Requirements for filler for a bean bag chair, algorithm for adding granules

Primary requirements

All bean bags contain small granules inside. They determine the durability and environmental friendliness of the product. The material also affects comfort: if the filling for the chair is chosen incorrectly, the pouf will be hard and uncomfortable.

When choosing a product, it is important to pay attention to the following characteristics:

1. Safety. Frameless furniture is often purchased for children, so it is important that the material is hypoallergenic and does not emit a toxic odor.
2. Durability. A high-quality filler can retain the shape of the chair for more than one year. The service life can be determined by the density of the granules, which should be at least 13 g/l.
3. Availability of a certificate. A responsible manufacturer will always be able to provide a document indicating the product’s compliance with sanitary and other standards.
4. The size of the granules - the larger it is, the more susceptible they are to shrinkage. The amount of air inside directly affects the density of the filler, so it is better to choose a material from 1 to 2 mm in diameter.

Some housewives, having decided to sew a chair themselves, stuff it with ordinary foam balls left over from the factory packaging. But under the weight of the human body they become rigid. A bean bag chair with low quality filling will last a maximum of a year. After this, it will have to be thrown away, which means that it is better to give preference to proven material with high performance characteristics.

DIY pear chair: the simplest version

Once the thing is large enough, you can even lie on it. Also, such an item can be beautifully decorated with ribbons or pompoms.

How to calculate the dimensions of a chair

The size of the item being made will depend on the person it is intended for. There are three standard values:

• The child seat has the following parameters: height - 85 cm, width - 70 cm.
• Medium: height - 110 cm, width - 85 cm. This type is a female version.
• Large: height - 135 cm, width - 100 cm.

Creating a pattern

Most often, the pear-shaped chair is used in everyday life. To create a pattern, you can create a drawing yourself or make your own adjustments to the basic drawing:

Basic patterns. The picture shows several options for patterns for sewing this product. You must decide for yourself which one to use.

Transfer the selected drawing to graph paper and use scissors to cut out the parts. You can also use old newspapers or leftover wallpaper as pattern paper. The last option will allow you to get a reusable pattern.

Step-by-step instructions for making a chair with your own hands

The sewing workflow can be divided into the following stages:

Lay out the fabric and cut in the details according to the prepared pattern.

• Baste the side seams. For this action, you can use light quilting with a contrasting thread or pinching the fabric using safety pins. Then complete them using a sewing machine.
• Press seams.
• In the same way, make the edge seams of both parts.
• Fill the inside with filler and sew it up.
• Sew a fastener into the hole in the outer cover.
• Place the cover on the inside.

Basic raw materials and types of additives

There are several synthetic additives for bean bags:

• expanded polystyrene;
• holofiber;
• polypropylene.

A variety of bean bag chairs from IKEA, popular colors and shapes
Many users wonder which filling is better. Experts usually recommend polystyrene foam. This is nothing more than a type of foam in the form of small granules up to 1 mm. A chair filled with this ball material is quite light, but at the same time holds its shape perfectly. Expanded polystyrene is 80% air. Due to the characteristics of its composition, it cannot be considered an ideal filler for frameless furniture. The disadvantages include a characteristic rustling sound, which may irritate some people. But many manufacturers love this material for its low cost, environmental friendliness and safety, as well as moisture resistance.

On the market you can find primary and secondary granules made from plastic. Primary ones are obtained by heating the material, which turns into individual balls with a diameter of no more than 0.8 mm. Secondary ones are made by crushing raw materials into small particles. Because of this, some granules are larger and others smaller. Recycled polystyrene is considered a lower quality material, so it is rarely used for frameless furniture.

Fillers such as holofiber, polypropylene and foam for poufs are rarely used due to their low performance properties.

Expanded polystyrene

Holofiber

Polypropylene

Primary granules

Recycled granules
In addition to synthetic ones, there are also natural materials that can also be used for upholstering chairs:

1. Buckwheat or legumes. Can be considered the most environmentally friendly raw material. However, cereals have a significant drawback - bugs can get inside the bag, and such a filler is not cheap.
2. Hay. The smell of cut grass has a relaxing effect on most people, and besides, the raw material costs nothing at all.
3. Pooh. It protects from the cold, but does not hold its shape well, so it is not recommended to use it as a filler for a chair.
4. Wood sawdust and shavings. They can become a budget analogue of husks or buckwheat. However, they quickly lose their shape, so they require replacement every six months.
5. Wool. This raw material makes bean bags soft and voluminous. But, as with any natural material, over time microorganisms and mites appear in it.

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Purchasing one or another filler for a bean bag chair is a purely individual matter. If your budget is limited, it is better to choose natural materials. You can also fill a pouf at home with polystyrene foam - it is well suited for those who want to forget about replacing the filling for a long time.

When making frameless furniture, several materials are often combined. For example, polystyrene foam gives the optimal shape, but may seem too rigid, so foam rubber or holofiber is sometimes added to it.

When filling a bean bag chair, it is recommended to use 70% polystyrene and 30% any soft material. Furniture made in this way is durable and comfortable.

Buckwheat

Hay

Pooh

Sawdust

Wool

Natural materials

Adherents of environmentally friendly materials choose natural products as fillers.

Grains and plant seeds

Popular ones are:

• peas;
• beans;
• buckwheat and its husk;
• rice;
• beans, etc.

Buckwheat husk

Horsehair

With this type of chair, the chairs are quite hard. They are extremely rare, as a lot of starting material is required.

Twisted horsehair (braid)

Feather and down

This option will also take a lot, but the chair will turn out to be very light and airy.

Down-feather filler is one of the types of natural fillers.

Sheep's wool

Furniture made from the hair of rams and sheep is pleasant to the touch and very soft.
You can buy it for little money.

Sheep wool does not accumulate static electricity and neutralizes its negative effects

Wood sawdust and shavings

The best wood filler is waste from the processing of cedar and pine. The aroma of these trees has medicinal properties and can repel insects and rodents.

The disadvantage is that this material cakes and will have to be changed from time to time.

Chair bag with cedar shavings provide complete rest and have a healing effect

Dry grass and hay

This filler stands out for its unique, delicious aroma.
If you add medicinal plants to the composition, the effect of aromatherapy will appear. The furniture is soft and comfortable. Cheap option.

Do not forget that natural ones have a number of significant disadvantages:

1. All materials absorb moisture, and this causes them to deteriorate.
2. The service life of such materials is shorter than that of artificial ones. After some time, a complete replacement is required.
3. To fill a bean bag chair, a large amount of the component is required, and it is not always possible to get it.
4. Most natural fillers can cause an allergic reaction.
5. Natural ingredients are attractive food for rodents and insects.

Dry grass and hay

Calculation of the optimal quantity for a product

Expanded polystyrene is sold in specialized or construction stores in large bags. Most often it is packaged in 100 liters, so when going to the point of sale, you need to accurately calculate how much material is needed to make a bean bag chair.

For frameless furniture, about 500 liters of filler will be required. If some of this volume remains, it can be used for topping up. The amount of polystyrene depends on several factors:

1. Fabric density. The thicker the material, the less filler will be needed.
2. Granule size. If they are small (up to 1 mm), you can slightly reduce the final volume. Balls with a diameter of more than 3 mm have a low density, so you will need more of them.
3. Manufacturer and quality of material.

Periodically, expanded polystyrene needs to be replenished. Due to shrinkage, its density becomes less - the product gradually loses its shape. This is especially noticeable if the furniture is used by a person with a lot of weight. But children's pear chairs practically do not need repairs.

If frameless furniture is actively used, once every 2-3 months you need to add about 50 liters of polystyrene foam or 10-20% of the volume of the pouf. The product can be repaired less frequently, but in this case the amount of filler for the bean bag chair needs to be increased.

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For convenience, you should sew a small zipper into the fabric, which will provide quick access to the granules. Also, every 2-3 years you need to completely replace the material. Usually, after 12 months, the internal filling becomes less dense, and then completely ceases to perform its functions.

After replacing the filler, you need to dispose of the old material; this can be done at special collection points. The granules do not decompose, which means they can harm the environment.

Seat sizes

Granule sizes

The final stage is decoration

No finishing is required for the inner cover - this is the base.
And the external one can be decorated with decorative elements. Its role can also be performed by simply fabric with a pattern - the same tapestry. By saving a lot of money and acquiring useful skills, you will get a comfortable and stylish interior element for your home.

If it is monochromatic, then you can make an applique in the form of asymmetrically located geometric shapes or images. Such additions look quite interesting and unusual. To do this, take a material that is different in color and make patterns using the cut out patterns.

In modern interiors, frameless chairs are usually used that match the main color scheme of the room.

If you don’t want the seams to be visible, you can hide them with a special cape. It may not completely cover the chair. For this, any soft material with pile, even long like the skin of a wild animal, artificial astrakhan fur, and other options are suitable. They make the seat even more comfortable and give the interior a cozy and informal feel. Just be sure to process the edge of the cape before covering the structure.

This decor is suitable for a bedroom, a nursery, and a living room.

If there are several frameless chairs, then they can be decorated either in the same style or in different ones. In the living room, place them in appropriate areas - next to the coffee table, sofa, in front of the TV.

After making repairs, simply order or sew a new cover, and the chair will not disturb the design harmony of the room.

Modern people value their own coziness and comfort. They do not want to clutter their apartments with inconvenient and large-sized interior items. Therefore, frameless furniture is now at the peak of popularity. It is lightweight, can provide the necessary level of convenience, and can be placed even in a small room. One of the brightest representatives of such interior decorations is the pear chair.

Figure 1. The frameless pear chair has become popular because it is comfortable, does not take up much space and looks original.

As a rule, such furniture, made in a factory, is not cheap. But even a novice craftswoman can make it herself. This does not require any special skills or expensive materials.

How to fill a bag correctly

Stuffing a bean bag chair with polystyrene foam is not so easy. The substance sticks to your hands, scatters over all surfaces, and becomes electrified. To prevent the granules from scattering throughout the rooms, you need to fill them with a plastic ladle or a cut-off bottle. Before filling the chair, it is recommended to spray the upholstery material with water . After a while it will dry, and the liquid will neutralize static electricity. A simple algorithm will help you cope with unruly granules:

1. Cut the bottle and secure the neck in a bag with filler. The narrow part should face outward; you can fix it with construction tape.
2. Cut off the bottom of the second part of the bottle. Place the resulting “pipe” in the chair cover.
3. By inserting one part of the bottle into the other, you can quickly fill the chair with polystyrene granules. At the same time, order in the room will be maintained.

A bean bag chair is an inexpensive and practical piece of furniture that is filled with synthetic or natural materials. Frameless models are very popular - they cannot be broken, but they can still fail. Only the right filling for chairs will eliminate the need to add more material every month, and will also improve the performance of the product.

Accessory manufacturing technology

So, you decided to make a bean bag chair with your own hands. The filler is essentially the most important. It is he who determines how convenient and comfortable your vacation will be. However, in addition to this, you will need the following:

1. Make a cover for the filler. It is better to sew the first products using simple patterns, choosing the shape of a cylinder, sausage, or ball. After mastering them, you can create complex products in the form of a pear, other fruits or animals.
2. Sew the outer cover. It is important to choose the right material here. It should be strong, durable and easy to clean. This is especially true if there are small children. Do not forget that during operation the seams, as well as the base, will experience heavy loads, so you need to use the appropriate threads. It is better to make several external covers so that you can change the appearance of frameless furniture and wash the product at the same time.
3. Don't forget to sew zippers into the outer and inner covers.

So, here is a finished bean bag chair. How much filler do you need to ensure a comfortable rest? Usually the inner case is filled to 2/3 of the volume. This option is the most optimal.

Forward to a better life

The DIY bean bag chair has quickly become the preferred place to relax in the home, office and even on the street. Today there are hundreds of varieties of this furniture, from bags to sofas, made from printed materials, fabrics, with many designs. Since the models are so versatile, it's easy to see why so many people prefer to relax on a beanbag rather than a hard chair. Let's take a look at how a chair changes the lives of its owners: Fills a corner of a room Do you have an empty corner in the house that's just screaming for attention? This is the ideal location for a frameless model. It can fit neatly right there, taking up minimal floor space, which is valuable in a small room. When guests arrive, the chair is pulled out of the corner, it is not difficult to move it. Balances perception There are many straight lines in the space of the room. They are created by electronics, shelving, tables, carpets and even windows. According to practice, it is necessary to balance round and straight lines in the house. Bean bag chairs can complement and “soften” any room. Frameless models will be what you need to create a positive, attractive and comfortable environment. Gives a relaxing effect. The chairs are suitable for children because they are soft. There is no reason to worry that the child will be harmed. The models create a feeling of comfort and allow the body to relax when a person plays video games or watches TV. Pets often use the bags as bedding, which is useful for older pets with joint problems. Helps in work Modern lifestyle has abolished the stuffy, overbearing atmosphere, turning it into a relaxing, creative environment, furniture follows the trend. The beanbag chair promotes ease and creativity. Health Benefits Some people are under the impression that firm, straight chairs are better for their backs, but this is far from the truth. When a person sits on a frameless chair, it shapes the body, which allows it to support bones, muscles and joints, giving the opportunity to rest

No matter how someone sits or how many times they move, the chair continues to move with their body.

Three advantages versus three disadvantages Pros - Seat covers are replaceable and washable; — The chair shapes the interior and will become a child’s favorite toy: children love to jump and fall; — The furniture is safe, without sharp corners, environmentally friendly. Disadvantages - The filler loses its shape over time; — Furniture needs periodic maintenance if it is often moved from place to place; — The filler is sometimes dangerous for a small child.

Features of frameless furniture

A distinctive feature of such chairs is that they do not have a rigid frame. It is a regular bag with filler placed inside.

The shape of the products depends on the shape of the bag itself, which is sewn from a variety of fabrics. This allows you to create unique pears, butterflies and other interesting options. Frameless furniture has several advantages:

1. The absence of a rigid frame prevents injury from hitting a sharp corner.
2. The chairs adapt to almost any body shape.
3. The simplicity of the design allows you to make furniture yourself.
4. The presence of a special hole in the cover makes it possible to periodically change the filler, restoring the appearance of the structure. You can also do the same with the top fabric covers. This allows you to adapt the design of the product to the interior of the room.

One of the disadvantages of such products is that they are not able to properly support the human body if necessary. Therefore, it is advisable to use them only for short-term rest.