Transformable sofa. How to choose
The lack of living space does not allow you to purchase all the necessary furniture? This is no longer a problem. Sofas combined with wardrobes, tables or beds - everything to ensure comfort. Transformable furniture for you.
Transformable sofa
Modern apartments cannot be imagined without soft furnishings. Sofas, armchairs, poufs. All kinds of designs, different layouts and functionality, an abundance of colored upholstery, ideally combined with the interior of the rooms - everything that pleases the soul of the most discerning buyer. But sometimes the wishes of clients are limited not only by budget, but also by existing conditions - there is not enough space to install a set of furniture. A transforming sofa for a small apartment is the most optimal solution for such a situation. Let's talk about the features of the models and the right choice.
Table of contents
What is a transforming sofa
Kinds
Advantages
Flaws
Design Features
Frame
Filler
Upholstery and processing of wooden parts
Layout mechanisms
Lock options
Choosing a transforming sofa for the living room
Home conditions and purpose
Construction quality
Difficulty of care
Manufacturer
Conclusion
What is a transforming sofa
Furniture three in one
A type of furniture that combines several items is called transformable. Such “designers” are as optional and convenient as possible, depending on the goals of the owners. A folding sofa can be converted not only into a bed, but also into a table, into a bunk bed for children and adults, or even into a closet. Modern workshops are able to construct a model according to the order and sketch of the customer, where he enters his wishes. Computer technology will allow the client to see it before purchasing and adjust the necessary parameters.
Kinds
Transforming sofas have a wide range. The most traditional one is a model for sleeping with different mechanisms (roll-out, pull-out, lift-up). When unfolded, the transformable sofa bed is a wide, comfortable bed for one or a couple, with an orthopedic mattress. An excellent solution for a family who does not have their own bedroom. More options:
three in one - a wardrobe-bed-transformer with a sofa.
Sofa-wardrobe-bed
This set completely replaces the necessary furniture in the living room, and at night turns it into a cozy night room - the assembled sleeping block is located above the sofa sections;
sofa-table-transformer - this model is perfect for any purpose.
Sofa table
You can receive guests, engage in creativity, study, and handicrafts with children;
sofa-wardrobe-transformer - after assembly, the furniture looks like an ordinary wardrobe with hinged doors, compartments or open shelves with the addition of sections that are not involved in the layout.
Sofa wardrobe
A wonderful sleeping place with a storage system.
Also, clients of furniture factories order sofas with removable sections-modules, which can be configured to your own taste and completely furnish the living room with them.
Advantages
In addition to functionality, this furniture has many advantages:
ergonomics of space - when assembled, the sofas, regardless of transformation, are very compact and are positioned in the same way as traditional models;
the possibility of zoning - depending on the size, with the help of transformable furniture you can organize all kinds of functional corners in small-sized studio apartments;
variability of shapes - like standard models, transformable sofas are straight, corner, modular. You can choose one for any conditions.
aesthetics and stylish look - they definitely look unusual and modern;
affordable cost - a “constructor set” of several pieces of functional furniture is not much higher than the price of standard models. This is savings for the family budget.
There is no need to talk about the quality of the upholstery and the variety of colors - you can choose the appropriate option from the proposed palette and assortment. Or order.
Flaws
Transformable furniture also has its disadvantages, like any model. Before purchasing you should know about them:
if the layout of your room is not the best, you will have to order a model based on an individual project or consider only the traditional option;
transformable sofas are less wear-resistant as they are actively used. Prevention and repair should become regular to extend the service life;
Such furniture has a distinct modern effect that will be dissonant with retro styles and classics.
But despite all the shortcomings, the advantages are significant, and transforming sofas continue to gain popularity.
Design Features
The popularity of transformable furniture is explained not only by its main advantage - to transform into other models, but also by the fact that high demands are placed on its production due to active use - from the quality of materials to fasteners with upholstery.
Frame
Transformable sofa frame
The frame of the transforming sofa is made of natural solid wood or particle boards (chipboard, MDF). The first material is environmentally friendly, lightweight
tew. But at the same time it is very capricious - it swells from moisture, cracks from excessive dryness. In addition, the model made of natural wood has a high price.
Boards made from wood waste are durable, inert to microclimate changes, and affordable. But they contain a large amount of glue and are difficult to move, especially if you purchase a multifunctional model. In general, upholstered furniture for active use with a slab frame lasts longer.
Filler
Types of sofa fillers
The softness and comfort of a transforming sofa depends on the type and quality of the filling. Modern manufacturers use several options - separately or in combination. Among them:
Springs. They provide the sofa mattress with elasticity and the ability to take shape immediately after pressure. Several types - bonnel, snake or independent block, differ not only in cost, but also in strength characteristics. The last option is considered the best.
Natural filler. These are all kinds of cotton wool, fluff, horsehair, latex. Hypoallergenic, elastic, shape-holding - often used in frameless models. But at the same time, they also have disadvantages - hygroscopicity (increased moisture absorption), caking and aging.
Synthetic fillers. Granules, foams, polymer balls, slabs of different thicknesses. They can easily be used to make any shape of mattress and armrests; they are inert to moisture and treated with fire-resistant compounds. But environmental activists believe that such filler is harmful to the environment. This is refuted by safety certificates, but many believe it.
Price should not be a priority when choosing filling for a transforming sofa. Preference should be given to those options that better provide comfort and long-term operation.
Upholstery and processing of wooden parts
Upholstery of a modular transformable sofa
Furniture fabric is very diverse. Leather, suede, flock, chenille, tapestry, velor, etc. Each looks decent, but has its own durability depending on the conditions and frequency of use. For modular models of sofas or transformers used for zoning space, the upholstery looks presentable from any side. For options that will be installed against the wall, the “wrong side” is covered with less expensive, technical material.
Models of sofas in tandem with cabinets, tables and other objects are distinguished by wooden details. The natural array is distinguished by the beauty of natural material. It is covered with varnish, oil, wax. Structures made of slabs have several processing options:
acrylic paints;
veneer with imitation of noble materials.
You can choose the shade of fabric and wood to match any basic color of the interior.
Layout mechanisms
Like traditional sofas, transformers have a wide variety of layout systems. Each has features:
Book.
Standard Book
Typical for sofa beds. Simple and clear in layout, does not require moving away from the wall. The downside is that it’s very difficult to find transformer models with several items and a book layout.
Eurobook.
Eurobook layout example
An improved model of the traditional layout. Added to the advantages is the ability to use the mechanism in any design - three or four in one.
Dolphin, Pantograph, Puma - models with a retractable (roll-out) mechanism are typical for transforming sofas combined with cabinets in niches or against the walls of rooms.
Pantograph layout system
The disadvantage of the layout is that it takes up a lot of space. But otherwise, this is a convenient and functional feature - compactness, neatness, deep storage systems.
Options with side extension of sofa sections.
Side layout of a transforming sofa
They allow you to place furniture in a corner, laying it out not only for sleeping, but also for gatherings with friends.
French folding bed, Accordion - sofa models with wooden legs or metal supports.
Sofa Accordion - layout example
The furniture is very limited in weight, but compact and when assembled, complete with a cabinet, it forms a stylish tandem.
There is no ideal layout option for a transforming sofa, despite all the advantages of this type of furniture. It all depends on the buyer’s home conditions and careful selection in all respects.
Lock options
The steel parts responsible for the trouble-free layout of the transformable sofa and accompanying furniture also differ by type. These are fittings (springs, slats, fastenings, rollers, etc.) and locks - ATS, bz, atf, atc and others. The average person does not need to know the features of everyone, but it is important to consider the following:
how easy it is to repair, replace, or carry out maintenance on the lock yourself;
Is it possible to buy replacement components and how problematic is this - deliveries from another country, lack of stock or shortage of this particular type.
Therefore, questions are asked to the furniture store consultants immediately, before purchasing the model you like.
Choosing a transforming sofa
for living room
Transformable furniture set for the living room
So, the decision to buy a transforming sofa model has been made. All the information above should be taken into account even before choosing furniture. And directly for the assessment you need to decide on the following:
Home conditions and purpose
Small living rooms should be carefully measured to determine the best place where the transformer will stand - for a tandem with a cabinet it is a wall, with a table - closer to the window, two-tier options - corners or next to them.
If a sofa is purchased as a permanent place to sleep, then it is important to evaluate the weight and height of the sleepers - comfort is above all, coupled with the durability of the model. Consider the reliability and ease of layout if the furniture will be used by elderly people or household members with disabilities.
Construction quality
These are the materials used in the production of the selected model. From the frame to the durability of the paint on the upholstery. Price is not a sign of quality - there are expensive models with low performance characteristics, but they have a high cost due to many factors. For example, an expensive solid cabinet in tandem with sofa sections made of foam rubber will not be cheap precisely because of the natural wood. And a completely budget transformer made of chipboard and an independent spring unit is rejected by buyers due to its supposed non-environmental friendliness. Set your priorities right!
Difficulty of care
Beauty is very important to match the style of the interior, but it is important to remember that the transforming sofa will be used often, so the first criterion for choosing upholstery is its durability and practicality. Particular attention should be paid to furniture fabric if there are children and pets in the house - with them, cleaning will become your constant companion.
Finding a color that matches the interior is not too difficult. It is more troublesome to keep capricious fabrics in their original form. For complex, textured materials, leather and suede, special chemicals and periodic, professional cleaning are required. It will be much more practical for constant use and easy maintenance to consider models with moderate thickness and smoothness of the surface - matting, chenille, flock.
Manufacturer
This is a very important point for choosing any furniture. A responsible manufacturer is always ready to provide certificates for the entire range, has a wide selection of models and has a lot of real reviews from customers. Consultants have the necessary competence and can answer any question regarding the model of interest. High-quality furniture is the key to your comfort!
Conclusion
Sofa-bed-wardrobe
Home is a place that should be filled with maximum comfort. Sometimes the lack of space does not allow this to be done - to place all the necessary furniture, to provide everyone close with their own rooms. However, in the modern world there are many opportunities not to give up amenities in favor of space. Transformable furniture is one of them. Furnish your apartment wisely!
