Your living room, box room or bay window can shoulder more of the load this year. A compact fold-out that doubles as a proper seat is quietly winning over households who want Christmas solutions that don’t clutter January.
A compact chair that flips to a real bed
Dunelm’s Jackson velvet foldable single sofa bed targets the crunch point many homes face: daytime seating versus night-time sleeping. It plays both roles without looking like a compromise. Upholstered in plush velvet with neat piping, it comes in rich winter-friendly shades — Orange Umber, Luxe Navy and Olive — that blend with wreaths, warm lamps and a tree without begging for attention.
From accent chair to full-length sleeper: the Jackson opens to 180cm by 83cm, then tucks back into a low, modern seat by morning.
The backrest clicks through several angles for reading, TV wind-downs or a quick afternoon kip. That flexibility helps it fill the gap between occasional chair and guest bed, especially in smaller homes where every square foot has a job to do.
How the mechanism works
The conversion is simple. You drop the back, slide the base and it lies flat. There are no rogue legs to find and no cold metal arms poking out. Owners say the move takes seconds and feels sturdy enough for repeated holiday sleepovers.
One motion from day to night: adjust the back through multiple positions, then open flat without stripping cushions.
Dimensions that fit real homes
As a chair, the Jackson sits low and compact; as a bed, it offers a 180cm length and 83cm width. That suits most adults under six feet, teenagers, and frequent visitors who need a predictable, clean sleeping surface. Taller guests can lie diagonally or add a pillow at the foot for an extra bit of reach. The piece is light enough to shuffle between rooms when you need floor space back for games, wrapping or dance-offs after pudding.
| Mode | Size | Where it shines |
|---|---|---|
| Chair | Approx. H 60cm x W 83cm x D 78cm | Reading corner, spare lounge seat, teen bedroom accent |
| Bed | L 180cm x W 83cm | Single guest night, sleepover, overflow relative after a big lunch |
Comfort, materials and colour choices
The velvet feels soft to the touch and takes colour beautifully under warm bulbs or fairy lights. Piping along the edges gives it a boutique look rather than a stopgap vibe. For short stays it offers even support with no hard hinge in the middle. If you expect someone to stay for several nights, slide a slim topper on the surface to customise firmness without swallowing storage space.
Go Luxe Navy for a grown-up lounge, Olive for calm with oak and creams, or Orange Umber for a festive pop against greens and golds.
What owners report
Feedback points to an easy pull-out action and a comfortable perch by day. People like that it fits up narrow stairs and loft hatches where a hulking sofa bed won’t pass. A recurring hack: buy a second unit in the same colour and push them together when you need a wider sleep zone — then split them back into matching chairs once the guests head home.
Two units as a small double
Park two Jacksons side by side and you get close to a compact double without wrestling a heavy frame. Use a fitted sheet sized for a small double, or lay a flat sheet across both to keep the join tidy. Add non-slip pads underneath on hard floors to stop drift during the night.
Five quick checks before you commit
- Map the full 180cm length on your floor; make sure doors still open and walkways remain clear.
- Plan a bag-and-coat spot for guests; a small trunk or basket beside the chair keeps clutter off the carpet.
- Match your palette: Luxe Navy loves greys and brass; Olive pairs with oak and cream; Orange Umber warms mid-toned woods.
- Sort bedding storage now: a vacuum bag with single duvet, sheet and pillowcase slides under most beds or atop a wardrobe.
- Quiet the set-up: felt pads under the feet reduce scrapes and late-night squeaks on hard floors.
Set-up hacks for holiday nights
Build a pocket of comfort around the bed. A side table for glasses, water and a phone keeps midnight scrabbling to a minimum. For British winters, a 10.5 tog duvet suits most homes; add a light throw within reach for warmer sleepers. Side sleepers usually prefer two medium pillows; back sleepers tend to rest best on one supportive pillow.
Small touches — a spare charger, tissues, and a nightlight on the landing — turn a fold-out into a guest-ready space.
Care and safety during the festive season
Run a soft brush on the hoover over the velvet to lift lint and revive the pile. If you host for multiple nights, rotate where guests lie to spread wear. Keep it a few centimetres clear of radiators, and don’t park it near candles or festive flames. If you spill, blot carefully and spot-clean by the fabric label.
Who will love it — and who might not
If you host occasionally, live in a flat, or share a home office with guests, the Jackson earns its keep year-round as a real seat that doesn’t look temporary. If you regularly host couples or adults well over six feet, consider buying two, or stepping up to a full-sized sofa bed. For anyone with back sensitivities, try one in-store if possible, or plan a 3–4cm topper to dial in the feel.
Alternatives worth weighing
An inflatable mattress stores smaller but can bounce and occasionally deflate, and it rarely works as seating. A trundle gives you a true mattress but steals floor length and needs a permanent parking spot. A futon stays firm and low but can look utilitarian. The Jackson splits the difference: presentable seating by day, a bona fide single at night, and dimensions that fit most homes.
Extra pointers to stretch your space and budget
Do a quick room rehearsal a week ahead. Open the bed, fit the sheet, and check blinds, sockets and heating timers. Note draughts, tripping points and trailing tree lights while there’s time to fix them. If two children are staying, set a rota for turns or pair two chairs to keep peace after bedtime.
Think long game. In January, park the chair by a floor lamp and narrow bookcase to create a reading corner. When spring lands, swap a heavy throw for a linen cushion cover and the same piece shifts from winter snug to bright-day seat — no extra storage and no dead furniture footprint.
If you want to fine-tune comfort, measure your guest’s preferred firmness at home: place a 3cm foam topper on a firm mattress for one night and ask for feedback. If they wake fresh, mirror that setup on the Jackson during their stay. For space planning, sketch a 3m by 3.5m lounge on grid paper; mark doors and the tree. Block in the chair footprint both closed and at 180cm open. If walking lines stay at least 60cm wide, you’re good to go; if not, rotate the chair 90 degrees or slide it closer to a wall to reclaim flow.
