Sofa French folding bed - Mixotual. Types and device, which one is better to choose

A sofa with a transformation mechanism, a French folding bed, is a functional piece of furniture. Its design allows you to quickly organize a spacious sleeping area for friends or relatives staying overnight.

The product has a number of advantages:

• compact dimensions when folded;
• reasonable price;
• wide range of models;
• simple operating principle of the device.

Now it's worth mentioning the disadvantages.

• The model with a French clamshell transformation mechanism is not suitable for daily use.
• Straight-shaped sofas do not have a storage niche.
• The length of the sleeping place does not exceed 180-185 cm, so it will be uncomfortable for tall people to sleep.
• The maximum thickness of the mattress does not exceed 6 cm, which limits the choice of filler.

When purchasing a product, it is recommended to evaluate the model you like according to the following criteria:

• type of base;
• quality of the mechanism;
• properties of filler and upholstery;
• manufacturer's reputation.

How does the transformation mechanism of the Mixotual sofa work?

The French clamshell or Mixotual mechanism is a triple folding device. It consists of three sections connected to each other using movable hinges. The supports are U-shaped elements made of a profile pipe, which support the berth in the center and at the feet. The head part is attached to the body of the sofa. When folded, the berth is located under the seat.

The service life of the mechanism declared by the manufacturer is 7 years. This is true, but on the condition that the product will not be laid out every day.

For daily use, it is better to choose a more durable mechanism that can be combined with an orthopedic mattress.

Warranty

A contract for the performance of work is concluded with the customer. The contract includes operating instructions and warranty obligations from.

If a warranty or dispute occurs, you contact our workshop, after which we solve problems with the plant.

ATTENTION! The warranty only applies to mechanisms installed by our craftsmen if the customer has an agreement signed by both parties. The warranty does not apply to mechanisms purchased in our workshop, but installed by third-party craftsmen, or by the buyer himself. Warranty obligations do not apply to mechanisms purchased in our workshop, but installed by third-party craftsmen, or by the buyer himself.

The warranty does not apply to mechanisms purchased in our workshop, but installed by third-party craftsmen, or by the buyer himself.

How to fold out a sofa with a French folding bed mechanism

The French folding sofa can be transformed in several stages.

• First of all, remove the removable cushions from the surface under which the mechanism is located. Sometimes you need to additionally move the armrests and remove the cover.
• Using a fabric loop, remove the mechanism from the box and pull it towards you.
• At the same time, the bed unfolds.
• The structure is completely unfolded and lowered onto the supports.
• U-shaped legs automatically take a vertical position and are securely fixed.

It is recommended to check that all locks have been activated and that the support elements will not collapse spontaneously.

The product is assembled in the reverse order.

• The footboard is turned 180° to align with the middle part.
• Next they are folded together with the headboard.
• Lower the structure into the niche.
• Seat cushions are placed on top, and in some cases backrests, and armrests are pushed in.

Types of bed bases - which one is better

Folding sofas with this mechanism are equipped with several types of bases. Let's get acquainted with all the options to understand which is better.

• The polypropylene awning is attached to a metal frame using steel springs. This variety is short-lived, quickly loses elasticity, stretches under load and sag.
• The mesh of their elastic straps will also not last long. In addition, it has a load limit of 90 kg. The first 2 types are currently almost never used, because sleeping on them is harmful to health.
• Bent-glued armor with a thickness of 12-15 mm is made of birch or beech wood. They acquire a special shape after special processing. The optimal number of lamellas is 13 pieces. They are evenly attached to a metal frame with the curved part to the mattress. These elements allow you to evenly distribute the load and can withstand weight up to 150 kg. However, over time, the wood dries out, loses its elasticity, and acquires unusual bends. The lamellas that have served their purpose can be easily replaced with new ones.
• The awning in combination with lamellas from 4 to 10 pieces provides a double effect: uniform weight distribution, eliminating the problem of sagging of the mattress. The base of 8-10 armor, on top of which is stretched an awning, can be operated with a load of up to 180 kg. However, due to its bulk, problems often arise during folding of the mechanism.
• The metal mesh demonstrates high strength characteristics, the maximum load is 200 kg. For its installation, steel springs are used. The base under the mattress does not sag for a long time, and can be used as a place to sleep every day. In addition, due to the minimum thickness with metal mesh, it is possible to use mattresses with a height of 7 cm.

Mattress support

Many guest models come with a tent or straps that allow the thin mattress to be compactly rolled into a scroll. But when a person lies down, the mattress sags on them. For daily relaxation, we recommend sofa beds with a mechanism based on wooden slats (latt).

These slats, made of bent plywood (birch or beech), are located across the berth and curved like a bridge towards the mattress. Due to the girth effect, the armor provides proper support to the body in the lumbar and neck areas, while “sagging” in the pelvis and shoulders. Full orthopedic effect is guaranteed!

At a minimum, a sofa bed for daily sleep should have a linen drawer - otherwise where will you hide the pillow and blanket when you wake up in the morning?

Moreover, it is recommended to check the quality of the sofa in the linen drawer. You should see plywood (or solid wood), not hardboard or chipboard.

Here is a list of questions, by answering which you will absolutely understand: what model of design should you now look for in the store and why.

Fillers

Due to the fact that the thickness of the mattress is limited, the Mixotual sofa with a folding mechanism is not equipped with spring-type products.

Typically used as a filler:

• foam;
• polyurethane foam;
• latex.

Foam rubber is considered a budget option. The service life of the material is a maximum of 5 years. However, it does not perform its functions well, wears out quickly, and loses elasticity.

Polyurethane foam is quite affordable, wear-resistant, holds its shape well, does not cause allergies, and will last about 10 years.

Latex is a natural material of natural origin. It shows the best properties. Its advantages are as follows:

• durability (20 years);
• orthopedic effect;
• hypoallergenic;
• good breathability;
• elasticity.

The only disadvantage of latex filler is its high cost.

Manufacturers also offer multi-layer mattresses. They contain materials of different hardness. For example:

• polyurethane foam and struttofiber;
• polyurethane foam and coconut coir.

Struttofiber is a soft, elastic, voluminous material that quickly recovers after compression and is designed for a 10-year service life. It is safe for humans, does not interfere with air circulation, and is able to adapt to the contours of the body. In terms of characteristics, struttofiber resembles an independent spring block.

Coir or coconut fiber is a natural raw material. The material is responsible for the rigidity of the mattress. Due to low mechanical strength, it is not used in its pure form. To enhance resistance to damage, it is subjected to the following operations:

• latexing;
• needle-punched pressing.

It is recommended to turn the product containing a layer of coconut fiber periodically.

The mattress is placed in a textile cover with a zipper made of calico or jacquard. There are ties at the ends for attaching to the frame. In case of contamination, the cover can be easily removed and taken to dry cleaning.

Children's models

Parents who are serious about the quality of their child's sleeping place highly appreciate children's orthopedic folding sofas. Such models take care of posture and promote maximum relaxation during sleep. Thanks to the folding mechanism, they save space in the room, freeing up space for games during the daytime.

Due to the elastic orthopedic base, it is convenient not only to sleep on them, but also to sit during the daytime: play, draw.

The main advantages include:

• ease of operation;
• ability to withstand heavy loads;
• the presence of a breathable body;
• environmental friendliness, safety;
• small size;
• multifunctionality;
• bright, interesting designs.

Manufacturers produce children's sofas from reliable materials. The upholstery is made of soft and wear-resistant fabric. Their soft back is high and comfortable. And so that the child does not get injured during games or sleep, there are no hard metal or wooden elements on the surface.

When choosing reliable furniture for children, pay attention to the following:

• Transformation mechanism. Children's sofas fold out in the same way as adults. The most popular models: Eurobook, accordion, click-clack. To save space, it is recommended to pay attention to corner products, for example, dolphin;
• Design. In furniture stores you can find many interesting, attractive models. Consumers can opt for plain sofas with bright elements (appliqués). For the youngest children, you can purchase models in the shape of animal faces, in the shape of ships, cars, princess carriages, and swans. This furniture also comes on sale with original prints. It can depict: cars, cartoon characters, animals and other ornaments and patterns. With such furniture, the child’s room will be transformed and become interesting for the baby;

• Materials: upholstery and mat filling. Most often, children's furniture has polyurethane foam padding, which does not cause allergic reactions, is environmentally friendly, and does not accumulate dust. Also an excellent choice would be models with coconut filling, felt, wool, and bamboo. The upholstery should not fade or fade in the sun. The ideal option would be products with removable covers. This will make it more convenient for parents to monitor the hygiene of their baby’s sleeping place;
• Mattress. It can be springless or spring. But you need to keep in mind that spring types are suitable for children over 10 years old. There are sofa models in which the mats are components of a lattice base. But options with a removable mattress are more common.
• Base. Can be metal or wood. The most reliable design is a metal frame and a wooden grille with slats.
• Degree of hardness. For children from 3 to 13 years old, models of medium hardness are selected, and for teenagers - softer ones;
• Additional functions. Manufacturers equip children's furniture with laundry drawers and shelves.

Shapes and sizes

Depending on the shape, products are divided into straight and angular.

Straight models are less bulky, so they are suitable for small spaces.

Dimensions of sofas are French folding linear type.

• Overall height 79-100 cm, seats - 45 cm.
• Length 161-222 cm.
• Depth 75-106 cm.

Corner structures can reach a length of up to 4 m or more. Due to the side element, the depth increases to 2 m.

The dimensions of the bed, depending on the model, are presented in the following figures:

• length - 1.78 m, 1.85-1.86 m, 1.9 m, 2 m;
• width - from 0.7 to 1.5 m.

Varieties

All models differ in the following parameters:

• type of transformation;
• designs;
• target direction;
• dimensions;
• number of seats.

If the buyer is only interested in models designed for sleeping, then it is worth considering transformable furniture. It is classified according to the method of assembly and unfolding into 4 types:

• Roll-out. Such products are rolled out from below. Common models: eurobook, dolphin, pantograph, puma;

• Folding. These models are laid out like a book. These include: sofa-book, click-clack, sofa-couch;

• Movable. They differ in their design with rollers running on the floor. Example: accordion model;

• Unfolding. To unfold, you need to pull the seat towards you, unfold it and put it on its legs. These include folding sofas (American, French, Italian).

What can Mixotual sofas be equipped with?

A sofa with a straight-shaped Mixotual mechanism in most cases does not have a storage box. Sometimes manufacturers still equip small niches in wide armrests. Access to the content is possible through:

• lifting the top;
• drawer extensions on a platform similar to a cargo system.

If we compare both options, the first one is more spacious, and the second one is more convenient to use.

Corner-type models contain a spacious drawer in the ottoman. Its seat rises easily and is securely fixed at the top point. This is facilitated by a spring mechanism or gas lift.

Sofas that belong to a high price category can make your stay more comfortable. They are equipped with devices for various purposes, which operate thanks to an electric drive.

• TV stand with lifting and rotating mechanism.
• Miniature bar equipped with LED lighting.
• Built-in speaker system.
• USB port for connecting mobile devices: phones, tablets.
• Special stand for glass with lighting and cooling.
• Automatic backrest tilt adjustment.

Popular upholstery options

An important selection criterion is the upholstery material. It must be of high quality, wear-resistant and easy to use.

Most often used:

• Genuine Leather;
• eco-leather or leatherette;
• microfiber;
• velours;
• chenille;
• flock;
• jacquard.

Jacquard fabric is an excellent choice. This material does not lose its relevance. It pleases consumers with interesting colors, practicality and resistance to negative factors.

Chenille has good characteristics. This fabric is very durable and beautiful.

Flock is able to serve its owners for several years. Just don't scratch it.

Faux suede is popular. This fabric is durable, attractive, practical, and inexpensive.

Which option to choose is up to the buyer to decide. The main thing is that the chosen type of upholstery pleases the household, is practical and easy to use.