Why A Kids Sofa Bed Is A Good Idea For Every Child

Kids are under pressure these days – it may sound ridiculous, but it is true.  Let me explain a little further.

We are desperate for our kids to achieve.  We all know that the ‘job for life’ has gone, so we have to make sure that the next generation are educated, entrepreneurial and also versatile, as we have no idea what sort of a work environment they will be facing.

In addition to that there is a constant commercial pressure on kids.  They have to have the brand name clothes at school and they have to have the latest technology.  A teenagers lifestyle isn’t really less stressful than the CEO of a company (but we won’t tell the kids that!)

It is therefore more and more important to build in ways for kids to wind down, they need good old fashioned chill time.  This is not browsing on the internet, or playing a game, we are talking sitting and laughing or reading.  The object is to reduce the stimulus and increase the relaxation.

So how do you achieve this?

There are lots of ways.  I believe in two particular techniques.  One is family games, and the other is reading.

Family games can be a real laugh, and even if there is comptition it is between people, it is two way (unlike playing on a PSP).  I recommend that every family have a copy of Mille Borne.  This is the best all age card game ever invented – partly because it is just a card game and can be played just about anywhere.

The other thing is reading.  Now we all know that kids need to read for school and they get to the point of not wanting to read any more.  For this reason I believe that kids should be bought magazine subscriptions for their birthdays and Christmas.  Something that entertains them, try and avoid fashions magazines as these can create more stress, sports ones are always good (skateboarding, or gymnastics, whatever entertains your kids)

Now you get to the difficult bit – you have to prise your kid away from their ‘other life’ into a clam one.

This is exactly why every childs bedroom should be equipped with a kids sofa bed!

A kids sofa bed is slightly different from an adult one in that it is easier to pull out and it usually has washable covers.

The sofa bed is a great way for friends to come and chill and either play Mille Borne or wallow in the latest magazines.

There are several things I would consider for your kids sofa bed, below is a quick check list to mull over before you spend your money:

 

• Try to get at least a full size sofa bed – children and especially teenagers seem to like to read and chat sprawled out, or at least with their feet up.  I find that one of our sofa beds is often pulled out and sat on with their feet up or they lie on it with magazines all around them
• Always keep super soft blankets by the sofa as you want this to be the most comfortable place and if your kids get stuck into a book wrapped in a snug blanket it will be the best wind down time they can have.
• Make sure that you have good easy to reach lighting.  You don’t want the kids to go blind and they are not necessarily good at getting up and remembering lighting.  Check out something like these ‘mother and child’ lights (very versatile)
• Put a small table next to their sofa bed so that there will be somewhere to leave their stuff – other than the floor.

Futon Sofa Bed

The Futon Sofa Bed Has Developed Into The Most Stunning Piece Of Furniture

The futon sofa bed experienced a huge surge in popularity a while back – then interest just dropped.  For a while the futon sofa bed was associated with students on a budget, but now it is back with serious amounts of design work and money behind it.  This is now a completely different item of furniture.

So what was wrong with the original design of the futon?

The first futons which arrive in the both America and Europe were seriously limited.  They were often awkward and difficult to open up and required two people; and even then there was a good chance of getting fingers trapped.   The mattresses were often too hard to offer any sort of comfort.  And the final nail in the coffin was that the construction was horrific.  There were usually sold stating ‘assembly required’ – the worlds greatest understatement!   The first futon I bought required the attachment of every single slat (and at the time I didn’t have an electric screw driver – not an experience I will forget!).

So what has changed?

Everything!  If you buy a futon now you will get a solid frame which simply slides to convert from a sofa to a bed.  You will also have a legs on your sofa bed; so it won’t resemble sleeping on warehouse pallets on the floor.  Finally you will have a decent quality mattress which will last and not compact into some sort of semi-concrete lump.

 

I have chosen one of my favourite designs below to portray exactly how far the design of the futon sofa bed has come.  One of the things you must check out is the description.  It contains the words ‘Easy-to-use European click-clack mechanism for quick reconfiguring’.  There was a time when if you put that on an advert for a futon you would have the add removed for misinformation!

 

This particular sofa is a rather stylish black, but for those of you who want a more traditional look with a fabric cover there is also this option:Serta Auburn Sofabed Lounger, Khaki

 

Baxton Studio Quadrato Convertible Sofa Bed, Black

• 3-position contemporary sofa that converts to a lounger or a bed
• Easy-to-use European click-clack mechanism for quick reconfiguring
• Padded in dense foam and upholstered in matte black leatherette
• Chrome legs, button tufting, square edges, and straight armrests
• 88-1/4 by 36-1/4 by 33 inches; bed measures 77-1/2 by 50 by 14-1/2 inches

Add subtle sophistication to your home decor with this stylish modern convertible sofa/sofa bed. This uniquely design sleeper sofa adds contemporary elegance that is versatile enough to complement any office or home decor. Featuring a unique European click-clack mechanism, that allows smooth adjustment and transformation. Two positions adjustable back offers flexibility. Easy-care leatherette over dense foam. Chrome legs. Small assembly require. Sofa measures: 88.25 inches wide x 36.25 in

 

 

Single Sofa Bed

The Perfect Single Sofa Bed Design For Adults

 

Finally, a compact and comfortable sleeper sofa bed!  Sleeper sofa beds can be a bit like Marmite – you either love them or hate them.

 

The problem with the single sleeper sofa is that many manufacturers don’t seem to understand what people want.  Just because you want a small sleeper sofa it doesn’t mean that you want a sub standard.  The fact is that a single chair bed should have just as much time and effort put into as a full or double sofa bed.

 

There are some companies who have started to change the market.  I am a big believer in chair beds for kids rooms.  I think this is by far the easiest way to cope with friends coming to stay and it also means that kids have a place to chill and read which is totally there own.  My usual policy was to go for simple fold out foam beds.  These are ideal for kids as the kids are not so heavy, so the foam doesn’t tend to compact too much.  They also often come with washable covers; absolutely perfect for any kids room.

 

However, when it came to finding a chair bed for the conservatory I wanted something a little more suitable for adults.  I knew that it wouldn’t be used that often as a bed, but it could be opened out for watching films, or an afternoon dose in the summer.  It really was a little bit of luxury in my slightly manic life.  Hence I went is search of an item which was compact, could extend easily to full size, and was also stylish.

 

Initially I thought that if I left home around nine thirty I would have one chosen and bought in time to stop at Starbucks for a mid morning coffee – it didn’t work out like that.  After traipsing around all day and heading home tired and frustrated I headed online to try to solve the problem.

 

Don’t get me wrong, I had found lots of single chair beds, but if you wanted something sturdy enough for an adult and where the bed mattress was not on the floor they seemed to take up a huge amount of space.  They were the armchair styles and had a much heavier look to them than I wanted.

 

So, I didn’t want a mattress which was on the floor, and I didn’t want to use up all my space, and I wanted something which was comfortable as a chair and a bed.  And that is exactly what I found!  I have put a link to it at the bottom of this page.

 

The link has loads of pictures which completely explain how you pull this out (it is really clever).  I love the red color, however, I am also a collector of throws and cushions, so mine is pretty much covered over by some rather exotic Indian fabrics I found in a market.  There is a review on Amazon by someone who didn’t like the fabric, but I would disagree with this – it is a furnishing fabric, so it is not super soft, but it is good quality for the price you are paying and the color is great.

 

All in, I am very pleased with the Baxton Studios Romano convertible sofa chair bed, and would definitely recommend it (in fact I should have bought shares in the company as quite a few of my friends now have these in their dens!)

Baxton Studios Romano Convertible Sofa Chair Bed, Red

• Multi-shape convertible chair for ultimate contemporary style and function
• Acts as upright chair, fold-out lounger, and fully flat twin bed
• 2-position adjustable back; easy-use European click-clack mechanism
• Great for adding overnight guest space to small living spaces
• Foam fill padding; red fabric upholstery; 36 by 29 by 29-1/2 inches as chair

Modernize your living or office space with this simple yet elegant convertible chair/sleeper chair, the ultimate combination of contemporary style with comfort and versatility. The chair bed features a unique European click-clack mechanism, which allows smooth adjustment and transformation. With two position adjustable back to ensure the perfect seating angle. As well as a flat position for sleeping. Sofa measures: 36 inches wide x 29 inches deep X 29.5 inches high. Seat height measures 16 in