Each apartment or house has many furniture elements. As a rule, we choose them based on the dimensions of the living space and from the intended design. But the sofa is a special topic. This is not just furniture from the category of a bedside table, cabinet or table. This can be said the epicenter of life in the house. It hosts guests, relax, watch TV and even sleep. In this article we will learn all about the best sofas, consider their models, fillers, and in the end we will get acquainted with the leading manufacturers. So let's go!
Small introduction
Many people still have to huddle in the insignificantly small living spaces, which simply do not allow you to design a decent bedroom and put a wide bed there. As an alternative, she now acts as a convenient, comfortable, solid and beautiful sofa. The best models imply the presence of a working mechanism, whatever its type, comfortable backs and "seats" and a suitable appearance for the interior.
We draw attention to the fact that the smallest sofa is not at all a sign that it should certainly stand in a small apartment. It all depends on the layout, so sometimes very massive corner models equipped with internal spaces are sometimes placed in a small room, and in this way they play the role of a sofa, a bed, and a wardrobe.
Well, now we’ll try to determine which sofas are the best by examining all existing models in turn. Each, based on their own requirements, will choose the most suitable option for themselves.
Variety of shapes
So, when folded, the sofas are very similar to each other. But over the past decades, many variations have appeared that change not only the appearance of the furniture element, but also its functionality. Let's look at what types can be found on sale today:
- Classic or straight. The most common option, while the oldest. A sofa can have a wide variety of dimensions and layouts.
- Corner Very convenient and functional models, with relatively small dimensions, are suitable for small apartments.
- Island. The largest and least functional models. Most often they are placed in large stylized houses as a design element.
The size. Does he mean anything
In the previous section, we already realized that even if the sofa is huge and massive, this does not mean that it will be comfortable to sleep on it. Such a furniture element can be made with high quality, have a unique design, but it does not have to be functional at all. Then which sofas are the best and for what indicators, if not in terms of size, to choose them? You need to focus on their type of transformation.
When folded up, you can only have a slightly enlarged chair, but if you pull the lever you need, it will turn into a chic, soft, comfortable single bed. Of course, for everyone the concept of "the best sofa" is different, because the requirements vary. Therefore, below we present a list of sofa layout options.
Transformation and its varieties
When you are looking for the best sofa for your daily sleep, first of all you check how it unfolds. This is important because some models have joints that are felt by certain parts of the body during rest, there are “dips” and other “defects” in sofas. Plus, it’s worth remembering the layout in the house. The sofa should be laid out so that every evening you do not have to move other furniture. There are three types of transformation of this furniture element, and each of them is divided into subtypes.
Type one - withdrawable, or retractable
From the name it becomes clear that such a sofa will be laid out, as it were, forward. The difference is that on some models the headboard is the back, while on others you need to sleep along - their width just doubles. Now consider their subspecies:
- "Dolphin" - the name is given to the model because the folding mechanism works on the principle of a diving dolphin. The headboard is located in the back area, and the model itself, when unfolded, is very wide and long.
- "Eurobook" is a more compact solution, in which the head is in the area of one of the bullies, that is, you need to sleep along. The sofa simply extends, doubling its width.
- “Concard” or “Telescope” - became famous due to the roll-out mechanism in three steps. A very large unfolded sofa, where the headboard is in place of the back.
- “Puma” is an analogue of the “Eurobook”, only its front part should not be rolled out, but manually pulled out onto itself. Also this model is more compact.
- Tick-tock is the best corner sofa that is equipped with a dolphin and a eurobook mechanism at the same time. By the way, “tick-tock” can be turned from a corner into a standard view, simply by pushing the protruding part, or you can completely decompose and get a chic bed.
Type two - folding
This type of sofas was very popular in the Soviet years and still many manufacturers produce it:
- The “book” - everything is simple here: the back becomes the back, and the seat - the front. Unfolded sofa as an open book.
- "Tango" is an analogue, and very close to the "book", but the difference is that the middle of the sofa does not move toward the edge, but is fixed in the center of the structure.
- "Lit" - the most compact sofa when folded, which is displayed as a "book", and due to the armrests.
Type Three - Expandable
These are the most complex sofas in their structure, some of them have significant drawbacks, but in general, these models are chosen taking into account their long service life:
- "Accordion" - the model combines two mechanisms: the roll-out and folding, the headboard is fixed in place of the back.
- French folding beds - just inside the sofa is a mattress folded in half, and legs are welded to it. It differs in color from the upholstery of the sofa, as if fulfilling the role of a separate furniture element.
- Italian folding beds - they are also called changeling, as the folding system is very complex. The mattresses are upholstered in the same fabric as the main sofa. It is universally recognized that this is the best sofa for sleeping, as it is equipped with spring orthopedic blocks.
- “Click-gag” is a convertible sofa that can be folded up for the sitting, lying, reclining positions ... In a word, this is a comfortable chaise lounge. But its filling sags very quickly and it becomes uncomfortable to sleep.
With or without a spring?
Springs - they have been the basis of our sleep for many years. This element was the basis not only of sofas, but also of beds on which children so loved to jump. But time goes on, everything changes, and springless models of sofas go on sale, the best of which boast longevity, functionality and versatility.
However, the technology, which has been fundamental for many centuries, does not seek to leave its leadership position and is actively competing with novelty. We decided to consider all the features of sofas with and without springs and figure out which option would be the most acceptable.
Spring unit
First of all, we note that the rating of the best sofas does not include those that are equipped with Bonnel spring technology, since it is extremely outdated. It was replaced by the Pocket Spring system - much more advanced and high-quality.
- The level of comfort is on top. Orthopedic mattresses with the best filling, which do not bend the spine. Sleeping on such sofas is very comfortable, plus they are durable.
- The price is very high. If the sofa is made in compliance with all the rules of quality materials, then a decent amount will be worth it.
- Disadvantages - when exposed to powerful spring force, they will soon fail. That is, you can’t jump on the couch.
Springless block
Here we take quality materials as the basis. Features:
- Comfort level - the sofa repeats the curves of the human body, is very elastic and quickly restores its own shape. Maintains a lot of weight.
- Price - in comparison with a high-quality spring unit, this option will be much cheaper.
- The disadvantage is a high rate of combustibility.
And also note that springless mattresses in sofas are divided into two types:
- Block - the filler is glued from blocks of various sizes.
- Cast - filling material is cast based on the shape of the finished product.
Types of Fillers
Even when choosing a budget model, a person is worried that the material that is “sealed” in his furniture should be more or less high-quality, environmentally friendly and durable. Therefore, now we will consider the best fillers for sofas, noting their strengths and weaknesses:
- Struttofiber - so-called "luxury" option, which is more expensive in comparison with the rest of the fillers, but at the same time boasts excellent quality and lack of flaws. His canvas is selected depending on the weight of the person who will sleep: the lighter, the softer the mattress will be. Among other advantages, orthopedics, incombustibility can be noted, also ticks will not start in such a sofa, and it will not cause allergies.
- Hollofiber is a very light and soft to the touch material that is "sewn up" not only in sofas, but also in pillows. It is also non-combustible, does not cause allergies, and most importantly - does not absorb odors. But at the same time it can only last 10 years.
- Durafil is an analog of the spring system, as it is able to withstand huge loads and not be deformed. Moreover, the mattress will not be allergenic, will not become a tidbit for moths or ticks and will last a very, very long time. It has solid advantages: resilient, but soft, durable and at the same time inexpensive.
- Latex is an elite filler for sofas, which has only one huge minus - the price, it is unrealistically high. In all other respects, this material is ideal - orthopedic, keeps its shape, is not saturated with odors, naturally, is not affected by moths and ticks and does not cause allergies. Serves more than 20 years.
Choose your brand
Nowadays there are so many brands and companies that everywhere advertise their products and assure us that they are of high quality. But it often turns out that not very solid furniture is hidden behind a colorful advertising facade. We decided to find the best manufacturers of sofas (in general, upholstered furniture) and highlight their special features:
- Pinskdrev is a Belarusian company that boasts a wide range of products. The quality is very high, and at the same time the prices are quite reasonable.
- Rival - Russian furniture, which is produced mainly in a standard, classic design, but at the same time has very convenient functionality. Removable covers are attached to all sofas, which is extremely convenient for families in which there are many children or animals.
- Laguna is again a Belarusian company. The production is based on massive and non-standard models of upholstered furniture - island, corner, with a complex folding system, etc. In terms of quality and reliability, this is the best factory of sofas, the goods of which can serve more than one generation.
- Mebel-Holding is a Russian company that specializes in the production of non-standard furniture elements. You can also make a sofa to order.
- Anderssen is more than a popular domestic brand, under the name of which high-quality, solid, beautiful and functional furniture is produced. The only negative is the high price.
- Shatura-Furniture is a segment that is closer to the people. The range is very wide, but there are no unique models. Most often, this furniture is found in IKEA.
To summarize
Most often when choosing a sofa, as with any other purchase, first of all, we focus on reviews. Which sofas are the best, which last for a long time, in which ticks definitely will not work - the answers to these questions can be easily found on the forums. But if you probably know what dimensions you need, what shape is acceptable and suitable for the interior, you have also precisely focused on the type of filler and the transformation system, then it becomes much easier to choose.
You simply focus on a specific segment, and not on everything that is in the store. We have studied the features of various fillers and folding-unfolding systems, and now you can definitely choose the most suitable option for yourself. Do not forget about the manufacturer. No matter how unique and suitable the model may be, if it is not made soundly, there are defects, let alone marriages; it will not be able to serve you for a long time.
Consumer Opinions
You can’t say anything unambiguous, since everyone has their own requests and their own wallet. But in general, criteria such as hypoallergenicity, practicality, durability, quality and neat design are the signs by which we identify good sofas in the reviews. The most common models are compact, which when unfolded turn into a full double bed.
Moreover, they have latex or spring filler and natural fabric as upholstery. Of all the companies that produce sofas, this article presented those that, according to most consumers, fit the category of "price-quality". Foreign manufacturers are not taken into account, since due to transportation, the price is only growing, and the quality remains at the level of domestic.