Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages and disadvantages of folding sofas.
| pros | Minuses |
| Some models are quite compact, resulting in maximum space savings. | Gradual wear of the mechanism may occur. |
| Characterized by versatility and high functionality. | Due to frequent daily transformations, the upholstery loses its original appearance. |
| They have a huge range of models, allowing you to choose the option that best suits your interior. |
Classification by transformation mechanism
Several transformation mechanisms can be distinguished. They differ from each other in the way they are laid out. Each model has its own advantages and disadvantages.
| Type of sofa | Description | Advantages | Flaws |
| Book | Classic type of furniture. The mechanism operates on the basis of hinges. To unfold and fold the sofa, you need to raise the seat until it clicks. The backrest rises horizontally, after which one of the elements falls down | — the simplest possible folding mechanism; — a high-quality product has a long service life; — for this model, covers are produced that will preserve the life of the upholstery; - Available in different sizes, therefore suitable for any room; low cost | — provides for unfolding with a rollback from the wall, which requires leaving space for this; — the mechanism is not intended for frequent use; - complex folding design |
| Eurobook | The classic sofa bed is available in two versions: folding and roll-out. To obtain a berth, the seat is pulled forward on casters, and the backrest is lowered into the vacated space. | — simple and durable transformation design; - small dimensions; - low cost | — disassembly requires effort; — for unfolding, you need space near the wall so that the back rests flat |
| Dolphin | Folding mechanism: a section hidden under the seat slides forward. To do this you need to pull the loops towards you. In this case, the section rises up and is installed next to the seat | — easy-to-use transformation mechanism; — structural strength; — products of various sizes are produced, including angular and custom-made; — children's models are produced that a child can easily disassemble on his own | - low-quality products are laid out in such a way that one half may be higher than the other; — significant height of the sofa bed, creating discomfort during sleep; — the moving part of the structure scratches the floor covering |
No less in demand are such types of sofas as roll-out sofas, French folding beds, and accordions. They are most often purchased by young people and families who value convenience, practicality and functionality. Just like a dolphin, a Eurobook, or a book, they have their pros and cons.
Popular types of accordion chair-beds, features
| Type of sofa | Description | Advantages | Flaws |
| Roll-out | The seat consists of several parts; when unfolded, they form a berth. To unfold the sofa, you need to pull the strap attached to the seat all the way | - small dimensions, allowing you to easily place a sofa in a one-room apartment; — this type is considered the most convenient and durable; - low cost | - in low-quality models, the wheels on which the berth is pulled out quickly fail; — the height of the sofa bed is small, which can cause discomfort |
| Accordion | This is a metal structure with orthopedic side bars. A soft part made of polyurethane filler is installed on them. Transformation method: the seat rises, after which it needs to be pulled towards you. The mechanism extends and is installed in a certain position | — variety of sizes (single, one-and-a-half, double); — easy disassembly mechanism; — there are models with an automatic folding method; — products are equipped with an orthopedic mattress | — additional space is required for the sofa when unfolded; — marks from the wheels remain on the floor covering; — space for bedding is small; - high cost of the sofa |
| French folding bed | It has a triple folding mechanism located under the seat. To unfold, you need to remove the pillows. Folding mechanism: the lower part is pulled out by the handles, the structure unfolds step by step | — compactness; - simple, convenient way of unfolding; — high load capacity — up to 200 kg; — ease of replacing a failed element; — for this model, removable covers are available to extend the life of the upholstery | — a French folding bed is not intended for constant sleep; — there are no drawers for bed linen; — mattresses with a thickness of no more than 60 mm are used; - short length when unfolded - no more than 185 cm, which is not suitable for tall people; - on low-quality products, the folding base creaks with frequent use and quickly breaks down |
A common positive feature of almost all models of a sofa with a bed is the presence of drawers for storing pillows, blankets and other bedding.
Book
Eurobook
Dolphin
Roll-out
Accordion
French folding bed
Types of mechanisms
For transformation, a wide variety of mechanisms are used, among them the following are distinguished.
Book
It is a time-tested design that is convenient and easy to use. This model unfolds by raising and lowering one half of the bed.
Eurobook
It has a pull-out seat, which is replaced by a backrest during transformation, which allows you to turn the sofa into a comfortable bed.
The photo shows a sofa bed with a Eurobook mechanism in disassembled condition in the interior.
Tick tock
The most convenient layout method, which is a modernized version of the Eurobook. The front part of the structure moves forward, lifting up with the help of special supports and then lowering to the floor.
Click-clack
It is quite convenient to use and has a compact appearance. This design unfolds when the backrest is moved horizontally. In addition, she can take several positions, such as reclining or semi-sitting.
Accordion
It has a roll-out mechanism consisting of several sections, two of which are a sofa back, and the third is a seat.
The photo shows a bedroom and a yellow sofa bed with an accordion mechanism, equipped with a drawer for pastel linen.
Dolphin
This folding sofa can easily replace a sleeping bed. In order to transform it into a bed, you should pull out the lower part under the seat, pull out the additional platform and fix it level with the base.
Roll-out
In this case, the sleeping place moves out from under the sofa seats. Most often, a roll-out mechanism is used for corner products.
Cot
Belgian, English, French or American designs are narrower and more compact. Their transformation is carried out using the sedaflex mechanism, which works on the principle of the product of the same name - a folding bed.
Saber
By moving the backrest towards you, the seat moves forward and the backrest rests in its place. This saber model is equipped with secret drawers for storing bed linen.
Various modifications of the folding mechanism “book”
To put such a mechanism into effect, you need to raise the sofa seat to a certain level, after which the frame opens and allows you to fix both parts in a horizontal position. Many people remember such sofas from Soviet times. It was necessary to apply considerable force to them, moreover, the opened surface had at least one deep pothole, on which it was possible to sleep peacefully only with great fatigue and many years of practice.
Modern models are much better than previous ones: even a child can open and close them. The spring mechanisms of such sofas are in no way inferior to bed mattresses.
Improved and comfortable models of such sofas can also be fixed in a reclining position. They unfold using a “click-clack” mechanism, which is also used to lower the backs of seats in cars and airplanes. They can be suitable for holidays and for additional guest overnight stays.
Most of these models also have reservoirs for bedding items. Their width is limited by the sum of the seat and backrest, and in most cases it is small. To open the sofa, you need to move it away from the wall, or place it in the middle of the room.
There is also an improved mechanism called the “Eurobook”. Thanks to the frame design of the body, after transformation the bed is firmly fixed without depressions, and such sofas only move forward and can be placed close to the walls.
Another interesting design discovery is the accordion transformation model. This modern transforming sofa can easily be folded out and the sleeping area is located at the same level as the seat.
What material is better to choose for upholstery?
The upholstery is made of leather or eco-leather, has a magnificent and presentable appearance, undoubtedly attracting attention. The most budget-friendly, but no less attractive design is fabric upholstery, for example, it can be eco-friendly chenille, easy-to-care and wear-resistant matting, velor, which removes almost any dirt, flock, which retains its shape and color saturation for a long time, velvet, strong and durable jacquard or other wide variety of materials.
The photo shows a living room and a sofa bed upholstered in black genuine leather.
Modern Sofa Styles
1. Provence - suggests laconic upholstery with floral prints, stripes or checks. Monochromatic natural colors bring contrast to the interior.
2. Classic - furniture should be voluminous and have smooth outlines. Jacquard, tapestry and velor are used as upholstery.
3. Minimalism - this style is characterized by clarity of shapes and lines, and the absence of ornamentation on the upholstery.
4. Modern classics - distinguished by carved armrests, expensive upholstery and large dimensions.
5. Country - combine floral motifs and delicate colors.
6. Modern - most often sofas are black or white with chrome legs and armrests.
Recommendations for choosing filler
The level of comfort and quality of sleep directly depends on the correct choice of filler.
Most often, it is recommended to use springs or natural materials for filling, such as felt or latex, which can significantly extend the service life of furniture. No less high quality are synthetic fillers in the form of foam rubber or polyurethane.
Features of choosing a frame for a sofa bed
A few main features:
- Frames made of plywood or chipboard will not add extra weight to the structure and will therefore make them more mobile.
- Eco-friendly and practical bases made from natural solid wood, such as oak, beech, ash, alder, birch, pine or walnut, are characterized by a fairly high cost, which in turn is justified by their durability and high performance properties.
- Also an equally popular option are metal frames that are reliable, durable and resistant to various types of damage.
Dimensions and shapes of sofa beds
There are the following varieties of shapes and sizes.
Round or oval
It makes the environment more comfortable and soft and, due to its streamlined shape, turns the sofa bed into a real relaxation zone.
The photo shows a round lilac sofa bed in the living room interior.
Angular
It is particularly organic and, thanks to its angular left or right position, allows you to free up maximum usable space in space, while at the same time being a spacious three-seater sofa bed.
Narrow
It looks more like a chair, which also transforms into a full-fledged sleeping bed. When assembled, narrow models do not take up much space and are therefore perfect for small rooms.
Semicircular
It is a kind of compromise between strict sharp boundaries and weightless rounded shapes. The semicircular sofa bed has a fairly presentable appearance and fits harmoniously into the functionality of the room.
Rectangular
The most popular, widespread and traditional form, which can differ in both compact and very impressive sizes.
Sofa bed for a small apartment
The above models are ideal for apartments with a small area. An exception may be the “Dolphin” model, since these are mainly corner sofas, although today there is a wide variety of compact and inexpensive corner sofas.
Owners of one-room apartments can choose models that are placed along the wall, focusing on the size - the sofa, when extended, should not occupy the entire area of the room.
A third of our life is spent sleeping, so you need to approach the choice of sleeping place responsibly, without trying to save money on literally all parameters. Remember - the stingy pays twice. We hope the information received will allow you to choose the right sofa bed for your daily sleep.
Sofa bed design options
Several original photos of design options.
With soft back
The sofa back is the most important design element, so it should be as comfortable as possible. Soft design allows you to lean on the back more comfortably.
With chaise longue
The chaise can be located on the right or left side of the sofa. Most often, it is equipped with a special compartment for storing bedding. Due to the possibility of movement, this module allows you to play with interior perception.
With bar
Due to such additional options, upholstered furniture acquires special value. The built-in bar will give the atmosphere a special chic and solidity.
Covered with carriage tie
It has a truly elegant, noble and very stylish appearance. The upholstery can be leather, velor, velvet or even jacquard; in any case, the carriage screed always looks presentable and impressive.
With a table
It is a fairly practical solution that combines several pieces of furniture at once, which allows you to significantly save useful square meters in space.
The photo shows a small sofa bed combined with a compact table in the interior.
With cabinet
A multifunctional sofa bed combined with a cabinet creates an excellent storage system for various small items and is an ideal option for a small room
With rhinestones
They will give the interior space special elegance and luxury. Rhinestones in the recesses of quilted upholstery or in stitching give the product an incredibly attractive look and a certain glamor, making it a harmonious decor for a fresher and more youthful interior.
Without sidewalls
They do not overload the room, do not clutter it and provide free movement in space. In addition, due to the absence of sidewalls, it is possible to create a spacious sleeping area.
With headrest
Due to the possibility of changing the position and transformation of the head restraints, you can achieve a more comfortable rest.
With armrests
Such designs visually look much more voluminous. Armrests can be wide, high, narrow, thin or even raised.
With shelves
Thanks to convenient small shelves, there is additional storage space for various small items, due to which the sofa model becomes much more functional.
The photo shows a sofa bed with shelves placed in the armrest in the living room interior.
With ottoman
A sofa in combination with an ottoman provides the opportunity to create various combinations, modify the interior concept and the space as a whole.
Color spectrum
This furniture element can have a wide variety of colors, for example, it can be white, gray, green, black, blue, purple, red, light blue, brown or beige. The main thing is that the shade range is fully consistent with the overall interior design.
The photo shows an attic in a country house with a sofa bed, made in red.
For a sofa bed, you can choose either a plain color or a more colorful and rich color scheme. For example, quite often brown products are used in design, which are considered a classic option and can be perfectly combined with other shades. A white model will help refresh the atmosphere, and an organic gray design will be perfect for a neutral interior.
Photos in the interior of the rooms
The use of a folding sofa in various rooms should bring not only benefits to the environment, but also psychological comfort.
To the kitchen
When decorating a kitchen, special attention is paid to the upholstery material. It should be practical, not absorb odors and easy to clean, for example, it could be leather. In terms of design features, the most popular options are straight sofa models, kitchen corners or a bay window with a sleeping place.
The photo shows a single corner sofa bed in the interior of a modern kitchen.
To the living room
In the upholstery room, leather materials or wear-resistant fabrics such as microfiber, chenille or flock are chosen. For a small room, products with a lighter design or sofas without armrests are especially popular. When decorating a guest room, designs of both rectangular and soft round shapes look equally good.
To the children's room
In arranging a schoolchild's nursery, a wide variety of models are used. For a child, they often choose a small sofa with bright upholstery with a print, a sofa, an ottoman that does not have sharp corners, a design in the shape of a toy or a cartoon character. In the room of a teenage boy or girl, double products equipped with an orthopedic mattress with increased rigidity and elasticity are appropriate.
The photo shows a children's room with a small blue folding sofa.
To the balcony
A compact single folding chair or a cozy one-and-a-half sofa bed, a dolphin, an accordion, a Eurobook or a folding bed, are characterized by the easiest transformation and fit perfectly into the balcony space.
Sofa bed ideas in different styles
Each style direction has its own distinctive features and the sofa model must fully comply with them.
Modern
For modern design, choose practical and functional products with a laconic and discreet design, regular lines and angular shapes. The upholstery colors most often include white, grey, black or beige.
The photo shows a sofa bed with a puma mechanism in the living room in a modern style.
Classical
A sofa bed can have a high back, wooden armrests and rich decor; products upholstered in leather or fabric in golden, pearl or other light colors are also appropriate.
Scandinavian
Only natural materials such as wood and textiles are used to design the sofa bed. Here you can often find a folding book design, a Eurobook with a secret linen drawer, models with a high or low drawout mechanism, equipped with modules with a bar or recliner.
Provence
Provence is characterized by textile upholstery in delicate colors with large or small floral prints. Basically, the products have high soft backs and a more simplified design that harmoniously complements the overall composition.
Loft
Products with a slightly rough design in neutral or classic colors, laconic sofa beds upholstered in leather or faded textiles would be appropriate here.
High tech
This style involves bright or, on the contrary, muted tones, geometric shapes, metal fittings, transformable headrests, additional pull-out parts and other multifunctional decor.
Minimalism
In a minimalist interior, a sofa bed should have a stylish, but at the same time simple appearance without unnecessary pompous decorations and a strict color scheme, the monotony of which can be diluted with bright accent pillows.
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.
