Choosing a sofa with an accordion mechanism

Today, a huge number of sofas of the most varied configuration are presented on the furniture market. They are monolithic, folding and even modular. Many are interested in the question of which option to choose for everyday rest. An excellent solution would be a sofa with an accordion folding mechanism, since it looks attractive and is designed for a large number of folding and unfolding.

"Accordions" are compact models that can be placed even in a small room (we are talking about folded form). The model unfolds only forward, so it is in front that you need about two meters of free space (ideally, 2.5–3 m). The frame of this model is made of a metal profile, which includes three elements: two are responsible for organizing a place to sleep, and the third ensures the comfort of those who sit on the sofa when it is assembled. The mattress is supported by wooden battens. The flexible orthopedic lamellas, which provide additional support during the rest period at night, are very durable.

The sofa differs from the others precisely in the peculiarity of the transformation mechanism, it is similar to the principle of operation of the accordion. The imitation of the stretching of the bellows of the accordion forms the basis of the layout. The lower edge rises until it clicks, the folded parts are stretched towards themselves.Even a person who does not have a huge supply of physical strength can do this. And it is this method of unfolding that is one of the most reliable. The sofa folds down just as easily. The berth, which is obtained as a result of unfolding this sofa, has no height differences, which can be seen in a "book" or "folding bed". When the sofa is unfolded, the back is moved to the center of the sleeping area, its back is in the heads, and the seat "crawls" into the legs.

This modification of the sofa is extremely popular with buyers - and there are many arguments for this. The "accordions" have a significant number of advantages, namely:

• when assembled, they are very compact, even corner models;
• they are easy to disassemble and assemble;
• the berth is even, the load on the spine is uniform;
• most models are equipped with boxes for bedding;
• you can put the product directly against the wall;
• a huge selection of colors and style solutions, the availability of products with the required qualities in any of the market segments;
• most models come with a removable cover that is fairly easy to remove and clean.

Accordion sofas are divided into several varieties. Let's consider them in more detail.

If a sofa is designed with a corner, this does not mean that it must be placed in a corner. It can also be placed along the wall, thus zoning the room.... Corner models can contain built-in elements - a minibar, a table, shelves, boxes for bedding.

Corner modifications can be equipped with an additional module with an extended seat called ottoman. It can take up to ¼ of the entire width of the product, but protrude in front of the seat. The width of the berth on such products is much larger, but more space is required for their installation. Inside the ottoman is a spacious drawer in which you can store your laundry.

Direct model - it's a classic that has stood the test of time... In most situations, such products are placed directly against the wall in the center of the room. Their design is quite simple - three frame elements, three blocks in a mattress, a backrest and, in most cases, armrests, most often a two-seater model. Despite the simplicity, there are a lot of variants of such a model. The width of the armrests, and the color and texture of the upholstery, and the material with which the sofa is covered, vary.

A separate type of direct "accordion" configuration is small-sized or for children. It will fit perfectly into the room where the baby lives, and from a certain age the child will be able to lay out and assemble his mini-sofa himself. However, if the upholstery is not "children's", such a sofa can also accommodate an adult, because they reach 1.95 m in length. The standard width of a small sofa is 1 m.

An "accordion" can be not only a sofa, but also an armchair that can be laid out according to the same principle. Most of the furniture manufacturers (especially the economy and middle segment) offer models with the same upholstery, folding "accordion", so that they can be placed in the same room. The accordion chair is comfortable for one person of short stature to sleep, its width and length are sufficient for a person to sit comfortably.

These products differ from ordinary sofas with a longer seat, namely not two, but three (and more). Accordingly, their sleeping place is more extensive.Although in the modern world the boundaries between types of furniture are so blurred that there are also single sofa beds (120 cm wide), and one-and-a-half and double. Therefore, we can only note that a sofa bed is one of the modifications of sofas, and this is limited to this.

To unfold the sofa, inside of which the "accordion" transformation mechanism is contained, it is required to lift the seat by the bottom and hear the characteristic click emitted by the safety lock, pull it forward. Stretch until the seat and back are fully extended. You should have a sleeping area of ​​three compartments - a seat, a backrest, and a back surface of the backrest. Next, you need to fix the resulting structure on a stand, which opens simultaneously with the folding of the seat.

If you choose a sofa that you plan to sleep on every day, then each of its components should have the largest possible margin of safety and durability. Most accordions are equipped with the following components:

• the frame is made of stainless or high-strength steel, treated with an anti-corrosion compound;
• the material for lamellas or lat is coniferous or birch wood, while it must be well dried;
• blocks of independent springs are used as a filler, and the interlayer is elastic polyurethane foam;
• many products are equipped with a removable textile cover that can be cleaned;
• really strong and reliable sofas are upholstered in dense fabric with a high degree of wear resistance, covered with an anti-claw compound.

One of the main components of the sofa is the frame. How durable the entire product will be depends on its strength. For sofas with a roll-out or pull-out accordion mechanism, the frame is a box made of solid wood, MDF or chipboard. In addition, a metal mesh or aluminum profile is used.

It is very important what the lamellae are made of. For their manufacture, wood is not always used - it can be plastic, rubber, polypropylene, plywood. Rubber and polypropylene lamellas are denser and do not creak. It is imperative to clarify the maximum weight for which the frame is designed, especially if it is planned to sleep on it for two adults.

As for the mattress, it is better to choose a model with an orthopedic one. It is he who best affects the quality of daily sleep. Orthopedic mattresses are a system of independent spring blocks and polyurethane foam filling. Perfectly the height of the mattress should be 15 cm (not lower), but you should be prepared for the depth of the sofa to exceed 1 m. Then the room must also have the required area to accommodate such a model.

Most furniture manufacturers give customers the opportunity to independently choose the material that will be upholstered on the sofa they like. Therefore, you can choose either from the samples presented in catalogs or sales areas, or based on your own taste and aesthetic requirements. Popular materials for furniture upholstery are leather (natural and eco), as well as fabric upholstery - jacquard, tapestry, suede, flock, matting, velor. The more often you plan to use the sofa for sleeping, the more natural and durable the upholstery should be.

The sleeping place on the accordion sofas directly depends on the length and width (as well as height) of the mattress installed on it. It can have the size of a single bed (130 or 140 cm by 200 cm), a one-and-a-half bed - 150 or 160 by 200 cm, or a large double bed - 170 or 180x200 cm or even 200x200 cm.If you plan to sleep on the sofa for two, then a one-and-a-half model with a width of 150 cm will be narrow, so focus on the double version. Choosing a model, take into account the dimensions of the product when unfolded, as well as whether the area of ​​your room allows you to accommodate it.

"Accordions" are quite versatile, to fit into any interior style - from modern to ethnic. However, most of the offered models with such a folding mechanism look rather conservative, so they look best in minimalistic or classic interiors. For this, neutral shades are suitable - gray, beige, white, milky.

As for the color solutions, today most manufacturers have a choice of any color and texture of the upholstery, you can order two replaceable covers of different shades in order to periodically change the environment without replacing the furniture in the room (and in the meantime, clean the cover at the same time).

To check the quality of a product that you liked in terms of design, shape and size, you need to evaluate the following:

• the presence or absence of visible defects - not only on the upholstery, but also inside the sofa: on the slats, frame, attachment points of elements; check how high-quality the seams are, their evenness - they should not "bulge" out of the fabric, creating bumps;
• sounds, which the mechanism makes when folding and unfolding the sofa, as well as how smoothly and easily it happens;
• speed, with which the upholstery returns to its original appearance after sitting on the sofa; it should not have pits, depressions, it should not bubble, and so on.

You need to make sure that the mechanism works as it should - emits a characteristic click when unfolding and folding. This means that the safety lock is fulfilling its function. Be sure to ask the seller quality certificatesthat are available on the product. And also when buying furniture, a warranty of 18 months must be provided. If you are offered a shorter or no warranty period, look for another dealer. Most likely, this is a substandard product.

If the sofa is selected according to the requirements for size and shape, it will serve for a longer time. Before you go to choose furniture, you need to measure the room in which it will be located, establish how many square meters the sofa can take when unfolded. Only then, based on the data obtained, limit the selection to those products that correspond to these parameters.

Specify how easy it is to clean the upholstery, what means it needs to be done... And also you should definitely find out what material the seat and back are stuffed with. This is especially important for allergy sufferers, because if the stuffing causes an allergy, sleeping on such a sofa will turn into torment.

Original upholstery and cushions are the highlight of this simple model.

The accordion sofa with an ottoman of a pleasant orange hue looks very modern.

Noble velor upholstery, decorative legs and carriage fittings make this sofa worthy of any interior.

A compact and beautiful mini-sofa fits harmoniously into the children's room.

People who have purchased sofas with the accordion transformation mechanism, in the majority, leave positive feedback on the purchase, and not only in hot pursuit, but also some time after the purchase. In the rating of folding sofa models, "accordions" occupy one of the leading places.

Ease of use, ease of folding and unfolding, quality of mattresses, and comfortable sleep are noted. And also buyers emphasize the strength of the structure after a long time - 6, 8, 10 years after purchase, despite the fact that the sofa is used constantly.Users note the need to purchase a sofa with a removable cover, since after cleaning the product looks like it had just been purchased. As well as experienced buyers it is advised to take into account the height and weight of those who will sleep on the couch, since for tall or overweight people it may be small or narrow.

There are also negative reviews. It is not recommended to purchase such a thing as a sofa from unverified sellers and at too low a price. For a model to be strong and durable, it must be made of quality materials that cannot be cheap. Therefore, if the seller offers you a significant discount or just a product with a suspiciously low cost, it is highly likely that the product will not serve you for a very long time.

An overview of the sofa with accordion mechanism is presented below.