What is Koala's FlipBed™ System?

If you have ever wrestled with a pull-out sofa bed at midnight, you already know the problem. The cushions come off, the frame creaks out, the metal bar digs into your back, and you're already regretting the whole thing. A good sofa bed should not put you through any of that. This article walks you through how the FlipBed™ works, why it is better than traditional designs, and what it actually feels like to live with and sleep on one.

How the FlipBed™ System Works

The FlipBed™ is Koala's proprietary conversion technology, designed exclusively for the Koala Sofa Bed [4th Gen] range.

It does exactly what the name suggests: your sofa flips into a full-size bed in one smooth motion, with none of the multi-step wrestling a traditional pull-out puts you through at the end of a long day.

The seat flips forward and flat to create a continuous sleeping surface. The backrest and seat become the bed. There is nothing stored underneath, no separate mechanism to unlock, and no legs to unfold. Converting back to sofa mode is just as quick.

In sofa mode: you get deep 60cm seats with a zoned backrest that gives your lower back the support it needs without feeling stiff. It feels softer where you want to sink in and firmer where you need the support.

In bed mode: you get a full-size continuous sleeping surface with a Kloudcell™ integrated topper, no pressure points, and no metal bar anywhere near your back.

What size bed does it make?

The FlipBed™ folds out to a genuine full-size bed, not a shallow "occasional" one. Choose the configuration that fits your space:

• 3-Seater (King) — folds out to a king-size sleeping surface (mattress area roughly 209cm long × 155cm wide).

• 2.5-Seater (Double) — a double bed, ideal for regular guest use.

• 1.5-Seater (Single) — a single bed that still works hard as a full sofa, great for smaller rooms and studios.

Why Traditional Sofa Bed Mechanisms Fall Short

Pull-out mechanisms hide a metal frame under the seat cushions. You lift off the cushions, drag out the frame, unfold it, and then discover that the mattress is thin, and there is a bar running right across the middle. The frame creaks, the hinges stiffen over time, and the whole thing is more effort than it should be for something you might need to do regularly.

Clic-clac designs are quicker, but the sleeping surface is limited by the depth of the sofa's seat, and you still have to push and click the backrest down before you can use it.

The FlipBed™ removes all of that. No frame underneath, no metal bar, no steps to remember. You flip it, and you're done.

How the FlipBed™ Compares to Other Sofa Bed Mechanisms

The Kloudcell™ Topper

Getting into bed quickly is only half the story. The other half is actually sleeping well once you are there, and that is where the Kloudcell™ topper comes in.

Kloudcell™ uses the open-cell foam technology from Australia's most awarded mattress range. It is not a thin foam pad sitting on a frame. It is a full-size mattress surface designed to give you real support, breathability and responsiveness — the kind you expect from an actual bed rather than a sofa bed.

The topper also zips off and goes straight in the washing machine, so you can keep it properly clean rather than just wiping the surface down. And if you are sharing it with someone, Zero Disturbance™ motion isolation means you will not feel every time they roll over during the night.

What the Koala Sofa Bed Looks Like as a Sofa

The Koala Sofa Bed [4th Gen] is genuinely comfortable as a sofa, not just as a bed.

The 60cm deep seats are 11% deeper than the 3rd Gen, so there is actually room to stretch out and get comfortable rather than perching on the edge. The zoned backrest adjusts to what your back needs — softer for lounging and firmer for longer sits. Most finishes are water-resistant, and all covers are fully removable and machine-washable, which means spills, pet hair and general life are much easier to deal with than on a standard sofa.

UK buyers who have lived with it describe the experience well:

"I'm absolutely delighted with this sofa bed. What impressed me most is that it doesn't look like a typical sofa bed at all. It's incredibly stylish and has become a beautiful focal point in my living room." — MAKO M., Verified Buyer

"The cushion is nice and thick, similar to memory foam. The quality is excellent." — Elayne D., Verified Buyer

"Love this sofa bed, and it's so easy to put together. The creators thought of everything!" — Kelley K., Verified Buyer

The Koala Sofa Bed is a three-time ProductReview Sofa Bed Award winner (2023, 2024 and 2025) and holds a 4.9-star average from more than 1,600 verified reviews.

Fabric and Materials

Koala designs its sofa beds exclusively in fabric rather than leather, because fabric wins on everyday comfort, breathability and practicality — it does not feel cold in winter or sticky in summer, and the covers can be washed.

The Koala Sofa Bed [4th Gen] comes in three fabric types across a range of colourways:

• Classic — durable recycled-polyester weave, water-resistant

• Cord — textured corduroy weave (Sandstone and Coastal Moss are not water-resistant)

• Luxe — soft premium weave, water-resistant

All covers are fully removable and machine-washable. The frame uses FSC® certified poplar plywood and MDF, the foam is polyurethane, and the legs are polyamide. The Koala Sofa Bed is designed in Sydney and made in China.

Sustainability is built in rather than bolted on: the Classic fabric is made from recycled polyester, the timber is FSC® certified, and Koala is a certified B Corporation. You can read more about the design and materials on Koala's Innovation and Our Story pages.

Assembly and Delivery

You will not need any tools to put the Koala Sofa Bed together — no Allen keys, no screwdrivers. Everything clicks and zips into place, and most people find it quick to assemble. It arrives in five boxes, so each piece fits through a standard doorway and up a standard staircase without the usual furniture-delivery stress.

Free delivery is included across England, Scotland and Wales, excluding Northern Ireland, the Scottish Highlands and Grampian, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Isles of Scilly, Scottish Offshore Islands and Isle of Wight. If it is in stock, you can expect it within 7 days.

Trial and Warranty

Every Koala Sofa Bed [4th Gen] comes with a 120-day free trial. If it does not work in your space, Koala will collect it for free. It is also covered by a 5-year warranty. Terms are updated from time to time, so it is worth checking the current details on the Koala website before you buy.

Keeping It Clean

Because it is designed for real, everyday life, the Koala Sofa Bed is built to be cleaned rather than just wiped down. The fabric covers unzip and go in the washing machine, and the Kloudcell™ topper cover does too. Water-resistant finishes help spills bead rather than soak in, which makes pets, kids, and the occasional glass of wine far less stressful than on a fixed-cover sofa.

Adding Storage in a Small Space

A sofa bed earns its place in a small home when it does more than one job. Because the FlipBed™ stores nothing underneath, you don't lose that floor space to a hidden frame — and you can add the matching Koala Sofa Bed Ottoman for extra seating and hidden storage for bedding. For more ideas on making a compact living room work harder, see our guide to sofa beds with storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Koala's FlipBed™ system?

The FlipBed™ is Koala's proprietary sofa bed mechanism. The seat flips forward in one motion to turn the sofa into a full-size bed with an integrated Kloudcell™ foam topper — no pull-out frame, no metal bar and no cushions to remove.

Does the Koala Sofa Bed have a metal bar in the sleeping surface?

No. The FlipBed™ design removes the metal frame entirely, giving you a continuous foam sleeping surface with a Kloudcell™ topper and no pressure points underneath.

What size bed does the Koala Sofa Bed make?

The 3-Seater (King) folds out to a king-size sleeping surface (around 209cm × 155cm). A 2.5-Seater (Double) and 1.5-Seater (Single) are also available. Check the product page for current dimensions.

Can I use the Koala Sofa Bed for everyday sleeping?

Yes. The full-size Kloudcell™ surface with Zero Disturbance™ motion isolation is built for genuine full-night sleep, and many verified buyers use it as their main bed.

What trial and warranty does the Koala Sofa Bed come with?

It comes with a 120-day free trial (Koala collects it for free if it's not right) and a 5-year warranty. Check the Koala website for current terms.

Keep Exploring

• Shop the full Koala Sofa Bed range

• Space-saving sofa beds for small rooms

• Sofa beds for kids and spare rooms

• Add the Koala Sofa Bed Ottoman for storage

• Read about sofa beds with storage