Mechanisms for transforming sofas. What are they and how are they different?

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In this article we will briefly and informatively talk about the most common mechanisms for transforming sofas, which are presented on our website. Our goal is to help you quickly navigate these not always clear names and find the option that suits you.

To do this, we will look at sofas from the consumer’s point of view, and these are just 2 main criteria:

1. convenience of daily unfolding of the sofa; 2. possible load on the sleeping place.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE LAZY TO READ:

mechanisms that are not suitable for daily use are labeled "guest".

Now let's list the most common sofa mechanisms:

1. Book; 2. Tick-tock; 3. American folding bed (Sedaflex); 4. French folding bed (Mixotoile); 5. “3-fold mechanism”; 6. Spartak.

Why is it important to choose the right sofa transformation mechanism?

• The mechanism is one of the main structural elements of the sofa, therefore the overall service life of the transforming sofa also depends on its reliability.
• The mechanism affects the convenience and ease of turning the sofa into different positions.
• Depending on the transformation mechanism, different free space in the room will be required to bring the sofa into the desired positions.
• The shape of the sofa also depends on the type of transformation mechanism. After all, it is under it that the mechanism is hidden from our eyes

Now I'll go into more detail. Next, I will talk about various mechanisms for transforming sofas and describe their positive and negative aspects. Let's go to!

First there will be mechanisms suitable for everyday use.

Advantages and disadvantages

Elastic polyurethane foam is used in the furniture and automotive industries

Polyurethane foam has pros and cons. Let's look at the positive properties.

1. The main quality is that dust does not accumulate in it, it is completely hypoallergenic. This ability is important for those who are prone to allergies.
2. During production, it is treated with an antibacterial and antifungal agent, so it does not cause harm to health.
3. Can last a long time and is wear-resistant.
4. Has good breathability.
5. Thanks to its elasticity, it instantly restores its original shape.

Imprint of hand shape after pressing on viscoelastic polyurethane foam

There are also negative properties

1. Often you come across poor quality polyurethane foam - it will quickly lose its original shape, and the furniture will quickly sag.
2. The material does not tolerate direct sunlight and begins to deform. During production, upholstery made of light-protecting materials is used.
3. Polyurethane foam is a flammable substance and releases toxic substances when burned.
4. For many, the high density of PU foam may seem hard.
5. Excessive softness of the material can cause back problems, and in children - curvature of the spine, so it is better for them to sleep on a hard surface.

Transformation mechanism for the sofa “Book”

The book sofa can be folded into two positions: a sofa for sitting and a sofa for sleeping.

The sofa transforms into a sleeping position by tilting the back of the sofa back. Folding the sofa is also not difficult. To do this, lift the front of the seat and tilt it forward until the spring clicks into the mechanism. When the spring mechanism is triggered, the sofa parts will be fixed in an angular position. After this, tilt the previously raised seat towards you.

You don't have to move the sofa away from the wall when folding it out, but keep in mind that the design of the sofa requires some space between the wall and the back of the sofa. This means that the back legs of the sofa frame will be located 20-25 centimeters from the wall.

The folding parts of the sofa serve as a sleeping place, and when folded they serve as the seat and back of the sofa. Therefore, they consist of wooden or metal frames on which spring blocks or pillows are fixed - furniture foam blocks (FPU).

A sofa made of spring blocks is more durable and has better orthopedic characteristics, although sitting on it is not as comfortable as on foam core. If possible, choose a sofa with a separate box spring.

Advantages: durable, reliable and time-tested mechanism. Suitable for frequent use and organization of bunk beds. The “Book” sofa often contains a section for sleeping places inside the body.

Disadvantages: the sofa can only be reclined in two positions: sitting and lying down. When transforming into the junction of the folding parts of the sofa, a bulge or gap may appear, which will negatively affect the comfort of sleep. The “book” cannot be placed close to the wall, since the mechanism requires a gap between the wall and the backrest when unfolded.

Other book variations

The classic version of the book sofa is described above, but now there are more advanced models on sale. This is a click-clack and a Eurobook.

The click-klyak is an almost traditional book, but has the ability to be installed reclining. However, its transformation mechanism is very unreliable. It unfolds in the same way as a regular book. There are no joints or height differences in the sleeping area.

Sofa click-clack

The Eurobook has a roll-out part. That is, to unfold it, you need to move the seat forward and then lower the backrest down. A simple option that folds out easily and has such a simple mechanism that it is extremely difficult to disable it. It is considered very reliable and durable, usually lasting longer than an ordinary classic book. Even a child can lay it out.

Eurobook sofa

Sofa transformation mechanism Click-Klak (Click-Klyak, “Tango”)

While preparing this article, I came across the fact that manufacturers come up with their own names for similar mechanisms. This leads to confusion. The same goes for the Click-Clack mechanism.

The “Tango” mechanism has similar properties and, in addition, there is a name “Click-Click”. I'm not sure if this is a bug, both options are possible. “Click-clack (clack).” In the future, all these mechanisms will be called click-clack.

Click-clack in its principle of operation is similar to the book mechanism already described above.

The main difference from the “Book” is the ability of Click-Clack to take intermediate positions of the back of the sofa when unfolding it.

The back, in addition to full horizontal folding, can be in a semi-lying, semi-sitting position. This opportunity creates additional comfort for relaxation.

Click-Clack sofas have a storage compartment for the bed.

Advantages: reliable durable mechanism, the mechanism creates additional comfort, allowing you to fix the back of the sofa in various positions, Click-Clak sofas are small in size, when unfolded on a plane, the sofa creates a surface without unevenness or unevenness

Disadvantages: it is not possible to place the sofa tightly against the wall; when transforming the backrest, you need space to fold it out

Transformation mechanism for the Elf sofa

This mechanism is a subtype of Click-Clack. There are folding armrests

How the mechanism works: The mechanism unfolds easily. The armrests move apart, the backrest leans back to create a sleeping area.

"Elf" refers to mechanisms of metal construction. The frame is made of profile metal pipes. Wooden slats. The armrests are height adjustable and have different positions. This function allows you to create the most comfortable position of the armrests for a lying position.

Advantages: compact model of sofas, good flat sleeping place, slats give a good orthopedic effect, armrests are adjustable - you can create a sofa for yourself.

Disadvantages: you cannot place the sofa against the wall.

Sofa design: main elements of the internal structure

There are only three main details of the internal structure of upholstered furniture, which most strongly affect its strength, durability and performance characteristics.

• Inner frame
• Soft fillers
• Spring block, if available.

In addition to the listed elements, various built-in devices can be located inside the sofa. For example, a linen drawer or a transformation mechanism. In addition, some modern models have built-in music systems, bars, and safes. But still, such pieces of upholstered furniture are rare and are more likely to be considered funny curiosities.

In addition, some sofa models may have not only an internal, but also an external rigid frame. In this case, metal or wooden parts form a decorative, and sometimes quite functional, “external skeleton” of the product. In addition, the external decorative frame can be wicker.

You can read in detail about the different types of soft fillers here. But we’ll talk about frame materials and different types of spring blocks now.

Transformation mechanism for the Eurobook sofa

The mechanism works: the sofa seat slides out on rolling rollers, creating a niche in shape and size identical to the pillows on the back of the sofa. The pillows are placed in a niche, resulting in a flat surface of the bed.

Eurobook sofas have different models and can consist of one or several sections of backrest and seat cushions. There are also models with a swivel mechanism that turns part of the sofa and turns a straight sofa into a corner one.

A characteristic feature of the Eurobook is the presence of a large and spacious storage box, which is located under the entire seating area of ​​the sofa.

Advantages: ease of turning a sofa into a bed, simplicity of the mechanism itself - read its high reliability, large flat place to sleep, large niches inside the sofa for storing things and a sleeping place.

Disadvantages due to the spaciousness of the seats; sitting on the sofa, leaning back, is not comfortable, especially for short people.

The best springless natural fillers

Any filler that is used in the production of upholstered furniture or mattresses has its own properties.

• Natural latex. It is made from the sap of the rubber tree using individual technology. It is foamed, resulting in the formation of cells, so it “breathes”. Excellent heat and moisture conductivity, solid material, very high quality. Shelf life is approximately 10 years. Instantly returns to its original shape after heavy loads. There is only one drawback - the very high price.

Latex mattress - high quality, comfortable and safe

• Horsehair. Excellent filler. The horse's mane is treated with latex. This is done to ensure that the material is elastic and long-lasting, moisture-resistant, and breathable. High quality filler, but expensive. Not suitable for people prone to allergies.

Horsehair for the production of upholstered furniture and mattresses

• Coconut coir. Fibers are produced from the coconut intercarp; just like horsehair, they are treated with latex to make them elastic and strong. In addition, they also have antibacterial properties, are hypoallergenic, environmentally friendly, do not rot, and are breathable. Furniture with such filling is perfect even for small children.

Coconut filling for children's mattress

• Sea grass. The most environmentally friendly filler. During manufacturing, the raw material is combined with jute. The furniture has sufficient rigidity, which is beneficial for the back and maintaining the health of the spine. In addition, this filler strengthens the immune system and normalizes sleep, as it contains iodine and various minerals.

Useful and healing filler for upholstered furniture - sea grass

• Bamboo fiber. Produced from young bamboo shoots. The material is able to absorb water vapor, allow air to pass through, and has anti-allergic and antibacterial properties. It is not subject to rotting and does not deform for a long time.

Bamboo fiber is ideal for mattress covers, blankets and pillows

• Camel's wool. Excellent breathable material, can absorb static electricity. Not suitable for people prone to allergies.

Camel wool is an excellent warm filling material for blankets, pillows, blankets, mattress covers and winter mattress options.

• Felt. Made from sheep's wool. Has good thermal conductivity. One of the disadvantages is that it can accumulate moisture, which can cause mold to appear.

Natural felt for furniture and other industries

Transformation mechanism for the sofa “Pantograph” (“Tick-tock”, “Puma”, “Walking Eurobook”)

It’s the same story with Pantograph as with Klik Klak sofas. Apparently, for the sake of the catchphrase, sellers and manufacturers came up with a number of ingenious names for essentially the same mechanism.

So what else were we able to find under the guise of “Pantograph”: sofas with “Tick-Tock”, “Puma” and even “Walking Eurobook” mechanisms. But to avoid further confusion, I’ll call the mechanism “Pantograph” (it sounds somehow solid and mysterious))).

The pantograph originated as a variant of the Eurobook mechanism. The difference is that the “pantograph” does not have deployment rollers. The rest have parameters similar to the “Eurobook”. Equipped with internal storage niches, it has a large, flat sleeping area.

How the mechanism works: To unfold it, just lift the sofa seat by grasping its edge in the middle. Sofas are often equipped with hinges - handles for ease of folding. By pulling up the sofa seat, you activate its mechanism, which pushes the seat up and forward and at the same time opens the support legs and rests on them. The back of the pillow fits into the resulting niche. The result is a flat, without visible joints, place for two people to sleep.

Advantages: sofas with “Pantograph” have a comfortable place to sleep. The mechanism is easy to unfold. Such a sofa will not spoil your floor, since parts of the sofa will not slide on the floor when it is unfolded.

Disadvantages: because of this, the mechanism is expensive, and the cost of the sofa increases. Due to the wide seating, sitting on the sofa is not comfortable; you have to use additional pillows

Types of armrests

Armrests are an optional part of a sofa or frame. The most compact models do not have them. There are 2 varieties: hard and soft.

• Rigid ones are part of the frame. They are made of chipboard and covered with the same fabric as the seat. The top can be softer if filler is placed here. It can be even more rigid if a wooden panel is placed here. The hard armrest is comfortable to lean on; here you can place a glass of tea, a book or a TV remote control. For such purposes, the armrests are specially made wide.
• Soft - a kind of pillow, but denser than for sleeping and upholstered in the same fabric as the sofa. The soft armrest is usually not secured.

There is also an option for a hard armrest as a shelf. The module is an open niche that is integral with the armrest. The top is often made entirely of chipboard or MDF and serves as a tabletop.

• For daily use, choose a model whose dimensions correspond to standard bed sizes.
• It is better to choose a sofa with an orthopedic base, as this is a more comfortable place to sleep.
• The filler is selected taking into account the health status of the person sleeping on the sofa. A teenager needs a hard filler - coconut guillemot, hard polyurethane foam; an older person needs a softer option: lycra, spunbond.

If there are animals in the house, hard fabric is suitable for upholstery: tapestry, jacquard, flock.
We offer distribution panels at a competitive price.

Sofa "Eurosofa" (roll-out sofa)

Again, I found two types of names for the same mechanism, I got Eurosoff and a folding sofa, there was another option - a forward folding sofa. Based on the principle of operation, these are identical sofas.

How the mechanism works: The bed consists of two pillow segments. When assembled, the segments are located on the sofa seat. To unfold the sofa, you need to pull the bottom forward; By the way, it has a storage box. It will then roll to its working position. All that remains is to fold the pillow into an empty space. As a result of the transformation, a comfortable place to sleep is formed.

Eurosof sofas are durable and reliable models. It is not surprising that they were widespread in Soviet times, when everything was made to last. The model is very convenient for frequent use. The sofas have internal space for storing bedding.

Advantages: the sofa mechanism is very reliable, the sofas have a flat seating area and compact dimensions when assembled.

Disadvantages: sofa casters can damage the floor when unfolding, the sleeping place is low in height, only foam rubber is used as sofa cushions, which causes rapid wear.

Sofa design: spring block

A very important element of upholstered furniture is a spring block. Budget models can be run without it. But this has an extremely negative impact on their durability. Elements without a spring block are much less resistant to constant loads, have a shorter service life, and have worse orthopedic characteristics. True, spring blocks also have their drawbacks. And first of all, this is a high price. What types of spring blocks exist?

Bonnel spring block

This type of spring block is also called “dependent”, since the individual springs are rigidly connected to each other. How is it built? The block is filled with steel springs made of wire with a thickness of 1.6 mm to 2.2 mm. For their manufacture, durable high-carbon steel is used. Each spring consists of five turns. Their diameter is not the same: in the upper and lower parts it is larger than in the central one. This form of spring is called “bicone”; visually it resembles an hourglass. All springs are interconnected by a wire coupling, forming a solid rigid structure. The spring block is attached to a special frame, which ensures its strength.

The dependent spring block is characterized by great durability - up to 10 years. And during all this time it is able to maintain its elasticity. In addition, Bonnel blocks have a wide range of options for spring densities per square meter. Their orthopedic properties and price depend on this indicator.

The Bonnel spring block can withstand heavy loads perfectly. Therefore, it is great for people with heavy weights. Its structure is such that the more compression a spring experiences, the harder it becomes. This allows you to more correctly distribute the weight of a lying person and provide support for the body.

In order to avoid damage by hard springs to soft filling, as well as to minimize friction and squeaking, protective layers made of auxiliary materials are used. For example, spunbond, felt, polyurethane foam or foam rubber.

Independent spring block

This type of box spring has a more advanced design. Each of its springs has the same coil diameter over its entire height, and is isolated from neighboring springs using a special fabric cover. This allows the springs to respond to load independently of each other. As a result, the soft element accurately follows the contours of the body of a lying person, and ensures his correct position during sleep.

Blocks of this type, as in the previous case, differ greatly from each other in the number of springs per unit area - from 250 to 1100 springs per square meter. In addition, they differ in rigidity. For upholstered furniture, spring blocks of medium hardness are usually used.

The independent spring block, in addition to the highest orthopedic characteristics, is capable of withstanding heavy loads. In addition, a big plus is that due to the insulation of the springs, it is almost completely silent.

The price of a block of independent springs is significantly higher than that of Bonnell. However, it is more durable and, if used correctly, will last you up to 15 years.

Snake springs

This type of spring is not a full-fledged spring block. This is a budget and outdated design, but, nevertheless, it is still periodically encountered. Horizontal zigzag wire springs of a flat shape are attached to the frame or frame. The result is a smooth and rigid surface with a spring effect.

Unfortunately, snake-type springs quickly deform and sag under load. Therefore, despite its low cost, this version of springs is rarely used in high-quality products.

Rotary transformation mechanism

The rotating mechanism is used in corner models of sofas. How the mechanism works: To transform a sofa into a bed, you need to turn the rotating part of the sofa along its axis towards you. The swivel section folds out and fits snugly to the fixed part of the sofa. The result is a full-fledged double bed.

Advantages: the mechanism is strong and reliable, swivel sofas contain a large niche for storage under the stationary part of the sofa, when turning the sofa a convenient shelf is formed Disadvantages: the large size of the sofa requires significant space, the joint is formed at the junction of the sections, although this is not critical.

Transformation mechanism for the Kangaroo sofa

The principle of operation of the mechanism: completely similar to the operation of the Dolphin mechanism

The kangaroo is a kind of dolphin mechanism. Thanks to its design, “Kangaroo” allows the production of sofa models with high legs, which increases the height of the berth. The mechanism got its name due to the similarity of the folding trajectory of the sofa with the jumping trajectory of a kangaroo.

Advantages: easy folding, optimal sleeping height.

Disadvantages: not durable.

Boomerang sofa transformation mechanism

"Boomerang", a mechanism that I discovered recently and which I have not previously described. It resembles a hybrid of a Eurobook and an accordion, or a mix of a Eurobook with a sofa bed.

Along with the name Boomerang, I have come across a number of other interpretations of it: “Favorite”, “Sable” and the funniest “Cossack”, apparently because he has a saber. So that you do not get confused, I have chosen a name for this mechanism, and from now on I will call it “Boomerang”.

Sofas with this mechanism are compact when folded. The sofa moves towards the bed.

Mechanism principle:

To unfold the sofa, pull the fabric handle on the back of the sofa. In this case, the seat of the sofa moves out, as in the “Accordion” or folding sofas, following the movement of the seat, the back of the sofa immediately falls into place, its movement is similar to the “Eurobook”.

As a result of this double movement of the seat forward and the backrest in place, a flat surface of the berth is formed. The removable part of the sofa contains a drawer for clothes.

To fold the sofa, you need to push the seat from below and forward so that it begins to move towards the back of the sofa until the backrest reaches a vertical position.

I read in one of the reviews that the mechanism works so well that you want to carry the sofa with you all day. At the same time, I thought that someone has so much free sofa to play all day. But seriously, the mechanism really works flawlessly and has very good durability and reliability.

We can recommend this sofa for purchase.

Advantages of the “Boomerang”: ease of use, flat bed, reliable mechanism, decent size laundry drawer, compact folded size.

Disadvantages: sofa cushions are made only from foam rubber, so the service life of sofa seats is noticeably less than the service life of the mechanism.

Sofa design: internal frame

It is the frame that bears the main load when using furniture. It must support its own weight and the weight of people sitting or lying on it within the specified load capacity. Moreover, both in the folded state and in the form of a sleeping place. In addition, the frame must correctly redistribute pressure from the elements of the transformation mechanism. And also from the opening lid of the laundry drawer. Otherwise, the structure simply may not withstand repeated unfolding. Let's look at what materials are used in the manufacture of internal frames of upholstered furniture.

Chipboards

This material is used only in the production of the most budget models. If you choose upholstered furniture primarily based on price (for example, for a rented apartment or a country house), the presence of chipboard is acceptable. In all other cases, remember that chipboard is an extremely undesirable and unreliable element of the internal frame. Such sofas are not designed for serious peak loads and are very short-lived. You should definitely not choose this option if the sofa is used for daily sleep.

In addition, we must not forget that chipboards can emit formaldehyde - an extremely harmful and toxic substance. Which, among other things, tends to accumulate in the body and exhibit a cumulative effect. It is especially undesirable to expose it to the influence of young children and the elderly. The thing is that for the production of ordinary cabinet furniture, laminated chipboards (LDSP) are used, the end of which is protected by an edge. The release of formaldehyde from them is minimal. In the production of cheap upholstered furniture, in order to save money, ordinary chipboard without lamination is often used. It is necessary to clearly understand that this is a harmful raw material that should not be used indoors. If you decide to choose a sofa with a base made of chipboard, ask the seller to provide documents confirming that the inside is laminated board, or that it is coated with a special paint.

Solid wood

Most models of upholstered furniture have frames made of solid wood. Even if other materials are used, such as chipboard or plywood, there will most likely be wooden parts there. For example, as guides or load-bearing elements.

The best types of wood in terms of strength for the production of upholstered furniture are beech, oak, birch, ash, and walnut. In second place are coniferous species, for example, pine or spruce. They are cheaper, but they break more easily. The presence of knots has a particularly negative effect on their strength.

In addition, regardless of the type of wood, the wood must be well dried. The standard is considered to be no more than 8% humidity.

Another important point is the way the parts are connected. Bolted is considered optimal; less reliable options are glue and screws.

Speaking about solid wood parts, it is worth noting one more element of the internal structure of the sofa. In some sleeping models, special bases with slats are used to achieve an orthopedic effect. Lamels are slightly curved planks made of natural, most often birch, veneer that are attached to the frame. When pressed, they bend slightly and provide a spring effect. This allows you to reduce the load on the spine and ensure correct body position during sleep.

Metal

Sometimes the internal frame of upholstered furniture is made of metal. This is more common in models with complex transformation mechanisms. After all, the more complex the mechanism, the greater the load placed on all supporting elements. Most often, thick-walled metal pipes with a diameter of 30 mm are used. A mandatory requirement is anti-corrosion treatment. The strongest metal frames are welded.

Sofas with metal bases can be quite heavy. Delivery and unloading of such a product can turn into a nightmare. But in terms of strength and load-bearing capacity, metal structures are unrivaled.

Plywood

Multilayer plywood is an excellent material for making upholstered furniture frames. It is light, quite durable, and not very expensive. To fasten sheets of plywood, steel staples are usually used; the joints are additionally glued. Plywood frames have excellent performance characteristics. The cost of furniture with a plywood base is greatly influenced by the brand and thickness of the plywood. The thicker and higher quality the material is used, the more reliable the finished product.

Mechanism for transforming the sofa “Italian folding bed”

This transformation mechanism is a double folding mechanism, like the American shell. The double folding mechanism is a mechanism that is brought into working position in two steps.

The principle of operation of the mechanism

To unfold an Italian folding bed from a sofa into a bed, you need to pull the upper part of the sofa back towards you (usually there is a special loop on the back for this).

• At the first stage of unfolding, the back of the sofa, together with the pillows, tilts forward, and then lies down and rests against the sofa seat.
• At the second stage, the inner part of the sofa frame rotates around its axis, this is reminiscent of rolling out a rolled mattress. After this turning, the support legs open up, those that were previously hidden are hidden and folded inside the structure, and the resulting sofa bed rests on them.

Thanks to reinforced springs, the mechanism can be folded and unfolded without significant effort.

Advantages of the Italian folding bed: this mechanism is the most reliable and durable of the folding beds, this became possible thanks to the use of reinforced metal tubes in the frame of the mechanism, the sofa when folded has compact dimensions, when unfolded there is no need to remove the pillows from the seat of the sofa, Italian folding beds are among other folding beds have a thicker and more comfortable mattress for sleeping; in addition, slats and belts are used in the frame, which creates an orthopedic effect.

Disadvantages: lack of storage space for clothes, high price

From the point of view of ease of use and orthopedic properties, this type of mechanism is best suited for a day sofa bed

The best springless synthetic fillers

• Many furniture manufacturers prefer to use polyurethane foam because it is an affordable material and easy to work with. There are two types - cast and block. In the first case, special forms are filled with the necessary composition, similar in thickness to sour cream. After it hardens, you get the desired shape. In the second case, the sheets are cut into layers of the required thickness and size and glued together.

Furniture polyurethane foam - an affordable and convenient material for frameless furniture

• Synthetic down. The spiral-shaped fiber, made of silicone, restores its previous shape after compression in a matter of minutes. It has such properties as good quality and reliability. It is mainly used for stuffing furniture pillows, as a filler for backrests and armrests.

Synthetic down - the artificial material of the future

• Sintepon. Non-woven, very lightweight material made from polyester fibers. The substance is hypoallergenic, so furniture with synthetic padding as a filler is used in children's rooms and is suitable for people prone to allergies. They also stuff pillows and use them in making clothes. Eco-friendly material, does not wear out for a long time, is resistant to various fungi, has a water-repellent property, and is safe.

Synthetic winterizer is a material suitable for people suffering from allergies.

• Periotec. Looks like weightless, plump felt, is safe for allergy sufferers, and may contain wool or cotton fibers. The density of such furniture can be normal or high.

PerioTek filler is an elastic, voluminous and durable material

• Quilted jacket. This is, in fact, a layer of cotton wool 5-10 cm thick, located between layers consisting of dense fabric. Furniture with such filling is soft, but there is no elasticity.

Padded padding for the manufacture of upholstered furniture

Sofas without transformation mechanisms

Such sofas, by definition, do not contain transformation elements and cannot be arranged. Sofas without mechanisms are used to create seating for two or more people. You can offer this option for a sofa in a small living room. Less often they can be found as a sofa for sleeping. Although for people who are not overweight, using a sofa in this capacity is quite acceptable.

Non-folding sofas can be used as independent sofa modules. Using several of these modules, especially of different sizes, you can change the shape of a sofa made up of modules.

A monolithic sofa is suitable for the hallway, for the living room and will decorate the kitchen or dining room. Such sofas can often be found in public places.

Pros: There is no mechanism, which means there is nothing to break. The service life of monolithic sofas is longer than the service life of folding sofas.

Cons: no mechanism, no ability to transform the sofa. Monolithic sofas are not suitable for organizing sleeping places, especially if you need to accommodate two or more people.

Upholstery materials - which one to choose

A variety of materials are used to upholster a sofa. Choose a finish taking into account all the characteristics of the fabric:

• velor is an excellent pile fabric, very beautiful, soft and pleasant to the touch. Difficult to maintain and wears out quickly;
• jacquard is a dense, smooth fabric for upholstering furniture made from natural and synthetic fibers. Very strong, durable and extremely versatile in design;
• matting is a fabric made of linen, cotton and artificial fibers in triple pair weave. Extremely durable and pleasant to the touch;
• flock is a non-woven textile designed for high loads and abrasion resistant. An excellent option for a sofa for daily use;
• leather - rarely used for finishing a sofa book. Synthetic or eco-leather is more often used. It is inferior to natural material in beauty and wear resistance, but is also durable and keeps cool in the summer.

Which option is better depends on the operating conditions. If a cat or dog lives in the house, you should not buy a sofa upholstered in velor, velvet or silk.

General conclusions

• When buying a sofa, pay special attention to the mechanism. The ease of use and service life of the sofa will depend on choosing the right mechanism.
• Match your needs with your capabilities. How often will you unfold the sofa, what space have you allocated for installing the sofa, especially when unfolded.
• Don't buy a sofa with a mechanism that is obviously inappropriate just because it's a different color or because your neighbors have one. Choose individually to suit your needs.

Sources

• https://pro-mebel-textile.ru/pro-myagkuyu-mebel/vse-pro-divany/110-mekhanizmy-transformatsii-divanov-dostoinstva-i-nedostatki
• https://www.mebelshara.ru/kakoj-mehanizm-transformatsii-luchshe
• https://roomester.ru/dekor/mebel/mehanizmy-transformacii-divanov.html