How to choose a sofa

Any apartment or private house is equipped with furniture, including sofas. Such an item can be used for watching TV, sleeping and relaxing. Depending on the model, different transformation methods are distinguished, there are a large number of options for upholstery, as well as other features. Before choosing a sofa, it is recommended to understand in detail the models and basic parameters that simplify the purchase and further operation.

Arrangement of sofas

You can figure out how to choose a corner sofa, a straight one or another model if you know the structure, as well as the main types with their pros and cons. It can be not only a place to relax with friends or all family members, but also a place to sleep, store things. The product is quite simple and includes several basic elements:

• The frame is the main part of the furniture that takes all the load.
• Soft details - this includes seats, backrests, armrests.
• Upholstery - affects the external data, as well as the preservation time of beauty.

In addition to the elements described, most modern models can be transformed, but various mechanisms are used for this.

Types of transformation mechanisms

Such a system allows you to expand the sofa, and the version of this process depends on the mechanism. The number of options is very large, but everything is simpler than it might seem. All mechanisms can be grouped into folding, swivel, withdrawable and unfolding.

Book and Eurobook

All people have known the book sofas since the times of the USSR. Often they are straight, it is enough to raise the seat and fold the structure, after which you get a berth for 1-2 people. For transformation, the furniture must be moved away from the wall. The void under the seat can be used for blankets, pillows, and other items.

Eurobook is considered an improved model of a regular book. The principle is the same, but furniture does not need to be moved away from the walls to resize.

pros:

• Simple to use.
• High degree of reliability.

Minuses:

• For a book, you must definitely move it away from the wall.
• In the improved model, the back is made of pillows.

Telescope (withdrawable)

The sofa is characterized by 2-3 parts that create the seat and back. To change to a berth, it is enough to stretch out the seat and fold the back, feeding it forward, the space between the elements is filled with a mattress.

pros:

• Small size when folded.
• Some models include a storage box.

Minuses:

• The wheels scratch the floor.
• The sleeping place is very low.

Click-gag and lit

This version is a subspecies of the book with some modifications. In addition to the lying and sitting position, the structure can take intermediate forms. Such furniture is made on the basis of a metal frame with battens made of wood, which can break under heavy loads. Often used for rare guests or children.

The design is lit, has a similar system, but the backrest does not unfold, only the armrests are transformed, which allows to increase the length of the seat, but not the width.

pros:

• The ability to use several positions during transformation.

Minuses:

• The design is unreliable, suitable for a light weight person.

Accordion

This design works in the form of an accordion, the berth includes 3 parts, among which one is the seat, and the rest is the back. To transform, you need to pull out the seat and put the back. Such products are made on the basis of wood with steel hinges, and there are also metal structures with wooden paws. It is the latter that are perfect as a sofa for sleeping for every day.

Pros:

• Smooth sleeping place.
• Small size when folded.

Minuses:

• Layout requires a lot of space in front.
• The design is not the most reliable.

Tick ​​tock (pantograph)

The system resembles a eurobook, but the presence of spring mechanisms that move the seat forward is different. The structure is more expensive, but more convenient than the classic model, there are no wheels in the structure, which preserves the floor covering. It is recommended to use the model for people who will use the sofa as a bed.

pros:

• High degree of reliability.
• Simple operation.

Minuses:

• The back is made of pillows.

Dolphin (kangaroo, microlift)

A similar system is considered one of the most popular among users and manufacturers, especially often used for corner structures with an ottoman. Suitable for daily use. It can be folded out simply, it is enough to roll out the platform from the bottom of the seat, and then raise it to create a large berth. The more reliable the hardware, the longer the service life.

pros:

• Simple to use.
• The sleeping place is flat.

Minuses:

• Low level of reliability if the manufacturer uses low-quality wood and accessories.

Folding beds

The French folding bed includes 3 folds, during unfolding the berth is turned forward and placed on the arches. Sleeping hard and not recommended for every day, but can be used as a guest model.

The American version is considered one of the most comfortable, includes 2 folds, so the mattresses are thicker, some manufacturers supplement the product with a block of springs.

Belgian design, which can include 2-3 folding mechanisms based on springs and foam. It is characterized by different heights.

The Italian folding bed includes 2 folds, it is unfolded immediately with parts of the sofa. Sometimes the design includes storage space.

Pros:

• Small folded size.
• The American version is characterized by a comfortable sleeping place.

Minuses:

• The mechanism lends itself to rapid wear.
• Low level of reliability if poor fittings are used.
• The French model needs a lot of space in front.

There are also other mechanisms on sale, but the peculiarities of their work are only a combination of the described options.

Types of sofas

The division of sofas into types is based on design features, shape. Each option includes a specific unfolding mechanism that increases the level of functionality, but does not violate external data.

Corner

Such products look bulky, but they help to accommodate a large number of people, provided the minimum area is. Corner options are characterized by different wing lengths, more often one is shorter and is suitable for landing 1 person. There are right-handed or left-handed options on sale, and many manufacturers make reversible furniture.

It is recommended to choose similar models for maximum roominess and practicality, as well as public spaces. Small models can be used for kitchens when the whole family gathers at the table. This helps to free up useful space.

Pros:

• Excellent roominess.
• A comfortable shape for all people.
• The design is collapsible, simplifies folding and unfolding.

Minuses:

• Big sizes.
• The sofa is not one-piece, so after a while the modules can loosen.

Direct

A simple version of an elongated shape for 2-4 people, after installation makes one line. The seat can slide, presented in the form of a set of pillows that determine the number of seats, but there are options with a solid seat, which is better for a berth.

This option is great for a TV area, as well as waiting people in public places, in offices. Small options can be installed in small rooms against the wall, as well as on loggias, while long options are suitable for spacious rooms and can be placed right in the center to zone the space.

Pros:

• The design is characterized by a high degree of reliability and simplicity.
• Takes up little room space.
• Can be placed against walls or in the center.
• Suitable for a sleeping place.
• Sold with various transformation mechanisms.

Minuses:

• Difficult to transport because the structure is one-piece.
• It is uncomfortable to look at another person.

In addition to the options described, there are also island sofas, round, oval and other shapes. They are considered premium and are characterized by high cost. Often not used as a sleeping place, they are placed in the center of the room, where there is a lot of space.

There are also modular designs that include several parts, they can be used in different ways, creating your own combinations. The modules are used as separate pieces of furniture. Suitable for sleeping, relaxing or complementing the design of a room. An excellent choice for studio apartments.

Selection options

It will be possible to determine which sofa to choose for specific tasks if you understand in detail the features of upholstered furniture.

Dimensions

After choosing the shape of the sofa, you should decide on the dimensions. This indicator is calculated individually, but there are several rules:

• The dimensions of the furniture are selected based on the parameters of the room. For a large living room, it is recommended to choose large items that will not get lost. If the kitchen is small, then the sofa should take up a minimum of space, leaving a normal passage.
• Transformer models are selected based on the dimensions in the unfolded state.
• The width should fit into the door opening.
• Devices that will be used as a berth should be 180-200 cm long.
• For a kitchen sofa, you need to take into account the height of the table, and the distance to the table top should be about 30 cm.

It is also recommended to focus on the number of people in the family, guests. The best choice is furniture for 2-3 people or more.

Frame

The strength of the entire sofa and its durability are determined by the materials of the frame. During manufacturing, manufacturers use metal, wood, and chipboard beams.

The most reliable metal options, they are characterized by durability, but this will be achieved if the fastening is carried out by welding, and not bolts. In this case, any upholstery material can be used, which is replaced if necessary.

Most often, metal is used for high-tech furniture. Such sofas are practical, comfortable to use and can be repaired in case of breakdowns. A wide range of colors and profiles.

Wood-based models can be of different species, which determines the service life, durability and reliability. In addition, the quality of the wood affects the cost. The most expensive types of frame will be products based on oak, beech, walnut. Models made of birch and conifers are much cheaper. The main thing to remember when choosing wooden frames is the dryness and smoothness of the material, with a minimum amount of damage and knots.

It is recommended to buy wood based construction for classic styles. Models are popular because they help create a cozy and warm feeling. Most often, needles are used for the frame, since they are inexpensive and are everywhere. This option is suitable for rooms where there will be few people.

To achieve durability, you need to choose hard wood, this will affect the cost, but have a positive effect on strength. For example, even birch will be stronger than needles. Wooden fasteners must be bolted together, since during the operation of furniture, all fasteners with screws will quickly loosen, and the glued parts must necessarily fit as tightly as possible to each other.

Drying of wood will be an equally important parameter. In some cases, moisture starts to come out of the raw material after the upholstery. If the wooden frame is poorly dried, squeaks will appear during use of the furniture.

In addition to wood and metal, there is a combination where wooden beams and chipboard are used. Such furniture turns out to be the cheapest, and the frame can be of different strength. If the manufacturer fully complies with the technological process, the chipboard undergoes special treatment with paint and other substances, then the life of the sofa will be long. All features are similar to a wooden frame. You need to be careful, since unscrupulous firms can use only chipboard to create the basis. In this case, the sofa will be 100% short-lived with minimal reliability.

Filler

After the frame is the padding for the sofa, the filling is used for all elements, including the seat, armrests and backrest. Often, manufacturers use foam rubber or polyurethane foam, some designs can be made of latex, a spring block. When choosing, it is important to consider the following features:

• Foam filler is considered the cheapest, but its durability is also low. Furniture will be able to maintain its shape only if a single piece of foam rubber is used, but after 4-5 years there will be a drawdown.
• Polyurethane foam is much preferred for padding. Its cost is not significantly higher than foam rubber, but the operating parameters are much better. Such filling can be cast or block. The first type is used directly at the factory, when raw materials in a liquid state are poured into the finished structure and mold, after which it is possible to obtain a backrest or armrests. Any part of the sofa is made by gluing a block look.
• Latex is the most expensive filler for furniture, but the service life is very long, the raw material is environmentally friendly. The material is very elastic, makes it possible to repeat the contours of the body, and also instantly regains its shape. Furniture is not electrified, is not subject to mold, the occurrence of an allergic reaction is excluded. Often, such raw materials are used in expensive models that have orthopedic characteristics.
• The spring block can be used in combination with a specific filling. This increases the level of convenience, makes the product more durable, more resistant to wear and tear. The main thing is that the manufacturer uses high-quality blocks.

The best choice would be a multi-layer version with different densities in the seat, back and armrests. There should be dense materials at the bottom and soft materials closer to the top to increase comfort.

Upholstery

The upholstery is chosen according to personal preference and taste, but there are other useful tips related to the use of furniture. The fabric surface must be resistant to moisture as it may need to be cleaned frequently. In addition, it is better to choose breathable materials if you are planning long gatherings or sleeping on the couch. For intensive use, it is recommended to abandon the long nap. After a year of active use, the upholstery will look ugly.

Which sofa is better to choose

In order to choose the right product, it is important to build on where the sofa will be used, what is its purpose. Depending on the room, different requirements are highlighted, since each model has certain functionality:

• The living room is a place to relax, so it is better to choose a large, angular sofa with a large back, armrests and comfortable seats.It is recommended to choose a frame made of wood, but certain parts may be pressed boards. The upholstery is determined according to your own preferences and financial capabilities, preferably natural raw materials that can "breathe".
• For the TV zone, it is recommended to choose models for 2-3 seats with any frame, but if the structure is made of metal, then the furniture will turn out to be more compact. The dimensions of the backrest, as well as the softness of the seat, are determined at the sole discretion of the buyer; it is better to use dense materials from which dirt can be easily removed. An excellent choice would be natural or artificial leather, as well as polyester or acrylic.
• Small and bright sofas, made of natural materials that do not cause allergies, are bought for the child in the room. It is worth being prepared for the high cost, since you have to pay for quality. It is better to choose the form without protruding corners, hard parts that can cause injury during the game.
• It is recommended to install special corners in the kitchen, their sitting height is 50 cm, the pillows are relatively hard. It is better to use a frame made of metal in order to obtain optimal rigidity of the structure, wood can also be used, but it needs careful maintenance. In the case of wood, choose moisture resistant species (oak or larch). To save money, you can choose options from MDF or chipboard, but the corner will have to be changed after about 5 years. Kitchen sofas should have leg cutouts to allow access for floor cleaning. For small spaces, use models with under-seat storage.

Focusing on how to choose the right sofa, you can use helpful tips from experts:

• Initially, make a plan on paper and draw the location of the sofa in the room. This will make it easier to navigate the store itself. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the free space for moving in the folded and unfolded state of the furniture.
• Immediately determine the functionality of the model, because it can be a guest or for daily sleep. Think about how much weight will fall on the structure, which will help determine the entire mechanism.
• You need to carefully look at the sofa opening mechanism in the store. All metal parts must be from 3 mm in thickness with high-quality painting and reliable fastening.
• It is recommended to lie down, sit to assess the quality of the fillers, pay attention to extraneous sounds that may appear during movements. You can determine the poor quality of the frame by squeaks.
• All seams and the row of staples must be straight, which indicates the professionalism of the manufacturer. When placed against a wall, the back does not matter, and placement in the center of the room should be complemented by neat and beautiful upholstery.
• If the warranty period is less than 1.5 years, you should choose other models.

Using all the tips and parameters presented, it will be possible to choose the optimal piece of furniture for relaxation, sleep and other tasks.