How to Make a Bed Look Like a Couch: A Fun and Easy Room Makeover

Have you ever wondered if you could transform your boring ol’ bed into a stylish couch? Well, wonder no more! With a few simple tricks, you can easily makeover your bed into a super comfy faux couch that’s great for lounging.

This project is perfect if you’re looking to give your small bedroom a budget makeover, spice up a guest room, or just want to relax in style on a custom upholstered bed frame. So grab some pillows and let’s get to it!

Save $450 On Any Mattress

Plus free shipping

Get $450 OFF Mattresses

Why Make Your Bed Look Like a Couch?

There’s a bunch of great reasons to undertake this simple DIY:

• Adds extra seating for reading, watching TV, or visiting with friends
• Makes a small bedroom feel bigger by defining a separate “living room” area
• Creates a cozy place for early afternoon naps (after all, who doesn’t love quick power naps?!)
• Perfect for studio apartments, kid rooms, dorms, and guest bedrooms
• Gives boring furniture new life with a fun makeover project on a budget
• Lets you relax on a stylish couch you designed yourself!

With just a little effort, you can transform an unused corner of your home into a sweet lounge spot or maximize available space in a studio apartment bedroom. So next time you’re looking to add some cozy hangout space on a budget, forget the furniture store. Just raid your linen closet for blankets and pillows galore.

With a little creativity, you can transform any tired bed into a fabulously comfy couch! Now let’s get to the good stuff – actually making your bed into a fabulous couch!

Best Amerisleep Sleep Accessories for a Bed Couch

Choosing the Right Bed Frame

While any bed can work for this bedroom makeover, some frames make the process easier. However, if you don’t have the option of buying new furniture, don’t worry! Any bed frame will work – even if you’re working with a hand-me-down mattress and box spring. Now let’s transform that boring bed into a beautiful couch!

Daybeds

These couches disguised as beds are made for this purpose! Daybeds have upholstered frames with arms and backs that already resemble a couch. It’s like they were custom-made for the job.

Platform Beds

Simple platform bed frames with no footboard allow you to more easily decorate the bed like a couch. Without the clunky extras of a traditional panel bed getting in the way, you’ve got more flexibility.

Upholstered Bed Frames

If you have an upholstered bed frame with a headboard, it can add an extra touch of elegance to your sofa transformation. The padded headboard not only provides comfort but also mimics the appearance of a sofa back. This option combines the versatility of a bed with the aesthetics of a sofa, making it a stylish choice for dual functionality in your living space.

Futons

The thin mattresses easily fold up, making futons a prime candidate for couchification. Their simple frames blend into most decor too.

Choosing the Right Mattress

Now that you’ve selected the ideal bed frame, it’s crucial to consider the mattress for your faux couch transformation. Three key factors come into play for a mattress for sitting up and lying down.

Mattress Firmness

The mattress firmness affects how readily the mattress contours to the body. Opt for a mattress with a medium firmness level. It provides the right balance of comfort and support, ensuring your faux couch is inviting and cozy.

Mattress Thickness

A mattress with a moderate thickness is ideal. Too thin of a mattress thickness might compromise comfort, while excessively thick ones can make your faux couch look bulky or too tall for its backing. Aim for a balanced thickness that complements the overall aesthetic, but still ensures durability and comfort.

Mattress Weight

Every frame has its weight limits, so make sure your mattress weight falls under the limit. The weight of the mattress is also important if you plan to frequently transition your faux couch back into a bed. A moderately weighted mattress ensures ease of handling while maintaining the desired aesthetic appeal.

Mattress Material Type

Choose a type of mattress that aligns with your comfort preferences. Memory foam is a popular choice for its adaptability, while innerspring mattresses provide a more traditional and buoyant feel. Hybrid mattresses can be the best of both of these, but they can be bulky and a little pricy. Consider your personal comfort and style to enhance the overall appeal of your faux couch.

9 Steps to Transform Your Bed

Step 1: Position Against the Wall

To start, place your bed lengthwise against a wall. This automatically makes it look more couch-like by giving you a backrest. If your bed is in a corner, even better! The two adjoining walls provide support and a finished look.

Step 2: Skirt Those Legs

Next, hide those not-very-attractive bed legs and frame with a bed skirt. Measure first to find a skirt that reaches all sides from the top of the mattress to the floor. This instantly gives the bed a couch shape. Choose a skirt fabric that coordinates with your room.

If you want to add some under-bed (or perhaps under-couch in this case) storage space that can be concealed by the bed skirt, try a set of bed risers. These can raise your couch by a few but significant inches.

Step 4: Perfecting the Look with Sheets

Now that your faux couch is taking shape, the right choice of sheets and blankets can add the finishing touch to the transformation. To complete the transformation of your bed into a cozy couch, carefully select sheets and blankets that complement the overall style. Consider using a fitted sheet with a higher thread count for added comfort.

Opt for types of sheets and blankets in colors and patterns that complement the overall color scheme and style of your room. Solid colors or subtle patterns work well to maintain a sophisticated look and can work with multiple different bedroom colors.

Of course, the feel is important too. You can take steps to soften sheets before slipping them over your improvised couch.

To create a more tailored appearance, tuck in the sheets and blankets neatly around the mattress. This not only adds a touch of refinement but also enhances the illusion of a sofa structure. You can even iron the sheets before adding them on, to promote a crisp, wrinkle-free look.

If you’re going for a more casual and bohemian vibe, loosely drape a cozy throw or blanket over one corner of the “couch” for an effortlessly chic look, or use a spare flat sheet instead of a fitted sheet to tuck away the mattress. See also fitted sheet vs. flat sheet.

Step 4: Improvise Armrests

For an extra touch of comfort and to mimic the arms of a traditional couch, consider using large bolster pillows. Place them strategically on either side of the bed-couch to create improvised armrests. This not only enhances the visual appeal but also provides additional support when lounging.

Bolster pillows come in various sizes and textures, allowing you to customize the look and feel of your faux couch.

Step 3: Pile on Those Pillows

Now for the fun part – pillows, pillows, and more pretty pillows! Start by leaning super-plush, large pillows against the wall to pad the backrest. Feel free to go crazy with fun colors and prints in your throw pillows! Don’t forget that you can establish an interesting array of different pillow sizes, too, with smaller bed pillows offsetting larger ones.

Next, arrange pillows on the bed lengthwise to mimic a cushioned couch. Mix up the shapes and sizes for maximum coziness – throw in some floor pillows, oval pillows, lumbar support, whatever you’ve got! The more eclectic, the better.

For example, instead of sitting on the mattress, you can place foam seat cushions on the surface and use them as cozy spots for lounging. Look for large outdoor seat cushions to cover the mattress surface or memory foam cushions that promote lumbar support. The number you need will depend on the size of the mattress you’re decorating, with a twin bed requiring less than a full bed.

If you’re working with a larger mattress size like a queen or king mattress, you may need more pillows to fill out the expanded space. But we love an excuse to buy more pillows!

Step 6: Layer on Throws

Of course, what’s a couch without the final touch of blankets? Drape coordinating throws or blankets over the pillows for some texture and hygge vibes.

Consider using a larger quilt at the bottom and smaller throw blankets on top. The contrast between blanket sizes looks more interesting and adds some texture to the bedroom.

When it comes to blankets, choose throws or coverlets that match the theme of your bedroom decor. Layering different textures and materials can contribute to a cozy, snug place to relax.

For a winter bedroom, you might want to layer the couch with a duvet or a thick throw blanket you can snuggle underneath, perhaps with a cup of hot cocoa.

Step 7: Add on Textures and Accessories

For an extra touch of ambiance and to elevate the coziness of your faux couch, consider draping fabric from the ceiling to create a whimsical canopy. Choose lightweight, sheer curtains or flowing fabrics that match your room’s color scheme and style. Even upcycled old sheets can work if they’re in good condition.

A DIY bed canopy not only adds an ethereal and dreamy quality but also provides a sense of enclosure, transforming even a regular couch into a private, snug hideaway. Experiment with different hanging styles, whether gathered at the center or cascading down the sides, to achieve the desired effect.

The soft, billowing fabric not only enhances the visual appeal but also contributes to the overall sensory experience, making your lounging space feel like a secluded retreat within the confines of your bedroom. Enjoy the enchanting atmosphere of your transformed space!

Go ahead and grab some stuffed animals while you’re at it! Placing cute stuffed bears, frogs or unicorns on your new couch completes the laidback hangout look. After all, you’re never too old for some plushies, many adults enjoy sleeping with stuffed animals.

For extra texture, try layering a plush area rug underneath. Nothing says cozy couch like your toes sinking into a soft rug! Layering rugs in the bedroom is also a good way to denote areas of interest, from reading nooks to dressers to the focal point of the bed.

Step 8: Flank with Tables

Now to cement the look, place a side table on either end of the bed-couch. If you actually want to use them for holding snacks and drinks, make sure they’re the right height in relation to your mattress. Or you can nightstands or file cabinets to provide additional storage space. You can also have a bedroom mini fridge close by to keep select snacks and drinks nice and cool

For a nice touch, add table lamps, succulents or other suitable plants for the bedroom, framed photos, or whatever decor you love. This transforms your bed into a welcoming living room space.

Top it off with a comfy poof ottoman or cushioned storage bench at the foot of the bed for the perfect place to prop your feet after a long day! Or a coffee table that can let you freely set down drinks such as a cup of tea for sleep, a book that you’re reading, or any electronic devices and remotes.

However, if your daybed includes a hidden trundle bed, you may want to leave this area in front of your create couch free, or at least ensure the extra furniture is easy to move with add-on wheels.

Step 9: Lounging Time!

You did it – that boring bed is now a gorgeous, lounge-worthy couch! Give your new seating area a test drive by relaxing with your favorite music or binge-watching TV (if you have a TV in the bedroom, which you may not want to have to minimize distractions). We think you’ll find that this improvised can make the comfiest couch around!

Now you can enjoy an extra stylish seating nook and impress your friends with your mad bedroom makeover on a budget skills. No more sacrificing style for comfort – you’ve got the best of both worlds!

FAQs

Can you turn a bed into a sofa?

Transforming a bed into a sofa can be achievable depending on the bed frame’s design and structure. Some daybeds are explicitly crafted to serve dual purposes, seamlessly transitioning from a sofa-like seating arrangement during the day to a comfortable bed at night.

The process just involves adding cushions and pillows to create a sofa aesthetic. It’s crucial to check the specific features of your bed frame to determine its suitability for this conversion.

Is it OK to sleep on a daybed every night?

It largely depends on the mattress and daybed frame. If the daybed couch is designed for regular sleeping and the mattress provides adequate support and cushioning, it can be okay.

However, some daybeds may not offer the same comfort and support as a dedicated mattress and bed frame, potentially leading to discomfort with prolonged use. Check the specifications of the daybed and mattress to ensure they are designed for extended periods of sleep.

Do daybeds need a special mattress?

Yes, daybeds also require a specific mattress size to fit their frame dimensions. Most daybeds accommodate a twin-size mattress, and some are designed for a twin XL or a full mattress. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations for your specific daybed model to ensure the right mattress fit.

Additionally, since daybeds are designed to function as both a bed and a seating area, it’s essential to choose a mattress that suits this dual purpose. Daybeds often look best with a mattress that has some thickness to resemble a sofa cushion, providing both style and comfort while complementing the back and side structure of the daybed. This ensures a seamless and comfortable transition between lounging and sleeping.

Can I style a king or queen bed like a couch?

Styling a larger bed to resemble a couch is possible with the right approach. While larger beds might lack the built-in structure of a daybed, you can use various strategies to create the look of a real couch. Arrange supportive pillows along the backrest to create a couch-like appearance. Consider a bed with a simple and open frame design, allowing for easier adaptation.

Using a bed skirt or choosing a platform bed without a footboard provides flexibility for achieving a sofa aesthetic. Ultimately, it’s about creative positioning and the right accessories to achieve the desired look and style a king bed or queen bed as you wish.

Conclusion

Transforming your bed into a stylish and comfortable couch is a fantastic way to add extra seating, redefine your living space, and create a cozy spot for various activities. Whether you opt for a daybed, platform bed, or even an upholstered frame with a headboard, the right choice can make this DIY project a breeze.

Remember to select a mattress with medium firmness, a balanced thickness, and a material that suits your comfort preferences. Once your bed is in position against a wall, skirted, and adorned with plush pillows and throws that match your bedroom colors for sleep, you’ll have a fabulous faux couch ready for lounging.

Add side tables, decor, and perhaps a small ottoman or floor bench for the finishing touches. Enjoy your new, stylish seating area and impress guests with your creative bedroom makeover!