Types of sofas: distinctive features and advantages (24 photos)

Author: Belfan

From this article you will learn:

• What styles of sofas are there for different interiors?
• Which sofas in different styles are the highest quality and best
• How to choose a sofa
• What types of sofas are there depending on the shape?
• Sofas depending on the design and folding mechanism
• What are the most unusual sofas?

Over the past 60-70 years, several completely new stylistic solutions in the interior have been born. Each has its own fans, and today styles such as minimalism and hi-tech, loft, modern and art deco are deservedly popular. All these areas are distinguished by maximum practicality; external beauty in this case comes in second place. This rule necessarily applies to any furniture, including sofas. It should be noted that some models with a modern design may differ greatly from traditional, generally accepted options. Today, there are a variety of configurations and styles of sofas. Their review is in our material.

Types of sofas

There are enough names, subtypes, and modifications of products on the market. The consumer may get lost from such a large assortment. And when buying, you need to take everything into account at once - beauty, originality and comfort. The method is simple: you need to study the information, calculate your budget and buy the product according to your desires. In addition, the sofa should fit into the atmosphere of the home.

When choosing furniture, you need to consider not only the appearance, but also the types of sofas.

Sofas may vary according to the following criteria:

1. External features, shape: angular, straight, etc.
2. Design. Modular or fixed.
3. Number of seats. Product sizes.
4. Purpose of products. Relaxation is the main purpose, but for which room there are many options.
5. Price. Expensive ones are exclusive, inexpensive ones are factory ones.

It is important to choose a visually beautiful model that will complement the interior, but at the same time allow you to rationally use the space of the room.

By shape

There are quite a lot of product varieties in shape.

• Direct. The most popular sofas. Quite functional, suitable for various rooms: living room, hallway, children's room, study, etc. They have a huge advantage - they are easy to move and oversized. If the mechanism of this product is folding (as a rule, this form is the most common) it is also practical for living space. They laid them out when needed and then put them back, a big saving in square footage for small apartments.

Straight sofas are conveniently installed along the walls, in the center and corners of the room, small compact models can be easily moved around the room.

• Angular. For design purposes it is attractive and effective. Fills a corner void in the house. In addition, it is versatile and practical, it can accommodate up to six guests. The downside of corner shapes is that they can only be placed in a corner; in other places it looks “tasteless”.

Such models successfully occupy unused corner niches; straight backs can be leaned against the walls.

• U-shaped. Popular in modern living rooms. If you place a coffee table in the middle, you can comfortably receive guests and arrange “tea gatherings.”

The U-shaped sofa will fit perfectly into your interior.

• Round. An alternative to the usual straight sofas. This device was popular in the nineteenth century, then rationalism came to replace it. Round products look good in modern apartments; a big plus is that there are no corners, which often become “hazardous areas.”

A round sofa is the central accent in the room.

• Oval. It creates maximum aesthetic pleasure in visual terms, without losing functionality. Universal model.

A comfortable sleeping place and an original solution for the living room.

• Other. There are many options: pebbles, piano, inflatable, lips, etc.

By purpose

There are sofas that are suitable for a specific room, and only there they will look elegant:

• For the living room. Multifunctional products - creating a visual effect and practicality for entertaining guests.
• Office. Creating a homely atmosphere at work is always pleasant for the team and business partners.
• Kitchens. Small in size and pleasant to relax during dinner.
• Children's. Safety is the main thing you need to pay attention to when choosing a sofa. Ottomans and a surface that is easy to clean are quite suitable for children.
• Hallway. Small-sized products are used that do not take up much space.

The shape and design of the sofa is also selected taking into account the purpose of the furniture; the choice of manufacturing material, as well as the total cost of the future product, will depend on this indicator.

By size

The classification according to the number of landing places is as follows:

• double;
• three-;
• four-;
• five, etc.

The dimensions of the sofa mean not only its actual length and width in centimeters, but also the number of seats.
The most popular options are for two or three seats. When purchasing, you don’t need to focus on seating characteristics, because sometimes only one person can fit on a double sofa. It all depends on the size of your guest. It is worth paying attention to the length of the area where the sofa will stand.

Compact models, as a rule, are designed for no more than 2-3 people.

For daily use

If you are choosing a sofa specifically for sleeping, pay attention to models with a durable folding mechanism and orthopedic properties. These can be “Eurobook”, “Tick-Tock”, “Puma”, “Austin”, “High-Rise”, “Dolphin” or “Couch”. Reliable and durable, such mechanisms will last a long time even with constant use.

The sofa for everyday sleep should be comfortable, otherwise you risk waking up with back pain. The surface of the sofas listed above is as comfortable as an orthopedic mattress, so they are suitable for daily sleep. They are indispensable in bedrooms and children's rooms - they save space during the day and are comfortable to sleep on at night.

Many folding sofas replace a double bed, others are designed for one person. So a suitable transformer can be selected for a married couple, a child, or a bachelor.

Types and mechanisms of sofas

Mechanisms for transforming sofas are a very important element that affects the comfort and beauty of the room. The most popular types of sofas by type of transformation are folding and sliding.

The location of possible installation will depend on the type of mechanism and the method of changing the design.

Folding models

“Folding beds” are products that slide out and become a comfortable place to sleep. They are small in size and are perfect for apartments with small square footage. They have proven themselves to be excellent in practice when guests arrive, as a temporary place of rest. After the visitors left, the furniture was put back into the room - it was spacious.

When assembled, sliding models are very elegant and compact, and when unfolded they resemble a folding bed.

Options for folding sofas:

1. Book. Already a classic mechanism familiar to most people. In order to assemble or disassemble, you need to lift the seat, and after clicking, perform further actions. Click-klyak is a sofa subtype of a “book” with the same features.
2. Eurobook. An improved example of a “book”. The seat moves towards itself, and the backrest lowers into the free space. It has significant dimensions when unfolded.
3. American folding bed or Sedaflex. Transformable with a handrail behind the back. You just need to pull the device towards you or up. A huge advantage of such furniture is the absence of joints; when laid out, you get a solid mattress, making it comfortable to sleep. Good products as a guest option for comfortable sleep for visiting friends.
4. French folding bed. Interesting design with removable elements. The pillows and armrests are removed, and then the handrail is used to modify the model.
5. Puma. The principle of operation is that you need to smoothly lift the seat, pull it towards you (there is another part of the seat under it, which, in turn, smoothly transforms).
6. Dolphin is a folding model with retractable structures. Corner furniture shape. To pull out the sofa elements, you need to pull the handle behind the seat, and then unfold it according to the “book” principle.

After the transformation, the front part is installed on special folding supports, the backrest is lowered, and the assembled berth becomes three separate sections.

Fold-out sofas

This option is in demand among consumers. The transformation method is a little more complicated than previous products, but the device itself is reliable in operation. Sleeping places are hidden inside the seat of this model.

Accordion sliding mechanisms are equipped with reliable working elements and have a long service life.

Types of unfolding products:

1. Accordion. A simple transformation, somewhat similar to an accordion. The operating principle is as follows: you need to raise the seat (you need to focus on the click in the mechanism). Then you need to pull the seat towards you (all the way). The joint on such a sofa is not felt during sleep or rest. It can comfortably accommodate two adults and a child.
2. Breeze. A simple device for unfolding, all actions can be done with one hand, the sleeping element is simply pushed out. There is no need to move the breeze away from the wall, all manipulations are extremely easy. It may not be suitable for permanent use; there are several inconvenient joints. Not a bad option for short-term use or recreation.
3. Tango. It’s somewhat similar to a click-clack, only here the seat goes up and then naturally goes down. At this time, the backrest is transformed along with the seat and, thus, a mattress for relaxation is obtained. Interestingly, the armrests can be set at a certain angle. Look great in the interior of a nursery.
4. Eurosophist. The principle of laying out the mechanism is to pull out the linen drawers and place the seat structure on them. A good option for small apartments, as it takes up little space. It's quite comfortable to sleep - you can't actually feel the joints.

Another important advantage is the presence of a cabinet for linen located in the back wall of the furniture.

Couch

A “couch” is a name for small sofas that can be converted into a single bed, but they can be folded out in different ways.

There are two different mechanisms called "couch". The first transforms into a bed, thanks to soft armrests that fold down and form a flat, elongated surface. The second one is similar to the Eurobook layout mechanism. Its side part extends and leaves space under the head of the sofa, which is lowered there.

Even after the transformation, the “couch” takes up little space. Ideal for children's rooms, bedrooms for one person and even loggias, where sometimes you just want to take a nap.

Advantages: - easily transforms into a bed; — there is a compartment for linen; - an option for a small room.

Which mechanism to choose?

Have you decided to buy a new sofa? Which sofa folding mechanism is best to choose depends on your capabilities and preferences. In order to decide on a suitable option, it is worth assessing the operating conditions of the planned purchase in advance:

1. Load.
2. The maximum available area that can be allocated in a room.
3. Frequency of operation.
4. Is it important to have a place to store bed linen in the sofa, since some mechanisms do not provide this function.
5. Direct purpose.
6. Priority: a large sleeping bed or a compact sofa in the corner.

If you approach the purchase with all responsibility, then the chosen furniture will delight you for a long time with its quality, appearance and comfort.
It is also worth considering the fact that sofas with a transformation mechanism in most cases are quite hard and rigid compared to non-folding ones. If buyers, we apologize for being blunt, are overweight, forget about the French folding bed or Sedaflex. If the weight limits are abused, the frame mesh may become detached and become unusable. There is a risk of damage to the wooden slats (in this case, it is better to choose a Eurobook or Puma).

The selected upholstered furniture should be in harmony with the decor and decoration of the room.

In small rooms, pull-out sofas such as breeze, accordion, etc. are mainly installed. If your room has cold walls, then it is better to discard the option of classic books. For large, spacious rooms, a suitable model would be a corner sofa, folding puma or dolphin models.

Comfort is the main indicator for a sofa, but the practical side of the issue is no less important.

Franco-Belgian folding bed (Sedaflex)

It is both easy to use and reliable, which makes Sedaflex an ideal transformation option for more frequent use. The sleeping place turns out to be perfectly flat, without bends or creases, and the folding mechanism itself is made of high-quality metal and therefore lasts a long time.

Reinforced metal frame, metal mesh, the ability to choose a 12-centimeter mattress (PPU or spring), structural rigidity - all this ensures a comfortable and restful sleep. The mechanism can withstand a load of 150 kg. for each bed.

The great advantage of the Sedaflex is that when folded, it has parameters that make the seat flooring as comfortable as possible.

Advantages:

- spacious;

— compact;

- reliable;

— mattress to choose from PPU or PB (spring block).

Types of packing materials

The shape of modern sofas directly depends on the materials used for manufacturing. Based on the type of padding, upholstered furniture can be divided into spring and springless.

The internal component of the spring mechanism consists of spring modules, which are placed in a fabric bag so as not to damage other furniture components. To make the structure softer, it is covered with felt or polyurethane. This technology is still in great demand. Today, such a structure can be found in antique samples and in inexpensive modern sets.

In many ways, their service life, and most importantly, their appearance, will depend on the quality of the padding material.

Springless complexes are constructed from natural or synthetic raw materials. They differ in density. For example, polyurethane foam. The structural features of this raw material include a significant air filler, so the furniture is quite soft and comfortable. Of course, the hardness of polymers is adjusted in each individual case. Foam rubber has a noticeably reduced density compared to the previous sample. This material is most common in padding.

The most practical is latex - an environmentally friendly hypoallergenic material with a porous structure, its service life is more than 10 years.

Latex (quite expensive products) or synthetic fluff (does not cause allergic reactions) are also used. Horse mane is used from natural raw materials.

External material: upholstery. The fabric that is used to cover upholstered furniture must fit into the overall interior of the room. Upholstery materials are very diverse:

• flock;
• chenille;
• tapestry;
• velveteen;
• microfiber;
• jacquard;
• sackcloth;
• leather and substitutes;
• suede, etc.

It is recommended to choose a fabric that is resistant to dirt and stress: matting, velor, flock, jacquard, tapestry.

Click-clack

The “Click-Clack” folding mechanism is a modified version of the traditional “book”. The advanced system provides 3 backrest positions: standard “sitting” and “lying”, as well as an intermediate “reclining” position at a certain angle. The mechanism is simple: you need to remove the cushions, raise the seat and backrest until they click, then lower them down, creating a flat surface.

Advantages:

• Flat, level space to sleep;
• Built-in linen drawer.

Flaws:

• Unfolding requires some effort;
• You need to leave a gap between the sofa and the wall.

How to choose the right sofa

When choosing, you need to consider where the furniture will be placed and whether transformation is needed at all (this is not necessary for an office). Also take into account the characteristics of the flooring material, whether rollers are needed so as not to damage the coating. You definitely need to pay attention to the sofa upholstery.

The upholstery material is presented in a light palette and is devoid of patterns.

Of course, this is a decorative element that attracts and pleases the eye. But you also need to approach it from a practical point of view, how well the fabric can withstand the claws of pets, whether it is difficult to clean, how the material resists contamination, and whether the fabric will fade. If the sofa is installed in the nursery, you need to take into account the possibility of “painting” the furniture in all the colors of the rainbow, and how the material will react to cleaning.

The photo shows a provincial-style living room with a white three-seater sofa.

General rules for choosing a sofa look like this:

1. Decide on the place where the furniture will be placed. Take appropriate measurements.
2. Choose a product style that will fit into the decor of the room.
3. Consider the possible number of visitors who can sit on the sofa.
4. You need to choose the products that you like, and not those that are “trend”.
5. Take into account the transformation capabilities of mechanisms.

To maintain a certain style direction, it is important to choose furniture that emphasizes the unity of the decor.
Choose a sofa to suit your taste, don’t be afraid to experiment, relieve the interior “melancholy”. In addition, do not forget about the practical side; resting after a busy day on pleasant upholstered furniture gives strength for active actions. Just before deciding on a model, read the reviews.

Dolphin

The Dolphin folding system is mainly installed on corner sofas, allowing you to turn comfortable models for relaxation into a large double bed with a spacious sleeping area. The design is simple in execution. Under the seat of the straight part there is a folding mechanism.

Advantages:

• Wide sleeping bed;
• Built-in linen drawers;
• Easy to unfold;
• High reliability.

Flaws:

• Careless use can damage the floor covering.

Detailed description of the “dolphin” mechanism

Tick ​​tock

The Tick-Tock folding system is a modernized version of the Eurobook. The “walking” mechanism, or pantograph, when unfolded, requires the lower part of the sofa to be lifted above the floor, after which it is carefully installed back without damaging the floor covering.

Advantages:

• Simplicity and convenience of transformation;
• Equipping the sofa with an internal storage box.

Flaws:

• Careless use may result in damage to the upholstery on the backrest where it touches the central part of the sofa box.

Detailed description of the tick-tock mechanism

Relax

The original mechanism for folding the seats ensures synchronous advancement of the seat and the front wall when reclining the backrest. As a result, the front wall becomes an additional retractable stand on which you can comfortably place your feet. The chair can automatically adjust to the person, providing comfortable seating and ergonomic posture. Correct posture promotes relaxation, reduced pressure in the knee joints, and even distribution of the load on the cervical vertebrae.

Advantages:

• Formation of correct ergonomic posture when sitting;
• Ease of transformation;
• Reliability and strength of the structure.

Flaws:

• The need for location away from the wall.