Interior designers don’t like to make the sofa the main sleeping area.
A good, healthy night’s sleep takes precedence over a few square meters of space. But sometimes the situation demands it, for example in a small flat where the living room needs to be equipped with a sleeping area for guests or visiting relatives.
In such cases, you need to decide which sofas are best for everyday use. Consider the subtleties of the choice of shape, conversion mechanisms, choice of upholstery, and frame.
Furniture should have the following qualities
- Be comfortable – the first item on the list when we’re talking about sleeping and daily use. Otherwise, we have to say goodbye to a healthy back and neck and, consequently, to good health.
- Last a long time – so choose a model with a reliable and high-quality wooden frame. And professionally assembled. Then it’ll be easy to unfold throughout its life. It won’t squeeze through or deform in any way.
- Easy to unfold. Imagine having to make a Herculean effort every day to unfold the design. Not very pleasant.
- Functionality, or the availability of extra options. For example, drawers for laundry or storage systems. Sometimes they make drawers on the sides, e.g. for the bar. Or shelves – for books or accessories.
Let’s take a closer look at what you need to consider before you buy.
To feel comfortable, a single bed should be at least 140 cm wide and 200 cm long. And a double bed should be at least 160 cm wide. Bear this in mind when choosing a sofa bed and check that it is comfortable for you when unfolding.
Another thing to think about is whether it will fit through a door. After all, you will be carrying it into the room.
Choose your shape
All the furniture in this category is divided into two types: straight and L shape sofa.
Straight sofas don’t take up much space when folded. This is important in small apartments. It folds forward and is even suitable for two people.
Corner sofas are larger and take up more space when folded, but are better as a bed replacement – when unfolded the sleeping area is larger and more comfortable.
What kind of bases are there?
As we wrote above, the furniture will be unfolded every day and will also have to withstand a heavy load – more than 100 kg if it is to sleep two people. The frame must therefore be strong, not crack and not make noise.
These are the characteristics of wooden frames – beech, birch, walnut, and oak. Yes, they are not cheap, but they will last a long time. Also, consider metal frames, but welded. If they are bolted together, they will creak over time and you will need to tighten them.
Sofa mechanisms: which is best for everyday use?
Consider how you recline and then decide which is easier to use.
1. Booklet: The simplest mechanism. How does it work? The seat is raised and then lowered together with the backrest. It is reliable and suitable for everyday use, but older people, children, and women may find it difficult to lift the seat every day.
In addition, there is a hollow space between the two halves – a drawback that makes sleeping uncomfortable.
2. Euro book: This is an improved version of the first type – the seat slides forward and then lowers together with the backrest. They usually have a storage compartment. They also do not require much physical effort to unfold.
3. Pop-up: Considered the easiest to use. It works as follows: an extra section is pulled out from under the seat and the backrest is folded back. This creates a flat surface on which to lie comfortably.
4. Accordion: “The accordion is made with an extra module behind the backrest. When the seat is pulled forward, the module folds out with the backrest. The result is a flatbed.
5. Dolphin: The way this model unfolds looks like a dolphin’s leap. Judge for yourself – this is how the dolphin mechanism works. It is used in angle systems. It is used less often in straight systems.
6. Click-clack: This piece of furniture has “wings” – on the sides of the seat and backrest, which are folded out. And after the design works on the principle of the usual “book” – the seat rises and unfolds.
7. Lit: This is a single piece of furniture – it has only reclining armrests. But it turns out to be the main flat surface, and it also does not take up much space. Great for children’s rooms.
8. The recliner: Inside is a construction of legs with a thin mattress. These are rarely reliable and are recommended more as a choice for guests – it would be uncomfortable to sleep on such a surface every day.
So, for permanent use and to replace the bed, choose a pull-out model, accordion, dolphin, book, or euro book.
How to choose the right sofa for everyday sleeping?
- Check the size of the bed. You need to be comfortable and not cramped.
- Also, consider the shape of the sofa to see how it will fit better in your room. If it’s very small, a linear design is the best choice. If it’s 10 square meters or more, you might want a corner sofa.
- Decide on the mechanism for transformation – experts recommend a pull-out, accordion, dolphin, book, or euro book.
- As for the filling – preferably independent spring blocks or latex.
- The frame should be made of natural wood or welded metal.
- Upholstery is a matter of taste. But modern fabric upholstery is better.
- The same goes for extras. Storage drawers are a useful option, but the rest is down to personal preference.