5 guest beds that are perfect for small spaces

This ain’t your father’s huffy puffy air mattress—most air beds these days come with built-in pumps for self-inflating, as well as a plushy surface that resist punctures and leaks. Many even come with legs, which means they’re about as close to a bed as you can get, but you can still stuff it in a closet when you’re done.

If you frequently host kids or single guests—or if you’re always running out of seating—consider a convertible bed: one that transforms into an ottoman or chair when it’s not being slept on. Many are on casters for easy moving, and most come with removable slipcovers—great for washing up after spills, or simply changing up the mood of a room.

We’ve all slept on prehistoric sofa beds—you know, the kind that’s all poky springs with no discernible mattress. Nicely, today’s sofa beds are built from better materials, including memory foam mattresses and microfibre finishes to resist stains. If you don’t feel like schlepping a heavy, traditional hide-a-bed style sofa up to the cottage, try a sofa where the seat converts to a sleeping surface.

These retro-style beds have come back in a big way, largely because of urban downsizing—but what condo-dwellers have revived, cottage-owners can take advantage of. Many wall beds aren’t just wasted wall space any more—lots come with fold-down tables or shelves to make sure you make the best of your small space.

If you have the space, a daybed with extra pillows makes a handy place to curl up and read by day, and turns into a convenient guest bed by night. Although the traditional daybed is twin-sized, many models come with trundles, making them a good choice if you’re hosting siblings or easy-going couples. Plus, lots have drawers underneath for storage, and every cottage can use more space for storage.