Mechanisms for transforming sofas. What are they and how are they different?

Main types of sofa transformation mechanisms

The choice of types of sofas and mechanisms for their transformation should be approached carefully, because this piece of furniture is chosen for more than one year.
Therefore, here you should not justify your choice with a low price, but you need to carefully study the advantages and disadvantages of all options. It is recommended to inquire in advance about the reliability of sofa mechanisms and the ease of their operation. All types of sofa layout mechanisms have advantages and disadvantages

Modern sofa layout mechanisms are represented by a large number of models, each of which has its own characteristics. For convenience, different names are used for sofas that have a certain method of transformation, the main of which include:

• turning one part right next to another;
• forward retractable design;
• sofas equipped with pendulum or walking blocks that fold forward;
• systems with a mechanism that extends like a telescope;
• blocks that open like a book.

All these types of sofa layout mechanisms have both disadvantages and advantages. A characteristic feature of all transformation methods is the presence of a sufficient amount of free space in front of the sofa or on the side of it. L- and U-shaped models require free space inside the furniture parts. When choosing a folding mechanism for a sofa, you should focus on the dimensions of the unfolded product, because all ratings are subjective and are unlikely to help in your choice. The main thing is to be sure that it will be convenient to use the product in the conditions of a particular apartment.

When choosing a folding mechanism, you should focus on the dimensions of the product when unfolded.

Sofa mechanisms: main points to consider when choosing

It is important to take into account the characteristics of the floor covering in the place where the product is planned to be installed. If the room has expensive parquet flooring, then the roll-out mechanism of the sofa during prolonged use will leave characteristic marks on the floor, and over time, deep cuts will form.

If a sofa is purchased for a married couple who have a large total weight, then you should not opt ​​for an option in which the sleeping place rests on small and thin legs, since they may not withstand the load and break. It is recommended to adhere to the same principle when choosing a sofa for a child’s room, because children love to use the product as a trampoline, especially when adults do not see it. In this case, additional strength will increase the life of the furniture.

In a small apartment, where you need to make smart use of all available space, you should make sure that the sofa has an additional compartment in which you can store bed linen or winter clothes

For these purposes, it is recommended to purchase a sofa with a rotating transformation mechanism, or you should pay attention to the mechanism of the Eurobook sofa.

If you plan to use the sofa for daily sleep, then it is better to choose spacious options that form a full-fledged sleeping place. In this case, the leaders are the “Eurobook” and the straight sofa “Dolphin”, which are easily and conveniently laid out and have compact dimensions when folded. Depending on the configuration of the room, you can choose a corner option.

It is important that the product has a certificate of not only quality, but also environmental friendliness

When buying a product, you need to pay attention not only to the type of mechanism, but also to other parameters, such as:

• frame type;
• filler;
• quality of upholstery;
• manufacturer;
• price.

It is better to purchase the product from a time-tested official store, so that in case of a breakdown it is easy to find spare parts for the sofas. You also need to take into account that when purchasing a product from the manufacturer, at least a year warranty is given, which also applies to transformation mechanisms

It is important that the product has a certificate of not only quality, but also environmental friendliness, which confirms the fact that no toxic substances were used in its production

Experts do not advise choosing and buying a sofa on Internet sites, since it is virtually impossible to check the quality of workmanship, the filling of the berth, and it is also impossible to inspect the product for defects. Therefore, if you decide to buy a sofa with delivery, before signing the document on receipt of the goods, you need to unfold the sofa, carefully inspect the body, fold and unfold the product several times. This is the only way to avoid the quick disappointment of buying low-quality furniture.

When buying a sofa, you need to pay attention not only to the type of mechanism, but also to the type of frame, filling and upholstery

Customer Reviews

Most buyers highly appreciate the convenience and reliability of sofas with a “European” design. They are also often noted for their compactness when folded and good capacity when disassembled. An important advantage is the variety of models and colors that the Anderssen factory offers.

If you are looking for a stylish and reliable transformable sofa that can easily turn into a comfortable bed in the evening, pay attention to furniture from the Anderssen factory. Here it is easy to choose an easy-to-use sofa for both adults and children, suitable for any interior design.

Eurosoph mechanism

Characteristics of Monstad sofas from the IKEA brand, delivery set
The most popular sofas are those whose transformation mechanism is simple and lasts a long time.

Exist:

• roll-out (for example, dolphin);
• swivel (modular sofa models);
• folding (Eurobook, Eurosofa);
• with rise;
• with steps.

These mechanisms may be present in the transformation of one sofa.

The Euro-sofa has a layout mechanism similar to a dolphin or Eurobook. When transforming furniture, the backrest remains; only the seat of the upholstered furniture is involved in the layout.

Steps for laying out the sofa:

• remove cushions from the sofa seat, if any;
• extend the lower part of the furniture to its full length;
• open the laundry box and take out the bedding set/hide the pillows;
• Unfold the two-piece polyurethane foam mattress.

The transformation is very simple and effortless. The retractable part moves along a guide on rollers. They are attached to both sides of the moving part. Slats made of timber can act as guides. The mechanism, uncomplicated by components, springs and complex structures, is considered one of the most reliable. The principle is the same as the Eurobook. A mattress folded in half serves as a sleeping place. Moreover, both sides of the sofa can withstand a large weight load. The stationary one is due to the frame and the bottom, and the retractable one rests on a laminated plate of covers. You don’t have to worry about sagging and cracks in the durable material of the mattress backing.

The Eurosof layout mechanism appeared relatively recently, but has already become one of the most popular among buyers. A significant plus is the filler used in sofa mattresses.

Sofa filling

Sofas with the Puma mechanism: pros, cons and overview of types

The filling of sleeping furniture depends on the transformation mechanism. The model with the Eurosof mechanism uses dense, high-quality polyurethane foam or a spring block. Both fillers guarantee a comfortable sleep.

PU foam used in sofas has a density of at least 30 kg/m2. The height of the material is at least 10 cm. This ensures a comfortable body position while sleeping.

The spring block can be of two types: with independent springs or dependent ones. The difference is in the compression and deflection of the surface. A block with springs that operate separately from each other is considered more ergonomic.

It is worth noting that the contents of the sofa determine its final cost.

According to reviews from buyers of upholstered sleeping furniture, Eurosofa is the best option with any of the fillings. The choice depends on personal preference. PPU has a harder surface; an independent spring block is considered a softer filling.

Sofas without transformation mechanisms

How to assemble a sofa book?

By definition, such sofas do not contain transformation elements and are not capable of folding out. Sofas without mechanisms are used to create seating for two or more people. You can offer this option for a sofa in a small living room. Less often they can be found as a sofa for sleeping. Although for people who are not overweight, using a sofa in this capacity is quite acceptable.

Sofas that cannot be folded out can be used as separate sofa modules. By using several similar modules, especially of different sizes, you can change the shape of a sofa made up of modules.

A monolithic sofa is suitable for the hallway, for the living room and will decorate the kitchen or dining room. Often this type of sofa can be found in public places.

Pros: there is no mechanism, which means there is nothing to break. The service life of monolithic sofas is longer than the service life of folding sofas.

Cons: no mechanism, no possibility of converting the sofa. Monolithic sofas are not suitable for organizing sleeping places, especially if you need to sleep two or more people.

How to choose a place to sleep and relax

First, let's tell you what types of devices there are. Buyers in modern stores are overwhelmed by the variety of offers. But in reality everything is simpler. There are several main types of upholstered furniture.

• Classic straight sofas. This is the most common option, suitable for both the bedroom and living room. They are comfortable to sleep on. There are a huge number of colors and shapes on sale.
• Corner, with ottoman. Such models have a protruding part. It saves space, is convenient for sleeping and storing things in a special niche.
• Modular. They consist of several elements that can be combined with each other, purchased as a bed, or placed in a recreation room. They look ideal in a studio apartment, where they help to properly zone the space.
• Island. They come in semicircular, oval or rectangular shapes. Usually they are bought for spacious rooms and used as a relaxation area.

Sofa "Eurobook"

“Eurobook” is also considered a popular mechanism for transforming a sofa. Its design is reliable, well thought out and easy to use. This is an advanced version of the book sofa. It is distinguished by greater comfort when opening, as well as an increased volume of the linen drawer.

Unfolding the Eurobook sofa

The very principle of opening the Eurobook sofa is extremely simple. The entire seat or part of it rests on a roller base. It is not built into the product, but stands on top. To unfold the roller part of the sofa, pull it towards you until the movement limiters operate. In this position, the space for bedding located in the base of the sofa will become visible.

Unfolding the Eurobook sofa

After the roller part was pulled out, all that remained was to install the backrest. To do this, you need to press a little on its upper part. As a result, it will fall into place, flush with the extended seat. In this position, the back will close the linen drawer, and the product itself will be completely open.

Linen box in the Eurobook sofa

In this form, the sofa will increase in size, and now it will be comfortable for a person to lie on it. The opening mechanism is very convenient, the task can be completed without much effort.

Transformation mechanism for the Eurobook sofa

Advantages and disadvantages

The Eurobook sofa has gained popularity for a number of reasons:

Ergonomics. It can be installed either in the center of the room or close to the wall. When opened, the sofa extends only in one direction. For this reason, it will not have to be moved away from the wall.

The Eurobook sofa is distinguished by its ergonomics

• Easy to open. The mechanism for transforming the Eurobook sofa is very well thought out. The roller base is very easy to move away.
• Linen box. When opened, a large niche is formed in the sofa. It is convenient to put bed linen and related items there.

Eurobook sofa easily unfolds

Reliability. The opening design and internal fittings do not require additional maintenance and can withstand heavy loads.

The only thing that can put you off buying a Eurobook sofa is the price. It will be higher than most other models. This is due to solutions in the transformation mechanism and general ergonomics.

Sofa "Puma"

Such sofas are often found in the interior of modern living rooms. When folded, they take up a small amount of space, but look quite premium. The opening mechanism is reliable. And when pulled out, parts of the sofa do not scratch the floor covering of the room, since they are not on roller bases, but on a hanging structure. The product is perfect as a place for a person to sleep. After all, it can be pulled out quite simply, while increasing its size.

Corner sofa “Puma”

Transformation of the Puma sofa

The layout mechanism of the Puma sofa is quite complex. The design consists of many individual parts. Thanks to this, when opened, the product greatly increases in size. It becomes really comfortable to sleep or lie on.

To unfold a sofa of this type, you need to raise the seat. After this has been done, you need to take out the exit bottom part. You need to pull it towards yourself until it stops. Now you can pull out the seat of the exit part. There are special loops located on the sides of the center for this purpose. You must first pull them up and then back until the limiters operate. To complete the transformation, all that remains is to lower the main seat block, which was raised from the very beginning, into place.

Puma sofa transformation mechanism

After these operations, the Puma sofa was finally unfolded. After opening, the seat area will increase several times. Now it can be used for its intended purpose, that is, lying down.

After transformation, the puma sofa increases significantly in size

Sofa features

The Puma sofa is compact when folded. It can be placed in places with a small amount of free space. For example, against a wall or in a corner of a small room. And when opened, it increases significantly. Therefore, nothing should stand in its way, because it will interfere with its movement.

The puma sofa when folded is quite compact

Advantages and disadvantages

Let's start with the advantages, of which Eurosof sofas have quite a few:

1. High structural strength. The linen drawer lid alone can support more than 200 kg, which makes the sofa safe for people of almost any weight. Plus, the minimum number of moving elements allows for maximum reliability.
2. Compactness. Can be used even in the smallest room, since the depth of the folded sofa is 0.9 m.
3. The sofa can be easily converted into a bed. Even a teenager can cope with this task.
4. The dimensions allow the furniture to be used comfortably for both adults and children.
5. The sofa allows you to rest in comfort both during the day and at night, when it “turns” into a bed, since there are no joining seams on the mattress.
6. The furniture is equipped with drawers for linen. The design allows you to easily “get” to the storage area, even when the sofa is not unfolded.
7. The presence of removable covers at the backs, which are easy to remove and wash.
8. A large number of upholstery options allows you to choose furniture to suit any interior.

The only downside that can be noted is the rolling rollers of the linen drawer, which can damage the floor covering if furniture is frequently unfolded. But this problem can be easily solved by installing rubberized pads on the rollers.

Advantages of the sofa folding mechanism

The range of possibilities for transforming upholstered furniture and additional niches always turn out to be one of the most important factors thanks to which buyers choose a specific model.

Pros of using a Eurosoph sofa:

• ease of transformation;
• a convenient box that can be used without folding out the sofa;
• fixing the lids of the boxes, which allows you to put the necessary things in the box without supporting the lid;
• sleeping place without connecting seams;
• durable frame;
• withstands heavy weight;
• box lids are made of laminated board;
• high-quality polyurethane foam or spring block;
• the absence of complex mechanisms, which guarantees a long service life without breakdowns;
• a large, unfolded sleeping area, sufficient for one person.

What is a French folding sofa?

When opened, the “French folding bed” is very similar to an ordinary folding bed, but in terms of technical parameters it differs in a three-stage folding frame. In order to unfold this type of sofa, you first need to remove and set aside the base, which is the seating area. To do this, you need to take the product from the front side. As a result, access to the internal equipment of the sofa opens, then the sliding block itself is pulled out using the handle. To make the block parallel to the floor, you need to pull the handle up and towards you.

The structure needs to be unfolded twice: during the first unfoldment, the main large part of the clamshell, equipped with a fastening on legs, opens; during the second unfoldment, the remaining part of the block is installed. The result is a complete place to sleep. When unfolding the main part, you need to make sure that the legs stand up straight and do not scratch the floor.

When folded, the “French folding bed” is compact. It is permissible to install it not only along the wall, but also in the central part of the room. When opened, there is enough space that allows two people to sit here.

The key disadvantage is the fact that the features of the folding mechanism do not allow the sofa to be equipped with a drawer or any other cavities for things. While the structure is unfolded, the removable part of the sofa will take up additional space in the room. To make sleeping more comfortable, it is recommended to additionally purchase a thin mattress and lay it on the surface.

Diagram of the mechanism for transforming a sofa according to the “French folding bed” type

Additional functionality

Sofas with a Eurosof mechanism often have additional functionality:

1. The lid of the bed box is equipped with gas pipes that guarantee easy opening and closing, as well as reliable fixation when open.
2. The linen niche can be used without folding out the sofa. Corner models are equipped with additional drawers for bedding.
3. The covers of back cushions are often removable and can be washed or dry cleaned.
4. The armrests are made to suit every taste - made of wood, plastic, covered with upholstery material or leather. Shelves, niches, and additional countertops are often made under them. More compact models do not have armrests.
5. Metal elements and wooden parts are used as accessories for the Eurosof sofa.
6. The seat has a certain depth that requires adjustment for relaxed relaxation. Therefore, the package often includes numerous sofa cushions.
7. Rubberized wheels that protect the floor covering from damage during unfolding.
8. More expensive models are equipped with an orthopedic base to improve sleep quality.