apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I would highly recommend the EZ Bed from Frontgate (www.frontgate.com). They are so much nicer than your standard air mattress and so easy to set up and take down. It's on legs so your guests don't feel like they are sleeping on the floor. When it's packed up it's about the size of a large suitcase; it has little wheels on that you can roll it.We have the queen sized one, and my parents just got the twin sized one. I would also recommend a foam mattress topper (we didn't get ours from Frontgate, we just went to Target!). We did get the special sheets for the bed from Frontgate though. I was a little worried that it wouldn't work "as advertised," but so far we've been really pleased with it.

We have a similar situation (not pregnant with my 2nd YET). Small house (1100sf) and 3 small bedrooms. I plan on using an inflatable mattress (not the cheapest, but not the best) for house guests. I put a nice foam topper on it, and I haven't had any complaints. Yeah, it's inflatable, but it is easy to store. AND if I end up with twins, it will be used in the living room. Ha! :)

Third the inflatable rec... just get the kind that has a built-in "boxspring" so it's not totally on the floor. They are surprisingly nice and comfortable these days!!

We have an Aerobed, and it really is surprisingly comfy. It inflates quickly too, so it's not much of a hassle to get out.

I have found the mid-level aerobeds quite good. Much more comfy than most of the other options, and the price is great (I think we paid just under $100 for a twin).

Don't laugh, but I've found a great option that I bookmarked for later on Pottery Barn Teen (not sure of the comfort factor, however): http://www.pbteen.com/products/girl-ottoman-bed/?cm_src=oldlink&pkey=csale-furniture. Comes in pink and in white.

Another vote for the Aerobed. Ours was $125 for a queen at Costco, and it has a motorized pump, it's double-height, and it has a fleece cover, which guests tell me makes it a bit cozier. Thumbs up from everyone who's slept on it. Rolls up small like a sleeping bag and uses regular queen sheets.

Back in the day I edited a book on guest rooms, so I take the author's advice and keep a little wicker basket with an alarm clock, water carafe, IKEA slippers, and some other goodies to make it welcoming.

As a recent house guest myself, I'd like to beg everyone out there not to buy a normal old air mattress. I haven't slept on an aerobed, so I don't know what I'm missing I guess, but a standard air mattress from Target or whatever is pretty bad. Plus you sweat like crazy when you sleep on them because you are sleeping on plastic (yeah, we had sheets etc.). We ended up using a futon mattress on the floor, which was decent. I'd say a futon with a mattress on it is a pretty safe bet. Not crazy comfie, but good enough that we slept on it for nearly two weeks.

I decided against the air mattress and went with a folding "futon" style twin sized mat that I bought for under $200 from Furniture Paradise online. The mat is very comfortable - not too too ugly - and I can easily move it from room to room, store it under a bed, in a closet, etc. My son also loves to tumble on it. And the cover can be removed for washing.

Yes, weighing in late but the Aerobed is great. Inflates at the press of a button and stores in a bag. Very comfy.