The first thing you notice isn’t the look, it’s the sound. A sharp, slightly dramatic “clack” echoes across the showroom as a young woman pulls out a concealed section from what appears to be an ordinary two-seater sofa. She lives in a 23 m² studio on the edge of the city and is done apologising for her sagging old sofa bed whenever someone stays the night. The Ikea staff member gestures for her to sit, then lie down, then tuck an entire duvet and pillow set into a hidden storage cavity that seems almost bottomless. Other shoppers lift their phones, filming with raised eyebrows. Is this really the end of the creaky sofa bed we grew up with? Or just another flashy chapter in the era of “smart” living?
Something in the air suggests a quiet shift is underway.
Inside Ikea’s bold move to rethink the classic sofa bed
At first glance, the new multifunctional sofa doesn’t scream innovation. Minimal design, compact proportions, neutral fabric — it could blend into any small apartment without demanding attention. But then you notice subtle details: extra seams, deeper seating, discreet grips along the base. This isn’t a simple fold-out contraption. It slides forward, lifts upward, rearranges itself. It aims to be sofa, bed, storage chest and daily hub all in one.
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The ambition is clear: move beyond the old metal-frame sofa bed that squeaks, pinches fingers and leaves guests with stiff backs. In marketing images, Ikea doesn’t treat it as a backup sleeping option. It’s shown as a full-time solution — couples lounging, working from home, hosting overnight friends who look perfectly comfortable. The message feels bold: maybe you don’t need a separate bed at all.
For some long-time fans of the traditional pull-out couch, that’s exactly where skepticism begins. The old sofa bed might have been clumsy, but at least it didn’t pretend to be anything else.
How the multifunctional sofa performs beyond the showroom
The real magic lies in the mechanism. Instead of unfolding a rattling metal grid, the seat glides out smoothly on built-in rails. A concealed platform rises into place, and back cushions lock together to create a flat sleeping surface. Underneath, there’s storage roomy enough for blankets, pillows and spare sheets. Once you’ve practiced twice, the shift from living mode to sleeping mode takes less than a minute.
It feels almost like assembling a giant piece of modular design — satisfying and oddly playful.
Consider Lena, 31, who downsized from a 40 m² apartment to a 24 m² studio after rent jumped. She documented her setup online, calling the sofa her “imaginary second room.” By day, it’s a neat couch framed with cushions and a throw. By night, it stretches into a bed that comfortably fits two adults — as long as they aren’t overly picky. Her friends admire the efficiency. Her parents remain doubtful.
But here’s what showroom demos rarely emphasize: consistency. The transformation only works if you actually reset it daily. Bedding stored away. Cushions arranged. Storage sealed. Floor space cleared. In real life, many admit the sofa ends up stuck halfway — neither full couch nor proper bed. Some say the mattress works well for occasional guests but feels too firm for everyday sleepers. Ikea is betting that versatility and storage outweigh those compromises. Not everyone agrees.
Is this all-in-one sofa truly right for your lifestyle?
If you’re thinking about replacing your traditional sofa bed, the decision isn’t just about fabric or color. It starts with observing your daily routine. Where do you drink coffee?
Where do you answer emails? Where do visitors leave their bags?
If your sofa already carries multiple roles, this hybrid concept might fit naturally into your space.
Take measurements seriously distance to walls, window clearance, door swing radius. These practical details matter more than showroom lighting ever will.
The biggest mistake is falling for the transformation factor without considering personal habits. If you dislike making the bed each morning, a system that demands daily switching may feel exhausting. If older family members visit often, consider whether they’ll find the height and firmness comfortable. On the other hand, for singles or couples hosting friends occasionally, the flexibility can feel freeing rather than limiting.
During the product launch, one Ikea designer explained that the aim wasn’t to eliminate sofa beds, but to respond to a direct question: what happens when there simply isn’t space for a bedroom? That’s the deeper tension behind this design. It reflects the reality of shrinking urban homes and rising rents.
Before choosing sides, test it properly. Lie down for at least fifteen minutes. Slide the mechanism multiple times to check noise levels. Picture yourself converting it on a rushed weekday morning. Imagine moving it up a narrow staircase in your next apartment.
This sofa sparks debate not because of foam or fabric, but because it mirrors how many of us now live. For some, it’s a clever answer to tight housing markets. For others, it symbolizes how we’re learning to compress entire lives into fewer square meters. Perhaps the real divide isn’t about furniture at all — it’s about whether we still believe in separate rooms, or are quietly adapting to life without them.
| Key point | Detail | Value for the reader |
|---|---|---|
| Space-saving design | Gliding platform, hidden storage, no bulky metal frame | Helps turn a tiny living room into a flexible day–night space |
| Daily routine impact | Requires regular folding, tidying, and switching modes | Encourages better organisation, but can feel demanding over time |
| Comfort trade-offs | Firm, modular sleeping surface suited to short- and medium-term use | Works for guests and some full-time sleepers, less ideal for chronic pain or zero-effort habits |
