This viral 'sofa to bunk bed' is a genius buy for a guest bedroom when you're always stuck for space over the holidays

Searches for this take on a sofa bed have sky-rocketed in the lead up to the holidays, and it's so genius that we're not surprised

a sofa bed to bunk bed
(Image credit: Urban Natural)

With Thanksgiving on the horizon, you might be starting to figure out how you're going to squeeze the family in for another year over the holiday season. And while inflatable mattresses and makeshift floor beds might end up being the best solution for the younger members of your extended family, wouldn't it be nice to be able to find that room to squeeze an extra bed in?

It's undoubtedly why the 'sofa to bunk bed' has been going viral this week, with searches for this ingenious guest room idea up by over 2,000%. You might think you know every kind of sofa bed, but if you haven't seen this clever couch that transforms into a set of bunk beds, we think you might just be amazed. 

They are, of course, a new niche of design, so you won't find these in any old home decor store as you will many of the best sleeper sofas and sofa beds, but we've found a few of the best examples of how they work, and where you can get them from, that might just convince you it's exactly what your guest room needs. 

How does it work?

a grey sofa bed

(Image credit: Urban Natural)

While it may look like an ordinary couch from the outside, these sofa to bunk beds have two sections, the upper of which extends and lifts up to create the second bunk. The mechanism is then locked in place giving you two single beds from one sofa bed, usually with an incorporated ladder to make access to the top bunk a little easier. 

The mechanisms are securely locked into place, and each 'bunk' has an integrated mattress, rather than sleeping on couch cushions, which can be a little uncomfortable. 

Sometimes you can just tell that a couch is actually a sofa bed. It looks bulky, or is lumpy and uncomfortable to use as a sofa, but from a first glance at designs like the Elevate Bunk Bed Sleeper Sofa from Urban Natural, or the Dormir V2 from Expand Furniture, they look pretty stylish given what's hidden inside. 

Sofa to bunk bed convertible furniture

(Image credit: Expand Furniture)

The beds don't look quite as attractive when open as they do close, but they certainly do the job, especially if you want your guest bedroom to be usable as a place to sit and hang out when you don't have guests over. 

We think the sofa to bunk bed is perfectly suited for your younger house guests, or for your kids if they give up their rooms to relatives when the holidays come around. However, you'll need to make sure the style you choose has an appropriate safety guard on the top bunk to prevent any accidents with younger users. 

How much does it cost?

The retailers of these sofa bunk beds describe them as 'a modern marvel of engineering', and we don't disagree. But, as you might imagine, that comes with a price tag. The Dormir V2 has a slightly lower price tag of $4,995, but a 16 week lead-time, while the Elevate Bunk Bed Sofa from Urban Nature sells at $ 5,999, but with a speedy four-week delivery window. 

3 other clever sofa beds to try 

Hugh Metcalf
Editor of Livingetc.com

Hugh is the  Editor of Livingetc.com. From working on a number of home, design and property publications and websites, including Grand Designs, ICON and specialist kitchen and bathroom magazines, Hugh has developed a passion for modern architecture, impactful interiors and green homes. Whether moonlighting as an interior decorator for private clients or renovating the Victorian terrace in Essex where he lives (DIYing as much of the work as possible), you’ll find that Hugh has an overarching fondness for luxurious minimalism, abstract shapes and all things beige. He’s just finished a kitchen and garden renovation, and has eyes set on a bathroom makeover for 2024.