Choosing a sofa bed for a child

Among the huge assortment of children's furniture, sofa beds occupy a special place. They are very comfortable and suitable for children of different ages, but you need to choose them carefully and correctly. The features of such furniture units, their characteristics and aspects of the selection of a sofa bed for a child will be considered in this article.

As a rule, a child receives his first sofa when he is 2-3 years old. It is at this age that many parents begin to wean babies from cribs with bumpers. For the adaptation process to be successful, the children's sofa must have a number of features and meet the following requirements:

• security - there can be no sharp corners, protruding parts, protruding nails and springs on the furniture;
• sustainability - children often jump and fall on the sofa at a run, so this piece of furniture simply must be strong and reliable;
• ease of layout - if it is assumed that the child will fold and unfold the bed himself, then the transformation mechanism should be as simple as possible;
• functionality - since the baby needs to be taught to order from a very early age, boxes for linen and other things in the sofa will not interfere;
• ecological cleanliness - the sofa itself, all its components, as well as filling and upholstery must be made of high-quality natural raw materials;
• convenience - the design of the sofa should be such that the child can rest comfortably without harming the spine.

Experts advise choosing only orthopedic furniture for children, since the baby's skeletal system needs to be properly developed. The advantages of orthopedic sofas are obvious and are as follows:

• withstand a lot of weight;
• durable;
• comfortable, provide a healthy and restful sleep;
• allow you to completely relax your muscles;
• are the only option for children with back problems.

The only drawback of orthopedic models is that they are much more expensive than regular sofa beds. And if we talk about the disadvantages of sofa beds in general, then it can be noted that such furniture will have to be updated often, since children grow up quickly, and it is not worth buying a large sofa in advance. In addition, many consider the weakness of the fact that you have to completely collect the bedding every time, while other models of sofas allow you to simply cover the bed with a beautiful bedspread or cape.

Children's sofa beds can be of different designs.

• In small apartments, where a separate room cannot be allocated to a child, a sofa chair is very popular. Such a disassembled model is a full-fledged sleeping place, and when assembled it is an ordinary chair that can be put in a corner. The only drawback of this choice is that the berth is low, and not all children like it.

• Sofas with a headboard look cozy at home. Girls like these models more, because they look airy, lightweight and complement a variety of types of interior designs. It is better to place such furniture units in separate and spacious rooms. In addition, they are often supplemented with drawers where the child can put underwear and personal items.

• There are also models that do not have a soft back at all. They are called couches. As a rule, couches are rarely folding and are not very popular. But as a budget option for a nursery, they may well be used.

It is very important for every child to have their own sofa, because sometimes such a furniture unit is not only a sleeping place, but also a kind of play area. Let's consider what additions can be equipped with children's sofa beds.

• Drawer models. Such boxes are convenient to use not only for storing bed linen. They can also store seasonal footwear, baby's personal belongings, and toys. All this is very space saving and does not allow for the formation of clutter.

• Bumpers. This is a prerequisite for restless babies who spin in their sleep and strive to fall to the floor. In this case, it is better to select high sides, since low ones do not guarantee one hundred percent protection.

• Products with wardrobe... Such options are convenient for small rooms where you need to make the most of the space. The sleeping place is located on the second floor, downstairs there is a table and a wardrobe with all the necessary filling.

• Armrest table. This solution is suitable for older children - from about 10 years old. You can put a laptop on a comfortable table, watch a movie or surf the Internet.

• Lamp... A small lamp can be placed on the side of the sofa. For preschoolers and younger students, it will help cope with the fear of the dark, and for older children it will become a source of light for reading before bed.

• Pillows. Decorative pillows located on the sofa can radically change the look of the room and make it cozy. In addition, they are comfortable to lie on while reading a book or watching a movie.

• Mattress topper. Mattress beds are a comfortable solution for a child's sleeping place. To ensure the cleanliness and hypoallergenicity of this item, it is better to purchase mattress toppers.They will allow you to keep the sofa in order without resorting to dry cleaning services.

When choosing a transformation mechanism, it is best to choose the simplest one. There are several such options.

• With roll-out bed... At the bottom of this sofa is a handle that needs to be pulled with a little effort. After that, the bed is pulled out, which independently takes the desired position. Such models with a pull-out berth are suitable even for very young children - from 2 years old.

• "Click-gag". The transforming sofa with a folding click-gag mechanism is a modern and comfortable solution that allows the sofa to take 3 positions. To unfold the product, you must first pull the side armrests towards you, then raise the seat, wait for a click and lower it. Folding sofas "click-gag" are suitable for children from 10 years old (when used independently).

• "Accordion". The main advantage of these sofas is that they can be stably in one place and do not need to be moved to unfold. A pull-out sofa of this type is convenient: you just need to slightly raise the seat, and the bed will move forward. Children of 5-6 years old can cope with this principle of work.

• "Dolphin". This folding mechanism was called so for a reason: the method of laying out the sofa is very similar to how a dolphin dives. The design of the sofa includes two elements: the seat and the part that is located underneath. The lower part slides out and then pulls up (a fabric belt is provided for this). This model is suitable for children from 7 years old.

The size of the child's sofa should be based on the child's height. As a rule, you need to add about 50 cm to the initial height in order to sleep and rest on such furniture comfortably. In general, the dimensions can be as follows:

• up to three years old choose mini sofas - 600x1200 mm;
• from three to six years: 700x1400, 700x1600 mm and more, depending on height and complexion;
• after seven years it is better to select teenage models, for example, 800x1900 mm.

Separately, it must be said about what materials are suitable for children's sofa beds. All of them must be of high quality and hypoallergenic.

The best option for the frame of children's furniture is natural wood. Expensive tree species do not cause allergies, they are durable and serve for many years. The best choice would be birch or beech. If such a solution seems too expensive, you can opt for particle board. Such sofas are no different outwardly, they are inexpensive. But active kids can not stand it. Besides, it is important to ask in advance whether toxic substances were used in the treatment.

Fillers are either hard or soft. Let's start with the tough options.

• Bonnel... These are ordinary springs that are attached to each other and are located at the bottom of the sofa. An excellent option for children with spinal problems.
• Separate springs. Here they are not connected to each other, but each is located separately.

As for soft fillers, there are also several of them.

• Coconut. Suitable for babies from birth, absolutely allergy-free.This is a breathable material, it is perfectly breathable and is not afraid of high humidity.
• Latex. This type is slightly tougher than the previous version, but it has more strengths. Bacteria and fungus do not breed in latex fillers, it has disinfecting properties and is also not afraid of moisture.
• Polyurethane foam... A modern and high quality filler that does not spill. It is fireproof, does not cause allergies, and has good air permeability.

When choosing material, you need to remember that children can spill juice, tea on the sofa, paint it with felt-tip pens. Therefore, it is important that the upholstery is easy to clean without losing its color. Among the most popular materials are the following:

• flock - this material is pleasant to the touch, covered with artificial pile; dirt is easily removed here, in addition, the flock has anti-vandal properties;
• chenille - durable and very wear-resistant material, absolutely safe for health, does not accumulate bacteria and foreign odors;
• tapestry - this is a material with a very dense weave of threads; it is easy to clean, and it looks very nice, an additional plus is non-staining.

There are 3 types of standard sofa shapes.

• Straight... This is an ordinary classic sofa that is placed near the wall. Common models are a couch couch or a couch ottoman. In addition, a very often used carriage coupler, which is loved mainly by girls.
• Angular. This solution is suitable for any room size. The sofa is placed in the corner and saves space. More children can be accommodated here if friends come to the child.
• Ostrovnoy. The great thing about these sofas is that they can be placed anywhere, even in the middle of the room. However, they look best in large rooms.

The assortment of sofas is not limited by standard and familiar to the eye forms. Every year, manufacturers release more and more new models, inspired by the requirements of modern children and their imaginations. For boys, a car-shaped sofa will be a safe bet. Young representatives of the stronger sex will also like models in the form of an airplane, a tractor, a ship. Many children choose characters from their favorite cartoons and films.

Girls will love the fabulous sofa-house, as well as the sofa-carriage. Furniture units representing animals will be an excellent choice.

The choice of sofa color should be based on two points: the child's desire and the overall color scheme of the room. If everything in the room is bright, it is better to choose a neutral color option, and vice versa. For girls, colors such as:

• beige;
• pink;
• blue;
• light green;
• turquoise;
• lilac;
• yellow.

Suitable for boys:

• blue;
• Red;
• Brown;
• blue;
• Orange;
• purple.

Children's sofa beds are produced by many manufacturers, both well-known and not so. Let's see which companies have earned positive customer reviews.

• "Pinskdrev"... This is a Belarusian company specializing in the production of upholstered furniture. The assortment of children's sofas is huge, here everyone will find a model to their liking.

• Rival. A Russian manufacturer ready to offer its customers excellent sofas for adults, children and teenagers. Protective covers can always be purchased in a set for furniture.

• "Mebel-Holding"... Another Russian company that has established itself as a worthy manufacturer. The assortment includes sofas of both standard and unusual shapes, as well as all sorts of neutral and bright colors.

• STIL Fabrika. This enterprise is also located in Russia. The products are of good quality, rich colors and interesting designs. Both boys and girls will like them.

Manufacturers from Italy are also very popular. Italian sofas have excellent European quality, all requirements are met here, the only drawback is the very high price.

Choosing a comfortable sofa, especially for a child, is not easy. There are a few key points to keep in mind.

• Transformation mechanism. If any mechanisms can be chosen for children of senior school age, then only the simplest options are suitable for toddlers and younger schoolchildren.
• Environmental friendliness and wear resistance of materials. In the manufacture of a sofa bed, toxic paints and varnishes cannot be used. When in doubt about the material, choose only natural wood. It is better to leave leather, eco-leather, velor and velvet for adults, they cannot be used by children.
• Security... Even in the store, check that the sofa is a solid block without protruding parts. It is impossible for the corners to be sharp and hard, and somewhere under the upholstery there is a broken spring.
• The size... Before buying, be sure to take measurements of the room in order to understand exactly how much space the sofa will take, what space will remain free. It is equally important that the furniture unit matches the child's height.
• Age... Young children and younger students love quirky sofas. These can be just models of bright colors, or objects of an interesting shape, for example, a car. All this should be appropriate for the age of the child. For example, if you offer a sofa carriage to a 12-year-old girl, she is unlikely to like it.
• Amount of children. If you have two children, you don't have to buy a separate sofa for each. For two, you can choose a two-tier model with steps. If, however, separate models are selected, then it is necessary that they be the same. Thus, children will not argue over which one is more beautiful. However, this does not apply to heterosexual babies or children with a large age difference.
• Convenience. We have already talked about the importance of orthopedic sofas. It doesn't matter if the child has back problems. The spine needs proper development, as well as good rest at night and complete relaxation. That is why doctors only recommend orthopedic mattresses. Other furniture can be purchased in addition.

We present to you a selection of interesting and stylish children's sofas that will definitely interest children of all ages.

A bright violet sofa in a children's room for a girl goes well with the rest of the decor.

A classic straight sofa in a gentle blue color, very fresh and airy, suitable for both a child and a teenager.

Compact pink sofa with drawings for a preschooler or junior schoolgirl. It will beautifully complement the interior with other pink elements.

A soft and incredibly delicate sofa with an abundance of decorative pillows. It is suitable for middle and high school students.

The original compact model with high sides will appeal to preschoolers.

Stylish bunk sofa bed for babies who prefer classics in everything since childhood.

A cute and unusual model with sheep pillows and a soft drawer.

The car-shaped swamp green sofa will surely appeal to future racers.

Bright products with cartoon characters are suitable for both small and large rooms.

A beautiful and original model in a nautical style. Children of both sexes will love her.

An unusual sofa with minion pillows will become a real highlight of the baby's room.

In a room with an abundance of blue, such a model is perfect. The car sofa looks incredibly stylish.

A video review of a sofa bed for a child is presented below.