Double sofas: features, types and choice

A sofa is an important piece of furniture in any home, which makes everyday life more comfortable and cozy. And if the sofa combines the function of a sleeping place, then the owner wins in saving living space. Perhaps that is why sofa beds are so popular.

Let's take a closer look at the features, types and selection of double sofas.

A sofa bed is a special piece of furniture that serves as both a simple sofa to relax after work and a full-fledged place to sleep. It combines convenience, space saving and versatility.

The benefits of hybrid sofas are as follows:

• saving space - in small houses, such furniture is simply irreplaceable, since it combines the functions of several objects;
• storage space - inside the sliding versions there is a free space intended for storing clothes or sleeping clothes in it;
• design - sofa beds perfectly complement the interior, eliminating the need to select a second piece of furniture for a pleasant look; in some versions, there are additional elements, like the pillows that come with the kit;
• Benefit for health - modern double sleeping sofas are produced using orthopedic mattresses that protect the human body from problems with curvature of the spine and maintain its healthy posture;
• ease of transportation - prefabricated models are easy to disassemble and assemble, which is especially useful when moving or wanting to transfer this furniture to a summer cottage.

It is worth paying attention to the disadvantages of sofa beds.

• Vulnerability... Some sofa beds may be less durable than regular furniture. This is primarily due to their structure, which is quite fragile.
• Price... Sofa beds are more expensive than specialized furniture with only one function. The difference can be up to twice the price.

Double sofas are available in several varieties.

• "Book" - the most famous type of folding sofa bed. It easily unfolds when the seat is lifted up with its translation into a horizontal position. This version is equipped with armrests and a linen compartment.

• "Eurobook" - a common type. Like the "book", it can be easily and quickly transformed, while having more convenient control and increased durability.

• "Pantograph" - a sofa bed repeating the "Eurobook". The difference is that the seats are not roll-out, but sliding forward with a slight lift.

• "Rollout" folds out using a special belt under the seats. The front part rolls out, leading the rest of the elements. This version is spacious, with two separate berths and a very secure deployment mechanism.

• "Dolphin" also unfolds with a strap. This is a simple and reliable mechanism. As a rule, straight versions of "dolphin" do not include a linen compartment, and corner ones have an additional section.

• "Accordion" - double sofa bed model. It has a sliding frame made of metal with lamellas on the sides. Such a sofa unfolds when the seat is raised and pulled out. This version has a spacious sleeping area, with a flat and comfortable surface.

In size, sofa beds are of the following types:

• for 3 places - standard length from 2 to 2.5 m; the width is from 800 to 1000 mm; the height, including the back, does not exceed 1 meter;
• for 2 places - the length is 1.7 m, and the width is similar to the three-seater models;
• for kids - compact sofa beds; despite its small dimensions, the length is from 2 m, and the width when unfolded is about 1.7 m;
• corner - as a rule, for 4 seats, but possibly more; the length is about 70–80 cm per seat.

Sofa beds have the following states, based on which their sizes change:

• basic - for the ratio of the size of the furniture with its intended placement in the space of the house;
• decomposed - to account for free space during deployment;
• sleeping - sometimes takes up less space than in the expanded format.

In some cases, the dimensions of the unfolded sofa may differ from the standard values ​​of 400 mm. In the case of a high back, when it is approximately at the back of the head, the depth of the seat can be up to 600 mm. This option implies a snug fit to the human back.

All of these factors should be considered when choosing the right sofa bed.

The materials from which the furniture is made directly affect the appearance and quality characteristics of the product. But they also affect the cost of sofa beds. For lovers of an expensive interior with an elite look, models in a classic or antique design, with additional decorations, are suitable. These products usually have a wooden frame made of oak, ash, beech or pine. The upholstery can be made of genuine leather, suede or velvet.

Simple modern style is embodied in the economical sofa beds. The frames of such specimens consist of chipboard or a combination of wood and chipboard.Cotton, flock, synthetic suede or leather substitutes are used for upholstery. The cost of such products is low, and the quality corresponds to the norm.

High-tech or minimalist furniture is made from reliable and inexpensive materials. The frame is most often made of metal, which is why the sofa bed lasts a long time, is inexpensive and easy to repair. Upholstery is made from inexpensive leather substitutes or stable and durable materials such as arpatek.

Before buying a sofa bed, you need to consider and analyze several factors, thanks to which you can choose the best option.

• Necessary determine the size of the living spaceand also choose a place to place new furniture. For this, measurements are taken of the space, taking into account the window sills and heating means. Do not forget about the dimensions of the doorways so that the furniture can pass through them. Based on the collected data, the type of furniture purchased is determined. For a small room, straight models are best suited, and corner options are possible for spacious rooms.

• Determine the number of berths... Depending on the person sleeping on the couch, the size of the purchased item must be taken into account. A width of 80–120 cm will be enough for one person, and at least 140 cm for two.

• Determine the main purpose of the sofa... The sofa bed can be used as a main sleeping place or as a backup option for guests. The frequency of the deployment mechanism depends on this, so if you use it frequently, you should select the instance with the most reliable mechanism from the materials available.

• The need for additional elements... The most important of them is an additional compartment for storing bed linen, which is not present in every model. Bonuses include the presence of complete pillows, as well as pedestals as coasters.

You will learn how to choose a sofa in the next video.