Children's ottoman: features, models and choices

The children's ottoman has a wide, low berth, which is convenient for the baby to climb. It ensures healthy, comfortable and safe sleep. A modern ottoman is compact, endowed with a bright and varied design, it can become a real decoration of the interior.

Ottoman is the Persian name for a large wide sofa without a back, brought to Europe in the 18th century, the Turks called it ottoman. The modern ottoman is much smaller, it combines the functions of a sofa and a bed, but it is still more of a bed than a convertible sofa, since its main task is to provide a comfortable sleep.

Besides, such sofas are prone to transformation and increase their sleeping place in a certain way. The product often contains a box for linen, and if it rolls out on rollers, the baby has the opportunity to use it for his toys. The ottoman differs from a full-fledged sofa by a wider and lower surface for sleeping. The article will focus on children's models, special requirements are imposed on them, they should be:

• environmentally friendly;
• safe;
• durable;
• they need to have anatomical properties;
• match the age and gender of the child;
• be interesting, beautiful and appropriate to the environment.

Often, an ottoman in a children's room looks like a toy - a car or an animal, it decorates the room and attracts children. In addition, the sofa has many more advantages:

• it belongs to a multifunctional type of furniture (two in one): during the day it is used as a sofa, at night - as a bed;
• it is compact, for small rooms you can choose sliding options;
• endowed with a spacious box;
• the design is very simple, there is simply nothing to break;
• it is convenient for the smallest to climb on a low sofa;
• soft rounded corners of furniture are safe for a child;
• in most cases, the ottoman has a solid wide berth, which is important for the formation of a healthy back of the baby; for the same purposes, you can choose models with an orthopedic filler or an additional mattress;
• a large selection of models with which you can take both a corner and any section of the wall;
• it is easy to choose a product for the required environment;
• loyal value.

The children's ottoman is infinitely varied, it is easy to find it to taste for any boy and girl. Parents can be accommodated with a sliding, folding model or with a lifting mechanism, with a limiter, drawers, soft back, orthopedic mattress. It is difficult to classify such a variety of products, but let's try to distribute them by location, design features and transforming mechanism. The ottoman, unlike the sofa, is not placed in the center of the room; according to their location, they can be divided into only two types: straight and angular.

This type of furniture takes place against the wall. A straight product can have a back, restraints and even armrests; it is distinguished from a regular sofa by more graceful shapes. The sleeping place of the ottoman is wide and level, it is closer to the floor.

For an ottoman, this is the most common option. The corner is formed by a light back and headboard, that is, a place for a pillow. Even before buying, you should know in which corner the product will be located, since they are divided into left-side and right-side. In form and design features, the models are as follows.

• Ottoman toy can look like a car, a locomotive, a bear, a hare, a butterfly, a flower and other themed items.

• For the smallest, the sofa has restraints on three or four sides.

• Unusual options for those who like to lean on handrails, armrests are provided.

• Products may contain one or more boxes under bedding or toys. Access to them is done in three ways: the sleeping section is raised, under which there are storage places, the drawers are pulled out from the bottom of the ottoman or rolled out from under the berth.

• Orthopedic models. They contain not only a mattress with a special filling, but also a headrest that follows the anatomical shape of the head and neck.

• Mini sofas endowed with a transforming mechanism.

Contains a section on casters that extends out of the ottoman. The withdrawable mechanism is used in models of different types:

• the section moves to the side, double folded mattress on the ottoman, unfolds and covers the berth;

• the section moves forward, forming a double bed, the folded mattress also unfolds;

• the seat itself rolls out, and additional elements fit into the resulting niche;

• the seat moves off, a massive lateral handrail fits into the formed niche;

• ottoman is a kind of "matryoshka", from the lower part of which another full-fledged sleeping place leaves, located below the seat level, it is independent and can take any place in the room at night, such a model is convenient for two teenagers;

• roll out only boxes.

This device easily lifts even a heavy sleeping place, just apply a little effort - and access to the boxes will be free.

A two-seater ottoman for teenagers can have a "eurobook" transformation. This is an improved version of the still Soviet mechanism "book", it opens on the principle of opening a book.

The mechanism was invented by the French and named it thanks to the sounds that occur during unfolding: it is pulled out with one click (click), the second is installed (gag). The mechanism is able to hold the ottoman in three positions: sitting, lying and half-sitting.

A small soft ottoman, completely without corners and hard elements, turns into a comfortable seamless sleeping place. To unfold the model, simply pull it forward. The metal frame and robust mechanism are designed for daily use.

The “dolphin” model belongs to the withdrawable mechanisms. The section slides out on casters and, by slightly lifting, is installed flush with the seat.

The ottoman consists of a frame, filler and upholstery, that is, each part of the product contains a different material. Therefore, they need to be considered separately.

The best frame is made from an array of dense trees such as oak, larch, walnut, maple, beech. Non-porous, durable and reliable, it will last for generations of children. A wooden base made of pine will help to reduce the cost of the product, and even cheaper you can purchase a model that includes pressed plywood.

Unfortunately, another budget material is used for frames - chipboards. They are made from large shavings and glued with toxic compounds, which, when the air temperature rises, emit toxic fumes into the external environment. That's why Particleboard can be considered the most unsuitable option for children's rooms.

Most of them use metal to reinforce the frame and for the lifting or sliding mechanism itself.

The durability of the ottoman and the comfort of being on it depend on them. Modern industry has developed a lot of materials for filling upholstered furniture, they have different compositions, density and cost.

• Polyurethane foam is the most demanded material, it is used in half of the upholstered furniture. It is hypoallergenic, inexpensive, practical, durable, and has an average level of rigidity.

• Durafil refers to hard types of fillers, it forms the back of the child well, does not cause allergies, resists burning, does not absorb moisture. It does not get ticks, moths, mold.

• Holofiber not intended for furniture that is exposed to intensive use, it is soft and sags quickly. But if you add it before the harder fillers, the mattress is perfect.

• Latex moisture resistant and durable, it has orthopedic properties, but belongs to expensive products.

• Foam rubber - not the best filler for a children's ottoman, as it has elements of toxicity, is short-lived, and can sag.

• Spring blocks there are dependent and independent. The first option is inconvenient, since the springs are intertwined and, if you press on one, all the others will stretch. Independent springs are installed separately, each works independently, such a mattress is very comfortable as needed.

The upholstery material directly affects the reliability and durability of the ottoman.If it is easy to pull the threads out of it, slightly hooking it, for example, from a mat, then such a fabric is not suitable for a children's sofa. Many materials are impregnated with special compounds that repel water, perhaps they are not relevant for a child's room, since they do not allow air to pass through.

Adults come up with fashionable colors, children have favorite shades, they choose them for their clothes, toys and even furniture. Most kids prefer a bright, fun palette that is playful and uplifting. To please every kid, the furniture industry uses the most incredible shades. By the way, it was noticed that the girls' rooms are made with delicate paints. Boys prefer active and rich colors. Let's consider examples of color solutions in the interior of a children's room.

• Ottoman "Alice"despite the calming green tone, the result is variegated and energetic.

• Calm tonality of beige shades may suit the style provence.

• Model "Space" the colors of the sky, the moon and the stars set the child up for sleep.

• Boys prefer the color blue, "imposed" on them from birth. But some juicy shades of blue look cheerful.

• Energetic colors for a children's room, too calm a child will need.

• The tone of this sofa is based on the theme of the sun, rainbow and many delightful colors.

The ottoman for a child can be used from 3 years old. But there is a special type of structures that are used from a year, they are protected from all sides, which makes it possible for the baby not to fall during sleep. The sofas come in a variety of sizes, just like the kids themselves. They are found with dimensions close to the armchair (with a folding mechanism) or with a full-fledged seamless wide berth (80x160 cm).

The parameters of the ottoman, taking into account the age of the children, differ markedly, but there is also such furniture that “grows” with the child, adding by section. For a teenager, you can pick up a large, but lightweight product with a comfortable sleeping place: 100-120 cm wide and 170-190 cm long. Unlike a full-fledged sofa, a large ottoman will not look bulky.

Each designer at home has his own child, love for him is felt in the created models. They are incredibly beautiful, comfortable and diverse, find approaches to any baby, feel his desires and inner world. Parents can only listen to what the child wants, and they will receive extraordinary furniture in the interior of the children's room. See how diverse sleep and relaxation products are for little users.

• Ottoman for a teenage girl, built into the furniture with a pencil case and shelves.

• The snow-white ottoman with a carriage coupler looks very solemn.

• A bed for a little princess can look like a Cinderella carriage.

• And for the sea princess - in the form of a large shell.

• Kids love toy sofas, it can be a car, a boat, a train or representatives of the animal world.

• A royal ottoman bed for a girl looks elegant and majestic.

• A compact sofa for a little football player.

Products for a children's room have special characteristics, they must be durable, reliable, safe, they must be made from environmentally friendly materials. The products of companies producing children's furniture are carefully checked. That's why it is worth purchasing an ottoman from well-known factories, which meets all the requirements put forward.

It is a Dutch company based in Sweden. Its simple, inexpensive, but durable and functional furniture is known all over the world today. In the children's room, along with the couch, you can buy the rest of the furnishings, using the ready-made interiors from the designers of the company.

The Polish manufacturer of children's furniture produces beautiful sofas of European quality. Its products meet the demand from the smallest users to teenagers.

The Italian brand makes delightful, high-end, bright sofas for school children. The company pays great attention to the latest developments, aesthetic and technical characteristics of the models. The products correspond to European quality, but their cost is high.

Children's furniture from the Turkish manufacturer Cilek is in great demand in 30 countries around the world. In addition to the ottoman, the company can offer a completely finished interior of a children's room; in this regard, the brand has more than 700 thousand developments. Models of sofas for children are endowed with streamlined rounded shapes, equipped with safe sides.

The German children's furniture factory Paidi produces cots for newborns, all kinds of sofas, including an ottoman, bunk play beds. Their products are equipped with all kinds of boxes and look attractive.

A comfortable sleep and the state of the child's posture depend on a properly selected bed. If the baby is uncomfortable and does not get enough sleep, capricious notes will appear in his character, the nervous system (and mother's too) will suffer. So, when choosing an ottoman, you need to pay attention not only to the delightful appearance, but also to other criteria.:

• the harder the sofa, the better for health, but the baby may not appreciate the care, so it is better to dwell on a model of medium hardness;
• ideal solution would be selection of a product with orthopedic properties;
• if the couch contains chipboard, withyou should read the certificate to understand the degree of danger to the child;
• upholstery material must have the ability to "breathe", otherwise the baby will be stuffy and uncomfortable;
• it is better to choose a bed with a son or daughter, taking into account their opinion, but if technical characteristics and safety are important, which the child is not yet able to judge, you need to gently insist on your decision;
• at the time of purchase, you should check the operation of the transforming mechanism, invite the child to unfold the ottoman himself, while any difficulty or tension should alert and become a reason to consider another option;
• a small child should not take a model for "growth", it may turn out to be high for him and not have safety sides.

Upholstered furniture for children is incredibly beautiful and varied, you can be sure of this, having examined examples in the interior.

• Ottoman "Ladybug" is compact, laconic and very effective.

• The "fairy house" model can take its place even in the smallest rooms.

• A beautiful ottoman for a girl in gentle shades.

• Mini sofa with appliques.

• Model with legs for a girl, stylized as the decor in the room.

• Shabby chic sofa.

How to choose children's furniture, see below.