Shopping for a guest bed requires some research and some foresight, maybe more so than for the bed that you sleep in each night. That is because, and this may come as a surprise, people tend to have guest beds for twice as long as they do the beds they sleep in each night. It's not really that hard to believe when you think about it. Sleeping in a bed each and every night will cause it to wear out faster. Guest beds rarely even need the sheets changed, let alone replaced. On average people tend to replace their mattresses every six to eight years, while they hold on to guest beds for up to fifteen years. If it ain't broke, don't replace it seems to be the line of thought. And there's nothing wrong with that. We as a society tend to replace things far before they warrant it, and I for one think it's a great thing folks replace their guest bed infrequently (even if it is just because they forget about it).
So, we've established that this is an important decision, and one that shouldn't be made without some consideration. But, what kinds of things should you be thinking about as you make this purchase?
Perhaps the most important thing to consider is what size bed you'll want for your guest room. Of course, this might be strictly a function of what size bed will fit in the room. If your guest bedroom is the size of a closet, you're going to get a single guest bed, case closed. And this isn't a bad thing. Single guest beds, while unaccommodating for a couple can be a great option. For one, they're cheaper than larger sized mattresses... an obvious benefit. But think about the uses of a guest bed. Someone comes over for a night or two and then leaves. When this happens, you typically remove the sheets to wash them, and then remake the bed. If you have frequent visitors, this can be a real pain. A lot of people, even if they have relatively large guest bedrooms, will opt for two single beds for ease of operations, so to speak. Even if a couple comes to visit, they can certainly stand to sleep apart for a night or two.
Another option to think about comes into play if your guest bedroom isn't strictly a bedroom. If it is a room that is used as an office the vast majority of the time, it's kind of a shame to have a big bed taking up a ton of room in preparation for the few times a year when someone comes and stays the night. In this instance, and it is a great idea in my book, a folding guest bed is a great idea. These can take a number of different shapes, but the standard ones look like love seats or couches (and this includes the standard sofa and the futon variety). Folding guest beds are really an awesome solution to the problem. They provide enough comfort to make you look like a good host if someone is staying over, and at the same time allow you to salvage a room that might otherwise be more or less wasted.
Now, there are a few scenarios when I can envision a folding bed not quite being the idea solution. In the event that you are expecting children in the next few years, it probably makes some sense to look at beds that can be converted into a bed for you child when the time comes that they need their first non-crib sleeping solution. In this case, a single guest bed makes sense, and it also makes sense not to break the bank. Chances are the kid is going to be pretty rough on the bed in a number of ways, and will not require the level of comfort that you need. Your most basic single will do the trick here.
On the opposite end of that spectrum, and this is an issue that more and more families are facing as the worldwide population ages, you may need to consider the very real possibility that an older parent or relative may need to move in with you in the coming years. In this case, you should probably be shopping for a bed as if it were your own. A good middle of the road option would be a nice double size mattress. More than big enough for one person, but small enough to be manageable in most rooms.
Finding a guest bed certainly isn't the most important decision you'll ever make, but it should be a choice that you make intelligently. After all, the data shows that it is something you might be stuck with for a very long time.
