The size of the three seater is large and comfy. It’s 190cm wide with a 45cm back and cushions filled with double layered high-density foam and then wrapped in Dacron, a polyester fibre that gives it a fuller, softer look. The frame and legs are made from sustainable, traceable pine, plywood and come with a 15 year guarantee.
The bed is actually pretty comfortable and, at 136cm wide and 190cm long, a standard double bed size. It comes with a seven-inch thick, 300 pocket sprung foam mattress, and you can always purchase an additional topper for extra comfort. The arms are removable if you need additional space on the ends (for example, if you have a guest over about 6ft who likes to stretch out in bed).
Pulling out the bed is easy, there are just a few more steps than with a click-clack. First, lift the seat cushion to unfurl the concealed legs, lower the seat cushion (which slides out along runners), pull out the mattress topper from inside the base and flap down the back of the sofa. Then you fit the mattress and the topper on, which has elasticated straps to hook onto the four corners of the bed, and dress it. The Swyft team have timed themselves and, with practice, say it should take 30 seconds.
The sofa bed is delivered in 4 boxes, which reduces anxiety for those who are worried about squeezing frames through tight hallways or curved stairs (the company guarantee it will fit any doorway). The downside is there’s a tiny bit of assembly to do. It is relatively minimal, and requires no tools, but you will need an assistant. You screw the legs on to the base, lift the back and sides on and into the specially designed locks, put the topper inside the base, then put the seat cover on, ensuring the wheels are aligned with the runners. Then add the back and side cushions. There is a handy video on YouTube that helps. Swyft’s website is also very user-friendly with an excellent chat function: I was connected to founder Keiran Hewkin when I used it one rainy Saturday afternoon.
This is a stylish and comfortable sofa bed that would fit a more relaxed space, which has all the benefits of flat pack company – quick delivery and no anxiety about getting into a smaller house – but thanks to clever design, it has very minimal assembly and it is well made enough that the company backs itself to guarantee the base for 15 years. – tested by Jessica Salter, Contributing Writer
Swyft’s ‘sofa in a box’ business broke new ground when it began, building luxury into flat pack principles. It means that no matter how high up you live, or how tight your doorways are, you’ll always be able to get your sofa into your house. For ease of delivery, or anyone concerned about delivery, Swyft should be very high up on your list.
Swyft’s sofa bed option, the ever popular Model 04, is available in various richly hued upholstery options and fabrics – a recent expansion from their original offering of seven. What’s particularly interesting is that on their own website, Swyft have categorised their fabrics not just be texture and weave, but by delivery times. One such section is titled ‘24 hour delivery’, another ‘made to order in 10 days’. For those strapped for time, it’s a very useful addition. Depending on which fabric you opt for, the sofa bed will take on a very different look. The linen lends the sofa bed a cool, laidback charm where the velvet envelops the sofa bed in a cosy feel. It’s also a great choice for those with young children, as the fabric is stain resistant.
Our main drawback is that this does come in several pieces, meaning you need to assemble it at home. This may not be a problem for some but it’s not the white glove service you might get with another one of its price point peers. However, once it’s up and running this is a smart sofa bed that folds out into a pocket sprung double bed. A minor concern is that this sofa is rather narrow, which makes it a little less comfortable than others when used as a sofa.
This is a smart, formal sofa bed with gently curved arms and piped detailing on the fabric covered frame and cushions that lends an air of considered design. The fabric options are extensive, and come in a range of colours and finishes: from linen to cotton and the intriguing ‘family friendly’ category. The latter includes ’easy clean’ recycled velvet and stain-resistant recycled cotton, as well as piping options, cushion colours and arm covers. There is also a choice of colour finishes for the feet.
