How to choose a sofa for sleeping for every day – expert advice

Household products

A well-chosen sleeping sofa can help you save space in your home, accommodate guests and even create a play area for children. But in order to find a high-quality furniture product on which you can not only relax, but also sleep, you should take into account the features of its design, size, upholstery and filler material and other nuances. We will tell you how to do this in our article.

choosing a beautiful sofa

The best sofa manufacturers

To select durable and reliable furniture products, give preference to trusted manufacturers. The most popular brands in our country are:

  1. HomeMe;

  2. Anderssen;

  3. MebelVia;

  4. Heggi;

  5. Bellus;

  6. Art furniture;

  7. Hoff;

  8. Furniture Service.

Buyers note that sleeping sofas from these manufacturers are reliable, easy to use and durable. These products can withstand heavy loads and ensure good sleep due to the design features of the sofa mattress.

Arrangement of various sofas

All sofas consist of:

  1. Frame;

  2. Upholstery;

  3. Soft elements (backrests, armrests, etc.);

  4. Transformation mechanism (in transforming sofas).

The strength characteristics and durability of the sofa depend on the material from which the frame is made, and the appearance of the product depends on the upholstery material. The transformation mechanisms, in turn, ensure the 'transformation' of the sofa into a bed. They come in different types, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

Transformation mechanisms

Draw-out mechanism

Draw-out mechanism

Such products consist of several parts. To unfold the sofa, you need to pull the seat towards you and put or throw the mattress into the resulting empty space.

The roll-out locking mechanism is considered one of the most practical and durable. Even children can decompose it. In the 'bed' state, the surface of the product is lower than its surface when folded. Therefore, it can be used for children – it will be easier for the cub to climb into its crib. Such a sofa also has disadvantages – not all models have boxes for linen, and scratches from the wheels may remain on the floor covering.

Book and Eurobook

eurobook

The 'books' sofas fold out into the bed when the seat is raised until it clicks and lowered back. It is one of the simplest and most durable nesting mechanisms and is suitable for frequent use. However, the 'book' should be placed at a certain distance from the wall (approximately 15–20 cm) so that it can be transformed into a bed. Or you will have to move it away from the wall every time you need a sleeping place. In addition, depressions or projections may form at the junction of the seat and backrest, which will make sleeping uncomfortable.

Eurobook is a modernized book sofa. To transform the sofa into a bed, you need to push the seat forward and lower the back to the empty space. The Eurobook provides a wide sleeping area, but over time, joints can form on it that interfere with sleep.

Under the sofas with the 'book' and 'eurobook' locking mechanism, there are spacious compartments designed to store various things.

Accordion

Accordion

This product consists of three modules that are assembled and laid out like an accordion. To unfold it, you need to raise the seat and pull it towards you. As a result, the headboard will become part of the bed. The surface of the resulting bed has no joints, so it is very comfortable to sleep on it.

Most accordion models are 'modest' when folded, ideal for small spaces, studio apartments, etc. However, when unfolded, they take up a lot of space. All this must be taken into account when planning the interior.

Dolphin

Dolphin

The dolphin sofa is suitable for daily sleep. It has a special platform at the base, which is located under the seat when assembled. To transform the sofa into a bed, you need to extend this platform, pull it up and set it flush with the seat.

If it is a corner sofa, then in its side section there is a niche for bed linen and other things.

Click-clack

Such furniture products are not suitable for permanent use. They have a complex transformation mechanism that can break under heavy loads. These products unfold and fold like a book, but have several additional backrest positions. Thanks to this, the sofa can be 'reclining'.

Such products have a flat sleeping surface, without protruding joints or depressions. Therefore, it is convenient to sleep on them. But the 'click-clack' sofa, like the 'book', should not be placed right next to the wall.

Lit

In the 'lit' sofa, only the armrests can be expanded, thereby increasing the length of the surface. The width of the berth does not change. With daily use, such products break quickly.

Cot

Folding sofas are French and American. Both are not designed for daily use, because have too unreliable transformation mechanism and thin mattresses. Sleeping on such sofas is uncomfortable and hard. In addition, they are not equipped with boxes for linen, and their sleeping surface has a minimal orthopedic effect, i.e. with prolonged use, it can negatively affect the human musculoskeletal system.

Types of sofas

Straight sofa

Straight sofa

Straight sofas are versatile models that fit well into any decor. They can be placed both against the wall and in the center of the room. They are suitable for residential and office environments and come in a wide variety of sizes. These sofas often have hidden compartments under the seat in which to store pillows, bedding, and other items.

Advantages

  • A wide variety of models;

  • Can have any folding mechanism;

  • You can choose for any type of interior;

  • When folded they take up little space;

disadvantages

  • To accommodate a large company, you will have to use additional furniture. The standard size sofa can only accommodate 3-4 people;

  • Many models 'require' additional space. For example, 'books' should be placed at a short distance from the wall, and other furniture should not be in front of the 'facade' of the roll-out model.

Corner sofa

Corner sofa

Corner sofas for sleeping are L-shaped, so they can accommodate a large company. They help create coziness in the home and are often equipped with special niches for things that can be located under the seat and in the side 'wing' of the furniture product.

Advantages

  • Seats a large number of people;

  • Large sleeping place;

  • Modular models are easy to transport;

disadvantages

  • The cost of a corner sofa is higher than a straight one;

  • Take up a lot of space.

Sofa upholstery

Both artificial and natural materials can be used as upholstery. The most popular ones are:

  1. Jacquard is an expensive and noble material. It is not afraid of moisture, is resistant to mechanical damage and retains its original appearance for a long time. However, it does not 'like' direct sunlight and requires dry cleaning.

  2. Velor – gives a beautiful and stylish appearance to furniture products. It is pleasant to the touch and provides good air circulation. However, this material gets dirty quickly, and it is difficult to remove dirt. In addition, it wears out quickly, and after 5–7 years of operation, the velor upholstery may become unusable.

  3. Flock is one of the most popular and practical materials. Outwardly, it is similar to velor, but has better strength and lower cost. This is a moisture resistant material – if you pour water on it, it will not be absorbed, but will 'scatter' in small droplets along the surface. These droplets can be simply removed with a napkin or cloth. What's more, the flock is tear-resistant and can withstand the 'attacks' of pets. This material also has disadvantages. It builds up static electricity and collects dust. In addition, the structure of the fabric is disturbed when treated with alcohol-containing agents, and the material itself absorbs odors.

  4. Chenille is a durable, durable and soft material. It is made from both artificial and synthetic threads. It has a long service life (more than ten years), does not fade and retains its presentation for a long time. However, this material is sensitive to holds, so you shouldn't choose it if you have a pet. In addition, chinillum upholstery quickly gets dirty and dry cleaning should be used to get rid of the stains. You can also use a small amount of soapy water or a mild detergent.

  5. Genuine leather is an expensive and not practical option. While leather upholstery can last for decades, provide optimal air circulation, and withstand temperature surges, it can easily be damaged by pets' claws, abrasive detergents, direct sunlight and even plain water. It 'requires' special attention and care – processing with special agents, maintaining a certain air humidity in the room, dry cleaning. Moreover, it is uncomfortable to sleep on the upholstery made of genuine leather (as well as artificial leather) – it is very slippery.

  6. Eco-leather is similar to natural leather. It is breathable, soft and pleasant to the touch. It is easy to look after her. However, it quickly wears out, gets dirty and becomes unusable. It should not be bought in a home with children or animals.

  7. The mat has a rough texture similar to that of burlap. But it is softer and more pleasant to the touch. Can be made from various materials: cotton, linen, silk and synthetic fabrics. It is easy to care for – dry and wet cleaning is allowed. In addition, it has high strength, affordable cost and long service life. However, it is not worth buying it in a house where there are cats.

  8. Courtesan, microfiber and scotchguard are considered vandal-proof materials. They have dust and dirt repellent properties, resistance to hooks and other mechanical damage. They can be used in a house where pets live.

Options for choosing a sofa for home

sofa selection criteria

Additional options

When buying, pay attention to whether the sofa has a storage compartment. This will save you some space in the apartment. The niche can be located both under the seat and in the armrest of the sofa. The drawers located in the armrests are much smaller than the drawers located under the seat. Consequently, less things are placed in them.

Remember that almost all French and American folding beds, as well as some models of sofas with a roll-out mechanism, are not equipped with boxes for linen.

Dimensions

The dimensions of the sofa must be selected according to the size of the room. Straight products take up less space than corner products. However, corner models fill in the empty corners and create the widest and most comfortable sleeping place for the whole family to lie on. But if the product cannot be disassembled into modules, it may be difficult to move. In addition, the sofa may not fit into the doorways of your apartment.

Also keep in mind that convertible sofas in the 'bed' state take up more space than when folded. Therefore, other furniture cannot be tightly moved to them.

Frame

The frame of the sofa can be made of wood, metal, chipboard and plywood.

  1. Wooden models are made of oak, walnut, beech, ash – these are some of the most durable materials. Birch and pine can be used in the production of economy class furniture. These materials are more readily available but less reliable. Moreover, after some time of operation, the pine frame begins to creak.

  2. The metal base is highly durable and reliable. But here, too, there are some nuances. If the frame fasteners are connected using bolts, rather than welding, they, like pine, can begin to creak. In addition, the use of bolts negatively affects the reliability of the structure.

  3. The most budgetary option is chipboard and plywood. These materials have the lowest strength and shortest service life compared to natural wood and metal.

Sofa filler

The sofa for everyday sleep must have orthopedic properties. That is, he must support the musculoskeletal system in a natural position and correctly distribute the load on the body. This is especially true for children. If a child sleeps on a sofa that is too soft or uneven, they can develop scoliosis and other illnesses.

  1. It is desirable that the sofa for sleeping is based on a spring block. Spring blocks are dependent and independent. The dependent spring block consists of springs connected to each other. If you press on one spring, it will affect the neighboring ones. These spring blocks create a hammock effect and sag and creak over time. It is not recommended to choose them for daily sleep and for children.

  2. The independent spring block consists of springs, each of which functions independently of each other. Thanks to this, he can adjust to the curves of the sleeper's body and distribute the load correctly. The sofas with an independent spring block do not creak and have a long service life. Dependent and independent spring blocks are used in combination with other fillers

  3. Latex filler also has good orthopedic properties. It is safe for allergy sufferers, does not accumulate static electricity and retains its shape well. However, sofas with such filling are expensive.

  4. Furniture products, the filler of which is made of ordinary foam rubber, quickly lose their shape and are not suitable for daily sleep. But they are inexpensive. Polyurethane foam (PPU) has the same cost as foam rubber, but has better performance properties. If the filling consists of 'highly elastic PU foam' or 'high-comfort polyurethane foam', then you can sleep on the sofa every day.

Which sofa to choose – practical advice

When buying a sofa for a child, choose products with a wooden frame and practical upholstery that will be easy to care for. At the same time, it is important that the sofa has orthopedic properties and does not have protruding corners and parts that can be injured while playing.

  1. If you have pets, in particular cats, choose upholstery made of flock or other anti-vandal material;

  2. Lie on the couch before purchasing. Make sure you sleep comfortably on it. Unfold and fold the sofa. Pay attention to the elasticity of the filler, the transformation mechanism and the sounds it makes when you sit / lie down on it. If the product creaks, this may indicate non-compliance with the technology in the production of the frame.

  3. Take a close look at the seams and staples on the sofa. They should be smooth and neat. Also pay attention to the back of the back. If you are going to put the product in the middle of the room, it must be upholstered.

The cost of sofas

  1. Straight sofas 'economy class' can be found for 6,000-25,000 rubles, and 'premium class' – from 50,000 rubles. and higher;

  2. Corner sofas are much more expensive than straight ones. Their price varies from 10,000 to 180,000 rubles. On average, a good corner sofa can be found for 25,000-50,000 rubles;

  3. The presence of a frame made of natural wood, upholstery made of natural leather and a transformation mechanism significantly increases the cost of furniture;

  4. A quality sofa for a child can be found for 13,000–40,000 rubles.

In the following articles, our experts tell you how to choose a stylish vase, the secrets of choosing a chandelier for an apartment and the features of choosing curtains for the bedroom, living room, kitchen.


Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.

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