How to choose a sofa
A sofa is an important addition to the interior. He carries a daily multifunctional load. In addition, this is a rather expensive item. Therefore, before purchasing, it is necessary to evaluate not only its appearance and dimensions, but also the reliability of the entire structure.
The content of the article
Criteria for choosing a sofa
Having chosen the model you like, first of all, you should find out from the sales consultant what material the sofa is made of (what the frame is made of and what filling is under the upholstery). It is necessary to pay attention to the quality of stitching and decorative seams. If they are sloppy, it is likely that the seams may tear in some places during use. It also often indicates that its internal contents also want better.
Note! An important indicator of the reliability of purchased upholstered furniture is the warranty period. The longer the warranty period, the greater the likelihood of buying a strong item that will last for more than one year.
Frame
The frame design for sofas can be made of one of the most common materials:
- chipboard;
- plywood;
- metal.
Less reliable when used with frames made of chipboard (compressed sawdust glued together with a special adhesive mass). This material is used for structures that are not expected to bear large and frequent loads.
It is better to give your preference to a model whose frame is made of plywood. When making plywood sheets, wood is cut into thin layers and then glued together. Plywood frames are more reliable and have a long service life.
Important! If you have enough money to purchase, you can choose a model with a metal frame. The metal frame is more reliable than previous frames.
Filler
The next important issue when choosing a sofa so that it lasts a long time is the filler with which the soft parts are filled. Do not ignore the advice of experts. For example, with low-density foam fillers, surface subsidence may form within a month and cannot be restored. The best filler today is polyurethane foam or its combination with spring blocks.
Textile
In addition to choosing a color scheme for the upholstery that matches the interior design of the room, you should choose good quality fabric. Thin fabric deforms faster, losing its shape.
Transformation mechanism
This mechanical detail is especially important for sofa beds. You should pay attention to the thickness of the metal parts. It must be at least 3 millimeters. Their painting must be of high quality. Careless color may indicate low quality of their manufacture.
How to choose a sofa for sleeping
Not every sofa is suitable for comfortable sleep. Poor posture of the body and spine can lead to back pain or migraine spasms.
For daily sleep, you can choose the option with a rolled-out mechanism. In such models, the sleeping area is flat and quite spacious.
Good reviews about models with a layout mechanism called Accordion. To turn it into a bed, just lift the seat and pull it towards you. Outwardly, it resembles the bellows of harmony, hence its name. It is positive that its size is quite compact, but it requires a lot of space to unfold it.
For corner models, Dolphin-type sliding systems have proven themselves well. This robust mechanism can withstand the heaviest weight loads. When unfolding it, the additional section is pulled out from under the seat, and then the next element of the berth is pulled out from it.
The sliding systems Euroknizhka and Knizhka have a low cost, which is why they have gained their popularity. The unfolded sofa has two sleeping places, with a dividing line in the middle. But such a layout is not suitable for sleeping for one person, or you will have to purchase an additional topper or futon to hide such unevenness.
To ensure deep sleep, it is important to choose the right filler. Polyurethane foam is considered the best for this purpose. This is an elastic but soft material, also used in orthopedic mattresses. Its structure allows it to adapt to the contours of the human body, and then independently take on its original appearance. It is also a hypoallergenic material, it allows moisture to pass through and does not accumulate dust.
Box springs are also used for sofas intended for sleeping. This option has an orthopedic effect, is characterized by durability, system reliability and increased strength.
Bent-adhesive lamellas with shock-absorbing properties are installed under the mattresses in sleep models. Horizontally located planks take on most of the load, distributing it over the surface.The existing distances of 5-8 cm between them help to remove dust and moisture from the mattresses.
Important! The choice of the appropriate size is determined as follows: the length of the sleeping place must be at least 30 cm greater than the person’s height, and the distance from the side edge to the body must be at least 15 cm. The upholstery fabric for the sleeping place must have high wear resistance.
Choosing a sofa for the living room
Corner sofas are the most popular for living rooms. They have 5-6 seats and there is no need to use additional chairs or armchairs. In addition, this is an additional sleeping place.
The semicircular models have a curious appearance. They are also used for zoning rooms. For large rooms, modular options are used. For small rooms, sofas with 2-3 seats with an equipped drawer for storing linen are more practical. The seats of comfortable models have a depth of 50-60cm. If direct seating is provided, the sofa is equipped with bolsters or pillows.
Flock, jacquard, tapestry, and velor are used as upholstery materials for living room sofas. But the best material for such upholstered furniture is leather.
When choosing colors for furniture, it is recommended to purchase a bright shade of upholstery for the living room sofa, made in light colors. This is done so that the furniture does not merge with the walls. For wallpaper in bright colors, it is better to choose pastel colors or white upholstery for the sofa. Models with upholstery in brown, green, gray or white are best complemented with bright accents in the form of pillows.
Rating of the best sofas
Not all companies producing upholstered furniture have a fair balance between cost and quality. To make it easier to decide on a sofa purchase, a rating of such manufacturers has been compiled.Their models are distinguished by their comfortable use and long service life.
The ranking of the best manufacturers includes:
- Belarusian furniture company Pinskdrev. They use advanced technologies to make sofas, but their prices are not too high. Almost everyone manages to choose the right model for themselves. Furniture from this factory will decorate any interior. It is made only from environmentally friendly materials: wood, leather and natural fabrics.
- Russian company Rival. Each model comes with a special cover that can be washed in the washing machine or taken to the dry cleaner. In Russia, this company is considered a leader among sofa manufacturers.
- The Laguna factory is based in Belarus. There are many positive reviews about it due to the reliability and quality of its products.
- Mebel-Holding occupies an honorable high place in this ranking. This factory has the ability to produce sofas at affordable prices, not only for economy options, but also for luxury items.
- Shatura products are sold all over the world. Her sofa models are presented in IKEA stores. The high quality of the products surprises with their low cost.
To create exclusive models, high-quality materials are used, which create works of furniture art, comfortable ensembles that combine aesthetics and comfort. These sofas will last for many years.