Dolphin Sofas: Features and Tips for Choosing

Folding sofa models have long conquered the market. Such furniture is not only very comfortable, but also multifunctional. This does not prevent sofas with folding mechanisms from becoming a harmonious completion of interior design. In this article we will get acquainted with all the features of models equipped with a mechanism called "dolphin".

Nowadays, the assortment of diverse sofa beds is huge. Each buyer has the opportunity to choose for themselves a product that meets all its requirements and wishes. Many people opt for models with a dolphin mechanism.

From the very beginning of production, the named mechanism was used only in furniture designs of an angular type. Due to this, the furniture was very practical and comfortable, which quickly made it very popular. Thanks to the dolphin mechanism, corner sofas easily transformed into spacious and comfortable sleeping places. Over time, similar systems began to be installed in standard products of a direct structure.

The “dolphin” mechanism per se belongs to the roll-out category. If we are talking about an angular-type sofa, the folding process does not need much free space. The design consists of 2 main parts: one of them is located in the withdrawable section, the second - in the furniture seat.

The transforming mechanism is a very strong and reliable design. Especially durable and practical are modern steel systems fixed on wooden rails. In operation, the mechanism is simple and straightforward. In the process of folding out from under the seat, you need to roll out a couple of blocks (one is recessed in the other). Due to such elementary manipulations, a spacious and comfortable mattress for sleeping is formed.

Thanks to the operation of the springs and levers during the transformation, one of the sections rises and stands at the level with the other, where it is securely fixed. Similar designs are presented in several variations, but the principle of operation is the same for all types.

Sofa beds with folding and pull-out mechanisms are in many homes. Such furniture is in great demand.

Modern furniture designs with a dolphin mechanism have a lot of advantages that make them popular.

• The main advantage of upholstered furniture with a dolphin mechanism is its reliability and durability. Structures of this type usually last a long time, do not require repair.
• The dolphin mechanism itself is surprisingly simple and malleable. It is very easy and convenient to lay out such a sofa. To do this, do not make unnecessary efforts. Even a child or a fragile girl can cope with these procedures without problems.
• After the correct folding, such a sofa easily transforms into a spacious and very comfortable sleeping place. The household sleeping surface is usually wide, there is no shortage of free space.
• In the assembled state, the sofa with the dolphin mechanism is compact, not requiring much free space in the room. This advantage is especially true among owners of city apartments, where often there is not enough free square meters.
• The dolphin mechanism is also good because it is designed for regular folding and unfolding. A sofa with a similar system can be used without fear for quick wear every day, if necessary.
• Sofas with this simple but practical mechanism are affordable. In the furniture stores you can find nice budget models.
• The huge assortment is another significant plus of the products in question. On sale regularly come models of various shapes and colors. Every consumer can find the perfect copy for himself.
• Most modern dolphin sofas with a dolphin mechanism are made from strong and durable materials. Internal mechanical structures made of steel and wood are especially reliable, will not need frequent repairs.

The advantages of upholstered furniture with the mechanism in question attract many buyers who want to purchase a really high-quality, undemanding and wear-resistant product. But before acquiring such a sofa, it is important to familiarize yourself not only with its advantages, but also with its shortcomings.

• For the upholstered furniture characterized by a high location of the sleeping bed. If a person prefers to sleep on structures of low height, such an option will not work at all.
• The heights of the beds in the furniture structure differ. In some models, you can see how a static, fixed half differs from a moving one in its height.
• When operating the sofa mechanism in question, damage to the floor covering in the room often occurs. Of course, they can be avoided, but for this you will have to look for copies with rubberized rollers, or you need to lay a dense carpet.
• Most sofas of this design do not have storage systems and built-in drawers, since all free space is reserved for the roll-out platform itself.
• The sleeping place here can be characterized by different elasticity. This is due to the fact that in most cases the seats are made more rigid compared to the platform itself.

The folding mechanism can be installed in sofas of various modifications. Dolphin is placed in both rectangular and angular models. Let us consider in more detail what their main distinguishing features are.

A straight sofa, the design of which provides a roll-out type of folding, is a popular modification of upholstered furniture. Similar designs are found in many apartments and private homes. They are presented in a huge assortment. Usually direct sofas are placed near one of the free walls in the room.

Direct transformer can have a variety of dimensions. On sale you can find both mini-format models, as well as larger and more spacious options designed for a spacious room. Furniture design can be performed both without armrests and with them.

Especially popular these days are fashionable corner sofas. Such furniture not only looks solid, expensive and modern, but also very convenient to use. Many companies supply corner sofas to furniture stores, which indicates the richness of their assortment.

A sliding corner sofa is the perfect solution for almost any home. There are L-shaped or U-shaped options. The first are intended for installation in a free corner of the room. Thus, they remain functional, but do not take up excess free space. If we are talking about modern U-shaped models, then they are usually placed only in spacious rooms of sufficient quadrature. For too narrow and modest areas, these structures are not suitable.

Practical and comfortable modular sofas are no less popular today. Similar designs can consist of several sofa chairs and separate sections. From modular models, you can do almost anything. The user can easily disassemble the furniture structure and give it a completely different shape. The size and type of such products primarily depend on their elements. The number of the latter varies depending on the specific model of the sofa.

Choosing a high-quality and durable roll-out sofa, you need to build on not only its design and cost, but also on the materials of manufacture. Both the frame and the upholstery are important. Consider what frame structures can be made of.

• Natural wood. Natural wood structures are environmentally friendly, safe, reliable and durable. However, many of them are expensive. Over the years, the wooden frame will need antiseptic agents so that the material lasts longer, does not dry out, does not deform, does not rot and does not become a "victim" of wood parasites.
• Metal. As mentioned above, metal frames are the most reliable and wear-resistant. Practical steel options are especially popular today. Also on sale you can find sofas with frames made of aluminum, titanium. Models with such equipment can last for many years, but many of them differ in impressive weight, which creates certain difficulties in their transportation.
• MDF. Relatively inexpensive and affordable material. MDF is safe and can not harm even those people who suffer from allergies. But the strength indicators of this material leave much to be desired.
• Chipboard. Cheap stuff. It is used in the manufacture of economy-class furniture. Chipboard is a material that contains formaldehyde resins that can harm human health.In order not to encounter such things, you need to choose sofas with a frame from chipboard class E-0 or E-1 - these are safer products.

Choosing a good and beautiful sofa with a folding mechanism, one must take into account the material from which its upholstery is made.

• Genuine Leather. One of the most spectacular, beautiful, but expensive materials. The skin is durable, resistant to wear, looks rich.
• Faux leather. This upholstery may look exactly the same as natural upholstery, but it will not make the roll-out sofa too expensive. Artificial leather is durable, but does not like low temperatures, and eventually, scuffs may appear on its surface, which can be hidden only by a good cover.
• Tapestry. Classic upholstery fabric. May consist of wool blend, cotton or polyester.
• Shenill. One of the most popular fabrics. Consists of fleecy threads.
• Flock. It is a nonwoven textile material. Get it from wool, rayon, polyamide or acrylic.

In furniture stores, there are roll-out sofas with a dolphin mechanism, which have a variety of sizes. The most popular and common models are those with the following parameters:

• main module - 252x112 cm;
• ottoman - 92x172 cm;
• corner modules - 112x112 cm.

The roll-out bed for sleeping in such products can be from 140-150 to 220 cm wide.

A folding sofa of angular modification will allow households to relax on a more spacious and comfortable bed measuring 180x200 cm.

The depth of the sofas with the dolphin mechanism is different. Models with the following parameters (in mm) are on sale:

• 900;
• 700;
• 1030;
• 1070.

Modern manufacturers make sofas with additional mechanisms, made in a variety of colors. The following products can be considered the most popular:

• white - Beautiful, sophisticated and lightweight models that fit easily into most environments;
• black - solid, fashionable options that are not recommended to be set against a black wall finish - the tandem risks merging;
• brown - classic, comfortable and stylish sofas;
• reds - bright solutions for courageous people, it is recommended to put on a neutral background;
• blue - attractive, “cool” products, suitable for many interior styles;
• green - It is a soothing, pleasant color, to be surrounded by which is comfortable.

Choosing a suitable sofa with a dolphin mechanism should also be based on its stylistic orientation. Such upholstered furniture should harmoniously fit into the existing environment. It is important to keep an eye on matching styles.

• Classic. A classic sofa should be made of natural, expensive materials. There should be no extra catchy decor. It is recommended to buy bright, calm options. Carved wood elements may be present, but in small numbers.

• High tech. A modern style for which a plain, restrained-looking sofa with leather, leatherette or other practical material upholstery is a win-win. Allowed the presence of metal parts, functional additions.

• Minimalism. Also a modern direction. Minimalist sofas are made as simple, strict and restrained as possible, plainly.

• Modern. The contemporary sofa will look amazing with high-quality leather upholstery and rounded futuristic shapes. The presence of a tandem of 2 or even 3 different colors on the furniture is allowed (may contrast).

• Baroque. A style characterized by demonstrative luxury, wealth, the use of expensive or rare materials. In such an environment, you should only look for high-quality, elegantly looking and expensive furniture. Allowed the presence of curved parts, gilding, bronze, silvering, carved elements, chic carriage ties.

• Provence. Cozy and welcoming style of the French province. For such environments, soft, high sofas with light (pastel) upholstery, decorated with stripes, floral or cute animal prints should be selected. Furniture should be made of natural eco-friendly materials.

• Loft. A rude attic style. For such interiors, it is best to look for folding sofas with plain gray, black or brown upholstery. It can be leather (both natural and artificial). Coarse wood or metal parts are allowed.

Choosing a roll-out sofa with a berth is not difficult at all. The main thing is to consider several basic criteria and parameters of furniture.

• Dimensions Before going to the store, measure the place where you plan to put the sofa. For small areas, it is worth choosing neat designs that will not overload the space, making it even more crowded. Large sofas can be bought for a spacious apartment.
• Materials Pay attention to the frame and upholstery. This will directly depend on how long the furniture lasts. It is advisable to buy not only durable and strong, but also environmentally friendly models without hazardous components. There should be no defects or damages on the materials.
• The work of the mechanism. Check how the dolphin mechanism works in the selected model. When folding and unfolding, the system should not emit crunches, creaks or jam, stuck.
• Design: style and color. Do not forget about the importance of the design of your sofa bed. Furniture should suit the rest of the style and color. Make sure that the design does not make the interior disharmonious, incomplete.
• Manufacturer. It is recommended to give preference to modern branded sofas with a dolphin mechanism. Such furniture lasts longer, looks more attractive and does not create unnecessary problems. Typically, such products are sold in good furniture stores, and not in markets or in street retail outlets.

An overview of the mechanism, see below.