How to choose a sofa bed for daily use?

Due to the variety of popular models of sofa beds existing on the modern market, almost everyone has the opportunity to purchase this key piece of home furnishings both as a guest option (in case of a sudden arrival of relatives or as an overnight place for late friends), and for daily use.

In the latter case, a folding sofa bed should meet more stringent requirements for its strength and durability, because, having acquired such an expensive item, we usually expect to use it without problems for many years.

In this article we will talk about the features of sofa beds, consider how to choose a sofa bed for daily use, and also conduct a short review of the best models of this important household item.

Features of modern sofa beds are as follows:

• diverse design thanks to which this piece of upholstered furniture organically fits into any style of interior;
• the opportunity to pick up affordable model since now there are many different materials for making sofas that can both reduce the cost of a specific model and create exclusive luxury sofas;
• variety of sizes, from children's mini-sofas to overall office corner and modular options;
• sofa bed for daily use equipped with a mechanism for its transformation, which varies in design and purpose;
• in a small apartment, such sofas are equally well suited for the bedroom, living room, nursery and, in some cases, even for the kitchen;
• for a full night sleep are provided modern models with orthopedic mattress, which is a big plus for the prevention of diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

It is necessary to be guided when choosing a sofa bed for daily use by such an important criterion as the quality of the materials from which the basic structural elements are made.

Let's look at which categories of upholstery materials for upholstered furniture are the most practical and reliable. The generally accepted classification is as follows:

• 0 - fragile natural or synthetic fabrics, the most affordable, unpretentious care, such as cotton and others;
• 1 - this category has the same properties as the previous one, but such fabrics are more durable and resistant; this includes flock and velveteen;
• 2 - even more dense and wear-resistant fabrics, belonging to the middle price category, have a more interesting design and a variety of shades and patterns;
• 3 - heavier fabrics, difficult to manufacture, requiring special care; these include nubuck, textured fabrics and others;
• 4 - a category of materials of special strength, such as chenille, tapestry, suede and others; starting from this category, one can really talk about the optimal quality of upholstery materials corresponding to the optimal price;
• 5 - natural materials, characterized by increased strength, soft and pleasant to the touch; here you will find a wide variety of patterns; fabrics of this category need constant care;
• 6 - expensive wear-resistant materials designed for daily use;
• 7-8 - premium materials, for example, genuine leather.

The filling of the sofa for a dream also has a significant impact on how much you will be pleased with this purchase in the future. The advantages of sofa beds include the fact that there’s no need to buy a mattress, After all, the design of sofas already provides a mattress. Well, if it is a mattress with orthopedic properties, which will protect against diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The cheapest models of sofa beds are equipped with foam or synthetic winterizer filler mattresses. Such sofas quickly lose their original qualities, as these materials are easily deformed.

A good option for a sofa filler is polyurethane foam or latex. Both of these materials are hypoallergenic and have sufficient elasticity, so a bed of sleep from these materials will have a beneficial effect on your health. Sofas with such fillers are also quite affordable.

The most healthy fillers for sofas are considered spring blocks. However, there are also some nuances here. Mattresses on dependent spring blocks are a more affordable option when compared to mattresses filled with independent spring blocks. And here the price is also directly related to quality: dependent blocks do not protect the sofa from sagging, while the spine bends in an arc while lying on such a sofa, which leads to health problems. In addition, over time, such a mattress forms in the middle something like a hammock, since the springs quickly wear out and weaken, and it is impossible to fix such a mattress.

Independent spring blocks are the best filler for sofa beds suitable for daily use. These blocks are not interconnected, each spring is placed in a special cover, so it is possible to replace the failed elements of the mattress.

The properties of the frame also directly affect the durability and orthopedic suitability of your sofa. The best material for the frame is hardwood, such as beech, oak or alder. Wooden-based sofas can last a very long time, moreover, this material is environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic. However, the prices for such sofas are quite high, therefore as a compromise, you can choose a sofa with a frame of birch or pine. These materials are cheaper because such tree species are widespread.

Sofas are highly durable on a metal frame but although they are very durable, but at the same time they are very bulky and heavy. You can choose an intermediate option - combined frame. It consists of metal, wooden parts, as well as elements from chipboard. This is a budget option, but furniture on such a frame will fail after several years of heavy use.

The quality of the sofa bed is also influenced by which transformation mechanism is installed on a specific model. The mechanism for daily use must combine the reliable operation of all its components, as well as the ease of operation. Since it is necessary to lay out and assemble such sofas twice a day, it is necessary that all parts are distinguished by durability and reliability.

There are several types of mechanisms. It is worth considering them in more detail.

Folding transformation mechanisms are installed on the simplest and most outdated models of sofa beds. Let us consider in more detail the known solutions.

• "Book". To lay out such a sofa, you need to raise the seat 90 degrees, after which there should be a click - you can lower the seat back. A fairly wide berth is formed with a gap in the middle between the two halves of the sofa. This design is the simplest, but not too reliable.

• "Click-gag" - the name of the design is given for the sound that makes the transformation mechanism when folding sofas. This is an improved model of the “book”, its feature is that the back can occupy an intermediate position between “sitting” and “lying”. In addition, these sofa beds are equipped with position-changing sidewalls and reclining armrests.

Such mechanisms also include retractable ones. Consider popular and well-known solutions among the widest segments of the population.

• Eurobook. Despite the similarity in names, the transformation mechanism of such sofas works in a completely different way than for folding “books”. To turn the Eurobook into a full-fledged place of night sleep, you need to pull the seat forward, and it will roll out to the right distance on special rollers. In the resulting empty space we lower the back of the sofa, under which there are roomy drawers for storing various things, and a quite comfortable bed is ready.

• "Accordion" - a very well-established transformation mechanism. The process of unfolding such a sofa is reminiscent of the stretching movement of the bellows of the accordion: you just have to pull the seat for the loop specially designed for this purpose, and it will move forward, dragging the back, which is initially folded in half, which straightens out and forms a flat bed, without joints. Such sofas are often equipped with an orthopedic mattress.

• "Dolphin" - Another popular pull-out mechanism for sofas, which is usually installed on corner models.Like a dolphin emerging from the water, the seat extends forward with one movement of the hand and, with the help of a lifting mechanism, is installed flush with the main surface of the sofa. The bed is very spacious and even.

• "Clamshells" French and American are also equipped with a pull-out mechanism, but their design is such that these models are more suitable as a guest option. The American clamshell is equipped with a steel frame and a metal grill, which makes it more durable than the French version, so its daily use is allowed. Neither one nor the other "folding beds" do not provide for a box for storing bedding.

Swivel mechanisms are mainly used. for modular upholstered furniture, but since such sofas are usually not used for sleep - they are placed in large rooms where it is convenient to distinguish various zones and equip them in a single style - we will not consider such transformation mechanisms in detail.

Folding mechanisms with a lifting element or walking mechanisms are also quite popular.

• Tick-tock or pantograph. The difference between this model is that the seat does not go forward on wheels, often damaging the laminate or fluffy carpet, but at the initial stage it rises, then extends to the desired distance and is installed on special supports. Further, everything happens in the same way as in the case of the "Eurobook" - the seat or pillows fall down, and the berth is at your service.

• Puma - silent mechanism of transformation of sofas. It is installed on expensive models of this upholstered furniture.

There are certain standards for the size of a sofa bed for daily use. For a night's rest to be complete, it is necessary to have free space of at least 140 cm in width and 200 cm in length per one person. Accordingly, for two, the width of the sofa bed is considered optimal from 180 cm, although a small straight sofa intended for a small apartment can deviate from these rules and have a width of 115-120 cm and even less if we are talking about a folding children's mini-sofa .

Let us dwell in more detail on the top of the three best models of sofa beds in Russia, having the highest quality.

• Moon trade - A very democratic and at the same time high-quality model with an orthopedic mattress. The mechanism is “eurobook”, the filler is a spring block. This model is durable and reliable.

• Ascona Family - a very reliable and durable option. The sofa is presented on a combined frame made of metal and birch. As the upholstery material used matting.

• Montreal Hoff - The spring block provides a healthy sleep and an even load on the spine. The model is characterized by ease of folding, stylish design and soft velor upholstery.

To choose the right sofa bed for every day, you must carefully read all the characteristics of the model you like. You need to make sure that it fits well into the space of your room, so before going to the store you must make all the necessary measurements and add an extra 10-15 cm on each side.

If you are the owner of a small room, we suggest paying attention to direct models of sofas, which are distinguished by their compactness, while at night they are laid out in a very comfortable bed. To this option of upholstered furniture brought the greatest possible benefit, it is better to choose a model with an orthopedic mattress with anatomical properties.

You must choose a quality material for upholstery. Leather will give your room seriousness and respectability, but for every day it is better to choose a less expensive and more pleasant to the touch upholstery option, for example, from mixed fabrics. You can advise you to buy a plain sofa for the bedroom, since this color is calmer, which is in perfect harmony with the atmosphere of the night room, and more brand, which makes it unsuitable for placement in the nursery or living room. It’s also worth considering that the fabric with the pattern makes slight impurities invisible, therefore it is the most practical.

Before you buy this expensive thing, make sure that the mechanism of its transformation works “like clockwork” - there should be no jamming and excessive effort on your part. In the future, these problems will only worsen, no matter what the sellers interested in selling low-quality goods say. Try to lie on your favorite model of a sofa bed, evaluate how comfortable, roomy and suitable it is for a constant night's sleep.

Pay attention to the seams - if the thread is thick and strong, the seam is even and without loops - it means that you have a high-quality thing. If this is not so, it is likely that this model is a product of artisanal production. Take an interest in additional opportunities of a sofa bed - whether it is equipped with wide wooden armrests or tabletops, as well as drawers for storing linen, because this is a very useful and very functional element.

Let's see some beautiful pictures of sofa beds for sleeping, harmoniously blending into any interior style - from classic to high-tech.

• Sofa with the Eurosof mechanism in an interior under the classics.

• Sofa in american classic style.

• Sofa couch in the art deco style.

• Dark Scandinavian style sofa.

• Corner sofa in the living room in the loft style.

• Small high-tech sofa.

See how to choose a sofa transformation mechanism in the next video.