Inflatable sofas: pros and cons, types and choices

Not so long ago, inflatable furniture appeared on the market. It is distinguished by the comfort of use and increased durability. Inflatable sofas are very popular these days, which are a good replacement for an uncomfortable folding bed, such a solution is good for a summer cottage, a country house or a picnic in nature. Modern inflatable sofas come in a wide variety of shapes and colors, making them a very stylish piece of furniture. Let us dwell in more detail on the pros and cons of such products, the types and features of their choice.

Inflatable furniture is a structure filled with air, it is distinguished by the ability to change shape and softness, which is comfortable for the body. Initially, such sofas were created to quickly fill the room with furniture in the event of an unexpected visit from guests or to organize a relaxation area during overnight trips. For the first time such furniture appeared at the end of the 19th century. Models of the past were in many ways inferior to modern products in terms of strength, durability and safety of use. In the second half of the 20th century, the production of inflatable furniture acquired a serial character and became truly large-scale.

The start to the manufacture of such furniture was given by the request of the railway companies, which needed such sofas to organize more comfortable transportation of passengers. The fabric and plastic did not justify themselves - the first did not allow air to pass through, and the second turned out to be unsafe. This led the engineers to the decision to use polyvinyl chloride, which met all the basic quality parameters.This material is a vinyl film with the addition of synthetic polymers - from which the outer part of the sofa is made. The inner frame is made in two versions, such as:

• from several longitudinally located stiffeners, interconnected;
• from transverse ribs - they are located independently of each other, such structures are more reliable.

The inflatable sofa has many advantages, namely:

• it is compact, such a design takes up very little space, so that furniture can be stored without cluttering up the space, taken with you on trips;
• light weight - even a child can move the sofa from one place to another, moving it does not require any physical effort;
• cost - you can purchase an inflatable structure at a low cost, while in terms of its functionality it can become a full-fledged alternative to several objects at once;
• inflatable furniture is hygienic, modern materials allow air to pass through and repel moisture, so the sofa cover does not absorb sweat, as well as any accidentally spilled liquids.

Other benefits include the following:

• lack of seams;
• use for the production of only non-combustible materials;
• ease of care;
• the ability to install on almost any surface;
• quick installation;
• the ability to use as a swimming mattress;
• a wide range of models, including products of non-standard shapes and sizes.

but inflatable sofas have their drawbacks... Such furniture is not recommended for use in homes where pets live - the claws of an animal can damage the product, as well as a shard of glass or a small sharp stone if the sofa is installed outdoors.

Nowadays, stores offer a wide range of various models of inflatable sofas: models for the beach, banana, sofa mattress, children's, tourist, hiking, self-inflatable, folding, air, portable, sofa with or without back. Today it is not just a mattress that can be inflated for a one-time overnight stay, but also a multifunctional item that is relevant for travel.

Such an inflatable device is a product of two or three sections. When folded, it can be used instead of a regular sofa, and when unfolded it can be used as a sleeping place for an overnight stay. Most often, such models are used as temporary - during a protracted renovation, a vacation outside the city, or when there is no opportunity to install more expensive furniture. The vinyl covering of such a transformer, as a rule, is strong, so it can be placed even in an open space - it is not afraid of the sun or rain.

Such a sofa looks like a voluminous, rather high inflatable section from a pair of chambers, it is performed in an oblong shape. The sofa bag can be used both at home and outdoors for a picnic. Some models can be used as a hammock or deck chair, or instead of a swimming mattress.

These sofas are irreplaceable in the summer. They are portable and can be taken on the road and inflated in just a few minutes without using any pumps.

In previous years, inflatable sofas were most often made of vinyl - this is a water-resistant material with a soft dusting, it resembles flock or velor to the touch, so the sheet does not slip on its surface. In 1993, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was invented, which is a fairly dense, but at the same time lightweight material. It can withstand impressive loads, while not allowing water and air to pass through. The material does not emit toxic substances, therefore it is absolutely safe for children and adults. It is hypoallergenic and hygienic. PVC is practical and durable, can be used for many years.

All modern PVC sofas are available in the following options:

• single - the width is 60–95 cm;
• one and a half - the width is 100-130 cm;
• double - width is 150-200 cm.

Inflatable sofa configurations completely mimic traditional solid furniture. They are characterized exclusively by texture and level of softness. As a rule, all options are comfortable, but only transformers can be used for sleeping - they can be folded out and provide a full-fledged sleeping place. Quite an interesting solution will be corner, round or semicircular inflatable sofas - they are inflated for outdoor recreation and meetings with friends. It is unlikely that it will be possible to equip a sleeping area from them.

A separate type of such furniture is considered models for the car. They are a mobile sleeping place that fits on top of the rear seats. Usually it is used when traveling and traveling, when it is not possible to check into a hotel. Some variants are supplemented with a special device that allows you to fill the empty legroom near the rear seats. They are made double.

Nowadays, in any outlet you can find a wide variety of inflatable sofas from a wide variety of manufacturers. Let's take a closer look at the most popular brands that have won the trust of users in various countries.

• Lamzac... The company introduced the beanbag sofas to the market, which literally blew up the market and have become the most purchased model for out-of-town vacations in recent years. The cost of products from this manufacturer varies from 1 to 2.5 thousand rubles.

• Intex. The brand offers a wide range of convertible sofas with ergonomic headboards and comfortable armrests. The cost of such products is an order of magnitude higher - the price tag starts from 2 thousand and ends in the region of 6-7 thousand rubles.

• Bestway. Products of this brand are well known to the Russian user. The company is popular as a manufacturer of inflatable products - swimming pools, mattresses and sofas. All products are distinguished by high quality combined with affordable prices. The cost of inflatable sofas varies from 4 to 6 thousand rubles.

• Silapro. The sofas of this manufacturer neither externally nor functionally differ from Lamzac products, but they have a lower cost - about 700-800 rubles.

When choosing an inflatable sofa, it is extremely important to pay attention to the following characteristics:

• cover - if you are going to use an inflatable sofa on the street, then you should give preference to models with a plastic coating, since it is convenient and protects the product from mechanical damage; for the home, it is better to choose sofas with a flock coating, its velvety surface holds the bed linen, does not allow it to slip and at the same time does not create discomfort for the back with prolonged contact with the material;
• the quality of the seams and their location - if the seams are located transversely, then they can withstand much greater loads than longitudinal ones. It is desirable that the joints are sealed using a laser;
• the presence of vertical inserts in the frame - such design features provide additional stability to the product;
• bottom reinforcement - if you are going to use the sofa outdoors, then you will need models with additional reinforcement of the strength of the material;
• you need to select the optimal inflatable mattress taking into account its color scheme, which will allow you to buy the model that will harmoniously fit into the interior.

The best option would be double models. They allow you to equip a full-fledged resting place, while in deflated form they are compact, do not cause any inconvenience during transportation and storage. To accommodate a large company, it is advisable to give preference to multi-seat options.

Whenever possible, try to choose models with a built-in pump, as this will greatly facilitate the packing and changing of clothes when traveling and traveling. However, not all models offer such a complete set, therefore, when choosing a suitable sofa, it is advisable to immediately purchase a pump that is suitable for it in terms of technical parameters.

The method of preparing inflatable furniture for use directly depends on the characteristics of each specific model.

Despite the abundance of universal pumps, for inflating sofas, it is still recommended to use the one that best suits the diameter of the valve connector, otherwise there is a high risk of spoiling the product ahead of time. The modern market offers a large selection of manual and electric pumps for a wide variety of budgets.

To inflate such a sofa much faster - it is blown by the wind. To bring it into working condition, you must follow the following simple instructions:

1. remove the structure from the cover and carefully unfold;
2. open the neck of the bag and shake it so that air enters it;
3. continue manipulating until the sofa is completely inflated;
4. after the sofa is completely filled with air, it is necessary to pull the neckline as tightly as possible; to do this, it should be wrapped several times with a hammock cloth around the axis;
5. when the sofa becomes elastic and round, fasten the puffs on the sides of the neck;
6. turn the sofa over so that it is large part on the ground - the product is ready to use.

Inflatable sofas do not require any special maintenance. To maintain the hygiene of the product, it is enough to simply wipe it with a damp cloth, and if strong dirt appears, remove it with soapy water. But it is better to refuse the use of abrasive, caustic acid-base cleaning compounds, as well as brushes. The cleaned and dried sofa is stored in a special cover.

If the inflatable sofa is damaged, then first you need to find the puncture site, which is often quite difficult. Foam will help in this - you just need to soap the surface, bubbles will immediately appear at the puncture site. After finding a damaged area, a special patch should be glued - in any store that sells inflatable products, you can buy repair kits for each type of material. The patch must be treated with universal superglue and pressed tightly to the puncture site, and then left for the time indicated on the package with the glue.

In case of damage to the sofa in the places of gluing and seams, the problem can be dealt with only in a specialized service center.

When using inflatable furniture, the following precautions should be observed:

• under the influence of high temperatures, polymer materials lose their density, so it is better to place such furniture as far as possible from radiators, fireplaces and other heat sources;
• to inflate the sofa, it is undesirable to use powerful pumps, for example, automobile pumps - they give too high pressure, which is not intended for PVC products;
• pets must not be allowed on inflatable furniture - dogs and cats have sharp claws that can leave holes in the coating.

Analyzing the reviews left by users about inflatable sofas, we can say that they are mostly positive. This is a practical and comfortable furniture that is presented on the market in a wide variety of different sizes and shapes. That is why everyone can choose a product that meets the tasks assigned to him. If we talk about specific manufacturers, then the goods Intex and Bestway do not cause any complaints - their products have long been known on the market of inflatable products and have established themselves as high quality, comfortable and durable.

The situation is quite different with bag sofas. An active advertising campaign caused a sharp surge in demand for these products. The simplicity of the inflation mechanism without the use of pumps has generated interest in the product, but user reviews have been the most controversial. Half of the buyers agree that this is a comfortable sofa that can be brought into a functional state literally in a matter of minutes without much effort. Others claim that the sofa cannot be completely inflated.

The domestic market is mostly filled with Chinese products, which is characterized by the following features:

• made of low quality materials;
• often has an unpleasant odor;
• sewn with thin threads that either tear the material, or tear themselves.

See below for an overview of the inflatable transforming sofa.