Sofas that transform into a bunk bed: what are they and how to choose?

Owners of small apartments often have to deal with the problem of its arrangement, since every square meter counts. The right decision in this case would be to purchase such compact and multifunctional furniture as a sofa that can be transformed into a bunk bed. Such designs take up a minimum of space, and thanks to the huge choice of designs and colors, they fit perfectly into any interior.

A bunk sofa bed is a unique type of furniture, equipped with a special transformation mechanism with a different principle of operation. The second floor can be spawned using the bottom of the sofa, seat or back. To do this, you need to perform certain sequential actions. The main feature of such structures is considered to be that they allow you to quickly organize two spacious sleeping beds without any special physical efforts (the folding process is simplified due to the fact that the transformation mechanism is supplemented with gas lifts and springs).

A sofa that folds out into a bunk bed necessarily consists of a ladder (used as an auxiliary element for lifting to the second floor), a circular fence located around the entire perimeter of the upper tier, safety blockers and side armrests acting as a vertical rack. The transforming sofa is considered indispensable for those families who have two children of different sexes.

A bunk bed will simultaneously save space in the children's room and give it a cozy look. In addition, preparing a sleeping place can take children, they will definitely like the process of transforming the structure.

These sofas have major advantages.

• Significant savings in indoor space. The seat does not protrude or extend during transformation, it only moves vertically. Thus, by installing a sofa in a nursery or studio apartment, you can place other pieces of furniture.
• Versatility. Compared to conventional bunk beds, this transformer can serve as both a place to sleep at night and a relaxation area during the day. On stationary beds, it will not work with such convenience to watch TV, read books and meet guests. As for the transforming furniture, it is quite roomy and attractive.

These sofa beds also have their drawbacks.

• High price. The folding sofa system is completed with complex mechanisms, the production series of which is limited, so the price for them rises. If you buy a cheap model with low quality parts and frame, then it will not last long.
• Complex transformation. Compared to conventional roll-out systems, converting furniture into a bunk bed requires a number of steps. Only children over 12 years old can cope with the transformation of the structure on their own.

Folding bunk sofa-beds, in contrast to the classic models, which are produced with the "book" and "dolphin" transformation mechanism, have a unique design, supplemented by several independent folding systems. To date, manufacturers produce sofas with three types of transformation.

• Retractable. Such sofas are suitable for rooms with low ceilings, since when unfolded, two berths are not on the same plane. To expand the structure, one berth must be pushed out from under the other.

• Coupe. To organize two sleeping places, the sofa should be laid out, for which the pillows are first removed, then you should pull the top of the structure and fix the fence, stairs.

• Tandem. The transformation process for such models is as follows: first of all, you need to pull on the base of the structure (it is equipped with wheels at the bottom), then the back of the sofa will rise up on its own on gas lifts, it will only be necessary to fix it to the stops. All furniture of this type is characterized by practicality and versatility. It can be placed even in the smallest spaces.

The reliability and duration of use of sofas with this transformation mechanism largely depends on the quality of the material from which they are made. This indicator also affects the convenience and aesthetics, since the piece of furniture must harmoniously fit into the overall interior of the room. Usually, for the manufacture of the frame of transforming sofas, metal and wood are chosen. The first material is characterized by high strength and durability, the second is a natural raw material capable of withstanding loads over 100 kg.

For the manufacture of such furniture, they usually prefer to use durable types of wood. (pine, oak, walnut, cherry, alder). Products made of alder, walnut and cherry add a special chic to the interior of the room, and models from oak demonstrate beauty. As for pine, it is considered the most budgetary option, which is in no way inferior in terms of performance to expensive wood species.

We must also not forget about the upholstery of sofas. Designers recommend choosing models upholstered with material, the texture and color of which fully matches the style of the room. In addition, it is important to pay attention to the intensity of use of the sofa bed. It is advisable to buy models with replaceable covers, this will protect the upholstery material from stains and excessive wiping. Children's models are usually trimmed with natural fabrics (flock, linen, cotton, scotchguard). Sofas for adults can be supplemented with artificial upholstery (arpatek, chenille, forest, courtesan).

Before you go shopping for a sofa with a transformation system into a bunk bed, it is important to decide on its dimensions, the choice of which is influenced by the weight and height of the owner. If you plan to purchase furniture for children, then you need to take into account their age (for kids, models with a berth size of 700x1600 mm are suitable, for older children - 900x2000 mm). For adolescents and adults, designs are excellent, in which a berth can be up to 2 m long and up to 1 m wide.

In children's models, the height of the furniture also plays a huge role, if it is chosen incorrectly, then a too high structure can become traumatic, and a low one - uncomfortable. Therefore, for children's bunk beds, the optimal height is considered to be no more than 120 cm, for adults - about 180 cm.

Today the furniture market is represented by a chic selection of products that are designed for arranging a small apartment. Sofa beds with the ability to transform into a bunk bed are very popular. To make such a design more comfortable to use, reliably serve for a long time and fit perfectly into the overall interior of the room, when buying it, you should pay attention to some of the nuances.

• The size of the berth. A children's sofa can be small, but for adults it is better to choose models with a more spacious bed. Its length is calculated as follows: from 20 to 30 cm is added to a person's height.

• Ease of transformation... The sofa should quickly and easily transform into a comfortable bed. Therefore, you need to give preference to models equipped with springs and gas lifts. They will cost more, but their quality will be appreciated in daily use.

• The quality of the material of manufacture. Furniture upholstery should be not only beautiful, harmoniously combined with other interior items, but also practical. For children's rooms, you need to buy products with easy-to-clean upholstery. So, for example, microfiber or eco-leather would be an excellent choice. Furniture with any upholstery is suitable for living rooms, but it must be resistant to abrasion (if the sofa is planned to be laid out daily). Pile fabric upholstery is not recommended.

• Combination with the style of the room. A two-tier transformer fits best into children's rooms and living rooms, decorated in a modern style, they will not work for a classic one. At the same time, the color scheme of sofas should be in harmony with the decoration of the room, textiles and other pieces of furniture.

• Compact design when assembled. Many models of bunk transformers are large in size, as they are complemented by a thick back and massive armrests. Therefore, before purchasing this type of furniture, you need to make sure that there will be a place in the room for its placement.In addition, large sofa beds weigh a lot and will be difficult to rearrange.

With the help of folding sofas that transform into a bunk bed, you can create an interesting design in living rooms and children's rooms. If you plan to install furniture in the nursery, then you should give preference to models of unusual shapes and bright colors. So, for example, a design in the form of a car or a princess house would be an excellent choice. A wardrobe and a compact desk can be placed next to the sofa bed. Multi-colored toys and soft pillows can complement the design.

The transformer design will look good in the living room too, for this you need to choose classic rectangular models, complemented by narrow armrests. The color of the furniture should be in harmony with the decorative wall decoration. Light brown, gold, and beige are good choices.

See below for an overview of the transforming sofa.