The sofa has been and remains an almost indispensable piece of furniture in any apartment and any home. It is both a place of relaxation, a place where you can sit with friends, and a place to sleep, especially in modern small-sized apartments, and also often serves as an additional sleeping place for guests.
This is why it is important to choose a folding version for your home. Now there are many types of sofas, which differ in the type of folding. One of the most popular models is the accordion sofa. It is quite convenient to unfold, but it also has its own characteristics.
It is quite possible to assemble it yourself, without resorting to the help of assemblers, despite the apparent complexity of the transformation mechanism. How to assemble a sofa accordion? The assembly diagram and its technology are presented in this material.
How to assemble a sofa accordion - assembly diagram
Features of the accordion folding system
Accordion sofas are widespread and easy to find in stores. Of course, they are less popular than the same books, but, nevertheless, they are considered one of those that are quite easy to use and lay out. The transformation mechanism is very simple, and such a sofa can even be made independently from start to finish, because it does not use complex metal elements for unfolding, like the same popular book.
Modern classification of sofas
Mechanism for accordion sofa
So, the “accordion” folding or transformation system is the following mechanism: the sofa has three soft sections and unfolds according to the accordion principle . Its elements are connected to each other using special hinges firmly fixed to the frame. One of the sections is a seat, and the other two, when folded, form a backrest. That is, it turns out to be double. When unfolding, you need to move the seat forward, the first part of the back will follow it, then the second. Thus, the sofa will turn into a spacious place to sleep. The bed will not have any bends or changes; it will be smooth and comfortable. Of course, these conditions are met only when using high-quality furniture models.
The folding sofa with a roll-out mechanism is easy to use, it is very reliable and can be used daily
Folding the sofa is also not difficult - just return all sections to their original position. Previously, accordion sofas were quite heavy and bulky, but modern models are easy to fold and unfold. And now even a physically weakly developed person or child can cope with this task.
Beautiful accordion sofa
On a note! It is interesting that it was the accordion instrument that served as the prototype for the name for the method of transforming this sofa, since it resembles the folding of the bellows of this musical instrument.
Typically, the frame of such a sofa is made of metal, since this material is fully capable of ensuring a long service life of the product, its reliability and strength. The bed itself will have a wooden frame (for example, slats), which is fixed to a metal frame.
Sofa accordion
Sofa accordion on a wooden frame
Equipment
The accordion sofa looks worthy in any interior. Consumer demands force manufacturers to constantly improve familiar furniture. Very often, such sofas have a linen drawer at the bottom. This is a very convenient device. The box is especially needed by those people who sleep on this sofa every day. Bed linen is easy to put away in the morning and easy to take out in the evening.
Also, quite often the package includes several decorative backrests. Thanks to this, the sofa harmonizes with any type of interior.
Advantages and disadvantages
So, we figured out the mechanism for folding furniture of this type. However, it would not hurt to study the advantages and disadvantages of this sofa. The advantages include the following aspects.
- Strength and high reliability of the entire structure . This transformation mechanism has been and remains one of those that can serve for many years without any complaints. Even if it breaks, such a sofa can be easily repaired; you do not need to buy any special devices or mechanisms for this.
- Ease of transformation .
It is easy to unfold and fold this sofa. There is no difficulty in simply expanding the structure, and after use, folding it again and giving it its original appearance. Photos and dimensions of the accordion sofa - Easy to repair . It was already said above that the folding mechanism is easy to fix if it fails, but it’s also easy to reupholster the sofa if the need arises. If the sofa begins to creak, then the reason for the unpleasant sound often lies in the lack of lubrication on the parts of the transformation mechanism. Just by lubricating all the hinges, you can get rid of the squeak. If the reason lies in a broken wooden part, then it is often enough to simply replace the damaged lamella with a new one or glue it together.
- Availability of storage space . Often accordions (but, unfortunately, not all) have drawers for storing linen and other things. They allow you to free up space in closets and the apartment as a whole.
- Space saving .
Accordions can be placed directly against the wall, without leaving a gap between it and the piece of furniture as is the case with books and Eurobooks. How to choose the right sofa book - Large number of size variations. Accordions can be both large and small, and can be used for sleeping by both adults and children. There are also very small products that are suitable for modest-sized rooms.
The accordion sofa bed has a lot of advantages, as it is a transformable piece of furniture.
But accordions also have their drawbacks. They rarely become the reason for refusing to buy such a sofa, but they can play a big role when choosing a model.
- This sofa folds forward, which means there should be quite a lot of free space in front of it.
- The storage compartments for accordions are small. So you shouldn’t expect to be able to fit a lot of things into the sofa.
- Over time, the sofa may leave marks on the floor when constantly unfolded. But here a lot will depend on the type of flooring.
- The back of the sofa often seems very massive and bulky - do not forget that it turns out to be double due to the peculiarities of the folding mechanism.
Sofas with accordion mechanism
Cozy sofas
Types of sofas
There are several varieties of these structures, differing in appearance and parameters. All products are created from various materials, therefore they have a specific color, texture and design. The main types include:
- a direct structure, the assembly diagram of which is simple, is installed along a pre-selected wall. Usually such a sofa is produced with a folding accordion type with an ottoman, which ensures comfortable sitting on it;
- corner design is designed for installation in a certain corner of the room. It consists of two parts and a corner element. One side part is always longer than the other, and usually they can change places.
Straight
Corner
Also, this folding bed can be disassembled in different ways, since there are mechanical or automated models. In the first case, you have to make certain physical efforts for this, and in the second, you just need to press a button on the remote control. If you carefully understand how to assemble sofas of a given variety of each type, then no difficulties will arise in the process.
Subspecies of accordions
Accordion sofas come in a wide variety of appearances and shapes. They can be both large and small, narrow and wide, and can also combine other types of transformation, differ in upholstery materials and internal filling. But, in general, all accordion sofas can be divided into three main subtypes, which, oddly enough, have “flowery” names.
An accordion sofa with a drawer for linen is an excellent option for use in small apartments or separate rooms
Table. Subtypes of accordion sofas.
| Subtype | Short description |
| Lydia | This is a standard version of the accordion, in which the back itself does not fold out completely. |
| Jasmine | This sofa will have a drawer for linen, and is also necessarily equipped with a metal frame. May have folding armrests. |
| Aster | When folded, this sofa is very compact, and when unfolded it turns into a spacious bed. Has a simple transformation system. |
Corner sofa accordion
Also, accordion sofas, depending on the model, may have shelves, built-in small tables on the sides, drawers for linen and other elements. Sometimes in addition to the sofa there is an armchair, you can buy a whole set.
On a note! There are not only sofas, but also accordion chairs, which fold out according to exactly the same principle, but turn into a small single bed. An excellent option for small rooms and one person living. They may have armrests, but there are also models without them. As a rule, if there are no armrests, the sleeping area becomes more spacious. This rule applies to sofas, not just armchairs.
Accordion chairs
Additional equipment
The accordion sofa consists of: frame, base, filling and upholstery fabric.
Leather, eco-leather, flock, velor, chenille, jacquard and others can be used as the main upholstery fabric.
It can also be equipped with additional options:
- orthopedic mattress. It completely follows the curves of the body, maintaining it in the correct position during sleep;
- linen drawer. When unfolding the transforming mechanism, underneath there is a convenient and spacious linen drawer where you can put bedding;
- table. A very convenient option for those who like to drink tea or coffee while watching TV. It is also convenient to place a laptop on it;
- overlays for sidewalls. They protect those areas that are most subject to wear and tear. In addition, the pads are functional, as you can put a cup of coffee, magazines, or a mobile phone on them;
- removable covers. They help preserve the original appearance of the furniture, as they protect the upholstery from intensive use;
- side shelves. They can be used to store books, magazines and decorative items. This way, everything you need will always be at hand.
Materials
As we found out, usually an accordion sofa has a metal base frame, as well as wooden slats for the mattress. And here, in principle, everything is clear. That’s why most often accordions are chosen based on their “clothes,” that is, the upholstery in the first place. So, the following materials can be used for upholstery:
- flock , which is characterized by great strength and durability;
- leather and eco-leather , which will give the sofa solidity. These are easy-to-care materials, but they can be easily damaged by sharp objects. Also, such materials should not be chosen by those who have pets;
- jacquard is a material considered the most inexpensive, but at the same time it looks stylish and beautiful;
- matting is a material based on burlap, durable, undemanding, but hard and not particularly beautiful;
- velor is a delicate and pleasant material, but difficult to clean.
What is an accordion sofa
When choosing a sofa model and its upholstery material, you must take into account the conditions and frequency of use of the product. You also need to remember to take measurements of the room and decide where the furniture will be placed so as not to make a mistake with the dimensions. It would be a good idea to take into account the general style of the interior at the selection stage in order to choose a sofa that best suits the color and style.
Leather accordion sofa
Suitable mattress
When purchasing a sofa of the presented design, you need to pay attention to the type of mattress. It is included in the kit. A good night's sleep will depend on this element.
The “accordion” sofa layout mechanism assumes the presence of mattresses with polyurethane foam or spring blocks. If the depth of the furniture does not exceed one meter, the thickness of the filler can be only 8 cm. In the seating area, the mattress should be thicker. In sofas with medium depth, filler ten centimeters thick is used. Most modern models have a 12 cm thick mattress.
Assembly and preparation for use
Assembling an accordion-type sofa yourself is not at all difficult. Moreover, many who are interested in making their own products note that making such a sofa is as easy as shelling pears compared to other models. In order to construct such a model, you need to stock up on a metal frame, chipboard panels or boards, upholstery and filling material, as well as fasteners. As for assembling a purchased sofa, there is nothing complicated here either.
Mechanism transformation
Step-by-step work that allows you to easily assemble a sofa accordion
Along with the furniture parts, there is also an instruction manual, following the step-by-step instructions in which you can assemble this sofa model very quickly. Of course, assembly variations may differ slightly depending on the subtype of sofa, but still, in general terms, the technology remains the same.
Advice! Assembling any furniture alone is not easy. So it’s better to invite an assistant to assemble the accordion.
Straight accordion sofa
In general, the entire assembly process can be divided into two stages:
- frame design;
- assembly of sleeping elements.
Let's take a step-by-step look at the process of assembling one of the accordion sofa models.
Step 1. As a rule, a sofa of this type is delivered from the store partially disassembled. That is, armrests, a mattress, as well as the frame structure itself with the assembled transformation mechanism will be delivered separately. The first thing you need to do is unpack the sofa and free it from packaging elements.
Usually such sofas are delivered partially disassembled
Step 2. Next, you need to take the frame part and unfold it, spreading it apart until it is completely unfolded.
The frame part expands
Step 3. Then you need to lay the mattress on the surface of the frame. It is equipped with special Velcro strips that will help securely secure it to the frame part.
The mattress is being laid
Special Velcro tapes are available
Step 4. Use Velcro strips to secure the mattress to the frame. To do this, it is imperative to secure it to the base of the frame in the places where the mattress is folded, and also fix the mattress on the edges of the frame. You need to use all the Velcro - this is the only way to achieve reliable fixation of the soft part.
Fixing the mattress on the frame
Fixation process
It is important to properly fix the soft part
Step 5. Now you need to start installing the armrests. For this process, it is necessary to remove the fixing and adjusting elements of the armrests from the main frame on the sides, and also remove the supplied fittings from the packaging. You will also need a key for 10.
The fixing and adjusting elements of the armrests are removed from the main frame
Accessories included
Step 6. It is necessary to install and secure the holders on the armrests of the sofa in specially designated places.
Attaching the holders
Step 7. When all the holders are fixed on the armrests, you need to insert them into the special transformation grooves.
Next, the armrests are inserted
They need to be inserted into special grooves for transformation
Step 8: The armrests also have plastic connectors. They need to be put on the back of the sofa. They will help further tighten the armrests towards each other.
Installing a sofa back
Step 9. Now you need to move the sofa to such a position that you can reach with your hand the adjustment knob located between the armrest and the bed.
You need to get to the adjustment knob
Step 10. Next, the lamb needs to be tightened until it stops. The sofa is completely assembled, all that remains is to check its transformation capabilities and, if all is well, place it in the chosen place in the apartment.
The lamb is tightened until it stops
Let's consider a more complicated version of the assembly, where it is also necessary to additionally assemble the transformation mechanism.
Step 1. In this case, you first need to attach special brackets to the side armrests. Fixation is done using bolts, screws and washers.
Fixing the brackets on the armrest
Bolts are used for fixation
Step 2. Now you can assemble the frame. It is required to install small and large supports, fixing them with screws and nuts, and also install special flags on the transformation mechanism.
Assembling the sofa frame
Step 3. After this, you need to install the springs on the mechanism support, and then the plugs on the rods.
Installing the spring and plug
Step 4. After this, when the main part of the sofa is assembled, you can install the armrests by screwing them to the base of the sofa using nuts.
Armrests are installed
Step 5. All that remains is to install the back of the sofa and that’s it, the product can be used. The main thing is to test it before use and make sure that the folding mechanism functions correctly.
At the end the back of the sofa is installed
Customer Reviews
As for general customer reviews, they note the following:
- The mattresses in such products are smooth, without depressions or cracks. Consequently, they are pleasant and comfortable to sleep on;
- The mechanisms are durable. If the product has a metal frame, then the sofa will serve the owners for more than 10 years;
- When folded, the furniture takes up minimal free space and is perfect for small spaces. When unfolded, it completely replaces a bed and is suitable for resting two adults;
One of the negative aspects is the possible appearance of squeaks during operation.
