sleeper sofa width & narrow room

Sounds to me like having 7 inches on either side should work and look just fine.

However, I find that furniture -- like clothing -- is subject to very personal taste. There are so many variables (style, material, firmness, etc.) that before going out on your own and springing this big gift on him, you might do better to just invite him out shopping and telling him you're footing the bill.

thanks, matt! great advice

You stand in front of the sofa to pull out the mattress but you must walk between the side of the mattress & the wall to get in & out of bed in the normal way & make the bed, etc.; 14" sounds a little tight. Another factor is just getting the unit in there. It sounds like it would have to go into the room & just be pushed back against the wall; it couldn't be carried by 2 men, one on either arm, for example. I'd proceed with caution here.

Have you thought about a daybed instead of a sleeper sofa?. There are many good looking ones -- some are even twin size closed, but then the mattress opens into full size to sleep on. Not sure of your budget, but Ikea has them, West Elm, Crate & Barrel , Pottery Barn -- Google "daybed" and you'll see all styles and price ranges.

The whole point to having a guest room in NY is to discourage guests from staying over. So an apartment-sized couch that doesn't open up is really the ideal.

That works out much better than simply not having a guest room, because the would-be guest is forced to choose between two completely unappealing (yet very generous!) options (living room being the other), and so chooses neither. Score!!!

AirBnB=guest room

If you like modern, check out a brand called Innovation Living. I think they manufacture the world's smallest full-sized sofa-bed. The length is listed as 55", although I measure 57." It was the only one that would fit in my tiny, but very efficient, 6' x 10' office / library / guest room, due to a soffit on one wall.

Two people can sleep on it comfortably, but they won't want to stay more than a long weekend.

Alanhard: LOL. Very witty, and true. I found this full sized sleeper that's only 55 inches wide! Gotta love the Scandanavians for their furniture innovations. Now… 55 inches wide in a 78 inch-wide room. Does it still sound a bit tight?

http://innovation-usa.com/cubed-deluxe-sofa-chrome.html

Hi Lad.

We must have posted within seconds of each other--and about the same sofa too, The Cube Sleeper! It looks gorgeous. I'm glad to hear that you were able to fit it into your 6 x 10 room. Streeteasy is just awesome.