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Today, I would like to deep dive into the topic of extra beds in Airbnb rentals. By far, a traditional sleeper sofa is the most popular way to sleep an additional guest or two. However, I personally prefer a rollaway bed. Of course, there are many variables, such as your space and your guest’s needs. So, let’s jump in and look at when it’s better to choose a sleeper sofa and when rollaway beds are a better solution in your short-term rental property.
Hi, I’m Sarah! I am a top-rated Airbnb superhost with multiple short-term rental properties that our family owns and self-manages. Here at Our Little Lifestyle, I share first-hand, valuable Airbnb hosting tips to help you earn 5-star Airbnb reviews, maximize your profits, and streamline your Airbnb hosting business!
Airbnb: Sleeper Sofa vs Rollaway Bed
A sleeper sofa is a traditional sofa that converts into a full or queen-size bed. It can often accommodate up to two guests and typically has a weight limit of around 500 pounds. On the other hand, a rollaway bed is a single bed, often twin size, that can accommodate one guest. It usually has a weight limit of around 300 pounds.
Both sleeper sofas and rollaway beds have advantages and disadvantages. The main difference is that a sleeper sofa is always present in your rental, while a rollaway bed needs to be stored away.
First, let’s look at the general pros and cons of each. I will also share a few things to consider when deciding between the two. Then, I will share links to my reccomendations for both a rollaway bed and sleeper sofas.
Pros & Cons Of Sleeper Sofas In Airbnbs
Sleeper sofas are popular for a reason! They often allow a living room area to double as a sleeping space, only when needed. The benefits are that they can usually sleep two people and aren’t in the way when not being used. Purchasing a high-quality sleeper sofa for a vacation rental can be very expensive.
I personally think sleeper sofas are best for kids. By nature, they are not very comfortable for adults. If you have heavier adults using them often, they can start to sag in the middle. We limit the sleeper sofas in our one-bedroom condos to children only.
Furthermore, while it can be tempting to want to sleep an extra couple in the living room, do the rest of the guests want to share their sleeping space? Will they put the bed up and their things away during the day so others can enjoy the living room?
Here is the sleeper sofa in one of our short-term rental condos. We removed the spring mattress and opted for a 4.5″ memory foam mattress.
Pros & Cons Of Rollaway Beds In Airbnbs
I like the idea of single rollaway beds in short-term rentals if you have the space to store them and set them up. In fact, we have one stored in one of our one-bedroom condos. I don’t offer it to guests because it makes things a bit too crowded. But we pull it out when our family of four is there so that my teenagers don’t have to share the sleeper sofa.
These often have a slightly thicker mattress, usually memory foam, and can be quite comfortable. If you have a large bonus room or an open floor plan, rollaway beds are also easy to move around. This allows guests to have an extra sleeping space that doesn’t consume the entire living room.
Rollaway beds tend only to run a few hundred dollars and are quite durable.
How To Choose Between A Sleeper Sofa & Rollaway Bed
So, how do you determine which one to choose for your new short-term rental property? I think it’s most important to consider your space, including storage space, because that often drives the decision. But, it’s also important to consider your budget and what type of Airbnb guests you will be hosting.
#1 Consider Your Airbnb Space
It’s key to consider your space when deciding whether to offer a sleeper sofa, rollaway bed, or both! If you don’t have a place to store a rollaway bed or for a guest to set it up, then it’s not even an option.
On the other hand, does your living room have enough space to open up the sleeper sofa, move the coffee table, etc., to create a sleeping space? Is there enough room for luggage?
BONUS TIP: If you are sleeping people in a living room, make sure you have blackout curtains.
You may realize that you don’t have the right space for extra guests, and that’s okay! Increasing the number of guests you can accommodate is not always the best idea, especially if it leads to a subpar guest experience.
#2 Who Are Your Guests?
Building on the last consideration, ask yourself about your target demographic. If you are hosting couples or young families, you may be better off making your Airbnb baby-friendly and offering a mini crib.
However, I really like the rollaway bed option for families with younger kids as well. Often, parents won’t want to leave their young children out on a sofa bed in another part of the house. Offering a rollaway bed that they can place in their bedroom might be a better solution.
That said, older kids and adults likely don’t want to be in the same room with said parents. So, maybe a sleeper sofa or even two rollaway beds is a better idea if you are just looking to sleep one more kid, or possibly a nanny or grandparent who came along to help.
I think I already made this clear in this post, but I really don’t like the idea of adults using a sleeper sofa in the primary living space of a rental property. I would only do it if it were in a bonus area, loft, or office space. And, always make sure it has a comfortable sofa bed mattress, as adults are pickier than children.
#3 What Is Your Budget?
Lastly, how much do you want to spend? If you think you will frequently host guests who will use these items, dropping $1500+ on a high-quality sleeper sofa might be a good investment. If you sleep four (in two beds) but just want to be able to sleep a family of five as needed, a $300 rollaway bed might be a better option. This is common practice in a hotel and a great choice for occasionally increasing your sleeping capacity.
My Favorite Airbnb Sleeper Sofas
If you are ready to browse sleeper sofas for your short-term rental home or condo, I have a dedicated blog post all about Choosing The Best Sofa Beds For your Airbnb with links to shop! That post includes 10 options for a variety of budgets and decor styles.
I also really like the sleeper sofa options at Ashley Furniture.
My Favorite Airbnb Rollaway Bed
If you want to purchase a twin rollaway bed for your Airbnb rental, I recommend the SunsGrove Twin Folding Bed with a 5″ Mattress. This folding rollaway bed has great reviews and a comfortable memory foam mattress. The sturdy and strong steel frame holds up to 300 pounds, and it is available at a very reasonable price. I like that this rollaway bed mattress would be comfortable enough for adults.
Or, you can browse all Rollaway Beds on Amazon! Rollaway bed prices can vary, and you may even be able to find larger full or queen rollaway beds, but make absolutely sure you have the proper storage and setup space for those.
More Tips For Airbnb Hosts
I hope you found this discussion of sleeper sofas vs. a rollaway bed helpful in your journey as a new Airbnb host! Make sure to stick around and read all of my other Airbnb Hosting blog posts. You are also welcome to join my Airbnb Hosting Group on Facebook.
START HERE: Get My Top 10 Tips For New Airbnb Hosts
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