There are many pieces of furniture in every apartment or house. As a rule, we choose them based on the dimensions of the living space and on the planned design. But the sofa is a special topic. This is not just furniture from the category of bedside tables, cabinets or tables. This, one might say, is the epicenter of life in the house. They receive guests, relax, watch TV and even sleep on it. In this article, we will learn all about the best sofas, consider their models, fillers, and at the end we will get acquainted with the leading manufacturers. So let's go!
Small introduction
Many people still have to huddle in pitifully small living spaces that simply do not allow for a decent bedroom with a wide bed. As an alternative to it, a convenient, comfortable, solid and beautiful sofa now stands. The best models imply the presence of a properly working mechanism, whatever it may be in its type,comfortable backs and "seats" and an appearance suitable for the interior.
Please note that the smallest sofa is not at all a sign that it must certainly stand in a small apartment. It all depends on the layout, so sometimes very massive corner models equipped with internal spaces are placed in a small room, and in this way they play the role of a sofa, a bed, and a closet.
Well, now we will try to determine which sofas are the best by considering all existing models in turn. Everyone, based on their own requirements, will choose the most suitable option for themselves.
Variety of shapes
So, when folded sofas are very similar to each other. But over the past decades, many variations have appeared that change not only the appearance of the furniture element, but also its functionality. Let's take a look at what species are on sale today:
- Classic or straight. The most common option, while the oldest. The sofa can have a wide variety of dimensions and layouts.
- Angular. Very comfortable and functional models, with relatively small dimensions, they are also suitable for small apartments.
- Island. The largest and least functional models. Most often placed in large stylized houses as a design element.
Size. Does it mean anything
In the previous section, we already understood that even if the sofa is huge and massive, this does not mean at all that it will be comfortable to sleep on it. Such a furniture element can be made with high quality, have a unique design, but it does not have to be functional. Then which sofas are the best and by what indicators, if not in size, should you choose them? You need to focus on their type of transformation.
When folded, you can only have a slightly enlarged chair in front of you, but you just need to pull the right "lever" and it will turn into a chic, soft, cozy single bed. Of course, for everyone the concept of "the best sofa" is different, because the requirements vary. Therefore, below we present a list of sofa layout options.
Transformation and its varieties
When you're looking for the best sofa for daily sleep, the first thing you check is how it unfolds. This is important because some models have joints that are felt by certain parts of the body during rest, there are "failures" and other "defects" in the sofas. Plus, it is worth remembering about the layout of the house. The sofa should be laid out so that every evening you do not have to move other furniture. There are three types of transformation of this piece of furniture, and each of them is divided into subtypes.
Type one - withdrawable, or retractable
From the name it becomes clear that such a sofa will be laid out as if forward. The difference is that on some models the back is the headboard, while on others you need to sleep along - their width just doubles. Now consider their subspecies:
- "Dolphin" - the name given to the model for the fact thatthe unfolding mechanism works on the principle of a diving dolphin. The headboard is located in the back area, and the model itself, when unfolded, is very wide and long.
- "Eurobook" is a more compact solution, in which the headboard is located in the area of one of the old ones, that is, you need to sleep along. The sofa simply slides out, doubling its width.
- "Concard" or "Telescope" - became famous due to the roll-out mechanism in three stages. A very large unfolded sofa, where the headboard is in place of the backrest.
- "Puma" is an analogue of the "Eurobook", only its front part should not be rolled out, but manually pulled towards you. Also this model is more compact.
- "Tick-tock" is the best corner sofa, which is equipped with a "dolphin" and "eurobook" mechanism at the same time. By the way, the "tick-tock" can be turned from a corner to a standard look by simply sliding the protruding part, or it can be completely unfolded and you get a chic bed.
Second type - folding
This type of sofa was very popular in the Soviet years and many manufacturers still produce it:
- "Book" - everything is simple here: the back becomes the back, and the seat becomes the front. When unfolded, the sofa is like an open book.
- "Tango" is an analogue, and very close to the "book", but the difference lies in the fact that the middle of the sofa does not move towards the edge, but is fixed in the centerdesigns.
- "Lit" is the most compact folded sofa that unfolds both as a "book" and at the expense of armrests.
Third type - deployable
These are the most complex sofas in their structure, some of them have significant drawbacks, but in general, these models are chosen taking into account their long service life:
- "Accordion" - the model combines two mechanisms: roll-out and folding, the headboard is fixed in place of the backrest.
- French folding beds - just a mattress folded in half is hidden inside the sofa, and legs are welded to it. It also differs in color from the upholstery of the sofa, as if playing the role of a separate furniture element.
- Italian folding beds - they are also called flippers, as the folding system is very complicated. The mattresses are upholstered in the same fabric as the main sofa. Worldwide recognized as the best sofa to sleep in, as it is equipped with spring orthopedic blocks.
- "Click-clack" - a sofa-transformer that can be folded to the position of "sitting", "lying", "reclining" … In a word, this is a comfortable deck chair. But its filling sags very quickly and it becomes uncomfortable to sleep.
With or without a spring?
Springs - they were the basis of our sleep for many years. This element was the basis of not only sofas, but also beds, on which children loved to jump so much. But time goes by, everything changesand springless sofa models are on sale, the very best of which boast longevity, functionality and versatility.
However, the technology that has been the mainstream for many centuries, does not seek to leave its leadership position and actively competes with novelty. We decided to look at all the features of sofas with and without springs and figure out which option would be the most acceptable.
Spring block
First of all, we note that the ranking of the best sofas no longer includes those equipped with Bonnel spring technology, as it is extremely outdated. It was replaced by the Pocket Spring system - much more perfect and of high quality.
- Comfort level - on top. Orthopedic mattresses with the best filling that do not bend the spine. Sleeping on these sofas is very comfortable, plus they are durable.
- The price is very high. If the sofa is made in compliance with all the rules of quality materials, it will cost a decent amount.
- Disadvantages - when exposed to powerful force, the springs will soon fail. That is, you can't jump on the couch.
Springless block
Here we take quality materials as a basis. Features:
- Comfort level - the sofa repeats the curves of the human body, is very elastic and quickly restores its own shape. Withstands a lot of weight.
- Price - compared to a quality spring block, this option will be much more budgetary.
- Disadvantage - high flammability.
And also note that springless mattresses in sofas are divided into two types:
- Block - the filler is glued together from blocks of various sizes.
- Cast - the filling material is cast based on the shape of the finished product.
Types of fillers
Even when choosing a budget model, a person worries about the fact that the material that is "sealed" in his furniture is more or less of high quality, environmentally friendly and durable. Therefore, now we will consider the best fillers for sofas, noting their strengths and weaknesses:
- Struttofiber is a "luxury" option, so to speak, which is more expensive than other fillers, but at the same time boasts excellent quality and no flaws. Its canvas is selected depending on the weight of the person who will sleep: the lighter, the softer the mattress will be. Among other advantages, one can note orthopedicity, incombustibility, also ticks will not start in such a sofa, and it will not cause allergies.
- Hollofiber is a very light and soft to the touch material that is "sewn" not only into sofas, but also into pillows. Also non-flammable, does not cause allergies, and most importantly - does not absorb odors. But at the same time, it can only last 10 years.
- Durafil is an analogue of the spring system, as it is able to withstand huge loads without deforming. At the same time, the mattress will not be allergenic, will not become a tasty morsel for moths or mites, and will last a very, very long time. ATit has solid pluses: elastic, but soft, durable and at the same time inexpensive.
- Latex is an elite filler for sofas, which has only one huge minus - the price, it is unrealistically high. In all other respects, this material is ideal - orthopedic, keeps its shape, is not saturated with odors, naturally, is not affected by moths and mites and does not cause allergies. Serves more than 20 years.
Choose your brand
Today there are so many brands and companies that advertise their products everywhere and assure us that they are of high quality. But it often turns out that not very solid furniture is hidden behind a colorful advertising facade. We decided to find the best sofa manufacturers (upholstered furniture in general) and highlight their special features:
- Pinskdrev is a Belarusian company that boasts a wide range of products. The quality is very high, and at the same time the prices are quite reasonable.
- Rival - Russian furniture, which is produced mainly in a standard, classic design, but at the same time has a very convenient functionality. All sofas come with removable covers, which is great for families with lots of kids or pets.
- Laguna is a Belarusian company again. The production is based on massive and non-standard models of upholstered furniture - island, corner, with a complex unfolding system, etc. In terms of quality and reliability, this is the best sofa factory whose products can last for generations.
- Mebel-Holding is a Russian company,which specializes in the production of non-standard furniture elements. You can also make a sofa to order.
- Anderssen is more than a popular domestic brand, under the name of which high-quality, solid, beautiful and functional furniture is produced. The only negative is the high price.
- Shatura-Furniture - a segment that is closer to the people. The range is very wide, but there are no unique models. Most often, this furniture is found in IKEA.
Summing up
Most often, when choosing a sofa, as with any other purchase, we first of all focus on reviews. Which sofas are the best, which ones last a long time, which ones definitely won’t get ticks - the answers to these questions can be easily found on the forums. But if you know for sure what dimensions you need, what shape is acceptable and suitable for the interior, and you also accurately orient yourself on the type of filler and on the account of the transformation system, then it becomes much easier to choose.
You are just targeting a specific segment, not everything in the store. We have studied the features of various fillers and folding-unfolding systems, and now you can definitely choose the right option for yourself. Do not forget about the manufacturer. No matter how unique and suitable the model may be, if it is not made soundly, there are defects, especially marriages, it will not be able to serve you for a long time.
Consumer opinions
Nothing unambiguous can be said, since everyone has their own requests and their own wallet. But inIn general, criteria such as hypoallergenicity, practicality, durability, quality and neat design are the signs by which we identify good sofas in reviews. The most common models are compact, which, when unfolded, turn into a full-fledged double bed.
At the same time, they have latex or spring filler and natural fabric as upholstery. Of all the firms that produce sofas, this article has presented those that, according to most consumers, fit into the "price-quality" category. Foreign manufacturers are not taken into account, because due to transportation, the price only grows, and the quality remains at the level with domestic ones.
