Ottoman with a lifting mechanism: types, sizes and secrets of choice

The ottoman can be considered the progenitor of sofas. It came to Europe from Asia in the 18th century and was a spacious bed without a back, which was called in the Persian style an ottoman or in Turkish as an ottoman. A modern product is much smaller, it looks like a wide and low sofa with features designed for sleeping and relaxing.

The ottoman today is more diverse than its past counterparts. There are no strict standards for this product. It may have a backrest, armrests, pillows, an additional mattress, or it may not. The model is often equipped with a lifting mechanism giving access to the linen box, or a folding system, with the help of which two berths are obtained.

The ottoman is not as grand as a full-fledged sofa, it is lower, more elegant, but it has its own advantages, which are many:

• compactness allows it to replace sofas in small apartments;
• the product simultaneously serves for daytime rest and night sleep;
• folding options provide two berths;
• the ottoman often has a large roomy linen drawer, which is easily accessible using a lifting mechanism;
• the simplicity of the product facilitates its use and provides durability, in fact there is nothing to break;
• low seating position like children and the elderly;
• the ottoman is endowed with an integral wide berth, it is convenient to use it daily instead of a bed, for these purposes you can choose a product with an orthopedic mattress;
• the furniture industry produces a wide range of products; they are easy to pick up to any stylized environment;
• the cost of an ottoman is lower than that of a sofa of the same size.

There is only one drawback to the product, if you use it for daily sleep, you will have to hide bedding in a drawer, and not cover it with a bedspread, as happens with a full bed.

An ottoman is a type of upholstered furniture with a wide, but low berth. By its purpose, it is more suitable for the role of a bed than a sofa, especially if it is endowed with a transforming device. Models with curly backs, wooden sides become an interior decoration during the day, and at night - a comfortable berth.

Such models do not have a transforming device, but are endowed with a lifting mechanism that allows the use of capacious boxes located under the seat. To use the ottoman daily for sleep, it is better to get an orthopedic mattress.

It has a wide berth, complemented by one headboard, back and handrails, or a headboard and back.

A convenient version of the ottoman, on which you can sit, lie or recline, covered with pillows during the day, and sleep well at night. The model is wide enough for relaxation, but, thanks to elegant forms, does not look bulky in the interior.

In addition to the size of the berth, the ottoman can vary in location and design features:

• a direct model is installed under the wall;

• the corner occupies the corner of the room, it is endowed with a headboard and back;

• an ottoman with shelves performs several useful functions at once;

• convenient model with a bedside table or bedside table;

• The couch-transformer thanks to the folding device becomes compact during the day and spacious at night.

To get to the laundry drawer, you must raise the seat. For this, the models are equipped with one of three types of mechanisms: manual, spring and with gas shock absorbers. Choosing an ottoman You should familiarize yourself with each of them in advance and determine your preferences.

The simplest and cheapest mechanism, although far from comfortable. The base and the upper part with the mattress are connected with ordinary hinges. The mechanism is reliable and robust, but lifting is manual and requires some effort.

This system is more complicated than the previous one, it also refers to the budget. With its help, lifting a berth is more convenient and easier. As shock absorbers, coil springs are used. But they have a drawback - the springs expand over time and eventually require replacement.

The most expensive lifting device, which actually does not require effort, you need to make a little movement, and then the heavy seat will rise by itself, without human intervention. Shock absorbers operate on the basis of compressed air, which provides the mechanism with a smooth ride. The device is reliable, the warranty period for products from a good brand is designed for 50 years, raises the weight to 100 kg. The disadvantage is the high cost.

When choosing an ottoman, you should pay attention to the reliability of the locks (with any type of lifting mechanisms) that hold the seat in the upper position.

Different materials are used for the manufacture of ottomans, since it consists of a frame, filler, upholstery and a lifting mechanism.

Strong and reliable is considered a frame made of solid wood varieties of trees: larch, walnut, oak, plum, beech, maple. Strong and durable, it will last several generations of users. But such an ottoman is not cheap. If you use less durable wood, such as pine, for the frame, the product will become cheaper. For very budget options use pressed plywood.

The use of chipboards will also significantly reduce the cost of the product.

The spring device and gas shock absorbers are made of metal, they often reinforce the frame. Some transforming mechanisms also have aluminum and steel elements.

Fillers affect the durability of the couch, comfort of rest and quality of sleep. Today there is a large selection of fillers of different density, texture and cost.

• Polyurethane foam It has medium rigidity, refers to inexpensive materials, practical, with a moderate service life. It is safe in everyday life, does not cause allergic reactions.

• Durafil also hypoallergenic, water-repellent, non-flammable, smolders and goes out. Mites, bedbugs and other insects do not start in durafil mattresses. The filler is hard, durable, has a positive effect on the condition of the spine and back muscles during sleep.

• Hollofiber in its pure form is not suitable for the filler, it is too soft, the mattress with its contents quickly sags. It is used in a mix with other hard materials. If the balance is correct, the berth will be ideal.

• Latex - one of the most expensive fillers, it has orthopedic properties, moderate rigidity, moisture resistance and long life.

• Foam rubber able to sag and does not apply to durable materials, in addition, it is slightly toxic. The only advantage of foam rubber is a significant reduction in the cost of the total ottoman.

• Spring blocks are popular among the population. But they are different - dependent and independent. The first option is not too pleasant to use. The springs connected among themselves cannot fully respond to the load, if one of them is pressed, the others are deformed. With separately spaced springs, this process does not occur, they form a more comfortable berth.

Upholstery also affects the durability of the ottoman. There are very durable fabrics that can repel water and dirt. There are other materials that allow water to pass through, easily get dirty and are prone to snagging, but they “breathe”, are environmentally friendly and tactilely pleasant. The most popular species can be noted.

• Jacquard - A beautiful light fabric with an intricate pattern, can be matte or gloss. It consists of a complex weave of different threads - silk, wool, cotton, linen and synthetics.
• Velours It looks like velvet, but with a shorter pile, it has a lot of synthetics diluted with woolen and cotton threads. It is harmless, pleasant to the touch and is relatively inexpensive.
• Gunny seemingly rough simple fabric with textured weaving. Suitable for rustic, ethnic and environmental styles. But hooking the thread, it is easy to pull it out of the canvas, so this upholstery is not recommended if there are animals in the house.
• All types of leather are popular - genuine, artificial, eco leather. They are easy to care for, they repel water and wash easily, but are difficult to restore. The difference in price between natural and other types of coating significantly affects the total cost of the ottoman.

Given the need for different parameters of upholstered furniture, an ottoman on sale can be found in all kinds of sizes. When choosing, the capacity of the room and the purpose of the sofa are taken into account. In small rooms, a large structure will conceal the space. If there is a need for a berth, the ottoman should be chosen small, but with a transformation function.

The overall double model is endowed with the dimensions of 90x200 cm when folded and 180x200 cm in the unfolded one. Such a product can comfortably accept two adult tall people. A single ottoman should be 100x200 cm. As a wider option, you can consider the parameters 110x200 cm.For teenagers and women choose products more compact (80x190) or a little shorter, but wider - 90x160 cm.

Before you go shopping, you need to find and measure a place for an ottoman in your home. Then pay attention to the situation, the model should correspond to it in color, style, texture, shapes or other criteria.

The amount of available funds can affect the choice of a lifting mechanism, upholstery, filler. If the possibilities are not limited, it is better to choose a frame from an array of solid wood, it will last a long time. The mattress for a comfortable sleep is suitable with latex, on birch lamellas or on independent springs with orthopedic properties.

An overview of the Artek couch with a lifting mechanism is presented below.