How to choose a good sofa

forms sofas

Sofas are:

• straight;
• corner;
• with ottoman;
• modular;
• island.

Direct sofas - a classic. Variations in weight. There are all sizes and colors.

Direct sofas, as well as angular, usually put along the walls and often complement the built-in tables, mini-bar and hinged shelves. At these sofas comfortable to sleep.

Corner sofas should not be equated with sofas with ottoman. In the East, the so-called wide variety of soft ottoman. In our furniture industry under the ottoman understand the protruding part of the sofa. Often without arms, but with a niche for storage.

Modern sofas with ottoman in the interior successfully play the role of angular, saving space of small rooms, and often serve as principal owners berth.

Island sofas can be circular or semi-circular, oval and rectangular. It is expensive and status sofas. They usually do not sleep. They were put in the center of the spacious rooms, to create a recreation area. It is advisable to approach to the "island" has been on all sides.

Modular sofas consist of several parts and can be variously combined. The modules can be used as individual pieces of furniture. As part of the module can be from the beds, but most of these sofas are designed for beauty and relaxation.

Due to the versatility and diversity of modular sofas perfect for studio apartments.

Basic mechanisms of transformation

The mechanism of transformation - a way to the couch layout. The options are many.

When you first come into the store, from a variety of mechanisms of transformation and their whimsical names head is spinning. In fact, everything is simple.

Mechanisms can be divided into folding, rolling out and unfold. The former include the "book" and "evroknizhka" and "click-klyak". To the second - "telescope", "tick-tock" and "Dolphin". Unfolding mechanisms - is the "accordion" and various "clamshell".

Stand out swivel mechanisms. They are used on a large corner sofa: one half turns to the other, forming a wide berth.

Book and evroknizhka

Sofas-books are familiar to all from the Soviet era. Slightly higher seat and get a rectangular bed. To decompose a sofa, it is necessary to move away from the wall. The space under the seat is usually used to store bedding and other things.

"Evroknizhka" - an advanced "book". All the same, only the seat pushed forward on runners. Simple reliable mechanism for daily pickup. This sofa is not necessary to move away from the wall.

Click-klyak

It also upgraded "book", which, in addition to the provisions of "lying" and "sitting" is intermediate options "reclining" and "half-sitting." Sofa "click-klyak" is performed on the metal with wooden battens that are under heavy loads often break. Its better to use Children's or rare overnights guests.

Very similar in appearance and function to sofas mechanism "lit". The difference is that they are not decomposed back - only armrests.

Telescope (withdrawable)

Sleeper sofa telescope consists of three parts. Two of them form the seat and one - back. To its expanded, it is necessary to pull the lower part of the seat back to fold forward and fill the mattress space formed between them. Among the shortcomings: poor sleeper and scratches on the floor with frequent use.

Accordion

This transformation mechanism is based on the principle of an accordion: sleeper, too, it consists of three parts, one of them - the seat, while the other two form a backrest. To expand the "accordion", it is necessary to push forward the seat and put back in the same plane with them.

Sofas with release mechanism on wooden frames with conventional metal hinges and all-metal frames with wooden battens. The first is better often do not decompose, and the latter are suitable for daily use.

Tick-like (pantograph)

This transformation mechanism is very similar to "evroknizhka". Only the "tick-taka" seat striding forward with a spring mechanism. It is more expensive but more convenient option: no wheels, does not scratch the floor nothing. "Tick-tock" is perfect for those who plan to use the sofa as a bed.

Dolphin (kangaroo lifter)

This is a very popular mechanism of transformation. Especially in sofas and corner sofas with ottoman, used to sleep every day.

The principle of operation straightforward: if the layout of the rolls under the seat platform, which is then lifted by means of a special lift mechanism to form a single bed. The reliable lifting mechanism, the longer the sofa.

French, American, Belgian and Italian clamshell

"French clamshell" - a triple flip addition. With the transformation of the sleeper is set forward and set on the arc. But sleep on this couch is quite hard. It is not suitable for daily use. This is a guest option.

"American clamshell" a little more comfortable. There are only two additions, and therefore thicker mattresses, sometimes even with spring blocks. But for the daily sleep it is still not the most convenient option.

"Belgian clamshell" - is not so much the type of mechanism of transformation, a sign of how much the manufacturer. Franco-Belgian furniture company Sedac-Meral produces two- and trohskladnye cots with foam and spring mattresses of different heights. This is the "Belgian clamshell".

"Italian clamshell" has two additions and expanded with soft sofa elements. Unlike other "clamshells" in some models "Italian" is small capacity for storing bedding.

Decide why you need a sofa: sleeping or resting? In the first case it is better to take the "book", "evroknizhka", "tick-tock" or good "dolphin". Everything else - the guest options.

Here is a table that demonstrates the advantages and disadvantages of different types of sofas.

frame

In the production of sofas used metal and wooden frames, and frames of wooden beams with chipboard.

Reliable and durable metal frame, provided that the compounds elaborated by welding, rather than bolted. By the sofa with metal frame fits any interior. If necessary, it can be replaced.

The term of the wooden frame of operation depends on the species and wood quality. It affects the price. Most costly sofas, oak, beech, walnut and ash. More budget options - frames made of birch and softwood.

The wooden frame, the main thing that the wood was smooth and dry. The smaller bumps and knots, the better.

A combination of wooden beams and chipboard - the cheapest option sofa frame. But if the production complied with the technology, and the elements of chipboard treated with special paint, a sofa, too, it will last for many years.

Filler

The backrest, seat, armrests - each sofa element has a filler. Typically, this foam and polyurethane foam. There are also springs and latex.

Sofas, inside which only the foam, most cheap, but less durable. As long as it retains the shape of the sofa with the stuffing from a single piece of foam rubber. But after three or four years, and he prosyadet.

Most manufacturers prefer a pad of polyurethane foam. He is almost the same as low as foam rubber, but is much longer.

Polyurethane foam is a block (sandwich) and a cast. From the first seat, back and other elements of the sofa just stick together. When people talk about the cast polyurethane foam, is meant that in his factory as a liquid poured into a mold, and the output will cast back or arm of the couch.

Most durable, eco-friendly and expensive filler - it's latex. Due to its high elasticity, it repeats the contours of the body and instantly restores the form. However, he is not electrified, resistant to mold and does not cause allergies. The latex is commonly used in expensive furniture with orthopedic bias.

We should also be said about spring blocks. Their presence in the sofa not only add points to the convenience, but also makes the bed more durable and wear-resistant. Of course, provided that you are using very high-quality individual spring units.

Optimal - sofas layered filler and density coefficient different on different sites. The lower layer - the densest, from the top - a thin soft material for maximum comfort.

Upholstery

Sofa upholstery even more than the transformation mechanisms. To describe all need a separate article. Therefore, we consider the most popular options.

Life hacking for those choosing a sofa

1. Decide where you will be sofa. Draw a plan on paper. So the store will be easier to navigate. Calculate whether it would be enough space to walk by the decomposition of the couch.
2. Decide on the sofa function: guest or for daily sleep. Also consider who will sleep on it: a child weighing 40 kg or an adult man per hundredweight. Based on this, select the mechanism.
3. In the store, inspect the mechanism of transformation. Its metal parts must be thicker than 3 mm, carefully painted and reliably connected with each other.
4. Sit or lie down on the couch. Rate filler density. Pay attention to the sounds that emits a sofa with your movements. Creaking - a sure sign of bad glued frame.
5. Pay attention to the evenness of stitches and staples series. It is the nuances that distinguish a conscientious producer of amateur. Look at the back of the sofa. If you plan to put it is not against the wall, and in the center of the room, it should also be carefully upholstered.
6. If the manufacturer's warranty is less than 18 months, choose another.