Sleeper chair for small spaces: will a chair bed fit your studio?

If you live in a studio or a one-bedroom, a sofa bed is often too big and an air mattress lives in your closet. A sleeper chair is the third option: a chair most of the time and a single bed when someone stays over. Here's how to tell whether one will fit, and how it compares to a futon or a small sofa bed.

What a sleeper chair is

A sleeper chair (also called a chair bed or a convertible chair) is a single armchair whose seat and back fold out flat into a twin-width mattress. Most open to about 70–75 inches long and 25–30 inches wide. Some, like our 3-in-1 sleeper chair, also stop halfway as a lounger.

How much floor it really needs

Measure for the bed, not the chair. As a chair our sleeper takes about 27 × 33 inches. Opened flat it's about 74 × 27 inches, so you need a clear run of a little over 6 feet, plus about a foot beside it to get in and out.

1. Pick the wall where the chair will live.
2. Measure straight out from that wall. You need at least 6.5 feet before you hit a coffee table, door swing or radiator.
3. Tape the bed outline on the floor (74 × 27 in) and walk around it. If you can still reach the bathroom and the front door, it works.

Sleeper chair vs futon vs sofa bed

If the chair is the only extra seating in the room, it pairs well with an apartment size loveseat for everyday use.

Check the doorway first

Chairs are easier to deliver than sofas, but still check. Measure the narrowest door, hallway turn and elevator on the way in. Most sleeper chairs ship flat and need some assembly, which helps in walk-ups.

What to look for

• Weight limit. Ours is rated for 350 lb.
• Removable covers or easy-clean fabric. Chenille and performance fabrics hold up to daily use.
• Seat height. Around 17–18 inches is standard. Lower feels like a lounger.
• Bed height. Many sit low as a bed, about 14 inches. Fine for guests, not for every night.

Not sure it fits? Send us your room's measurements and a photo, and we'll tell you honestly.