Folding double sofas: features, types and choice

It's hard to imagine a living room without a cozy sofa. Folding double models are purchased not only for stuck up guests. In small apartments, they are used at night as a bed, and during the day for a comfortable stay.

A special feature of a 2-seater sofa is its compactness during the day and capacity at night. Counting on the daily transformation of the sofa, you should choose a high-quality model with a reliable folding mechanism, a strong frame, with a filler that will not sink in six months.

The advantages of a folding sofa are obvious:

• functional day and night, working out your resource at 100%;
• variety of folding mechanisms allows you to pick up one that unfolds quickly and easily, and also suits the surrounding environment (disassembled forward or to the side);
• large selection of models will satisfy every taste, you can choose it for any style of interior;
• product with orthopedic mattress promote healthy and sound sleep;
• Availability linen box will solve the bedding problem when you need to fold the sofa.

A sofa with a double bed can be of different sizes and can be found in any room, even in the kitchen.

The large selection of convertible double sofas makes classification difficult. Let's try to distribute them, guided by two main criteria: the form (design features) and the type of folding mechanism.

Often, free space affects the choice of the shape of the sofa, for example, a corner model ideally occupies a corner, a radius product can be placed in the center of a large room, and a straight design is suitable for any wall.

In terms of shape and design, sofas are of several types.

• Direct... A sofa of any size, with or without armrests, which has a classic straight line of the frame, is called straight. In most cases, it is installed against a wall, and only island models can be located in the center of the room.

• Angular. The model is similar in shape to the letter "Г", forms a left-sided or right-sided corner, which is taken into account at the time of purchase. A large section of the sofa is involved in the transformation. The unfolded product is endowed with a spacious berth that can accommodate the whole family.

• U-shaped. Large construction with two corners, in appearance it resembles the letter "P". Installed in the center of a large room to form a recreation area. The fold-out sofa is able to accommodate a large number of guests during the day and at least two at night.

• Ostrovnoy. A product of any shape with equal upholstery on all sides, intended to be located in the center of the room, is called an island.

• Modular. The sofa consists of different sections and is formed at the discretion of the owner. Sliding, with two places, usually a large module, but sometimes the berth is installed due to the composed sections.

• Radial. A semicircular design that, when unfolded, forms a circle that can take two people to sleep.

Looking at a compact sofa with only two seats, you cannot say that it can turn into a double bed. The secret lies in the way of transformation: the berth folds forward and becomes 3 times the size of the seat.

Let's consider the most common folding mechanisms.

• "Accordion". To unfold the product, simply raise the seat slightly and pull it forward. The process is easy, effortless. The sofa with the accordion system is designed for daily use, as it is endowed with a metal frame and a reliable mechanism.

• "Book". Most Soviet sofas were equipped with this mechanism. To unfold the model, you need to raise and push the backrest back. A gap is provided between the sofa and the wall, otherwise the transformation will not occur.

• "Eurobook". Modern improved book mechanism. The seat needs to be pulled towards yourself without much effort, and the backrest itself will take up the resulting space. The mattress is almost seamless.

• "Pantograph"... The sofa unfolds without the use of casters, which preserves the floor covering. The seat seems to "step" out of the sofa, and the back rests in its place.

Before making a purchase, you should measure the place where the sofa will stand and take into account the method of its transformation (forward or to the side). Double products do not have to be oversized, have a two-meter length. They can be endowed with miniature sizes, about one and a half meters long, but thanks to folding forward, they form a full double bed.

The standard straight model measures 180-210 cm in length and 80-90 cm in depth. The width of the unfolded berth will be 160-180 cm.

The sofa consists of a base (frame), sliding mechanism, filler and upholstery. All component parts are made from different materials and must be considered separately.

The load that it can withstand, as well as the durability of the product, depends on the strength of the frame.

For some transforming mechanisms to work the frame is reinforced with metal. A solid base significantly affects the quality of the sofa, but at the same time makes it more expensive.

To make the price lower, use less durable wood - solid pine. The frame will be even cheaper. made of pressed plywood, MDF or chipboard... All these materials not only reduce the cost of production, but also shorten the life of the product itself.

The strength of the sofa also depends on the quality of the filler - a product that is too soft will not last long, the seat will eventually fail. Popular materials are medium-hardness polyurethane foam and hard durafil.

Holofiber refers to soft, airy fillers that provide a comfortable sitting, but it is used in combination with dense materials, choosing the "golden mean" of the degree of rigidity, thereby lengthening the life of the sofa.

Expensive and durable include latex fillers. It should be said about the spring block, especially with independent springs. They are used to create orthopedic mattresses.

The most unsuitable material for a sofa - foam rubber, it sags quickly and is slightly toxic, although it significantly reduces the cost of the product.

For kitchen sofas, you need to choose leatherette or fabrics with a special impregnation that repel water and dirt.

Therefore, for products intended for the living room, bedroom or children's room, water-repellent properties can be neglected. In these rooms it is better to use environmentally friendly, hypoallergenic and tactile fabrics such as jacquard, tapestry, matting, corduroy, flock.

The color of the sofa should match the general background of the environment, unless, of course, it is planned to be accentuated in the interior. The furniture industry produces products of any color without restrictions - from calm gray to flashy scarlet. To verify this, just look at a few examples:

• noble gray shades in the black outline of the frame;

• accent sofa with deep purple color;

• patchwork technique;

• sofa for a green interior;

• cheerful shades of upholstered furniture.

On the Russian furniture market, you can find products from both domestic and foreign manufacturers. Quality depends on the brand, and demand depends on quality. The most popular are several companies.

• Rival. Russian manufacturer of upholstered furniture, in its assortment there are a large number of diverse models, equipped with covers.

• "Lagoon". A well-known Belarusian company has established itself as a supplier of high quality sofas.

• Alchymia. Elite products from an Italian manufacturer. Surprisingly beautiful, but austere luxury.

• Bruehl. The German company produces several design lines of sofas with the transformation of a double seat.

Going to buy a sofa, you need to know the dimensions of the allocated space in the room - the parameters of the model will depend on this. And you should also decide what kind of product you need - left-sided or right-sided, in which direction it will unfold.

The cost of a sofa depends on the brand and the materials it consists of.

The fabric is chosen according to taste and matches the decor. It is better to give preference to reliable, but simple transforming mechanisms, such as "accordion", "eurobook", "pantograph", "dolphin".

A large assortment of convertible sofas makes it difficult to choose. In order not to get lost in the abundance of upholstered furniture, here are some beautiful examples:

• a small elegant sofa with a sliding accordion system;

• leather folding furniture in the interior;

• spectacular modular island sofa;

• a white elegant model always becomes a decoration of the room;

• radius furniture in unfolded form;

• cozy Provence style product;

• simple, but surprisingly beautiful and laconic sofa in a minimalist direction;

• monochrome loft-style interior, preference is given to leather models.

A well-chosen sofa will decorate the room, make it cozy at home, and the two sleeping places it contains will always find their use.

The following video provides an overview of a folding two-seater sofa powered by an electric drive from the Italian factory Pozzi Divani.