The living room is the heart of your home. This is where the whole family gathers to relax.
If your living room has a large amount of free space, then you need to choose a sofa of the appropriate size.
This is a rather complex process that requires some specific knowledge.
In this article, we will help you understand the basic aspects of choosing and purchasing a large sofa for your living room.
Sofa world
A sofa bed is not only part of the interior of a bedroom, room, office, and sometimes even a kitchen. This is, first of all, an ottoman, which is needed in order to use it for its intended purpose. However, if you don’t take into account the style of the room when buying furniture, your new purchase may look out of place. A colorful sofa in a formal study is clearly too much, as is a brutal one - made of genuine leather on rosewood legs - in a children's room.
Leather sofa in beige color
The endless variety of different types, colors, styles and design features can be confusing for anyone planning to renovate the “sofa park” in their apartment.
The versatility of straight sofas
In addition to the straight ones under consideration, there are several other types of sofas; it’s worth saying a few words about them. For example, corner furniture is good because it takes up a little less space in the room. However, difficulties may arise during redevelopment - there may simply not be a suitable corner in the apartment for a future purchase. Or it may not fit in width, and other problems may arise. And to transport a corner sofa, even within the apartment, you will have to almost completely disassemble it.
Island sofas and sofa sets occupy a significant area of the rooms. They are suitable only for spacious apartments. And considering that island sets are usually placed in the middle of the room, this can scare off even owners of large homes.
If there are few rooms - one or two, no matter how large they are, using “sofa islands” you can easily clutter up the apartment.
A small product takes up very little space
Straight sofas can be installed almost anywhere, especially since the choice of different sizes and dimensions is simply huge. There are many varieties in styles, upholstery materials, folding methods, number of seats, double, triple, whatever you want and for anyone. This is why they are so popular.
How to divide a large living room into zones?
You can divide a large room into several zones using the following options:
- Even at the renovation stage, make small plasterboard niches and shelves that can visually divide the room into several zones;
- If repairs are not expected in the near future, you can divide it using furniture or bookshelves;
If you are a big fan of football, hockey or any other sport, you can place a TV in front of the sofa. Remember, the screen will need to be clearly visible from any location.
If you are a fan of table socializing and dining while chatting with friends, consider purchasing a table for treats that will be placed in front of the sofa; install a fireplace opposite (in the urban version, electric fireplaces are installed), which will add coziness and comfort to the room.
Varieties
I would start classifying straight sofas by their sizes. After all, if a decision is made to purchase, it is clear where the purchased furniture will be located. And how much space will be required to install it.
Advice When visiting a store, keep in mind that in a large store, even large items may seem smaller than they actually are. Be sure to use a tape measure for more accurate measurements. It will be very disappointing if the purchase does not fit where you planned to place it.
It would be appropriate to purchase a long straight sofa for the living room
Main types of sofas:
- Long straight.
- Large with a large sleeping area.
- Narrow sofas. Ottoman for the kitchen.
It would be appropriate to purchase a long straight sofa for the living room, because the more of your friends and loved ones that fit on the sofa, the more fun it will be.
Large sizes and a spacious sleeping area will not be superfluous if the ottoman is placed in your bedroom.
And narrow, medium-sized sofas are good for installation in the kitchen or in other cases of shortage of apartment space. For example, in popular studio apartments. This category includes small children's and teenage sofas. The main difference between furniture for children may be the bright colors of the upholstery and the absence of sharp corners that could injure a child.
Bright colors of the skin and absence of sharp corners
Ottoman and popular styles. Living rooms
Direct sets for the living room should create coziness in the room. Therefore, when choosing, it would be good to think about the combination of the style of your living room, existing furniture and the future sofa. You may have to make some rearrangements in the room in order to make room for the sofa you like.
Sometimes it would be good to make a number of changes: remove some furniture, or vice versa, add something that emphasizes the style of the room and complements the new piece of furniture. This could be a small coffee table next to the sofa, a painting or reproduction on the wall, or even a small rug, the main thing is to achieve harmony of the whole complex.
And in some cases, there is a reason to completely change the style of the interior if the model you have chosen stands out from it.
Living room in classic style
The classic style of the living room will require the appearance of the purchased item to match the existing pieces of furniture. An appropriate option would be a neutral-looking, straight sofa made of high-quality materials, preferably genuine leather or high-quality leatherette.
The presence of decorative elements in the design will look good.
The Provence style will require a simple, cozy ottoman, preferably in light colors. The upholstery can be fabric, but of high quality. The design may not have any decorative elements, but should fit into the decor of the room.
Modern - if you adhere to this style, you will have to select a piece of furniture with smooth shapes, preferably with an unusual design. The originality of the sofa and, at the same time, its harmonious integration into the overall ensemble of the living room will create a favorable effect. I would recommend leather trim in medium to light tones.
Direct sets for the living room should create coziness in the room
Minimalist design tends to avoid unnecessary curves in the lines of furniture, rigor and formality. In this case, there should be a certain consistency of color tones throughout the living room.
Typically, this style is preferred by people who are not used to being distracted by surrounding objects.
If you are a supporter of the popular Hi-Tech style, you will be interested in functional furniture with compartments for storing things. Externally, the style is close to minimalism and a strong option would be a straight sofa in neutral colors made of leatherette. After all, simplicity and practicality are most important.
Country is considered a “masculine” style; here it would be more appropriate to focus on solid, “strong”-looking models; I would choose colors that are not too light, but not black either.
Minimalist design
Art Deco style, for people who value external elegance. Well, the furniture must match. Willy-nilly you will have to focus on the top level. You can consider exclusive models made from precious wood, often these are handmade works of art with carved armrests and expensive upholstery; sometimes furniture can be created to order, or it is possible to change ready-made modifications.
This category presents options for choosing types of fabric or leather (many well-known European companies offer dozens of types of finishing materials). There are even companies that sell sofas for dogs and cats made of solid oak with velvet trim. However, this funny furniture is not equipped with a double folding bed.
Provence style
Features of folding mechanisms
Obviously, the presence of a sleeping place increases the area that the ottoman will occupy when unfolded. In some cases, installation will be required at some distance from the wall. This is due to the peculiarities of the mechanism for folding the sofa into the “bed” position.
There are several options for folding out the sofa:
- Book or Klikklak.
- American and French folding beds.
- Accordion mechanism.
- Roll-out systems.
Loft style in the living room
“Book” is the most common option.
It is the simplest and most reliable. The transformation into a bed is truly done - “with one easy movement of the hands” - even children can unfold the sofa without much difficulty. At the bottom of the sofa there can be a drawer for storing personal items or linen. The negative side of this mechanism is that the furniture of some models has to be moved every time it is unfolded.
Klikklak is a more improved and simplified version of the “book” by the French.
In this system, the backrest can be set in a normal position, at an angle of 45 degrees and in a clamshell position. The frame is mostly made of light metal profile. Very often there are models with removable covers, which is very practical.
Beautiful and stylish product in lilac color
The “Eurobook” modification differs in that the seat panel moves forward, and the back panel falls in its place.
The result is a fairly roomy bed. However, when folded, the width of the seats may seem excessively large for short people and they will find it uncomfortable to sit in, which needs to be taken into account.
French folding beds - the basic principle is triple folding of panels.
It is worth recommending such sofas for those who will not lay them out every day. For example, when buying furniture for a guest room. The fact is that to unfold the sofa it will be necessary to remove some of the elements from it each time. In addition, the surface of the bed prepared for bed will not be too smooth.
There are no drawers for linen in such models, because the folded bed panels occupy the entire space under the seats. Another feature of such sofas is the short service life of the mechanics.
Bright and cozy living room
The American folding bed (Sedaflex) is a more practical system.
Good for daily use. It uses a double rather than triple folding mechanism, as in the French version. This is a more durable and relatively simple model. However, one of the problems with the French folding bed remains - an uneven surface after transformation into a sleeping place.
Accordion sofas will undoubtedly be of interest to owners of small spaces.
The fact is that even if the sleeping place when unfolded is very wide, when folded this sofa takes up a minimum of room space. At the same time, the presence of drawers for linen and personal items is either included in the package, or can be installed as an additional option. The design is very durable; the mechanism expands according to the accordion principle.
A bright sofa as the highlight of the room
The roll-out mechanism is the most reliable of all types with a sleeping bag. The lower block of the sofa simply slides forward on wheels. However, some may not like the too low position of the berth, but its area is usually large. One of the negative aspects of this layout system is the potential threat to the floor from the wheels during long-term use. Laminate or parquet can simply push through.
Size and necessary properties of the sofa
It is worth noting that you should not buy a large sofa for a small living room. You don't want it to take up most of the room, do you?
The most ideal option for a decent-sized sofa is a spacious living room.
If you have just one, then you can choose a sofa based on the approximate number of people who can fit on it at the same time.
Large sofas should accommodate 5-7 average people. An important advantage of such a sofa is its ability to create several sleeping places.
A very important point when choosing a large sofa is your personal needs.
It is worth understanding that you will not be able to purchase a universal sofa for every need in the world.
If you decide to buy a sofa that you will use as a bed, then you need to familiarize yourself with the main existing decomposition mechanisms:
Dolphin. It has a special platform that is hidden under the seat. It can be pulled out at any time.
After you have pulled it out, you need to pull the special fastener, which will lift the platform up.
Eurobook. Forms a sleeping place with the help of a seat and a backrest that can be lowered.
These sofas are very comfortable for small spaces.
Accordion. It is characterized by the fact that it is incredibly easy to unfold. To unfold it, you need to slightly lift the sofa seat and pull it towards you a little.
Other.
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It is worth understanding that the lifespan of your sofa depends on this choice.
When choosing a new sofa, pay attention to your height. Tall people have trouble getting up from a low-slung sofa.
Don't forget that if you want to sleep on a sofa, its length should match the length of your body.
The most comfortable sofas are those that have a deep seat. But there are people who do not accept this kind of sofa. This means that everything is purely individual.
Before purchasing, try sitting on the sofa to evaluate the comfort you get.
- Chair swing
- Roller blinds
- Features of living room furniture
Fillers
Our comfort depends on what we sleep on. What we breathe determines our health. This is especially true for allergy sufferers. Cheap upholstered furniture fillers are unsafe for health. Therefore, if you are interested in sofas from little-known manufacturers, especially cheap models, it would be a good idea to ask the seller what was used for the stuffing.
Cheap upholstered furniture fillers are unsafe for health
At the moment, there are two main types of filling by design: with and without a spring block.
Designs with spring blocks
Spring blocks can be in the form of bonnels, that is, individual springs are interconnected. The bending of one spring under load bends the neighboring ones. The average diameter of the springs is about 10 cm; there are about 100 springs per 1 square meter of area.
It is worth considering that the smaller the diameter of the springs and the greater their number per unit area, the better the orthopedic properties of the bonnels. Springs are often covered with a layer of horsehair, polyurethane foam, and sometimes coconut coir. The rigidity of the seats and backs will depend on such coatings. The presence of a steel frame will help it keep its shape longer.
Independent spring blocks
The springs, twisted in the shape of cylinders, are each sheathed in a rag cover. With this method, they do not touch each other and do not make any noise. Springs with a diameter of about 5-6 cm are arranged in 250 pieces per square meter. Since each of the springs compresses independently, this creates greater comfort for the owner, the weight of his body presses evenly on the sleeping area.
However, it is not often used in the manufacture of sofas.
Designs without spring blocks
They can be divided according to the rigidity of the execution - respectively: soft and hard.
Polyurethane foam made from blocks - colloquially they are called sandwiches; these are thick sheets of different densities. In furniture workshops, the corresponding parts are cut out of them - the back, seats, and then sheathed with various materials.
There are technologies for using cast polyurethane foam. Liquid polyurethane foam is poured into pre-prepared forms - pillows, backs - and finished products are obtained; all that remains is to take care of the covering. Casting has high-quality forms that cannot be obtained using other methods, however, there is a crust on the surface of the cast elements due to heating at the time of pouring into molds. This dense layer of polyurethane foam is almost impervious to air and can create a greenhouse effect.
White color will never go out of style
PPU will crumble in the light, so the fabrics that cover PPU elements must be lightproof.
There are polyurethane foam of various densities. The denser the material of this type of padding, the longer the sofa will last. Low-density polyurethane foam can be useful only for decorative pillows. By the way, the packing parameters must be indicated in the passport.
Polystyrene balls - this type of filler looks like crushed foam in the form of small balls.
Although such a filler is very comfortable for the person sitting, it is quickly compressed and it may be necessary to add more to fill it. Therefore, it is most often used in bean bags.
Sintepon is one of the cheapest types . Consists of polyester fibers, similar to thick fabric. The biggest disadvantage is that it doesn’t hold its shape well and wrinkles over time. Often used in conjunction with other types of padding, as the final layer.
Creatively shaped product
Due to the lack of certain standards for the production of padding polyester, and the use of recycled materials in its creation, such fillings may be harmful to health.
Synthetic down - in appearance it resembles natural down; in production it is obtained as a result of processing polyester and silicone. It is very voluminous and soft, often used to create armrests and pillows. Keeps its shape perfectly and does not collect fungi and other microorganisms.
Comforel is a particle-ball of a synthetic nature, obtained from polyester.
They are found in the stuffing of sofa pillows and sofa ottomans.
Elegance in beige
Durafil is also a synthetic material. It is made in such a way that the top layer - the fibers - seems to grow from the bottom layer - the base. As a result, the padding is more elastic and retains its shape well. It does not absorb moisture, practically does not burn, and does not accumulate bacteria and microorganisms.
Periotec - resembles a big thick blanket . It is made from both natural raw materials (cotton, wool) and polyester. Therefore, the density of the padding will vary, as will the hardness of the sofas.
Holofiber is the brainchild of Russian scientists and has been used since 2004. The properties of the material are unique, the price is quite low, so it is gradually replacing many other similar materials. Synthetic fibers are twisted in such a way that the result is a material with a huge number of internal microcavities, while having a fairly uniform structure.
Keeps its shape and heat well. It does not absorb moisture or odors, is not afraid of sunlight, does not collect microorganisms, and easily restores its shape.
Convenient option for reading a book with a cup of coffee
It is used everywhere in the manufacture of upholstered furniture.
Natural latex is produced from the sap of Hevea brasiliensis and other types of rubber trees. During vulcanization, a material with millions of microcavities is obtained. This material is remarkable for its absolute environmental friendliness and will never cause allergies.
The only negative is its high cost. Therefore, it is found in the depths of top models.
Foam rubber is an old, good, cheapest material. This is perhaps one of the few advantages. Over time, it dents and rolls up, especially if it was used in the manufacture of seats in the form of pieces.
Advice Therefore, it is better to choose upholstered furniture that uses solid pieces of foam rubber. In some models, foam rubber is laid as an additional material.
Living room of a stylish country house
As a result, we can admit that there is no universal material for upholstering a sofa. It all depends on the purpose of the purchase. If you need a sofa for sleeping, or more precisely, for daily use, then stuffing made of spring blocks, holofiber or polyurethane foam is preferable. Moreover, the springs are considered very durable - up to 10 years. And independent spring blocks are also very comfortable for sleeping.
Holofiber will last 5 – 10 years. In terms of convenience it is also good. PPU is also in this category, in terms of service life and convenience.
The outsider is foam rubber, which lasts on average up to 5 years.
However, if the sofa will be used extremely rarely (for its intended purpose), then almost any material will do.
Sheathing
Genuine leather is the most practical and expensive option. It makes sense to choose such a design if it matches the style of your rooms. Leather is used in different types of textures:
- glossy;
- matte;
- with printed images;
- ornaments.
On the one hand, a sofa made of genuine leather looks solid, does not require constant maintenance and is very durable. However, it is worth considering that even very high-quality leather cracks and wears out over time. And budget leather has a much shorter service life. There is no point in even talking about the cost of furniture made of genuine leather.
Genuine leather is the most practical and expensive option
Cotton is a natural and therefore environmentally friendly type of upholstered furniture. It is worth using for furniture in children's rooms. Moreover, such a disadvantage as rapid wear and loss of color by the material, as a rule, will not be appropriate in this case. The child will grow up, a new sofa will be bought.
In any case, the furniture will last 5-6 years, and new fabric impregnations, which are sometimes used by manufacturers, can extend the service life to 7-8 years.
Jacquard is a beautiful and durable material. It is little susceptible to abrasion, and sunlight will not harm it either. The variety of colors and texture patterns (sometimes silver and gold threads are used) makes this material especially attractive.
Flock is a magical mixture of synthetics and natural cotton (65 to 35 percent). It feels like velvet to the touch. Many manufacturers consider this material to be one of the best, especially since the abundance of colors is no less than that of jacquard. And the owners speak very flatteringly about it: beauty, durability, very high resistance (even to mechanical damage). Easy to maintain and clean. Does not fade in the sun.
Cotton is a natural and environmentally friendly type of upholstered furniture.
A small disadvantage is the high degree of odor absorption, so it should not be used on kitchen furniture.
Chenille - this material is also very common for finishing upholstered furniture and is also a hybrid of synthetics and natural fibers. The thick and soft pile gives a pleasant feeling, as does the appearance of the upholstery. Special tests carried out indicate that in terms of abrasion resistance, this is one of the champions, withstands about 70 million contacts (touches), which can be compared with a period of approximately 50 years of operation! To care for the material, you only need a vacuum cleaner and a damp cloth (or sponge).
Silk – modern furniture makers rarely use natural silk as a material for upholstery. This finish can be found on expensive, luxury items or custom-made models. Despite its external elegance, natural silk is very durable. And at the same time, it is environmentally friendly, does not cause allergies, and is antistatic (does not accumulate electrical charges like wool).
At the same time, smooth silk is very pleasant to the touch and beautiful in appearance. There is no need to talk about the abundance of colors; centuries-old technologies for creating silk fabrics provide unlimited possibilities for creating any patterns and ornaments.
Jacquard is a beautiful and durable material
Tapestry is one of the most time-tested materials for upholstery; it was used by craftsmen in the Middle Ages.
However, modern tapestry is made with the addition of synthetics, which increases its wear resistance and tensile strength. Cotton will be at least 40% and up to 80%. As a rule, fabrics are treated with special impregnations.
There are a lot of different colors, images on fabrics, even entire scenes. Unfortunately, tapestry tends to fade when exposed to sunlight, so it is best to place a sofa covered with it as far as possible from windows. This only drawback is compensated by the luxurious effect of the material, which can be used, for example, for Art Nouveau style.
Velor, beige sofa
Arpatek is a fairly simple material that was created for covering car seats. Therefore, it is quite versatile and abrasion resistant. The structure is more reminiscent of thin natural leather . The material is durable, not afraid of sunlight, holds color well, and does not stick to the body. Made from viscose, cotton and polyurethane, it is moisture resistant and easy to clean.
This type of finish can be found on expensive, luxury items.
Experts advise when choosing upholstery material to take into account how the sofa will be used. With frequent use and unfolding, it is recommended to buy furniture with as much synthetic content as possible in the upholstery, since such materials are more durable and resistant to abrasion.
For children's rooms, furniture with natural upholstery is suitable, which will not be difficult to clean and maintain. It can be chenille, cotton.
The living room requires stylish furniture, taking into account the decor of the room
The living room requires stylish furniture, taking into account the decor of the room. At the same time, furniture should be practical and as durable as possible.
Flock, leatherette and arpatek will come in very handy here if you can find a high-quality sample.
A sofa is a purchase that stays with you for a long time
And to install a sofa in an office or hall, it makes sense to consider the option of installing furniture made of genuine leather; here the appearance will play a key role. In addition to the upholstery, the armrests and legs should also be of high quality. There are many top models using carved elements from precious woods and leather trim . Such models are offered not only by world-famous European brand manufacturers, such as Halo est. 1976, but also quite good Russian and Belarusian manufacturers, for example, Pinskdrev.
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Sofa upholstery material
If the fillers are not visible when using the sofa, then the upholstery material is visible and felt immediately. Let's look at the main fabrics that are used to upholster a sofa:
Suede leather. You should not buy sofas with such upholstery if you have animals at home. Because of them, a sofa with such covering will quickly lose its original appearance.
Leather. The most reliable and stable material.
Over many years it may not spoil its external characteristics. But some people experience discomfort when sitting on it.
Faux leather. It is practically in no way inferior to the previous point, but the price here is significantly lower.
Velours. Characterized by a soft velvet surface and long service life.
A huge number of others.
Choose the type of upholstery that suits your desires and financial capabilities.
