Front-facing sofas: types, sizes and selection rules

Today on the market there are a great many sofas of various designs and sizes, differing not only in their shape, but also in the materials of manufacture, as well as the purpose. In our article today, we will talk about sofas, which are laid out forward, we will analyze their types and dwell in more detail on how not to make a mistake when choosing this important piece of home interior.

The advantages of a folding sofa are obvious. During the day, this piece of upholstered furniture is folded, so it takes up a minimum of space, saving free space and allowing ergonomic use of the room. Due to the compactness of such furniture and a huge number of different models, you can choose a comfortable sliding sofa according to the size of the room, which easily fits both in a large room and in a small room.

Fold-out sofas are currently in greatest demand since their transformation mechanism is reliable and easy to operate. In addition, such sofas are often equipped with an orthopedic mattress, providing a healthy night's rest. Among the shortcomings of such designs can be called not enough flat berth, consisting of several segments in some models of sofas.

Another important drawback of sofas this is the possibility of damage to the floor or the formation of rolled tracks on the carpet when sliding the movable part. In addition, such designs provide for the presence in front of a large free space.

All transformation mechanisms differ from each other both in terms of user performance and degree of reliability. This is an important parameter that you must pay attention to when choosing the right model, because the durability of upholstered furniture depends on the proper operation of all parts. So, here are the main types of sofa transformation mechanisms:

• folding;

• rolling out (retractable);

• unfolding (rotary).

Folding models are considered the most simple and practical. Among them are such popular types:

This model does not lose relevance, despite the considerable experience of its service. "Book" has the simplest mechanism, which is mounted on straight and angular types of sofas. To put such a sofa into a bed, you need to raise the seat up to a click and lower it - in front of you is a very comfortable bed. Due to its compactness and simple transformation mechanism, “sofa” sofas are very popular among owners of small-sized apartments.

The main disadvantages of this model are the need to move the furniture away from the wall during its unfolding, as well as the fact that the sleeping bed has a joint in the middle between the unfolded seat and back. However, the last drawback can be easily corrected by laying on the surface of the sofa some thick blanket or blanket. All the “books” are equipped with a spacious box for storing bedding, and models with and without armrests are also available.

This is a more modern and improved version of the "book". It will be necessary to tinker a little with it, because the design provides for additional features: the back of the sofa can occupy not only vertical and horizontal position, but also an intermediate “reclining”, sometimes even in two versions, which makes such a sofa much more comfortable and convenient. In addition, the back has sidewalls that can change position and serve as a comfortable support for the head when resting. The armrests of these sofas can also be lowered and raised.

Such a mini-sofa has only one armrest, due to which this thing can be put where even a regular “book” sofa will not go. Due to its compactness, very often couch sofas are placed in children's rooms, allowing as much as possible to free up space for active games of the child. Retractable or sliding models are highly reliable and provide a comfortable night's rest. Among these models, there are both simple and more complex designs.

Belongs to the simplest options of roll-out sofas. Its mechanism is highly reliable and easy to operate. In order to convert this sofa into a place to sleep, it is enough to pull the seat on itself for a special loop, and it will roll forward using the rollers mounted on the underside of the seat. After that, you need to lower the back into the resulting empty space, and the spacious bed is ready for use.

Eurobooks are especially popular because of their simplicity and reliable transformation mechanism.thanks to what such sofas practically do not fail. Among the minuses can be called the existence of a joint on the sleeping surface, as in folding models, as well as the danger of damage to parquet or laminate or the formation of rolled paths on the carpet with the wheels due to the seat being pulled forward.

It is an improved version of the Eurobook. Its difference is that when unfolding, the sliding part does not roll on the floor, but rises, makes a peculiar walking movement and falls to the desired distance, while avoiding damage to the floor covering. Like the “eurobook” model, the seat depth of the “tick-tock” sofas is quite large, which makes the model not quite comfortable when sitting. However, this drawback is solved by the pillows included in the product kit.

This kind of transformation mechanism is usually installed on corner models of upholstered furniture. Such sofas tend to ennoble any room, from the respectable reception director of the company to the usual living room in a small apartment. The design of such sofas is very diverse.

In order to spread out the sofa with the dolphin mechanism, you need to push forward the movable block hidden under the seat, which after that is installed flush with the main surface of the seat, and then lay out the soft part of the sofa in the same way as we did with the sofa book. The berth is very wide and comfortable, the layout is easy, no effort is needed.

The only point to which you should pay close attention when buying such a model is the frame - It should be made of hardwood. Otherwise, due to the heavy load during daily use, this thing will not last long.

The advantage of the model is compactness in the assembled state. Sofas do not require much free space, but when unfolded they form an ideally even wide surface, often equipped with an orthopedic mattress.

The transformation mechanism of such upholstered furniture works by the principle of bellows - it is worth pulling the seat towards you by the special strap, as it is pushed forward, entraining the back of the sofa, which consists of two parts, which unfolds and forms a comfortable place to sleep. The positive aspect of the Accordion model is ease and convenience of its operation, as well as good orthopedic properties of the sleeping surface.

This mechanism is usually placed on premium products, the transformation is easy and simple: the seat rises and moves forward along the arc path, after which it is mounted on special supports. The mechanism is durable and reliable, therefore this high-quality upholstered furniture is very popular. When folded, these models are very compact, and when unfolded they form a wide, even bed with no noticeable joints. Such a transformation mechanism is installed on angular and direct models of sofas.

We conclude our review of models of folding and roll-out sofas with popular types of transformation mechanisms under the general name of “folding bed”. In this series there are several varieties, the most famous of which are:

• "French clamshell";

• “American clamshell” (“sedaflex”);

• "Italian clamshell."

The simplest model is the “French clamshell” which consists of three sections and is laid out by unrolling the parts hidden in the seat forward. This model is not intended for everyday use, since its mechanism is quite unreliable. “American clamshell” is more durable and reliable and has a thick mattress. Such a sofa consists of two sections and when deployed forms a rather comfortable and even bed. "Italian clamshell" is installed on expensive models, is reliable and comfortable, suitable for daily use.

An important role in choosing a sofa is played by how high-quality materials were used for its manufacture. Here, separately, you need to pay attention to the frame of the purchased item, its filler and upholstery.

Frameworks for sofas can be:

• metal;

• wooden;

• combined;

• from chipboard or plywood.

The most durable are metal frames, also quality furniture comes with a solid wood frame. A good option are combined frames. The only drawback of the above materials is their high price. As a compromise, you can choose a model with a frame of multilayer plywood. Particleboard sofas are distinguished by their fragility - such furniture will last a maximum of several years.

The filler material is also very important - both in terms of durability of the structure, and in terms of the impact on human health. The most useful filler material is independent spring blocks with excellent orthopedic properties. Dependent spring blocks are quite reliable and durable, however, sleeping on such a couch can provoke problems with the spine. Interconnected springs tend to stretch and form something like a hammock in the middle of the sleeping surface.

Orthopedic properties have a filler made of polyurethane foam, however, sleep on such a couch may not seem comfortable to everyone because of the stiffness of this material. Most budget models are equipped with a foam or sintepon filler, however, these materials tend to deform quickly, so such sofas are short-lived. Upholstery of sofas is made of various materials, such as:

• leather;

• leatherette;

• matting;

• shenill;

• tapestry;

• flock;

• velours.

The most expensive and valuable material is, of course, leather, however, such sofas are far from suitable for every room. Gunny - dense and durable material, the most suitable for sofas with the optimal ratio of "quality-price". Velor and flock - very popular upholstery fabrics, they are pleasant to the touch and have a wealth of colors, however, they are prone to abrasion in a fairly short time. Tapestry and chenille - the most durable and reliable materials with a fairly high price.

Currently producing sofas of various sizes. Product dimensions depend on its model. The length of standard straight double sofas is usually equal to 250 cm. One and a half-seat sofas are available in lengths from 200 cm. The width of a berth can be very different, but models with a width of 130 cm to 150 cm are more common in compact models, standard sofas can have a width of 170 cm or 180 cm. A large sofa is available from 200 cm wide. Children's mini-sofas can have 120 cm and even 110 cm wide.

In order to choose this necessary and quite expensive piece of furniture, it is necessary to take measurements of your premises, as well as the entrance and interior doors. For a thing to serve the owners for many years, pay attention to the quality of the product. Inspect the seams, they should be smooth and durable. The easiest way to do this is on the armrests, of course, if the armrests are covered with fabric or leather.

Ask the sellers what materials the frame and the filler of the sofa are made of. Sit on the sofa - the seat should be quite comfortable, and after you get out of the sofa, quickly take the previous shape. This fact indicates the quality of the filler. Upholstery should match the interior of your room, be strong enough and easy to clean.

Fold out and fold the sofa several times - the transformation mechanism should work smoothly and easily. Otherwise, refrain from buying this model.

About what are the mechanisms of transformation of sofas, see the video.