Convertible sofas for a small apartment: an overview of models and a choice

The size of a small apartment determines how its interior will be. Currently, various types of furniture have been developed that are ideal for small apartments - this is the so-called transforming furniture. In our article, we will review the models of transforming sofas and reflect on what parameters must be considered when choosing a sofa bed suitable for a small apartment.

The task of the transforming sofa is to make the room cozy, comfortable and aesthetically attractive at the same time. Such furniture fits equally well into the living room, which in a one-room apartment is also a bedroom, a nursery (for children's rooms, various models have been developed, such as a sofa bed, including a bunk bed, which is especially important if there are two children in the family, a sofa wardrobe and a sofa table) and even a kitchen. These pieces of upholstered furniture, depending on the purpose, differ both in design and in size.

The advantages of transforming furniture are quite obvious:

• she is able to create a functional modern space, freeing a small room as much as possible from unnecessary things;
• ideal for a small apartment;
• thanks to the ability to transform and the latest design, with one movement of the hand, it turns into a place for a full night's rest;
• due to the presence of a storage box in many models, it can also serve as a chest of drawers;
• such a purchase allows you to save the family budget for the purchase of any additional necessary interior items;
• using various modules, the owners of small apartments have the ability to change the interior of the room literally in a matter of seconds.

The disadvantage of such furniture is that some cheap models may not be very durable and may be inconvenient to unfold.

If we talk about the form, the transforming sofa can be:

• Straight - sleeping or seating places are located along one line. It is the most widespread variety, it is very compact and is perfect for any type of environment.

• Angular - this model is distinguished by great comfort, it gives the interior a special modern style. The width of the bed is wider than that of a straight sofa, but it also requires more free space for unfolding.

• Modular - includes elements that can be arranged in any order their owners like. This is a great way to diversify the interior of the room, depending on your preferences and needs. You can rearrange individual modules, forming a comfortable area for relaxation or communication, as well as for children's quiet games.

For a small apartment, the functionality of the furniture is especially important. Currently, convertible sofas are produced:

• turning into a bunk bed at night;
• using a lifting mechanism, they take the form of a cabinet or a folding mini-office;
• in a teenager's room, such a sofa can also serve as a table.

• Manual - installed on the simplest and cheapest, but outdated models. In order to convert such a sofa into a sleeping place, it is necessary to exert a lot of physical strength, therefore, it is undesirable to buy furniture with such a mechanism for placement in a children's room.

• Spring loaded - to unfold requires a minimum amount of effort. However, the springs fail over time, so this option is not very durable, besides, the price for such furniture is quite high.

• Roll-out - a fairly reliable mechanism, when unfolding the berth slides out from under the seat, forming a spacious and comfortable bed.

• Lifting, or piston - such a mechanism helps to raise and hold a wide berth, preventing it from folding or lowering. Opens access to a storage box located under the surface of the seat; no effort is required to lower the bed back. This is one of the most modern designs.

Here are some examples of transforming sofas equipped with one or another transformation mechanism.

• "Book" - This is the most ancient folding straight sofa model, which is very popular to this day. Due to the simplicity of the design, "books" are quite reliable, especially if their frame, filler and upholstery are made of high quality modern materials.

• "Click-gag" - a modified version of the "book" with folding armrests and side parts of the back, which can occupy an intermediate "reclining" position.

• "Eurobook" - a very reliable and popular model of a transforming sofa, ideally combining the parameters "quality - price". Its design does not provide for any latches, so this model is considered reliable and comfortable. To transform into a bed, the seat is pulled forward, the back is lowered into the formed niche - a spacious soft bed is obtained.

• "Tick-tock" or "Pantograph" - an improved model of "Eurobook", characterized by the fact that when unfolding the seat does not ride on the floor, often scratching the linoleum or laminate, but makes a "walking" movement - and a comfortable bed in front of you.

• "Dolphin" - popular transformation mechanism, usually mounted on corner models. Differs in convenience and ease of folding, as well as fairly good wear resistance of parts. Like a dolphin jumping out of the sea, the front of the seat slides forward and then “dives out” to the surface of the sofa, forming a comfortable, even bed.

• "Puma" - Just like the "pantograph", this mechanism moves the front of the seat through the air, avoiding scratching the floor. The mechanism operates smoothly and silently, usually it is installed on expensive models.

• "Accordion" - Another popular model of a roll-out transformation mechanism, the seat is pulled forward, folding out like an accordion bellows. A flat, without joints, sleeping surface is formed.

Before choosing this or that model, it is recommended to make careful measurements of the room.

The width of the transforming sofa, depending on the model, can be from 115 to 180 cm, although if you are planning to purchase a mini sofa for a child, its width can be only 100 cm.

When choosing a sofa bed, you need to pay attention to the materials from which it is made. Ideally, these materials should be of high quality, durable and environmentally friendly.

The best frame materials are wood or metal. Such frames are durable and reliable.

Chipboard - the cheapest and least durable and environmentally friendly of all materials, however, if financial possibilities do not allow you to purchase a sofa with a wood frame, you can stop at this option.

A lot also depends on the filler. The best filler for sofa mattresses are independent spring blocks. Such mattresses have excellent orthopedic properties, which will help prevent various diseases of the spine.

Foamed polyurethane foam is a good filler, however, due to its increased elasticity, sleeping on such a sofa may not be very comfortable.

Foam rubber and synthetic winterizer are the worst fillers for sofas, but the cheapest possible. They deform quickly and, moreover, can be quite toxic.

When choosing a model for a small room, you should pay attention to the design of the transformation mechanism. After all, roll-out varieties require free space in front of them.

Children's mini-sofas should be without hard and sharp corners, have a reliable mechanism that excludes the possibility of harming the baby, in addition, the berth must meet medical standards, and the upholstery material must be able to withstand the child's restless nature.

Let's take a look at examples of the placement of transforming sofas in the interior of various rooms.

• Corner convertible sofa for kitchen

• Sofa for the nursery that converts into a bunk bed

• A convertible bed retractable into the wall in combination with a modular sofa will save space in a small living room

• Convertible sofa 3 in 1 (sofa bed plus wardrobe) in a small apartment

An overview of the mechanism of the transforming sofa, see below.