Sofa is a piece of furniture designed for a cozy and comfortable pastime. Here you can comfortably accommodate with family members and guests. Most often, the sofa is purchased complete with armchairs, ottomans, coffee tables. But it can also be an independent piece of furniture. Often it serves not only as a place to sit, but also as a sleeping bed for the owners of the house and their guests.
The word "sofa" is of Persian origin. Its original meanings were: “record of income, office”, as well as “elevated floor covered with a carpet”. In European states, the sofa as an interior item came from the Arab countries in the 17th century. It was noticeably different from its modern and familiar counterparts. So, one of the first modifications of the sofa was a couch, on which, half-sitting or reclining, the owners of the house and their guests had small talk. Then a sofa appeared exclusively for sitting, which became the impetus for the production and supply of comfortable tables and poufs along with sofas.
Today this piece of furniture has changed beyond recognition. For us, the choice of sofadirectly depends on the following factors:
1. Frequency of use (especially for the purpose of transforming this piece of furniture into a bed, since not all models are able to withstand daily stress).
2. The area of the space where it will be located. So, you can choose a model for both spacious and miniature rooms, including the ability to choose various sofa bed mechanisms as a casual or guest sleeping option.
Regardless of the purpose, the acquisition of a truly high-quality and functional piece of furniture that can last a long time must be paid close attention. And here the details play an important role.
Frame
The main quality characteristics of the frame are strength and reliability. It can be wooden (from birch, ash, oak, walnut, beech or mahogany), metal (from various profiles) and combined (chipboard + wood).
Filler
The softness of the sofa directly depends on the filler. It can be foam rubber, polyurethane, latex, synthetic (holofiber, synthetic winterizer). The best option is multilayer filling. If there is a need to reduce the load on the spine, you can give preference to a spring sofa.
Transformation options
The sofa mechanism is one of the most important criteria for its selection from a practical point of view. Especially when it comes to the need to purchase a spacious and comfortable bed,designed to promote a sound, he althy, full sleep, on which a good mood, the presence of a charge of vital energy, and emotional balance will directly depend. With more than ten variations of folding sofas, you can’t go wrong here. More details about this parameter will be discussed in the article a little later.
Upholstery
The upholstery of the sofa can be leather (and artificial leather is in no way inferior to natural) and fabric (preferably with Teflon impregnation). From fabrics, tapestry, chenille, jacquard, flock, microfiber will be a good option. Each of the proposed options is able to give the sofa a sophisticated look and originality.
Color solution, dimensions and shape
According to its color scheme, the sofa must necessarily be combined compositionally with the overall interior of the room, decorated in one style or another. As for the dimensions and shape, in various furniture stores you can find rectangular classic, corner and rounded island sofas. According to the number of seats, they can be made based on two or more people. Therefore, this piece of furniture can be purchased not only in the living room, but also in the nursery, hallway, kitchen or office.
And now let's take a closer look at the mechanisms for folding sofas: what they are and what are the main advantages of each of them.
Types of folding sofa structures
In practice, it is customary to distinguish three main typessofa transformation:
- the one that unfolds: "book", "click-clack";
- the one that unfolds: cots and "accordion";
- the one that rolls out, slides out: "dolphin", "eurobook", "roll-out", "puma", "tick-tock" and others.
Let's take a closer look at each of these types of structures.
Folding designs
If you want to purchase an inexpensive and reliable sofa, the "book" mechanism is the perfect choice for this purpose. This type of furniture lives up to its name. So, when unfolding, it is enough to fold it up until a mechanical click, and then lower its seat down. Of the minuses of the design - the furniture must be moved away from the wall. True, now, in order to eliminate the defect, some manufacturers resort to installing mounting movable suspensions. This is a fairly easy to manage, budget and common sofa. The mechanism "book" was especially popular in the 80-90s. It can often be seen in the homes of our compatriots today.
The “click-clack” (or “click-clack”) mechanism got its name from the characteristic sound that is made when the sofa transforms. It is similar to the option described above, but in addition to the “sitting” and “lying” positions, it allows you to set an intermediate option when you can lean back to a half-sitting - reclining position, like in a rocking chair.
Unfolding structures
Among them noteworthy is the accordion sofa mechanism, in which one of the parts is a seat, and the other two formback. It got its name from the musical instrument of the same name: by easily lifting the seat, the “furs” of the bed turn around and roll out forward, and in some models this happens automatically. Difficulties are caused by the reverse process. So, in order to fold the sofa, you need to apply a little force: lifting the edge of the bed until it clicks, you need to pull it towards the back. Due to its small size when folded and the spacious sleeping area when unfolded, this piece of furniture is in demand in small living spaces.
There are also several types of clamshell mechanisms. These are universal berths.
The "French cot" or "meralat" sofa mechanism is a widespread design variant folded in three. When unfolding, the sleeping place, hidden under the seat, first turns up, then towards itself, and finally rests on the legs. It is not entirely convenient in that it requires the removal of individual elements - armrests, pillows - before unfolding. Relatively compact when assembled, more suitable for guest use.
Double addition is "American folding bed". These are the so-called sofas with the sedaflex mechanism. They are very durable and comfortable, equipped with a thick mattress. When unfolding them, it is enough to pull the seat strap up, then towards you, turning the links and resting on two pairs of legs.
Similar to the previous mechanism called "Italian clamshell". It is also two-fold, but does not begin to unfold withseats, but from the back of the sofa, which is lowered to the seat, and the whole structure, turning over, rests on a pair of legs. The so-called "Italian shifter" is much higher in cost than "meralat" or sofas with the "sedaflex" mechanism. An additional plus is that there is no need to remove pillows or armrests before unfolding.
Retractable structures
According to the principle of rolling out, extension, there are several types of transformations of sofas. So, one of the most common is considered to be "Eurobook". This sofa is easy to manage, does not require a reserve of space near the wall when unfolding. It looks good not only near the wall, but also in any other part of the room. "Eurobook" - a sofa, the mechanism of which is similar to the "book", but is more advanced. This option is strong and durable, practically does not break, and therefore is in incredible demand. Unfolds by pushing the seat forward while the back cushions drop into the space.
Eurobook is a sofa whose mechanism has been further developed. The result of progress was its transformation into a tick-tock design, reminiscent of a clock pendulum. This is a relatively young, but at the same time modification that has already earned the attention of consumers. Differs in simplicity in use, a possibility of easy daily folding - unfolding. This piece of furniture is produced in both classic and corner versions. When unfolding, the removal of all pillows is required. "Pantograph" is the second name that receivedsuch a sofa. The tick-tock mechanism is transformed by lifting and pushing the seat up and forward. The seat seems to take a step forward, standing on a support. After that, the back of the sofa can be lowered onto the bedding box. It is assembled in the same way.
Transformer, reminiscent of a dolphin jumping over water, has the same name. Standard for corner designs, but also found in rectangular models. The simple mechanism of the "dolphin" sofa is arranged as follows: its retractable element (pillow) is hidden under the seat in a special compartment, which rolls out and rises (on metal brackets) by the handle, forming a rectangular sleeping place that can withstand a considerable load.
Durable, reliable, compact and designed for frequent use is the "roll-out" mechanism of the sofa. According to the device, it resembles a telescope in which all parts are transformed from the inside. Such a sofa unfolds by pushing forward behind the hidden seat belt, and the rest of the parts that were hidden inside the back automatically leave behind it. At the same time, the back of the sofa remains fixed, but the sleeping bed, consisting of three parts, has a modest height.
Quite easily, by lifting the seat up, forward and on the supports, sofas with the puma mechanism are laid out. In this case, the lower part of the structure will rise automatically and become flush with the unfolded seat.
Similar to the "roll-out", but a slightly more improved design called "verona". The difference is only in the presence of rollers and brackets.
Unusual options
With such a variety, there are also exclusive mechanisms for unfolding sofas. Among them, one can single out "lit", which transforms a piece of furniture into a single bed by transforming one or both of the armrests. At the same time, the back of its position does not change, and the seat serves as a sleeping place. This is a very good option for kids. Movable armrests are also available for the tango metal frame structure. If the seat folds into a bed, then such a mechanism is called a "scroll".
Bedroom
Manufacturers are trying to take into account the possible shortcomings identified in the sofas of previous model ranges. One of them may be the surface of the sleeping bed. So, a fairly spacious, even, comfortable bed for sleeping is inherent in the Eurobook, Dolphin, and Accordion mechanisms. Sofas with the "Puma", "Sedaflex", "Meralat" mechanism, for example, when unfolded, may have depressions and recesses. In the absence of a mattress or mattress, this can create discomfort during sleep.
Bedding storage boxes
Unfortunately, not all sofa models have compartments for storing blankets, pillows, mattresses, bed linen. Such convenient drawers are equipped with pieces of furniture such as "eurobook", "click-clack", "accordion", "dolphin", "roll-out" sofa. The tick-tock mechanism also provides the ability to store bed linen and other accessories in a special compartment. At the sametime, all folding beds are deprived of this pleasant trifle, which creates the possibility of maintaining order and hiding unnecessary things from prying eyes.
A little about sofa care
Like any piece of furniture, the sofa needs proper and delicate care. It may consist of daily wiping the furniture with a dry or damp microfiber to prevent dust from accumulating. It is possible to use a vacuum cleaner. If a stain appears on an expensive fabric surface, it is better to immediately contact a dry cleaner, but you can try and treat it yourself with medical alcohol. But you should not resort to the help of abrasive detergents, solvents, brushes, even with the softest bristles, as they can damage the leather or fabric surface of the sofa.
The joints of springs, metal elements with the frame may also need periodic processing. It makes sense to lubricate them with oil in order to avoid the possible appearance of a creak during transformation, which all sofa mechanisms may be subject to.
Which sofa to choose - it's up to you! But since this piece of furniture is usually purchased for a long time, you should carefully study all the models available on the market and decide on the one that suits you perfectly.
