Best sofa bed Koala sofa bed and ottoman

Best Sofa Bed with Storage UK 2026: the Koala Sofa Bed + Ottoman

Your living room is doing two jobs. It's a place to sit, watch TV, and hang out — and when guests arrive, it becomes a bedroom. The right sofa bed with storage makes both roles work at once: the cushions fold flat to a full-size sleep surface, a matching ottoman hides your bedding, and nobody needs to dig through a hallway cupboard at 11 pm.

Some newer models add USB charging ports to the mix. It's a useful touch — but not the feature that determines whether a sofa bed is worth owning. This guide covers what is.

Here's the sofa bed we'd buy for a UK living room right now — the Koala Sofa Bed, paired with the Koala Sofa Bed Ottoman for storage — followed by an honest look at what built-in charging adds (and when it's not worth chasing).

What is a sofa bed with storage? It's a sofa that converts into a bed and gives you a dedicated compartment to stash the duvet, pillows and spare bedding — either built into the frame or added via a storage ottoman — so a single piece of furniture handles seating, sleeping and storage in one footprint.

Key takeaways

  • Best overall UK pick: the Koala Sofa Bed — full-size Kloudcell™ mattress, tool-free FlipBed™ conversion, three sizes (Single, Double, King) from £1,295.

  • For storage: add the Koala Sofa Bed Ottoman (£270) — the sofa bed has no built-in compartment, so the ottoman provides the hidden storage and doubles as a side table.

  • Best for small flats: the Single (1.5-Seater), which drops from the 177 cm-wide King down to a compact footprint.

  • Peace of mind: every Koala order includes a 120-day home trial and a 5-year warranty.

  • Skip the gimmick: built-in USB charging isn't worth compromising sleep quality for — a £20 hub does the same job.

Our Pick

Koala Sofa Bed [4th Gen] + Koala Sofa Bed Ottoman: FlipBed™ sit-to-sleep design, a full-size Kloudcell™ mattress, three sizes (Single, Double and King), and a matching ottoman with hidden storage. Sofa bed from £1,295 (RRP £1,495); ottoman £270 (RRP £320).

Browse the range: Koala Sofa Bed · Koala Sofa Bed Ottoman · all Koala sofa beds

What to Look for in a Sofa Bed with Storage

The best sofa bed earns its place by working as a great sofa every day and a comfortable bed when it counts — with somewhere to keep the bedding in between. Six things separate a solid pick from one you'll regret.

  1. Storage volume and access. Bedding has to live somewhere. Either the sofa has a built-in compartment, or you add a storage ottoman. Whatever the format, it should fit a full duvet — not just a thin sheet — and the lid should stay open hands-free while you load and unload. A lid that slams shut on your arm is not storage. It's a hazard.
  2. Sleep surface quality. A sofa bed's sleep system is what guests actually experience. Look for a proper, full-size mattress with an integrated foam comfort layer — like Kloudcell™ — rather than a thin sprung pull-out. Foam-based systems sit much closer to what a real mattress feels like, and there's no metal bar to feel through during the night.
  3. Conversion ease. If the mechanism is stiff, noisy, or needs two people, your guests will sleep on the cushions as-is rather than converting the bed. Koala's FlipBed™ design converts the sofa to a bed with no mechanical parts — sit-to-sleep in seconds. Look for single-motion, tool-free setups as your baseline.
  4. Size options. Rooms in UK flats vary enormously. A model offered in more than one size — Single, Double and King — lets you match the sofa to the space rather than forcing a three-seater into a box room.
  5. Fabric and care. A sofa bed gets more contact than a regular sofa: sitting, napping, sleeping, spills, pet hair. Removable, water-resistant covers aren't a luxury here — they're the difference between a piece that ages well and one that looks worn within two years. Check the care label for exactly how each fabric should be cleaned.
  6. Trial period and returns. Large furniture is hard to return. A 90–120-day trial gives you enough time to know whether a sofa bed genuinely works for your household — not just whether it fits through the door. Anything shorter than 90 days isn't a real trial. Koala's 120-day trial is a generous one, with free collection if you change your mind.

The Koala Sofa Bed [4th Gen]

View the Koala Sofa Bed →

The Koala Sofa Bed is the only sofa bed in Koala's UK range — and it's a strong all-rounder. It uses the tool-free FlipBed™ design, sleeps on a full-size Kloudcell™ mattress, and comes in three sizes to suit flats and spare rooms alike from £1,295 (RRP £1,495), or three payments of £431.66.

Key Features

  • FlipBed™ design. No clunky pull-out frame, no metal bar. The sofa transforms into a bed in seconds, with the sleep surface built into the cushions. Guests sleep on foam that's already broken in, not on a sprung mattress stored inside a cabinet.
  • Full-size Kloudcell™ mattress. A proper, full-size mattress with a Kloudcell™ topper from what Koala calls Australia's most awarded mattress range, for real support, breathability and responsiveness. This isn't a lumpy fold-out — it's a proper mattress built into the sofa. Read more about the technology behind it.
  • Deep seats for daily use. Plush 60cm-deep seats — 11% deeper than the 3rd Gen — with a perfectly angled backrest and lumbar support. It's built for proper lounging: the kind of sitting that leads to unplanned napping.
  • Three size options. Available as a 1.5-Seater (Single), 2.5-Seater (Double) and 3-Seater (King) — so it fits a studio flat, a home office or a family living room.
  • Removable, washable covers. Koala-exclusive, water-resistant covers that unzip for cleaning. Follow the care label for each fabric — the outer covers are hand-wash, and the sleep surface unzips for a cold machine wash. (Some fabrics are not water-resistant; check the fabric guide before you choose.)
  • Made to last. An FSC®-certified timber frame and CertiPUR-US®-certified polyurethane foam. Backed by a 5-year warranty and a 120-day free trial.

Rated excellent on Trustpilot.

Dimensions (3-Seater / King)

Configuration

Measurement

Total width

177 cm

Total depth (sofa)

104.5 cm

Seat depth

63 cm

Seat height

46 cm

Arm height

58 cm

Bed mode — mattress

209 cm (L) × 155 cm (W)

Bed mode — total depth (open)

222.5 cm

Total weight

85.5 kg

The King sleep surface is a full 155 × 209 cm — King-size, and marginally larger than the 150 × 200 cm UK standard. Single and Double sizes have smaller footprints and sleep surfaces; check the product page for the exact figures for each size.

Who It's For

Anyone who wants one piece that works hard as an everyday sofa and doubles as a genuine guest bed. The three sizes make it as suitable for a small flat as for a family living room.

Adding Storage: the Koala Sofa Bed Ottoman

View the Koala Sofa Bed Ottoman →

The Koala Sofa Bed itself has no built-in storage compartment — so if you want somewhere to keep the duvet, pillows and spare bedding, the matching Sofa Bed Ottoman is the answer. £270 (RRP £320).

Key Features

Hidden storage. Lift the lid for a concealed compartment — ideal for bedding, blankets and clutter you'd rather keep out of sight.

  • Flippable table top. Flip the top over to reveal a hard surface, and the ottoman moonlights as a side table. (Recommended maximum weight on the table surface: 5 kg.)
  • Removable, washable covers. The covers come off for a cold machine wash (max 30°C), so it stays fresh with daily use.
  • Matching fabrics. Offered in the same Koala-exclusive Classic, Cord and Luxe fabrics as the sofa bed, so the two pieces sit together seamlessly.
  • Tool-free assembly. No tools required, and the same FSC®-certified timber and 120-day free trial as the sofa bed.

Who It's For

Anyone buying the Koala Sofa Bed who needs bedding storage — or just a flexible footstool that turns into a side table. It's sold separately, so you can add it now or later.

How Much Storage Do You Actually Need?

Before you buy, work out what has to fit. For a spare bed used a few times a year, one storage ottoman is typically enough for the essentials — a duvet and a spare set of covers — with room for a pillow or two (check the ottoman's internal dimensions on the product page if you plan to store more). If the sofa bed is someone's main bed — in a studio flat, say — you'll want the ottoman plus a wardrobe or under-bed boxes, because daily bedding gets bulkier and needs airing.

As a rough guide, a compressed duvet and covers for one bed take up about the space of a couple of large cushions. Storing linens for two beds, or seasonal items like a thick winter duvet, is where a second ottoman or additional storage earns its place.

Sofa Bed vs Pull-Out vs Futon: What's the Difference?

These terms get used interchangeably in the UK, but they aren't the same thing:

  • Sofa bed (fold-out / click-clack): the seat and back cushions fold down into a flat sleep surface. Koala's FlipBed™ is this type — no metal frame, no separate mattress to wrestle out. Best for regular use and everyday comfort.

  • Pull-out (sprung) sofa bed: a metal frame and thin mattress fold out from inside the base. Cheaper, but you often feel the bar through the mattress — better for very occasional guests.

  • Futon: a single foam or cotton mattress on a simple folding wooden or metal frame. Space-saving and low-cost, but firmer and less sofa-like day to day.

If the piece will be sat on daily and slept on regularly, a fold-out sofa bed with a full-size foam mattress — like the Koala Sofa Bed — is the most comfortable of the three for both jobs.

Everyday Sleeping: Is a Sofa Bed Comfortable Enough?

A good one is. The comfort comes down to the sleep system, not the sofa. Thin sprung pull-outs are fine for the odd night but tiring for regular use. A full-size foam mattress with an integrated topper — like the Koala Sofa Bed's Kloudcell™ surface — has no metal bar and no gaps, so it sleeps much closer to a standard bed. If someone will sleep on it several nights a week, prioritise mattress quality and a long home trial over every other feature, and make the most of the 120-day trial to test it in your own home.

What About Built-In USB Charging?

Built-in USB charging is a real feature, and it solves a real problem — but it's not a primary reason to choose a sofa bed.

A built-in USB charging port is a socket integrated into the arm or side panel of the sofa, letting guests plug in a phone without running a cable across the room. It sounds handy, and on some sofas it is — but the port is usually the headline in the marketing, while sleep-surface quality and everyday comfort get less attention.

The practical workaround: a small bedside charging hub starts at around £20, and a cable-management clip on the sofa arm costs less. Together they give you USB-A and USB-C charging next to any sofa bed, without paying for a fixed port built into the frame — and they're easy to replace as charging standards change.

The Koala Sofa Bed doesn't have a built-in USB port. What it has is a full-size Kloudcell™ mattress, removable washable covers, a 5-year warranty and a 120-day free trial — and, paired with the ottoman, proper hidden storage. Add a £20 hub and your guests have everything they need. If built-in USB is a firm requirement, treat it as a tie-breaker between otherwise comparable products — not the reason to choose.

At a Glance


Koala Sofa Bed [4th Gen]

Koala Sofa Bed Ottoman

Price (from)

£1,295 (RRP £1,495)

£270 (RRP £320)

Sizes

Single (1.5-Seater), Double (2.5-Seater), King (3-Seater)

One size

Storage

None built in

Hidden storage under lid

Sleep system

Full-size Kloudcell™ mattress, FlipBed™

Covers

Removable, washable (see care label)

Removable, cold machine wash (max 30°C)

Side-table function

Flippable hard top (max 5 kg)

Warranty

5 years

5 years

Trial

120 days

120 days

Note on pricing: Prices shown are starting figures at the time of writing and vary by size and fabric. Koala runs regular sales throughout the year, so always check the current price on uk.koala.com before you buy — you may find a live discount on the sofa you want.

Delivery, Assembly & Warranty

  • Delivery. Koala offers free delivery across mainland England, Scotland and Wales, with most orders ready to ship within 7 days. Some regions are excluded — Northern Ireland, the Scottish Highlands & Grampian, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, the Isles of Scilly, Scottish offshore islands and the Isle of Wight. Full details are on the delivery FAQ.
  • Assembly. Both the sofa bed and the ottoman are tool-free — parts slot, screw or zip together with alignment guides and coloured tabs, so there are no Allen keys or screwdrivers to find.
  • Warranty & trial. Every Koala sofa bed comes with a 5-year warranty and a 120-day home trial. If it's not right, Koala collects it free of charge and refunds you in full — even if you've used it.

Why Koala?

Koala is a certified B Corporation and a member of 1% for the Planet, designing its furniture in Sydney with sustainability built in — FSC®-certified timber and recycled-content fabrics across the range. Orders also support koala and wildlife conservation in Australia. It's the kind of brand-level detail that matters if you want furniture that's built to last and responsibly made; you can read the full story on Koala's about page.

How We Chose

This pick is based on product specifications and verified customer reviews, cross-referenced against Koala UK's live product pages. This guide is maintained by Koala's UK content team and updated as products and pricing change.

Our selection criteria, ranked by priority:

  • Sleep-surface quality: A full-size foam mattress rather than a sprung pull-out

  • Storage volume and access

  • Conversion ease: Single-motion, tool-free setup

  • Build durability: Frame materials and certifications

  • Fabric and care: Removable, washable covers and water resistance

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Koala Sofa Bed have built-in storage?

No. The sofa bed itself has no storage compartment. For bedding storage, add the matching Koala Sofa Bed Ottoman (£270), which has a hidden compartment under the lid and doubles as a side table.

How do I choose the right size for my space?

Measure your room for both the seated footprint and the fully open bed depth before you buy — the King (3-Seater) is 177 cm wide and opens to 222.5 cm deep in bed mode, on a full 155 × 209 cm mattress (King-size, marginally larger than the 150 × 200 cm UK standard). Then match the size to the room: the Single (1.5-Seater) suits a studio flat or home office, the Double (2.5-Seater) a spare room, and the King (3-Seater) a main living room.

Is a Koala Sofa Bed comfortable enough for everyday use?

Yes. The FlipBed™ design uses the seat cushions as the sleep surface, with a full-size Kloudcell™ mattress and integrated topper — so there's no metal bar to feel through and no separate mattress to pull out. It also has plush 60 cm-deep seats, so it works as your main everyday sofa, not just an occasional guest bed.

How long does delivery take, and where does Koala deliver?

Most orders are ready to ship within 7 days, with free delivery across mainland England, Scotland and Wales. A courier contacts you to arrange a date. Some areas are excluded (Northern Ireland, Scottish Highlands & Grampian, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Isles of Scilly, Scottish offshore islands and the Isle of Wight) — see the delivery FAQ.

Is there a trial period and warranty?

Yes. Every Koala product comes with a 120-day home trial, including sale items — if it's not right, Koala collects it free and refunds you in full, even if you've used it. Each sofa bed is also backed by a 5-year limited warranty.

The Bottom Line

For a UK living room, the Koala Sofa Bed [4th Gen] is the sofa bed to beat: a full-size Kloudcell™ mattress, tool-free FlipBed™ conversion, three sizes to fit the space, and removable washable covers — from £1,295. It has no built-in storage, so pair it with the Koala Sofa Bed Ottoman (£270) for a hidden compartment that keeps your bedding out of sight and doubles as a side table.

Built-in USB charging is a genuinely useful feature if you find it on a sofa bed that doesn't sacrifice sleep quality to include it. A £20 charging hub solves the same problem without the trade-off.

Shop the Koala Sofa Bed → · Shop the Koala Sofa Bed Ottoman → · Browse all Koala sofa beds →

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