Folding Beds

Folding beds get a bad rep because the old beds were squeaky, uncomfortable, and challenging to set up. However, today's folding beds have decent mattresses and rock-solid build quality, and you can set them up in a few minutes.

The ability to fold the bed in half, move it around on wheels, and press it flat against the wall while taking up minimal floor space is unique to folding beds. No other temporary bed offers such excellent practicality.

Downsides include an inability to wheel the bed up and down stairs and needing to store the bed on wheels somewhere – it isn't an optimal solution if your storage space is upstairs and the bedroom is downstairs, and vice versa.

This article explores the pros and cons of folding beds to help you decide whether it's the best solution for your sleeping arrangements.

Let's jump in!

Folding bed pros

• Fold it out of the way.
• Stores vertically or flat.
• Easy to set up
• Relatively cheap
• Strict safety standards
• More comfortable than sofa beds
• Small single, single, small double, and double sizes.

Folding bed cons

• Not as comfortable as a regular bed
• Storage requirements may not suit your home.

Storage

You can store a folding bed vertically or flat. Storing upright lets you push it against the wall out of the way, while storing flat lets you slip it underneath another bed – chances are one of these solutions suits your home.

However, a folding bed isn't the best option if you need to cart the bed up and down flights of stairs. A folding bed can also be an eyesore if it isn't out of the way.

Set up

Folding beds have release clips to open the bed, and many models have fully automatic folding legs. The mattress folds and opens with the frame, so the process requires minimal input, and you can usually open the bed in a vertical or horizontal position.

Comfort

A folding bed mattress is usually 5cm thick and made from memory foam. However, 10cm pocket spring varieties like the JayBe Revolution also exist – pocket springs provide a bouncier bed feel than pure foam.

The comfort levels on modern folding beds are incredibly high, especially if you choose a pocket-sprung model, thanks to the extra support.

However, a folding bed won't offer as much comfort as a regular bed because the mattress and base are less thick/substantial.

Sizes

You can buy many folding beds in small single (toddler bed), single, small double, and double sizes, giving you a sleeping solution for adults and children.

For example, the JayBe Supreme E-Fibre is offered in single and small double sizes, while the JayBe Crown Premier is available in single sizes.  

Safety

Folding beds must pass safety standards before sale. ISO 10131 specifies test methods to assess the safety of foldaway beds for domestic use, and there are British Standards for beds that children will use.

At Bedstar, we stock folding beds manufactured by British company JayBe, with all products exceeding British and EU safety standards.

Price

Folding beds start from around £250 and go up to £500 – you pay more for a pocket spring mattress and larger sizes; however, a cheap memory foam folding bed might be all you need for temporary sleeping arrangements.

This price range is lower than sofa beds and day beds, making folding beds an outstanding choice if you are on a budget.

Convenience

Ultimately, folding beds are all about convenience – the ability to provide additional sleeping arrangements on a whim. The beauty is that folding beds maximise comfort, which makes them a better option than sofa beds.

Folding beds are handy for sleepovers, day napping, and separation tools if you catch the flu or the coronavirus.

Read our definitive guest beds buying guide if you found this article helpful.