A kitchen with a sofa is a little more than just a kitchen. This is a full-fledged miniature dining room, a little living room, and in some cases even a bedroom. In any case, the sofa makes the kitchen cozier, more comfortable and convenient.
However, choosing a sofa for the kitchen is more difficult than simple chairs and even more so stools, because you need to take into account different parameters: design, capacity, reliability of the design, practicality of the upholstery.
Is a corner sofa comfortable in kitchen design?
The convenience of a corner sofa in the kitchen is difficult to overestimate. This is a place for complete relaxation and a comfortable, leisurely meal. Sometimes it serves as a space divider into zones, separating the work area from the dining room.
A corner sofa allows you to functionally use the most difficult area - the corner, thereby saving space.
A small sofa is designed for 3-4 people, which allows a small family to have a pleasant time at dinner together.
Types of sofas
Here are the criteria that characterize kitchen furniture:
- Form.
- Functional content.
- Frame material.
- Filler composition.
- Upholstery material.
- External jointing.
- Decorative components.
- Additional accessories.
When choosing a sofa for the kitchen, you need to familiarize yourself with all its characteristics
The shape is clear: an L-shaped or corner sofa for a small kitchen is what you need. And you need to get acquainted with the remaining characteristics.
L-shaped sofa in the kitchen interior
According to their functional content, the products are divided into: ordinary, folding and combined. A type of folding sofa with internal pull-out shelves for storing food. For small rooms of 3-4 square meters (Khrushchev buildings), such a product will find a unique application.
Corner sofa for the kitchen with storage space
The size of the kitchen space affects the choice of upholstery material. The larger the room, the more difficult it is to stain the back or seat of furniture. In small kitchens, flooding the sofa will not be difficult.
For a small kitchen it is better to choose a sofa with leather upholstery
The choice of filler determines the service life, ease of use, rest, and tactile sensations. Along with upholstery, the filling determines the maximum service life. These two characteristics are the most important.
The comfort and service life of the sofa depend on the type of filler
The corner sofa frame can be made from:
- plywood;
- chipboard;
- wood;
- metal
The frame for a corner sofa can be made of various materials
Each frame material is good and strong. Here the wear resistance will be determined by the quality of assembly and manufacturing of components. Plywood is as reliable as metal, if the manufacturer took care and did not skimp on assemblers and preparation. Therefore, the service life of furniture does not depend on the frame. The only exceptions are the movable/folding parts of the sofa. The fittings used here must be of high quality and must be certified.
When buying a sofa for the kitchen, ask about the quality certificate
See alsoChair covers for the kitchen; photo.
Advantages and disadvantages
One of the main advantages of this type of kitchen upholstered furniture is its compactness. The features of its installation allow you to either occupy a corner or effectively zone the space.
You just need to place it opposite the kitchen unit, and on one side of the kitchen you will have a work area, and on the other, a relaxation area.
If the sofa is turned with its back to the kitchen unit, it will serve as the boundary between the eating area and the area for cooking.
You can opt for more intricate models of sofas with drawers or folding seats, under which you can store small rarely used items.
There are models supplemented with shelves separating the backs. You can put decorative elements on them.
It is also believed that the use of sofas allows you to keep the walls clean for longer.
When the table is placed close to the wall, there is a high probability that it may be splashed with spilled drinks.
However, buying a sofa is a responsible undertaking that needs to be approached with the utmost care, especially if the kitchen is small.
In addition to the interior factor, when new furniture has to fit into an existing or planned design, it is necessary to correctly correlate the dimensions with the dimensions of the kitchen and kitchen units.
Design combination
Corner furniture in the kitchen is combined with interior elements. These are walls, floor, ceiling, kitchen unit. The color and design are selected appropriately. For a wooden frame, with varnished facades, classic styles will suit you. This is old England, Provence, Scandinavian. The latter is a modern phenomenon in old age. Suitable for any type of room.
Corner sofa in the kitchen in Provence style
The upholstery is chosen in color similar to other textile elements of the room. If there are curtains, curtains, drapes or a separate lambrequin, the shade is similar. Floor carpets, rugs and other textiles also participate in this rule. Decor in the form of separately hanging colorful towels to match the sofa would be appropriate.
See alsoWhite kitchen in the interior: design features with a twist
What are the corner sofas for the kitchen?
The variety of sofas offered on the modern market is amazing. Many models have been developed, including transformable ones, differing in the degree of convenience, functionality and design.
Classic corner sofa
A sofa in a classic style is just a godsend for small kitchens. This model can often be seen complete with a table and a pair of stools.
This model does not have armrests, which will make it difficult to pass between the table and the sofa, and is often easy to assemble independently.
Unlike chairs, it is much more comfortable. As a rule, to save space, seats are made narrow: the standard seat width is 60 cm, and if you need to choose a more compact option, you can find models with a seat width of 40 cm.
The most popular for modern kitchens are universal sofas that can fit into any interior style.
Modern furniture in the mid-price category, as a rule, has a neutral appearance, but you can emphasize the stylistic unity of the kitchen using the color and texture of the upholstery.
Corner sofa bed
In a small apartment, a common problem is accommodating overnight guests. A corner kitchen sofa with a sleeping place will help out.
It is the corner configuration that can provide a larger sleeping area. It is very important that in the kitchen it is possible to place a sofa bed, one of whose sides is 180-200 cm long.
As a rule, it is impossible to lie down and sleep on a classic sofa due to the small width of the seat.
For a sleeping place you need at least 70 cm, so these sofas are made as folding ones. In stores you can choose furniture with different types of transformation into a sleeping place.
For a compact sofa, the dolphin-kangaroo mechanism is most suitable. The sleeping place extends out from under the seat, while the short one remains static. The mechanism is reliable and takes up little space.
Sofas with a book or click-clack mechanism are also popular. Konrad or Verona mechanisms make it possible to make the sleeping area wider.
The French cot provides perhaps the largest sleeping area.
Corner sofa with additional drawers
The distance of the sofa from the floor to the seat is 40-45 cm. The thickness of the seat takes no more than 5-10 cm with a layer of filling. The remaining space can be used to store kitchen utensils.
In any kitchen there will always be things that you don’t know where to put. A very convenient place is a box under the seat.
The most common solution is a reclining seat. Lifting the seat gives access to a spacious storage compartment. You can put large pots, a bag of bags, and cookbooks in this drawer.
There are options for kitchen sofas that have drawers under the seats. However, you can certainly only store rarely used items there, since you can only access them by moving the table away.
What to do if the standard corner is not suitable
If the dining room is too small or, on the contrary, very spacious, it can be furnished with custom-made furniture. For example, a corner in the kitchen of a large private house may have increased parameters and a set of additional seats. For miniature rooms, compact corners with folding tables are often ordered.
The advantage of an individual order is that it allows you to install a set of the required area and equip a non-standard kitchen with the highest quality possible, so that it turns out comfortable, functional and beautiful.
What to look for when choosing a corner sofa for the kitchen
Upholstery
The specificity of using a soft sofa is that there is a high probability of contamination of the upholstery with fats or difficult-to-remove dyes.
The resistance of the upholstery material to dirt and the ability to clean are a significant factor.
The most practical material is eco-leather or genuine leather, from which any dirt can be easily wiped off with a napkin. But not everyone loves leather - in hot weather, sitting on it in shorts is not particularly comfortable.
Fabric upholstery - jacquard, velor and others - is perfect for a kitchen sofa. Flock is a good durable material that does not absorb water and dirt well. The best option is if the fabric has a protective impregnation.
If you have a pet at home that can damage the fabric, it is better to choose more durable materials with anti-vandal properties - flock, microsuede, microfiber.
Filling
People usually sit on a kitchen sofa just like a chair, so hard materials are used for padding. Spring structures can only be found in models with a berth.
Most often, polyurethane foam is used for padding; in inexpensive models, even foam rubber. Foam rubber can be sold out in two years, then it will have to be replaced.
A good material for stuffing is holofiber. Outwardly, it looks like small padding polyester balls. Holofiber does not absorb moisture, mold does not grow in it, and retains its original shape for a long time.
Frame
The lifespan of a sofa depends largely on the strength and reliability of the frame. The metal frame is heavier than wood, so it is not often used in the kitchen. The wooden frame is durable and reliable.
You can opt for plywood, which will also last a long time. The most budget option is laminated chipboard. However, keep in mind that it can quickly get wet from below from spilled liquid.
Size
Most standard sizes look like this:
- a standard sofa has a length of 110-140 cm, a sleeping sofa should have a length of 180-200 cm;
- the seat height is usually 40-50 cm, and the depth is 50-70 cm. With these dimensions you can sit quite comfortably;
- The back height is usually 80-95 cm, but can reach 100 cm in standard models.
Of course, the most convenient for a specific kitchen will be a sofa made to individual sizes.
Color
The color of the sofa is selected in accordance with the general principles of furniture selection. First you need to decide: you want a single-color sofa or a patterned one. This usually depends on the style of the interior.
Sofas with patterns are suitable for classic kitchens, sofas with patterns for ethno, and monochrome models for minimalism and hi-tech.
As a rule, in the kitchen the sofa can act as a color accent. Bright colors - red, yellow, orange increase appetite.
- A monochrome sofa in a kitchen with bright walls can be matched to the same shade.
- If the walls are a neutral color, then the sofa can be chosen in a neutral, but different color.
- If the walls are bright, the sofa can be contrasting - this is a good solution for youth interiors.
- A neutral sofa set against bright walls will add balance to a dynamic interior.
Popular models and sizes
The range of sofas today is huge, furniture products are presented in a variety of configurations, designs, dimensions and colors. It is worth purchasing this or that model with an eye on the area of the room and the features of its design. Properly selected upholstered furniture will give the kitchen a special coziness and transform it.
Direct
Modern straight sofas in the kitchen look quite ordinary. It should be borne in mind that they are only suitable for a spacious room. If the furniture does not fold out, a free space is created under the seat - you can put all kinds of kitchen utensils that are rarely used there. From the outside, a straight model will not differ radically from a similar sofa located in the living room.
The advantages of such furniture include functionality and convenience, a wide range of textures and colors. The disadvantage is that they take up too much space in the room. Often such sofas are part of a kitchen set along with chairs and a table. The average parameters of this model are: width from 1 to 1.5 m, depth - 50–60 cm.
Design and features of the Ikea Solsta sofa, pros and cons of the product
Corner
Most often, a sofa in a small kitchen is a corner structure, so it can be installed in a room of any configuration. This furniture is functional thanks to the deep hidden box. Even if the sofa is small, it will fit the same amount as a standard wall cabinet. This is a big advantage for a small kitchen.
The model is as compact as possible; some varieties can even be attached to the wall. Often such a sofa in the kitchen interior functions as a dividing line between the dining area and the cooking area.
A kitchen design with corner sofas can be anything from timeless classics to glamorous art deco.
The advantages of such models include:
- the possibility of creating a full-fledged dining area;
- the presence of additional drawers for storing things;
- spaciousness - the whole family can comfortably sit on comfortable seats.
Many users consider hard backs to be a disadvantage, arguing that they have to maintain their posture while eating. In addition, the cost of corner sofas is often high.
The minimum height of such models is 55 cm, depth is no more than 60 cm. The length depends on the number of seats provided by the manufacturer. It is determined at the rate of at least 80 cm per person. The minimum backrest height is 30 cm.
Sofa-couch
This model also looks good in the kitchen interior. It is comfortable, stylish and functional furniture that can be placed along a free wall. The main advantages are lightness and ergonomics.
A kitchen with a sofa of this model is very convenient, since a tired housewife can lie down for a while while dinner is being prepared in the oven. In addition, couches can serve as a sleeping place for guests. Significant disadvantages are that the upholstery of the sofa often absorbs the smell of food and gets very dirty.
Sofas-couches are distinguished by size, as well as the dimensions of the seat (it can be wide or narrow). The length of the models ranges from 180 to 200 cm. When folded, this parameter is at least 130 cm. There is no need to leave a lot of free space around the furniture, since during transformation the depth remains unchanged and does not exceed 80 cm.
Semicircular
Graceful semicircular models are usually complemented by seats curved in the form of a subtle or clearly defined arc. Furniture experts recommend placing a sofa of this shape in a large kitchen. Among the advantages of the model:
- convenience;
- exclusive appearance;
- capacity.
Manufacturers often increase the functionality of semicircular sofas by adding storage niches, armrests and shelves that can be used as a bar counter. Some modifications transform into a full-fledged sleeping place. The width of such sofas starts from 120 cm, the minimum depth is 70 cm.
The only drawback of semicircular models is their impressive size; such furniture will not fit in a small kitchen.
Folding
A kitchen with a folding sofa is another modern trend. This is a convenient and practical solution that provides additional sleeping space, coziness and comfort. Moreover, such models can only be installed in spacious rooms, since when disassembled the design provides quite large dimensions for a kitchen.
Standards and variations in sizes of corner sofas of all popular shapes
Folding sofas are equipped with the following types of transformation mechanisms:
- Eurobook. It unfolds as simply as possible: you need to pull the lower platform towards you and lower the backrest into the free space.
- Accordion. To transform the sofa, you need to slightly lift the seat and pull it towards you.
- Cot. Transforms in several steps. First, the cushions are removed from the seat, then the structure itself is removed from the inside along with the mattress.
The folding bed cannot withstand frequent transformation, so it is not suitable for daily use.
When assembled, the length of the folding sofa is 120–150 cm. The size of the sleeping place varies from 170 to 200 cm. The width is 90–140 cm. The optimal seat depth is 80 cm.
Eurobook
Accordion
Cot
How to choose
A good corner sofa should not overload the kitchen. At the same time, the whole family should fit on it at the same time.
Before purchasing, measure the parameters of the kitchen and estimate the location of the sofa so that it does not interfere with movement around the work area.
Decide what functionality you need - whether you need a sleeping area and additional storage areas.
When buying a sofa, be sure to sit on it and evaluate the degree of its comfort. The sofa should not wobble, it should be stable. All other parameters depend on the purchase budget and interior style.
How much does it cost and the best manufacturers
Each region, as a rule, has its own choice of manufacturers of kitchen sofas for any budget.
In Moscow, furniture factories such as Seventh Carriage, Magnat Furniture, Palitra, Komandor, Premium, Leader, MFA, etc. are better known.
In terms of price, you can buy the most inexpensive options even from 5,000 rubles. As a rule, these are the most compact corner models with 2 seats without a table and chairs included.
From 6,000-7,000 rubles you can purchase compact sofas with a small table (round or square) with two stools included.
To create such furniture, inexpensive materials are used - chipboard, leatherette, foam rubber. However, with proper handling, such furniture can last up to 5-7 years.
In the mid-price category from 15,000 rubles and above, you can purchase good quality solid wood sofas with practical upholstery, complete with a table and a couple of stools.
If you want to buy a corner sofa with a sleeping place, you need to be prepared to shell out an amount of 20,000 rubles.
Of course, in the premium segment there is a large selection of sofas costing from 30,000 rubles, 50,000 rubles and even more. As they say, if there was money, there would always be a choice.
