Sofa pillows: what are they and how to choose?

A sofa is a comfortable and beautiful piece of furniture. A comfortable stay on it depends on the seat (cushions), which have different fillings, respectively, different strength, durability and orthopedic properties. The article will discuss the types of pillows and the choice of a sofa with the best soft blocks.

The sofa is indispensable for small apartments. It does not take up much space, but it has every opportunity to provide a comfortable daytime rest and a healthy night's sleep, it all depends on the filling of the pillows. And they come in different densities: soft, medium and hard. When choosing, personal preferences and health conditions are taken into account. Doctors recommend:

• for pain in the upper back, choose hard pillows;
• with lower back pain, it is easier to lie on soft blocks;
• children, in order to correctly form the spine, on the contrary, do not need soft pillows, medium hardness is suitable for them;
• older people will find it easier to sleep on hard pillows or medium density.

Sofa cushions can be divided into two types: spring and springless. Each group has its own advantages and disadvantages. Spring blocks, in turn, are divided into dependent and independent. Pillows with dependent springs refer to the Bonnel version - in this product, all springs are interconnected. This is a cheaper and less practical model. Compressing the springs in one place, they pull others along with them. For independent pillows, each spring is housed in a cover and fixed separately. The compression of the sofa seat takes place in one specific place and does not affect the rest of the springs.

The advantages of pillows with independent spring blocks include the following points:

• they have high orthopedic characteristics;
• durable, seats do not sag for many years;
• the berth can withstand a load of up to 250 kg.

Spring cushions also have their drawbacks, which you should be aware of before deciding to buy them:

• their weight exceeds springless products, which makes transportation difficult;
• many do not like the presence of metal in the mattress: because of it, static electricity appears, and a violation of the anti-corrosion layer can lead to rust, which is soaked onto the surface;
• over time, a characteristic squeak of springs appears.

Springless mattresses also come in different types. The expensive ones have "memory" and orthopedic properties, the cheap ones can be inconvenient and wear out quickly. Let's take a look at the merits of springless filled pillows that are good quality products:

• they are light;
• durable and reliable;
• there are no springs in them, which means there is nothing to break and creak;
• depending on the filler, they can have orthopedic properties;
• have a long service life;
• withstand loads up to 150 kg.

As already noted, pillows are divided according to the degree of rigidity and the presence of springs. The quality and composition of the filler has a great influence on the strength, reliability, durability and comfort of the bed. According to their composition, pillows are divided into the following types.

Sleeping accommodations with dependent spring blocks are in demand due to their low cost. The sofa can withstand a load of up to 110 kg. The springs are firmly fixed, so the pillows will last more than one year before their characteristic squeak occurs. Over time, the sleeping place is deformed, but before that it will faithfully serve for many years.

Each spring has a high degree of elasticity, providing a durable orthopedic effect. The pillows follow the shape of the body and give the opportunity to completely relax the muscles and fully relax. The disadvantage of this type is the high cost and poor resistance to point effects.

A more familiar name is foam rubber (compacted fine-cellular foam). Environmentally friendly and safe material... Its softness and hardness are perfectly balanced. PU foam has excellent air permeability, elasticity, it keeps its shape flawlessly. In terms of technical characteristics, it is not inferior to independent spring blocks, although it has a lower cost.

This filler can be artificial or natural. Natural material is produced from the sap of the hevea tree by foaming. The product belongs to the elite types, it is expensive. There is good air circulation in the pillows, they are resilient and elastic, have a "memory", repeat the shape of the body. The orthopedic properties of latex fillers are high. Insects do not start in such products, they are hypoallergenic.

Medium hard filler made from cactus coir. It has good breathability, does not retain moisture, and neutralizes unpleasant odors. In pillows, agave leaves are combined with latex, which allows you to achieve sustainable elasticity of the product. To obtain ideal rigidity, sisal is combined with holofiber.

The size of the sofa bed depends on the dimensions of its frame. Mattresses that are 20 cm taller than a person's height are considered a comfortable length for healthy sleep. Large models have parameters of 90x200 cm or 90x205 cm, the most compact ones - 60x160 cm. Some products are endowed with a transformation function. When unfolded, the pillows can have parameters 120x180 cm, 160x190 cm or 180x200 cm.

The strength and durability of pillows is influenced not only by the quality of the filler, but also by the upholstery material. Modern industry produces a wide range of products. If the sofa is to be in the kitchen, you can choose waterproof and stain-resistant fabrics.

The material is similar to velvet, but with a shorter nap. The fabric is soft, breathable, holds its shape well, has a beautiful appearance. Disadvantages include the possibility of abrasion, as well as a tendency to accumulate dust.

Durable, reliable material with a beautiful pattern. It is produced in matte and glossy versions, it is suitable for upholstered furniture in living rooms. Looks great and lasts a long time. The disadvantages of this material include the need for dry cleaning.

A kind of jacquard with special impregnations, thanks to which the fabric does not accumulate water, dust and dirt. It has special strength and beautiful appearance.

Soft, practical material with a characteristic fiber structure. The fabric is resistant to damage, tactilely pleasant, does not absorb foreign odors, and is durable. But puffs from the claws of animals can remain on such fabric, and besides, a product made from it is not cheap.

The most practical material, strong and durable, created using modern technologies. The fabric repels moisture and dust, but absorbs odors well, so it is not suitable for use in the kitchen.

It is important to know whether pillows are being selected for a new product or for old-style furniture, still of Soviet production. When buying, you need to pay attention to the following points.

• A sofa designed for daily sleep should have comfortable, high, medium-firm pillows with orthopedic characteristics. If your budget allows, you can purchase blocks with independent springs or latex base.

• For daytime use of the sofa, you do not need to overpay; for this, pillows with polyurethane foam are quite suitable. It is a good quality, inexpensive filler with moderate hardness.

• To children's rooms it is better to choose natural fillers - latex, coconut coir, as well as natural upholstery made of cotton-based fabric with 5-6 pillows.

• For the kitchen and hallway it is better to prefer upholstery with impregnation, repelling water and dirt. Fillers with spring blocks are undesirable for these rooms.

For information on how to make a furniture pillow, see the next video.