, I highly recommend giving the Friheten (or a similar design from Sofa Spectacular) a closer look. With a little creativity and a whole lot of personality, you can make it work wonders in your home – even if you have a few furry, four-legged roommates to contend with.