The Simple Things

Taking time to live well
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Taking Time to Live Well

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How to | Sleep on a Sofa

David Parker December 31, 2025

Scene of sleepovers, telly fests and sloth – make sofa-sleeping more comfortable this
New Year’s Eve
, whether you’re a guest or a host

At some point in all our lives, due to a unfortunate domestic squabble or the arrival of unexpected guests perhaps, we will find ourselves sleeping downstairs on the sofa*. This could mean a night of cramped discomfort and a face pressed against the button-back upholstery. 

Here are a few ways to help avoid potential insomnia:
1. Take as much bedding as possible – preferably a duvet, but a pillow at the very least. Scatter-cushions, a forearm or a bunched-up coat simply won’t do.
2. Remove the back cushions. This creates a surprising amount of room.
3. Lay a sheet on the sofa first, especially if you are on a leather or pleather sofa. Otherwise you will have to be unpeeled in the morning. 
4. Ensure any pets are in another room. There is no room on a sofa for unwanted marauders. 
5. If the TV is nearby, enjoy a spot of supine late-night viewing – one of the very few perks of sofa surfing.

* An average sofa will have been used as a bed for up to 489 visitors in its lifetime.

 This blog was originally published in December 2014.

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InNest Tagshome comforts, sofa, december, christmas, issue 30
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Featured
 MARCH ISSUE   Buy  ,   download  or  subscribe   Pre-order a copy of  our new Homebird bookazine   Buy  Flourish Volume 4 , our wellbeing bookazine Order our  our new Celebrations Anthology   See the sample of our latest issue  here   Listen to  our
Feb 27, 2026
Feb 27, 2026

MARCH ISSUE

Buy, download or subscribe

Pre-order a copy of our new Homebird bookazine

Buy Flourish Volume 4, our wellbeing bookazine
Order our our new Celebrations Anthology

See the sample of our latest issue here

Listen to our podcast – Small Ways to Live Well

Feb 27, 2026
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The Simple Things is published by Iceberg Press

The Simple Things

Taking time to live well

We celebrate slowing down, enjoying what you have, making the most of where you live, enjoying the company of of friends and family, and feeding them well. We like to grow some of our own vegetables, visit local markets, rummage for vintage finds, and decorate our home with the plunder. We love being outdoors and enjoy the satisfaction that comes with a job well done.

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