How to choose the right sofa

No home can be imagined without a sofa. This is a versatile furniture for living room, bedroom, kitchen. But how to choose a model that will satisfy all your needs and last more than one year? It is necessary to take into account the features of operation, the place of installation and decide on the shape of the structure. We will tell you how to choose the right sofa for your home and office.

Choosing a sofa is always a joyous event for the whole family.

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Features of the sofa in the house
Shapes and sizes of sofas
How to choose the right sofa
Which sofa is better to buy for different rooms
How can you replace the sofa
Video: how to choose the right sofa
Varieties of sofas in the interior in the photo

Features of the sofa in the house

Home furniture is of two types: non-folding, designed for receiving guests, rest and folding, which can be used as a main or additional bed. Most buyers pay attention to large functional models.

Straight, angular, modular - there are many variations.

Such sofas are placed in living rooms or used instead of beds in one-room apartments. Small sofas are more often chosen for the kitchen or children's rooms.

Shapes and sizes of sofas

The most popular models are straight and angled. There are also original furniture options on the market: round island sofas without armrests. Their peculiarity is that the seats are located around the axis. Such furniture is installed in spacious living rooms, reception offices, entertainment venues.

various sofas — Modern furniture factories produce a wide range of different sofas.

The size of the furniture is:

double - up to 160 cm in length;
triple - about 240 cm in length.

Folding sofa — A fold-out sofa is not only a comfortable place to relax.

The largest sofas are corner sofas. Their sizes range from 380 to 550 cm.

How to choose the right sofa

The most important thing in choosing furniture is not its form and style of execution, but quality. You need to pay attention to the interior of the sofa, the principle of the mechanism, materials of manufacture and the type of upholstery.

Frame

The most durable options are assembled on the basis of a wooden or metal frame.

The sofa can be made from different materials:

Wood is expensive, reliable and durable, such furniture is heavy and of high quality, if the fasteners loosen over time, it is easy to tighten them without damaging the base material. The wood does not crumble and does not dry out if the operating conditions are observed;
Plywood is a glued material, strong and durable, sofas with a plywood frame are somewhat cheaper than solid wood models;
MDF - has a favorable combination of cost and quality, the material is non-toxic, consists of wood chips and natural resins. Not susceptible to cracking and swelling from moisture, suitable for kitchen furniture;
Particleboard is the cheapest material of manufacture; when heated, it emits toxic elements. The chipboard frame is less durable than analogues; such furniture is not recommended to be purchased for regular home use.

Folding sofas are most often with a metal frame.

Metal frame sofas are usually small in size. They are placed in the kitchen or in the hall.

Filler

The filling of the sofa can consist of a spring block, polystyrene foam rubber. Models with independent spring blocks are considered the most modern and convenient. They have orthopedic properties and are durable.All springs are “packed” in separate covers, if one of them fails, the sofa will not sag.

Models with dependent spring blocks are considered obsolete. Such a filler is put into the most budgetary furniture. If one spring fails, the furniture will sag.

The most modern filler is expanded polystyrene. The material is 90% air and is a modification of foam rubber. It holds its shape perfectly, quickly takes its original position. Does not wear out over time.

Upholstery

Decorative finishes can be made from natural or synthetic textiles, leather or eco-leather.

What fabrics are used for upholstery of sofas:

matting - dense, textured, wear-resistant, unpretentious in care, budget, prone to fading, not resistant to high temperatures;
chenille - consists of synthetic and natural threads, pleasant to the touch, hypoallergenic, wear-resistant, does not absorb odors, does not deform, easy to care for, the disadvantage is that it absorbs moisture strongly;
velor - a budget fabric made of viscose, cotton and polyester, breathable, pleasant to the touch, whimsical to care for, subject to wear and tear;
flock - consists of cotton, polyester and nylon, can imitate various fabrics and textures, easy to clean, dust and moisture resistant, traces of pets' claws are practically invisible, the disadvantage is that it strongly absorbs odors;
jacquard - consists of natural and synthetic threads, strong, durable, wear-resistant, capricious in care, does not tolerate wet cleaning, smooth, the texture of the fabric is not pronounced;
tapestry - based on cotton threads, the percentage of added synthetics is small, hypoallergenic, environmentally friendly, resistant to moisture, does not differ in wear resistance, prone to puffs;
eco-suede - pleasant to the touch, durable, wear-resistant, hypoallergenic, inexpensive, requires careful care, does not tolerate cleaning with aggressive detergents;
genuine leather - expensive, wear-resistant, durable, easy to clean, moisture-resistant, disadvantages - not suitable for animal breeders, as claw marks easily remain;
artificial leather - budgetary, pleasant to the touch, moisture resistant, does not absorb odors, wear-resistant, budgetary, disadvantages - materials with a rough texture are prone to cracking.

Mechanism

In folding models, the mechanism plays a special role. Ease of use depends on its device.

What mechanisms are installed in modern models:

a book - a simple, time-tested, inherent in budget sofas, unfolds by raising the seat until it clicks - at this moment the back takes a horizontal position, then the seat is lowered, requires it when unfolding;
eurobook - reliable, easy to use, forms a flat surface for sleeping, easily unfolds by rolling out the seat, suitable for small rooms, disadvantage - the wheels can scratch the floor;
pantograph is a convenient option, it can be folded up by raising the seat and pulling it forward (requires effort), does not harm the floor covering;
Eurosofa - reliable and durable, suitable for regular use, to expand, you need to press on the top of the back, the mechanism is designed in such a way that you do not need to move the furniture away from the wall;
dolphin - used in straight and corner sofas, to unfold, you need to pull the loop, the lower part is hidden under the seat, it can scrape the floor with wheels;
puma - it unfolds quietly, with minimal effort, it is enough to pull the seat towards you to open access to the lower part, installed in corner models;
accordion - requires a lot of space when unfolding, the seat rolls forward for the loop, the back is unfolded;
the caravan is reliable and durable, to unfold, you need to raise the seat and pull the legs;
Reach - strong, durable, easy to unfold, the seat needs to be lifted and pulled.

folding sofa table — Folding models have a special transforming mechanism.

If the sofa will be regularly used as a sleeping place, it is necessary to choose the most durable models with a metal frame.

Do not forget to check the quality of the installation of the folding mechanisms.

Which sofa is better to buy for different rooms

One of the most important criteria is the location of the sofa. each room has its own characteristics that should be taken into account. So how to choose a straight or corner sofa depending on the installation location?

For the living room

Large and comfortable sofas will do. It is better to choose straight triple or corner models. It is better to pay attention to folding models, as they will serve as an additional place to accommodate guests.

deep seats — The spacious living room can be fitted with a large corner sofa with deep seating.

Furniture with wear-resistant leather upholstery (artificial and natural), dense synthetic or mixed fabrics is suitable. To protect against contamination, it is worth purchasing a decorative cover.

For kitchen

Depending on the size and shape of the kitchen, you can install a small double or a large corner sofa in it. If additional sleeping space is required and the area of the room allows, folding models are suitable.

Sofa in the kitchen — The sofa in the kitchen is usually small.

It is important that the furniture is assembled from a hydrophobic material and upholstered with a fabric that does not absorb odors, is resistant to cleaning and moisture.

For the nursery

Important conditions for choosing are the safety of materials and the simplicity of the folding mechanism so that the child can independently prepare a sleeping place. A double sofa that unfolds in length will perfectly fit into the interior of a small room.

Sofa in the nursery — The sofa in the nursery can be decorated with decorative pillows.

Such furniture can become the main or additional sleeping place in case of the arrival of guests.

Advice. To find safe and durable furniture for a nursery, you should find out which sofas are of the highest quality from the selected manufacturer. It is better if the frame is based on wood, plywood or MDF. As upholstery, you can use materials that are resistant to dirt and wear, and are pleasant to the touch.

For office

Most often, leather sofas are placed in reception rooms and offices. The upholstery can be made from natural material or artificial substitutes. Such furniture is resistant to dirt, does not absorb odors, and is durable.

Office sofa — The sofa for the office is most often leather.

Also suitable for the office is a fixed sofa upholstered in a durable synthetic or blended fabric that is easy to clean.

How can you replace the sofa

In the kitchen, instead of a sofa, you can put a wooden bench with a back, and put a soft pad or pillows on the seat. A metal bench for 2-3 seats is also suitable.

A sofa can — The sofa can be replaced with a sofa.

In the bedroom, you can replace the sofa with a sofa, a bed. A folding chair is suitable as an extra bed. Non-standard option: use modular poufs of low height that fold into a place for sleeping or relaxing.

If you are on a budget, never buy too cheap sofas.

You can also assemble a small sofa from wooden pallets. This furniture is suitable for a kitchen, loft-style living room, hall, open or covered veranda.