Dolphin sofas: features and tips for choosing

Folding sofa models have conquered the market for a long time. Such furniture turns out to be not only very comfortable, but also multifunctional. This does not prevent sofas with folding mechanisms from becoming a harmonious completion of the interior design. In this article we will get acquainted with all the features of models equipped with a mechanism called "dolphin".

Nowadays, the assortment of various sofa beds is huge. Each buyer has the opportunity to choose a product for himself that meets all his requirements and wishes. Many people opt for models with a dolphin mechanism.

From the very beginning of production, the named mechanism was used only in corner-type furniture constructions. Due to this, the furniture turned out to be very practical and comfortable, which quickly made it very popular. Thanks to the dolphin mechanism, the corner sofas were easily transformed into spacious and comfortable sleeping places. Over time, similar systems began to be installed in standard products of a straight structure.

The dolphin mechanism itself belongs to the roll-out category. If we are talking about a corner sofa, a lot of free space is not needed for the folding process. The structure consists of 2 main parts: one of them is located in the roll-out section, the other in the furniture seat.

The transforming mechanism is a very robust and reliable design. Modern steel systems fixed on wooden rails are especially durable and practical.The mechanism is simple and straightforward in operation. In the process of unfolding, a couple of blocks must be rolled out from under the seat (one is recessed in the other). Due to such elementary manipulations, a spacious and comfortable mattress for sleeping is formed.

Thanks to the work of springs and levers, during transformation, one of the sections rises and stands at the level with the other, where it is securely fixed. Such designs are presented in several variations, but the principle of operation is the same for all types.

Sofa beds with roll-out and roll-out mechanisms are available in many homes. Such furniture is in great demand.

Modern furniture designs with the dolphin mechanism have a lot of advantages that make them in demand.

• The main advantage of upholstered furniture with a dolphin mechanism is its reliability and durability. Structures of this type usually serve for a long time, do not require repair.
• The dolphin mechanism itself is surprisingly simple and malleable. It is very easy and convenient to lay out such a sofa. This does not require extra effort. Even a child or a fragile girl can easily cope with these procedures.
• After correct unfolding, such a sofa easily transforms into a spacious and very comfortable sleeping place. The sleeping area for households is usually wide; there is no shortage of free space.
• In the assembled state, the sofa with the dolphin mechanism is compact and does not require a lot of free space in the room. This advantage is especially true among the owners of city apartments, where there is often not enough free square meters.
• The dolphin mechanism is also good because it is designed for regular folding and unfolding. A sofa with a similar system can be used every day without fear of rapid wear and tear, if necessary.
• Sofas with this simple but practical mechanism are distinguished by an affordable price. In furniture stores, you can find cute budget models.
• The huge assortment is another significant plus of the products in question. Models of various shapes and colors regularly go on sale. Every consumer can find the perfect piece for himself.
• Most modern roll-out sofas with dolphin mechanisms are made of sturdy and durable materials. Internal mechanical structures made of steel and wood are especially reliable and will not need frequent repairs.

The advantages of upholstered furniture with the mechanism in question attract many buyers who want to purchase a really high-quality, undemanding and wear-resistant product. But before purchasing such a sofa, it is important to familiarize yourself not only with its advantages, but also with its disadvantages.

• The upholstered furniture under consideration is characterized by a high arrangement of the sleeping bed. If a person prefers to sleep on low-height structures, this option will not work at all.
• The height indicators of berths in the furniture structure differ. In some models, you can see how the static, stationary half differs from the movable one in its height.
• During the operation of the sofa mechanism in question, damage to the floor covering in the room often occurs. Of course, they can be avoided, but for this you will have to look for specimens with rubberized rollers, or you will need to lay a thick carpet.
• Most sofas of the design in question do not have storage systems and built-in drawers, since all free space is allocated for the roll-out platform itself.
• The sleeping place here can be characterized by different elasticity. This is due to the fact that in most cases the seats are made more rigid in comparison with the platform itself.

The folding mechanism can be installed in sofas of various modifications. Dolphin is placed in both rectangular and angular models. Let's take a closer look at what their main distinguishing features are.

A straight sofa, in the design of which a roll-out type of unfolding is provided, is a popular modification of upholstered furniture. Similar designs are found in many apartments and private houses. They are presented in a huge assortment. Usually straight sofas are placed near one of the free walls in the room.

The direct transformer can have a wide variety of dimensions. On sale you can find both mini-format models and larger and more spacious options designed for a spacious room. The design of the furniture can be made either without armrests or with them.

Fashionable corner sofas are especially popular these days. Such furniture not only looks solid, expensive and modern, but also very easy to use. Many firms supply corner sofas to furniture salons, which speaks of the richness of their assortment.

A pull-out corner sofa is the perfect solution for almost any home. There are L-shaped or U-shaped options. The first ones are intended for installation in a free corner of the room. Thus, they remain functional, but do not take up extra free space. If we are talking about modern U-shaped models, then they are usually installed only in spacious rooms of sufficient quadrature. For too cramped and modest areas, these designs are not suitable.

Practical and comfortable modular sofas are no less popular today. Such designs can consist of several sofa armchairs and separate sections. You can do almost anything from modular models. The user can easily disassemble the furniture structure and give it a completely different shape. The size and type of such products primarily depend on their elements. The number of the latter varies depending on the specific model of the sofa.

Choosing a high-quality and durable roll-out sofa, one must start not only from its design and cost, but also from the materials of manufacture. Both the frame and the upholstery of the furniture are important. Consider what frame structures can be made of.

• Natural wood... Constructions made of wood of natural origin are environmentally friendly, safe, reliable and durable. However, many of them are expensive. Over the years, the wooden frame will need antiseptic agents to make the material last longer, does not dry out, does not deform, does not rot and does not become a "victim" of woody parasites.
• Metal. As mentioned above, metal frames are the most reliable and durable. Practical steel options are especially popular today. Also on sale you can find sofas with frames made of aluminum, titanium. Models with such equipment can last for many years, but many of them are distinguished by an impressive weight, which creates certain difficulties in their transportation.
• MDF... Relatively inexpensive and affordable material. MDF is safe and cannot harm even those people who suffer from allergies. But the strength indicators of this material leave much to be desired.
• Chipboard. Cheap stuff. It is used in the manufacture of economy class furniture. Chipboard is a material that contains formaldehyde resins that can harm human health. In order not to encounter such things, you need to choose sofas with a frame made of laminated chipboard of class E-0 or E-1 - these are safer products.

When choosing a good and beautiful sofa with a folding mechanism, one must take into account what material its upholstery is made of.

• Leather. One of the most spectacular, beautiful, but expensive materials. The leather is durable, wear resistant, looks rich.
• Artificial leather... This upholstery may look just like natural, but it won't make the roll-out sofa too expensive. Artificial leather is durable, but does not like low temperatures, and over time, abrasions may appear on its surface, which only a good cover will help to hide.
• Tapestry... Classic upholstery fabric. Can be made from wool blend fibers, cotton or polyester.
• Chenille... One of the most popular fabrics. Consists of fleecy threads.
• Flock. It is a non-woven textile material. It is obtained from wool, viscose, polyamide or acrylic.

In furniture stores, there are roll-out sofas with a dolphin mechanism, which have a variety of dimensions. The most popular and common are models with the following parameters:

• main module - 252x112 cm;
• ottaman - 92x172 cm;
• corner modules - 112x112 cm.

A roll-out bed for sleeping in such products can be from 140-150 to 220 cm wide.

A folding sofa of an angular modification will allow households to relax on a more spacious and comfortable bed measuring 180x200 cm.

The depth of sofas with a dolphin mechanism varies. Models with the following parameters (in mm) are on sale:

• 900;
• 700;
• 1030;
• 1070.

Modern manufacturers make sofas with additional mechanisms, made in a variety of colors. The following products can be considered the most popular:

• white - beautiful, sophisticated and lightweight models that easily fit into most environments;
• black - solid, fashionable options that are not recommended to be placed against the background of black wall decoration - the tandem runs the risk of merging;
• brown - classic, cozy and stylish sofas;
• red - bright solutions for courageous people, it is recommended to put on a neutral background;
• blue - attractive, "cool" products, suitable for many interior styles;
• green Is a soothing, pleasant color that is comfortable to be surrounded by.

When choosing a suitable sofa with a dolphin mechanism, one should also build on its stylistic orientation. Such upholstered furniture should harmoniously fit into the existing environment. It's important to keep the styles consistent.

• Classic. A classic sofa should be made from natural, expensive materials. There should not be any extra flashy decor. It is recommended to buy light, calm options. Carved wooden elements may be present, but in a small number.

• High tech... A modern style for which a plain, discreet-looking sofa upholstered in leather, leatherette or other practical material is a win-win. The presence of metal parts, functional additions is permissible.

• Minimalism... Also a modern trend. Minimalistic sofas are made as simple, strict and restrained as possible, always monochromatic.

• Modern. A modernist sofa will look amazing with high-quality leather upholstery, rounded futuristic shapes. The presence of a tandem of 2 or even 3 different colors on furniture is allowed (they can contrast).

• Baroque. A style characterized by ostentatious luxury, wealth, and the use of expensive or rare materials.In such an environment, you should only look for high-quality, smart-looking and expensive furniture. The presence of curved parts, gilding, bronze, silvering, carved elements, a chic carriage coupler is allowed.

• Provence. Cozy and welcoming style of the French countryside. For such environments, you should choose soft, tall sofas with light (pastel) upholstery, decorated with stripes, floral or cute animal prints. Furniture should be made from natural, sustainable materials.

• Loft. Rough attic style. For such interiors, it is best to look for folding sofas with solid gray, black or brown upholstery. It can be leather (both natural and artificial). Rough wooden or metal parts are allowed.

Choosing a roll-out sofa with a berth is not difficult at all. The main thing is to take into account several basic criteria and parameters of furniture.

• Dimensions. Before going to the store, measure the place where you plan to put the sofa. For small-sized areas, it is worth choosing neat designs that will not overload the space, making it even tighter. Large sofas can be purchased for a spacious apartment.
• Materials. Pay attention to the frame and upholstery. This will directly determine how long the furniture will last. It is advisable to buy not only durable and sturdy, but also environmentally friendly models without hazardous components. The materials must be free of any defects or damage.
• Mechanism operation. Check how the dolphin mechanism works in the selected model. When folding and unfolding, the system should not emit crunches, squeaks or jam, get stuck.
• Design: style and color. Don't forget the importance of the design of the convertible sofa you choose. Furniture should match the rest of the furnishings both in style and in color. Make sure that the design does not make the interior disharmonious, incomplete.
• Manufacturer. It is recommended to give preference to modern branded sofas with a dolphin mechanism. Such furniture lasts longer, looks more attractive and does not create unnecessary problems. Typically, such products are sold in good furniture stores, and not in markets or street vendors.

See below for an overview of the mechanism.