Permanent versus convertible bed

What we wanted

We did not want to turn a table into a bed, rearrange benches, or move mattress sections every night. We wanted to finish a long driving day and climb into a bed that was already made. For full-time living, that daily simplicity mattered more to us than reclaiming the bedroom as daytime floor space.

• No nightly conversion
• A normal mattress
• Bedding stays in place
• Permanent storage below

There is no universal winner

A permanent bed dedicates a large volume to sleeping, but makes that volume useful for storage underneath. A convertible bed can create more daytime living space, but adds setup and storage complexity. Our priorities favored permanent. A weekend van, a smaller van, or a different daily routine may point the other way.