Bronze Furniture Design · 2026
Khoy Sofa Bed
- A' Design Award 2026 Bronze Winner in Furniture Design
- Awarded April 15, 2026
- CLIENT: Khoy
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 7,578
- Verification code EC95D2C40F · Verify this award
About Khoy Sofa Bed
Khoy is a sofa bed designed for homes with limited space. Khoy converts from a sofa into a full bed using a tested dual foam mattress. In sofa mode, the seating surface is a 150 mm medium firm support foam layer. In bed mode, a 40 mm memory foam layer forms a softer sleeping surface that adapts to the body. The modular backrest can be moved, removed or used as armrests, and each change of mode needs no tools. The covers are made of recycled polyester and are removable and machine washable. The foam parts are vacuum compressed for flat pack shipping.
András Kelemen's Khoy Sofa Bed emerges from a rich lineage of transformable furniture design that traces through twentieth-century spatial problem-solving innovations, engaging particularly with Scandinavian and Central European traditions that prioritized functional intelligence within aesthetically refined frameworks. The design demonstrates sophisticated understanding of volumetric reduction, distilling the conventional sofa typology to two primary geometric vocabularies—the cylinder and the rectilinear platform—that work in concert to suggest both seating comfort and potential transformation into sleeping surface, though the mechanism remains elegantly concealed within the seamless upholstered form. Technically, the work achieves notable compositional balance through its horizontal bipartite division: the upper zone of paired cylindrical bolsters creates visual rhythm and ergonomic support suggestion, while the lower platform provides stable visual and functional grounding, the two zones proportioned to suggest optimal seating depth while maintaining overall compactness suitable for space-conscious contemporary living environments. The textile selection proves particularly accomplished—a neutral gray that navigates skillfully between warm and cool temperature associations allows the design to integrate into diverse interior contexts while the apparent natural-fiber character suggests material authenticity and tactile appeal that invites bodily engagement. The tailoring precision evident in the clean seaming lines speaks to manufacturing quality and attention to detail that elevates the piece beyond mere functional furniture toward the realm of design object worthy of aesthetic consideration. Thematically, Khoy Sofa Bed engages with perennial questions of domestic space optimization, the tension between minimal aesthetic and maximal comfort, and the challenge of creating furniture that serves dual purposes without visual or functional compromise. The design seems to celebrate restraint and essentialism, proposing that fewer formal gestures executed with precision and proportion can achieve greater impact than decorative elaboration. The rounded bolster elements evoke archetypal associations with pillows, comfort, and repose, while their substantial scale and structural positioning suggest architectural solidity rather than mere cushioning—this productive ambiguity between soft and structural, temporary and permanent, contributes conceptual richness to what might initially appear as straightforward functional design. The monochromatic presentation reinforces a philosophy of design that privileges form, proportion, and material quality over chromatic excitement, aligning the work with minimalist traditions that find beauty in reduction and refinement. Viewed within the context of contemporary furniture design discourse, Khoy Sofa Bed participates in ongoing conversations around multifunctional living, sustainable consumption through versatile longevity, and the aesthetics of everyday domestic objects that accompany daily life with quiet dignity rather than demanding constant visual attention. The design invites contemplation of how furniture might balance competing demands: the sculptural and the comfortable, the visually light and the structurally substantial, the contemporary and the timeless. One might observe how the cylindrical elements create a distinctive silhouette that grants the piece memorable identity while the neutral palette ensures it remains a supporting player rather than dominating presence within interior compositions. Consider how this design negotiates the boundary between furniture as utility and furniture as spatial sculpture, and reflect upon what qualities allow certain everyday objects to transcend their functional categories to become subjects of aesthetic appreciation.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This sofa bed is a two-in-one furniture solution developed to address contemporary requirements for comfort, space efficiency, and adaptability. It converts from a sofa into a full-quality bed using a tested dual-foam mattress system that ensures consistent support in both configurations. In sofa mode, the seating surface is formed by a support foam layer providing medium-firm comfort. When transformed into a bed, a 4 cm memory foam layer becomes the sleeping surface, offering a softer feel that adapts to the body for improved sleeping comfort. Modular components, vacuum-packed delivery, and removable, washable covers contribute to flexibility, durability, and a user-oriented design approach.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Sofa mode dimensions: W 2000 mm × D 900 mm × H 420 mm (seat height). Bed mode dimensions: W 1800 mm × D 2000 mm. Mattress construction: dual-layer foam system with 150 mm medium-firm base foam and 40 mm memory foam comfort layer. Upholstery: 100% recycled polyester, removable and machine washable at 30 °C. Foam elements vacuum-compressed for compact flat-pack shipping.
- Tags
- Sofa bed, Modular furniture, Space-saving design, Dual-foam mattress, Flat-pack shipping, Contemporary living, Sustainable materials, Multifunctional furniture
- Production Technology
- The design was developed through iterative prototyping and ergonomic testing, with a strong focus on material performance and modular construction. A dual-density foam system was selected based on compression, resilience, and lifecycle tests to ensure long-term comfort. The structure is optimized for vacuum compression and flat-pack logistics, while removable textile covers support maintenance, repairability, and extended product lifespan.
- Design Challenge
- The hardest part was designing a sofa bed that combines high-end elegance with broad home compatibility while being produced entirely in Europe. We had to simplify every manufacturing step, remove costly elements, and create a neutral yet premium product that stands out in its category, balancing quality, aesthetics, and efficient European production constraints.
- Project Duration
- The project was initiated in 2023 and developed between 2023 and 2025 in Hungary and Helsinki. The product exists as a fully realized item and has been sold as part of our e-commerce brand for the past two years. During development, a full-scale prototype was created to refine the design and production process.
- Operation Flow
- The sofa transforms easily between sofa, bed, and day-bed by rearranging its cushions and frame. Users lift or slide elements without tools, guided by intuitive positions. The modular backrest can be moved, removed, or used as armrests. This simple, playful interaction ensures comfort in every mode, quick setup, and adaptability to different spaces, while maintaining the product’s high-quality feel and ergonomic performance.
- Research
- Type of Research: Applied design research for a commercial multifunctional product. Objectives: Enhance comfort, adaptability, modularity, and sustainability. Methodology: Iterative prototyping, material and ergonomic testing. Data & Tools: User surveys, interviews, observation, 3D modeling, foam testing. Participants/Experiments: Early users, small-scale home trials. Results: Optimized mattress layers, modular system, compact shipping. Insights/Impacts: Showed how modular design improves usability and environmental performance. Real-Life Effects: Supports modern living, reduces shipping footprint, informs sustainable furniture design and e-commerce strategies.
- Inspiration
- The project was inspired by everyday living situations where limited space conflicts with the need for genuine comfort. The motivation was to replace compromise-driven sofa beds with a solution offering true bed-quality sleep. Research focused on ergonomics, foam performance, modular systems, and logistics efficiency, resulting in a design shaped equally by user behavior, material testing, and contemporary living patterns.
- Image Credits
- Photographer Adalmiina Vepsäläinen, product photos, 2025, Image #3, Image #4, Image #5
Creative Director András Kelemen, product photos, 2024, Main image, Image #2