Armrests for the sofa: what are they and what to cover?
Today, there are a great many varieties of sofas on sale. You can pick up a good model of any modification and configuration. Often consumers choose between options with and without armrests. In this article, we will figure out what the last specified details of furniture structures are, and how they can be covered.
Peculiarities
Modern sofas are presented in the richest assortment. In furniture showrooms, buyers have the opportunity to find models of all types and configurations. Comfortable and attractive products equipped with armrests will never lose their popularity... The latter are made from different materials and can have different designs.
Often, armrests become a harmonious addition to upholstered furniture, making it more comfortable, functional and practical. A properly selected product with beautiful sides can easily become an attractive element of an interior or its bright accent. Fortunately, in stores there are different types of sofas with different armrests - it will not be difficult to find a winning option for any interior ensemble.
Sofa armrests are not always made in the same colors as the seats themselves with a backrest. Often these details contrast with each other, which makes upholstered furniture even more interesting and effective.... Similar products are available for all styles of environments.
The armrest is a structure that makes the sofa more comfortable to use.And the point is not only that you can comfortably lean on it when a person wants to, but also that different objects can be placed on the sidewall - from newspapers and magazines to a cup of tea or coffee.
If armrests are present in the furniture structure, it turns out to be more functional and practical.
In more modern and sophisticated sofas, the armrests are quite functional. So, the market has long been conquered by designs in which the sidewalls are spacious storage systems or are equipped with shelves, niches in the inner part. These parts also look good if you make them more decorative, for example, supplemented with lighting.
Species overview
Sofa armrests are different. They are made from various materials, applying all kinds of design ideas. For each style of interior, you should select furniture with sidewalls suitable for this style. Let's consider what these components of upholstered furniture are, and what features they differ in.
Soft
Many of the modern sofas are fitted with padded armrests. They are sheathed in different materials - from leather to textiles, supplemented with various fillers.
Many users prefer to purchase furniture with just such details, since they are characterized by advantages that play an important role in the operation of sofas.
- The padded armrests literally radiate warmth and comfort. They make furniture more inviting, inviting.
- It is more convenient to use soft armrests. They can be voluminous and lush - such elements are pleasant to touch.
- The mild varieties are completely safe. Households are unlikely to receive any injury if they accidentally hit them. The soft sidewalls are especially safe if a small child lives at home.
- It is more comfortable to lie on a sofa with soft sides. You can rest your head or hand on them. This will make it much easier to relax.
- You can also put different objects on the soft armrests, but for this it is advisable to choose models supplemented with rigid elements on top. Otherwise, on too soft a surface, things simply will not be stable.
Soft sides can be of different shapes and sizes. There are sofas in which these parts have built-in shelves or cabinets under the upper part. It must be remembered that it is not recommended to put plates or cups with coffee, tea, lemonade and other drinks directly on the upholstery of the sidewalls, since these are vulnerable areas that can be easily stained or abraded. Some materials are difficult and time-consuming to clean.
Wooden
The sofa side parts made of wood look special. They radiate elegance, grace, comfort and hospitality. Many people mistakenly consider sofas with wooden armrests to be outdated, vintage.
In fact, such upholstered furniture has long been very popular, and a properly selected model will easily fit into both classic or retro and modern interiors.
Armrests made of wood can also be supplemented with storage compartments, shelves and other useful components. Wood parts are good because they are highly resistant. You can put dishes, gadgets and other necessary things on even and hard surfaces. Leaning on them is also permissible, despite the rigidity.
Wood armrests can make your sofa more expensive to construct. This is especially true for models with elite wood sidewalls. Constructions made of budget chipboard or MDF will cost less. The latter are easier to care for - natural wood must be treated from time to time with special antiseptic compounds that protect the natural material from premature decay, drying, and parasite attacks.
The wood armrests look rich and graceful, but they can be accidentally bumped and injured. If we are talking about a small child, then it will have to be kept away from such sidewalls at all, especially if they have sharp corners.
When using a sofa with similar elements, you will always have to be careful not to make sudden movements.
Having upholstered furniture with armrests made of wood at home, do not forget about the wear of the latter. The sides should be used carefully so that they do not get scratches, chips or frayed areas. The presence of these details is usually striking and negatively affects the entire appearance of the sofa. True, in the event of damage that appears, the armrests from the array can be restored, but this will have to spend additional money and time.
Shapes and sizes
Armrests in modern furniture designs differ not only in color and design, but also in shape and size. Let's take a closer look at what these details can be that are present in the design of the sofa.
The sides are made in the following forms:
- with a rounded corner at the front at the top;
- asymmetric - they are decorated with bends, drop-shaped, triangular;
- convex (most often these are soft sidewalls);
- perfectly straight;
- rectangular oblique;
- rounded, repeating the curves of the arm.
Sofa sidewalls come in different heights - high, low, as well as narrow or wide. The choice of the best option depends only on the wishes and preferences of the buyer. In some interiors, products with small and neat sidewalls look harmonious, while in others - with large and rough ones.
If upholstered furniture is selected for a small-sized room, then it is advisable to give preference to designs with more compact side parts.
Accessories
The armrests provided by the upholstered furniture device can be very useful and necessary to use. Often they are supplemented with various accessories that make them more functional and practical. And also in specialized stores it is possible to find various decorative products that can give the sidewalls a more interesting and attractive look.
Consider what accessories for armrests can be found on sale:
- hard lining - made of MDF or chipboard in accordance with the thickness of the armrest itself, can serve as a stand for dishes or gadgets;
- lining on the mount - comfortable products with a special lock;
- cover panels - simple overlays without fasteners;
- soft lining - can be removable, presented in a large assortment, often these capes are used for fixing on hard armrests in children's rooms;
- organizer - a useful addition, it is a special cape with pockets and open compartments in which you can put a snack, a remote control and other little things that the household will choose.
The armrests of the sofa are complemented with similar accessories not only to make the furniture more functional, but also to protect the sidewalls from dirt. That is why it is not recommended to leave these parts of upholstered furniture unprotected, especially if they have vulnerable, branded upholstery.
See below for an overview of the Next sofa with armrests.