Click Clack Sofa Beds: The Complete UK Guide — And the Modern Alternative

A click clack sofa bed is one of the simplest ways to turn a living room, spare room or studio flat into a guest bedroom in seconds. No mattress stored under the seat, no frame to drag out — the backrest folds down, and you have a bed. This guide explains how the mechanism works, which UK sizes to choose, what to pay, and where the design falls short — plus the modern alternative that fixes its weak points.

What is a click clack sofa bed?

A click clack sofa bed is a sofa with a ratcheting backrest that folds flat to create a sleep surface, named after the sound the mechanism makes as it locks into each position. You will also see the same design sold as a "clic clac" sofa bed or a fold-down sofa bed — they are the same thing.

Unlike a pull-out sofa bed, nothing is stored underneath. The back simply folds level with the seat, so the sofa's own cushions become the bed. That is why click clacks tend to be lighter, cheaper and easier to move than pull-out designs — and why the sleep surface is only ever as good as the seat cushions themselves.

How does the click clack mechanism work?

The backrest sits on a ratchet hinge with three locking positions: upright (about 90°) for sitting, reclined (about 45°) for lounging, and fully flat for sleeping. To convert it, you lift the backrest past the last click, then lower it flat — the whole change takes a few seconds.

Two practical points worth knowing before you buy. First, most click clacks need a 10–20 cm gap behind the sofa so the backrest can tip backwards as it moves between positions — check this if it will sit against a wall. Second, the ratchet is the part that fails first on cheaper models, so a warranty that covers the mechanism matters more than fabric swatches.

Click clack vs other sofa bed types

A click clack is the quickest and most compact sofa bed type; a pull-out gives a more bed-like feel but needs more space and effort; a corner sofa bed gives the most seating but the largest footprint. Here is how the common UK options compare:

If you have the floor space for a corner sofa, a corner sofa bed doubles your seating and your guest capacity. If you are working with a one-bed flat or a box room, a click clack — or a compact flip-out design — usually makes more sense.

What sizes do click clack sofa beds come in?

In the UK, most click clack sofa beds convert to roughly a small double (120 × 190 cm); larger designs reach standard double or king size. Always check two measurements: the width of the sofa, and how deep it is once opened flat.

For comparison, the Koala Sofa Bed [4th Gen] — a flip-out design rather than a ratchet click clack — comes in three UK sizes:

A useful rule of thumb: a 2.5-seater sofa bed takes up about the same footprint as a standard 2-seater sofa, so if a 2-seater sofa fits your room now, a double sofa bed will too. Just make sure the open depth clears your coffee table — the King needs over 2.2 m of floor when flat.

Are click clack sofa beds comfortable to sleep on?

For occasional guests, yes; for nightly sleeping, most traditional click clacks fall short because the seat cushions double as the mattress. The fold line between back and seat sits under the sleeper, and foam that is firm enough for sitting is rarely soft enough for a full night's rest.

If the sofa bed will be used every night — in a studio flat, say, or a spare room that doubles as a home office — look for a design with a proper integrated mattress rather than folded cushions. The Koala Sofa Bed [4th Gen] takes this approach: a full-size mattress with a Kloudcell™ topper (an open-cell foam that contours like memory foam but with better airflow) and Zero Disturbance™ motion isolation, so one person turning over doesn't wake the other. It's the reason it anchors Koala's range of sofa beds for overnight guests.

What should you look for when buying?

Prioritise the mechanism, the sleep surface, the fabric care and the open dimensions — in that order.

Mechanism. The ratchet or fold should move smoothly and lock firmly with no wobble. Reviews that mention how the sofa feels after six months tell you more than the spec sheet. Check the warranty length and what it covers — Koala backs its sofa beds with a 5-year warranty.

Sleep surface. Folded seat cushions are the budget option; an integrated mattress or thick topper is the difference between a sofa that converts and a bed that folds. If guests will stay more than a night or two, this is where to spend.

Fabric and covers. Removable covers are worth insisting on, especially with kids or pets. Water-resistant treatments buy you time with spills. Check the care label before buying, not after — cover fabrics vary, and not all are machine washable.

Dimensions. Measure the wall space for the sofa, the floor space for the open bed, and the route in — hallway, stairs, door frames. Flat-packed designs that assemble in the room solve the narrow-staircase problem; the Koala arrives in five boxes and needs no tools.

How much does a click clack sofa bed cost in the UK?

Budget click clack sofa beds start at around £150–£300; mid-range models with better foam and fabric run £300–£600; designs with a proper integrated mattress sit above £1,000. As with most furniture, the mechanism and the foam are where cheaper models save money — and where you feel it first.

At the top end, the Koala Sofa Bed [4th Gen] starts at £1,250 RRP for the 1.5-Seater (Single), rising to £1,595 RRP for the 3-Seater (King), with sale pricing regularly below that (prices correct at the time of writing). Every purchase includes a 120-day free trial and free delivery across most of the UK.

How do you clean and care for a click clack sofa bed?

Vacuum weekly on a low setting, wipe spills quickly, and follow the care label for anything deeper — cover fabrics vary, and not all can be machine washed.

On the Koala Sofa Bed [4th Gen], most fabrics have a water-resistant treatment, so water-based spills bead up and wipe away with a clean cloth — check the fabric guide, as a couple of finishes (and the inner lining fabrics) aren't water-resistant. For a proper clean, the covers unzip and remove: hand wash in warm water with a mild detergent — do not machine wash, tumble dry, iron or bleach — then reshape while wet and line dry in the shade, whether that's out in the garden or on an airer indoors. The zip-off Kloudcell™ topper is machine washable on a cold cycle.

The modern alternative: flip-out sofa beds

A flip-out sofa bed keeps the click clack's best quality — sit-to-sleep in seconds with no stored mattress — and fixes its weak points: the ratchet, the fold line and the cushion-as-mattress compromise. Koala's FlipBed™ design converts in one motion: flip the backrest down and the bed is made.

Compared with a traditional click clack, the differences that matter day to day:

The frame is FSC®-certified poplar plywood and MDF, the covers are made with up to 100% recycled polyester (depending on the fabric) with PFAS-tested treatments, and there's a 120-day trial to test it in your own home rather than a showroom. If you host often, the Koala Sofa Bed Ottoman pairs with any size — a footrest and extra seat by day, with hidden storage that keeps guest bedding out of sight between visits. Compare all sizes in the sofa bed collection.

Frequently asked questions

Is a click clack sofa bed the same as a clic clac?

Yes. "Clic clac" is the French spelling of the same design — a sofa with a ratcheting backrest that folds flat. UK retailers use both spellings interchangeably.

Do click clack sofa beds need space behind them?

Most need a 10–20 cm gap behind the backrest so it can tip back as it moves between positions. Flip-out designs like the Koala fold forward instead, so they can sit closer to a wall — just check the open depth in front.

What size bed does a click clack sofa bed make?

Typically around a small double (120 × 190 cm). Larger designs reach a standard double or king — the Koala Sofa Bed [4th Gen] converts to a Single, Double or King depending on the size you choose, with the King opening to a 209 × 155 cm sleep surface.

Can you sleep on a click clack sofa bed every night?

A traditional click clack is best kept for occasional guests, because you're sleeping on the same foam you sit on. For nightly use, choose a design with a full integrated mattress and topper rather than folded cushions.

Do I need tools to assemble one?

Cheaper models often need an Allen key for legs and arms. The Koala Sofa Bed [4th Gen] is tool-free — parts slot, screw or zip into place with alignment guides and coloured tabs, and it arrives in five manageable boxes.

Can I try a sofa bed before committing?

Koala includes a 120-day free trial on every purchase, including sale items, with a full refund — delivery charges included — if it isn't right. Delivery is free across most of the UK, and the sofa bed is covered by a 5-year warranty.