Instructions: how to choose a sofa that will last a long time Furniture manufacturers explain what material the frame of the product should be made of, why you need to pay attention to the quality of seams and chips

2019-02-24

Author: Belfan

Issues discussed in the material:

• What to consider when choosing a sofa?
• What shapes and sizes of sofas are there?
• Which sofa is better to choose based on the transformation mechanism?
• What color of the sofa should I choose?
• What material should you choose a sofa from?

In modern interiors of living rooms or bedrooms there is always a sofa. It is installed as a place to rest and sleep. The range of this furniture is represented by many models of different types. Sofas may differ in their assembly mechanism, upholstery material, design, purpose, etc. Each furniture has its own service life, and sooner or later there comes a time when it requires replacement. In this article we will tell you how to choose a sofa that will suit you best in terms of its properties.

Where to start choosing a sofa

Few buyers have extensive experience and knowledge in choosing upholstered furniture. Before buying a sofa, it is important to understand what its main purpose will be. Many people choose a sofa as a bed for sleeping every day. In other cases, the product plays the role of a place to relax. The next step is to decide on the quality of the sofa.

To assess the quality of upholstered furniture, experts check the frame, filling and upholstery. The color and appearance of the sofa should be selected to match the existing design of the room. Basically, this furniture is purchased based on the shade of the walls of the room. The sofa should look harmonious in the room.

Before choosing a sofa for your home, you should carefully consider the concept of the room's interior. All elements of furnishings and decor must be interconnected. Any addition needs to be thought through. If you are leaning towards classic models, you can consider sofas with a wooden frame. They usually have upholstery in universal shades, suitable for any interior. If you want to see a more modern model in your room, pay attention to high-tech furniture. But here you need to thoroughly think through the design of the room so that the sofa looks appropriate.

Sofa shapes

Types of sofas by shape:

• straight;
• corner;
• with ottoman;
• modular;
• island.

• Straight sofas are the most common and versatile option. You can choose the color and size of the product to suit any interior.

Straight sofas are most often installed near walls. The design may include built-in countertops, minibars and folding shelves. These models are also used for sleeping.

• A model such as a corner sofa is also popular. When choosing this product, you should not confuse it with another design - a sofa with an ottoman (a wide soft ottoman). This is a separate element and usually has a niche for storage.
• Sofas with an ottoman are usually installed as corner sofas. At the same time, there is a significant saving of space in the room. Such sofas are convenient to choose as a place for daily sleep.
• A modular product is a combination of several blocks that are assembled into a single structure. The modules can also be used separately. A modular system may include a sleeping place, but usually their main purpose is to relax and complement the interior.

There are a large number of such sofas on the market with different types of designs. The model will be a good option for a small studio apartment.

• In stores you can also find such a model as an island sofa. This furniture is chosen by special connoisseurs, as the products really look noble and chic. The shape of sofas can be round, semicircular, oval and rectangular. They are installed in living rooms as a relaxing place. The products should be positioned in such a way that they can be easily approached from all sides.

Sofa sizes

Before purchasing a product, you need to determine what size sofa you need. The model can be two- or three-seater. The first option can be chosen by those who live alone and rarely receive guests. The three-seater sofas are very spacious. They are purchased by families with children. The double model can be complemented with comfortable armchairs, as a result you will have a full-fledged place to relax.

Take measurements of the room in advance and determine where the sofa should go. There are often cases when the purchase was made thoughtlessly, and the product turned out to be too large for the room.

Which sofa is better to choose based on the transformation mechanism

Transformation mechanisms include sofa layout options. If you have never encountered the choice of upholstered furniture, at first it may be difficult to understand what complex names and descriptions of products mean. However, dealing with this issue is quite simple.

Which sofa mechanism to choose? There are three product options: folding, rolling out and unfolding. The first group includes sofas of the “book”, “eurobook” and “click-click” models. The second category includes models of the “telescope”, “tick-tock”, and dolphin types.” The last group includes “accordion” and “folding bed” sofas.

The most popular are rotary designs. Corner sofas are made on their basis: one part is rotated to the second, and the result is a solid surface.

• “Book” and “Eurobook”.

Many people are familiar with the “book” and “eurobook” designs, since such sofas were produced back in Soviet times. A product of this type is unfolded by moving the part of the sofa close to the wall. Usually there is a storage niche under the seat.

The “eurobook” model is a complicated mechanism of a simple “book”. The layout system is almost the same, the difference is that here the seat moves forward. The design is considered one of the most reliable. If you are thinking about which sofa to choose so that it will serve for many years, you can choose this model.

• Click-clack.

You can choose a sofa of the “click-clack” model. What are the features of this design? In addition to the main ones, the product has intermediate layout options: “reclining” and “half-sitting”. The components of the sofa are a metal frame and wooden armor. The latter elements are prone to breakage under heavy loads. This sofa can be purchased for children or for entertaining guests.

There are models with a similar design - “lit”. These sofas have armrests that fold out and the backrest remains in place.

• Telescope (roll-out).

The telescope design consists of three blocks. Two of them form the seat, the third - the back. The sofa unfolds like this: first you need to pull out the bottom of the seat, then lower the back, and fill the remaining empty space with a mattress. Disadvantages of this model: the sleeping place is located very low; frequent layouts leave scratches on the floor.

• Accordion.

You can choose a sofa with an accordion layout. How does this design work? The product consists of three elements (a seat and two parts that form the back). To lay out the sofa, you need to pull out the seat until all three elements are in the same plane.

Accordion-type structures are made on wooden frames with metal hinges and on solid metal frames with wooden armor. The second design option is suitable for daily use.

• "Tick-tock" (pantograph).

This model has a mechanism similar to the “Eurobook”. The difference is that in the tick-tock design the seat is pulled out by a spring. This model is more expensive, but it has an undeniable advantage - the absence of wheels, so the floor does not get scratched. This sofa is convenient to purchase as a main bed.

Read also:  How to choose the right baseboard to match the color of doors or floors, as well as walls

Which sofa color to choose

An important aspect of choosing upholstered furniture is the color of the product. When it comes to choosing the color of a sofa, expert advice will help you. Here are popular combinations of shades of furniture and the surrounding interior:

• Monochrome. The upholstery fabric is the same color as the wall. But the shades should not be completely repeated. Use a darker tone for the sofa, for example green, then light green for the walls.
• Neutral tones of the sofa in combination with any interior color. Sofa upholstery in neutral shades harmonizes perfectly with any color combinations in the interior. Often, designers use neutral-colored furniture to offset the brightness and richness of the walls.
• A bright sofa combined with neutral tones in the interior. The contrasting color of the upholstery will act as a kind of accent in the room. The picture will be complemented by decorative items in the same shade.
• Combined. If you don't know what color fabric to choose for your sofa, you can try the following design solution. Furniture is chosen in a color that is completely different from the overall composition in the interior. This makes the design look bright and stylish.

Selecting the color of the sofa

A sofa is a massive piece of furniture that occupies a significant place in the interior composition. It can serve as both an expressive color accent and a neutral background for bright textile elements - decorative pillows or blankets.

Based on the role of the sofa in the interior, you need to select its color. Those who do not have sufficient design experience should not experiment with bright colors and colorful patterns. It is better to limit yourself to traditional neutral colors: shades of beige, gray, olive.

White color is very elegant, but also very impractical. If you cannot do without white upholstered furniture, then you need to select options with upholstery that is easy to clean: eco-leather, flock, chenille. Black sofas are no less difficult to maintain. Foreign fibers, animal hair and other contaminants are very clearly visible on their upholstery.

Which frame is better to choose for a sofa?

Before choosing a sofa, you need to decide on the material of the frame - the main part of the furniture, on which the quality of its functioning will depend. The main base options are made of wood, metal or chipboard.

• The wooden frame is characterized by high strength and long service life. The cost of the final product will depend on the type of wood. Particularly high quality are sofas with frames made of beech, oak, walnut and ash. Any wood used in furniture production must be thoroughly dried. Otherwise, the furniture will soon begin to creak and deformations will appear.

• The metal frame is characterized by high strength and reliability. These sofas look stylish and modern. To choose a truly high-quality model, review all connections and welds before purchasing. It is better to choose products with anti-corrosion or chrome coating.
• The chipboard frame is not very durable. Such products do not last long, and after a couple of years you will have to go shopping for a sofa again.
• Frameless sofas. Such models do not have a rigid base, so they easily take the shape of the body. The sofas are easy to care for and are completely safe and reliable. If you are thinking about which sofa to choose for installing in the nursery, this product can be a great option.

Frame

When answering the question of how to choose a sofa, you need to look at what frame the model has. In general, the following types of frames are commonly found:

• wooden;
• metal;
• MDF;
• chipboard;
• combined.

The most common option is a combined frame. In this case, wood or metal is used for the main strength elements, they are complemented by MDF or chipboard. All rules allow such combinations. Only when choosing, you need to make sure that the connections are tongue-and-groove or bolted. It will be more reliable this way. Among the disadvantages of such a solution is the need for maintenance, otherwise the life of the furniture will be significantly reduced. In this way, medium-priced products are produced.

Another option is wooden frames. Such options are the most reliable; depending on the type of wood, the service life of sofas increases significantly. We also need to add environmental safety. The disadvantage of such furniture is its high cost.

Metal is still often used as the basis of the frame, mainly for furniture in modern styles. Such products can withstand significant loads and last a long time. There are no special problems with them. It is important to understand how to choose the right sofa with such a frame. First of all, we are talking about treating the metal against corrosion; it is good if the parts are chrome-plated. It is also worth checking the quality of welded elements.

You can find frames made of MDF. They are quite durable. The main advantage is resistance to moisture, which allows the use of such sofas in kitchens and hallways. The boards are made using environmentally friendly materials. When choosing, look at the quality of the connections.

The cheapest option is a chipboard frame. Low cost is the only advantage of such furniture. Such frames do not last long. They warp at the slightest exposure to moisture. It's difficult to give advice here, just look at the build quality.

Which filler to choose for a sofa

All main elements of sofas (back, seat, armrests) have filling. The most popular are foam rubber and polyurethane foam. There is also latex and spring filling.

Products filled only with foam rubber are not reliable or durable. Sofas with solid foam padding perform a little better: they last longer, but after a few years they still sag.

The most popular filling option is polyurethane foam. It is similar in cost to the previous option, but is more durable.

Polyurethane foam filler can be block (sandwich) or cast. In the first option, the main parts of the sofa are glued together. Cast products are cast in factories using special molds.

Many people are concerned about the question of which sofa to choose so that it is both durable and environmentally friendly. We advise you to pay attention to sofas with latex filling. This material is highly elastic, follows the shape of the body and immediately restores its original position. The surface of the sofa is not electrified, mold does not form in it, and the material is hypoallergenic. Latex is the most popular type of padding for orthopedic products.

Spring filling makes the product comfortable, reliable and durable. However, this is only possible if the manufacturer used high-quality spring blocks.

Today, multi-layer filling of sofas is also popular. In this case, different elements are made with different filling densities. Basically, the lowest level is made the densest, then the density of the material decreases - and the surface of the product turns out to be soft and comfortable.

How to choose a good sofa: expert advice

If you are sure that the most important thing in a sofa is its appearance, the FURNITURE CONFIDENT is ready to expand your horizons and share valuable information about which sofa is not afraid of cat claws and the talents of young artists, why the health of the body greatly depends on the internal filling of the sofa, as well as which a sofa is better suited for daily sleep and which transformation mechanism is more reliable. The director of the upholstered furniture studio “Author”, Alexander Ledyaev, told us how to choose a really good sofa, a man who knows everything and even more about sofas.

— Alexander Nikolaevich, tell me, what should you pay attention to first when choosing a sofa?

— Of course, all buyers first of all pay attention to the appearance - whether the model will suit the style and interior of their future premises.

Advice! You should definitely measure your space before going to the store and decide what size sofa will suit you. You also need to write down the approximate dimensions for the unfolded sofa.

The second point that you should pay attention to right away is the comfort and functionality of the sofa. Here you need to answer the key question: why do you need a sofa? To sit and relax, to sleep every day or just as a beautiful piece of furniture? A clear knowledge of the goal will significantly speed up your choice.

Feel free to touch the sofa with your hands, sit and even lie on it right in the store. This is the only way you can understand whether the sofa in front of you is comfortable.

Finally, the third point is the technical parameters: transformation mechanism, upholstery, filling and frame.

— Let's start with the mechanisms of transformation. Which option is the most reliable and durable?

— The most durable mechanism is considered to be the “Eurobook” - a folding option in which the removable cushions are removed, the seat moves forward, and the backrest lowers. The sofa itself does not need to be moved away from the wall. This model turns into a full-fledged sleeping place. It can be equipped with lamellas and, with proper filling, we can achieve the orthopedic effect our body needs.

A sofa with a Eurobook mechanism is a simple, good and reliable option for daily sleep and daily unfolding.

— Alexander Nikolaevich, reveal the furniture secret: which sofa upholstery is more practical? Is it true that the most expensive thing in a sofa is the fabric?

— Yes, fabric can make up from 30% to 90% of the cost of a sofa. This is its most expensive component. By changing the fabric option, you can significantly change the cost of the sofa.

There are three upholstery options - leather, faux leather and fabric. A leather sofa is a reliable investment. Its main disadvantage for most buyers is the price. Therefore, there is a misconception that a budget version of a faux leather sofa will be just as practical. In fact, after a few years of use, eco-leather begins to crack, and this process is irreversible. The golden mean in the matter of sofa upholstery - the balance of price and quality - combines fabric.

If you want to choose an expensive fabric, but the sofa will stand against the wall and you do not plan to move it to the center of the room, then the cost of the sofa can be significantly reduced by upholstering the back from a different material.

— What fabrics can be recommended for families with small children or pets?

— Of course, the fabrics that clean best are, for example, velor or flock. These fabrics differ from each other in the principle of attaching the pile to the base. On flock, the pile is glued, and on velor, the piles are woven in and held together by weaving. Chenille is also practical. Chenille threads are strong, thick and twisted.

An indicator of the quality of fabric is the price. Pile length, number of units per 1 sq. cm of fabric - all this affects both the cost and practicality of the fabric itself. The denser the pile, the less dirt will get there. Even drops of water can stick to the surface of the pile.

Therefore, high-pile fabric is difficult for cats to tear through. And traces of children's drawings are also easy to remove. In furniture stores they even show this “trick” to clients - they draw with a pen, for example, on flock, and then easily remove all the patterns with a napkin.

Chenille and velor can be washed, but at a temperature of no more than 30 degrees, otherwise these fabrics may shrink.

It is not recommended to wash flock because the adhesive base may be damaged. There is flock with rubber-based glue. It is very elastic - it stretches well and quickly takes its original shape. Rubber-based flock is more expensive, but more practical than regular flock.

— I think we’ve sorted out the appearance and options for practical upholstery. But the sofa also has an internal filling; few buyers think about it. What's inside the sofa besides storage?

— Inside the sofa there is a frame and filling. The quality of the filler affects both comfort and its service life. The most common sofa fillers are polyurethane foam (PPU) and springs.

Do you know the difference between polyurethane foam and foam rubber? Correct answer: nothing. Polyurethane foam (PPU) is more of a professional name, and “foam rubber” is a colloquial one, it comes from the name of the Norwegian company, which supplied polyurethane foam to the USSR. Actually, the story is the same as that of Pampers and disposable diapers, Scotch and duct tape.

Polyurethane foam comes in different varieties. From inexpensive to HR type, this is a particularly elastic, latex-like material. Of all types of sofa fillings, polyurethane foam deteriorates the fastest, and with daily use of the sofa it wears out very quickly. The warranty period for polyurethane foam is usually 1.5 years. In practice, after 4-5 years the foam rubber needs to be changed.

The springs in sofas also vary. There is a spring snake and there is a spring block - dependent and independent.

A dependent spring unit differs from an independent one in the behavior of springs under load. If you are sitting on a sofa with dependent springs, and a person with more weight sits next to you, you will certainly feel how the sofa “sags”. Dependent springs are connected to each other by metal spirals along the lower turns, which creates the “hammock effect.” If the sofa has independent springs, then you will not feel the seat deformation, because in this case each spring is in a special cover, and the covers are fastened together in the center of the spring.

— Alexander Nikolaevich, which is better – a dependent or an independent spring unit?

- There is no definite answer here, depending on what you want from the sofa. For example, if you prefer to lie down, then the orthopedic effect is important and then you need an independent spring block. If you prefer to sit on the sofa, then a dependent box spring may be better because it is softer and you can rock smoothly on it.

The dependent spring block is more durable - its component is only metal, and independent springs also have covers. For spring covers, materials such as fibertek or spunbond are used. Both are thermally bonded high-density padding polyester. Initially, spunbond was used as a covering material for gardens and vegetable gardens. And then its density was increased and began to be widely used in furniture production.

— And the last element of the interior of the sofa is the frame. Why does the quality of the frame affect the health of everyone who sits, and especially sleeps, on the sofa?

— On average, we “communicate” with the sofa for about 8 hours a day. If the frame of the sofa is made, for example, of fir, a cheap and fragile material, and the material was not dried well during manufacture, then at home the wood will begin to “cry” and become covered with mold. All this happens inside the sofa, and a person comes into contact with it every day. Of course, this can negatively affect his health and cause allergic reactions. Therefore, it is so important to know not only the external, but also the internal contents of your future sofa.

For reference: what is a sofa frame most often made from? The most common materials are wood and chipboard. Less often - metal. Of course, the most environmentally friendly material is wood. Wood can be very expensive if it is oak, beech or ash. More budget options are birch and coniferous trees. The main thing for the wood frame is that it is dry. If chipboard is used, then this material must be coated with a special protective layer that prevents the release of substances harmful to health.

If you have any furniture questions, write to us. We will forward your request to the experts and be sure to provide all the details.

Text: Tatyana Reshetilova for FURNITURE CONSULTER

Added to the site:

13.06.2017
Updated:
12.11.2018

What upholstery to choose for a sofa

An equally important question is what fabric to choose for upholstering the sofa. Buyers are interested in ensuring that the surface of the product can maintain a presentable appearance for a long time. We can say that the durability of a particular sofa model directly depends on the quality of the upholstery material. Leather is considered the highest quality.

Modern manufacturers offer us other upholstery options, which, like leather, satisfy the buyer’s needs for durability and wear resistance. Let's try to figure out how to choose the right sofa upholstery material.

Experts recommend paying attention to the following fact: the presence of Teflon impregnation in the upholstery. This substance gives the sofa water-repellent properties. If you accidentally spill any liquid on the seat, it will not be absorbed into the fabric, but will simply flow down it. Teflon impregnation ensures the product's resistance to dust and dirt. Such sofas have an undeniable advantage - ease of care, which is practically not required.

There are also models with Teflon coating, which performs the same functions as the impregnation described above. But the spraying mechanism itself is simpler, so the final price of the sofa will be lower.

The next material is chenille. It is often equated to skin. Like leather covering, chenille is a very high-quality and valuable material. It is soft, comfortable and highly durable. Many experts recommend purchasing such sofas for installation in a nursery. The coating is stain resistant. If you prefer real luxury and nobility, you should choose leather sofas. Some manufacturers, in order to further increase the cost of the product, cover even the back elements of sofas with leather. It is worth paying attention to this fact in the store to protect yourself from unnecessary overpayment.

Famous companies issue a passport for each of their products. It usually describes the main properties of the model. Before choosing a sofa for your home, you should carefully check the described characteristics. The furniture must also be inspected from the outside. The leather covering should not contain visible scratches, damage or stains.

Another type of upholstery is microfiber. The material is considered modern, as it is not used in production for long. Microfiber is a reliable, wear-resistant fabric. The production of products includes Teflon treatment, which makes them resistant to any kind of contamination. Microfiber is a very durable material that is difficult to deform. Such sofas do not fade in the sun, and the fabric does not fade.

A popular type of furniture upholstery is flock. Just as in the previous version, it is used because of its high strength and wear resistance. This material is perfect if you keep animals in your home. The fabric is resistant to scratches and other deformations. The range is presented in various textures that will brighten up any interior. A flock sofa will harmonize with both classic and modern interior design. The only drawback of this upholstery is that it absorbs odors well. The sofa cannot be installed in the kitchen or dining room.

If you love colorful colorful pillows, consider chenille. The range includes materials with all sorts of textures and patterns. Chenille is an ideal upholstery fabric for pillows: the material is not magnetic, does not fade in the sun, is soft and pleasant to the touch.

Beautiful, noble fabric for furniture – velor. The material has a fleecy surface, which makes it look very elegant, while at the same time creating comfort and warmth. This is a high-quality fabric, as it does not shrink, does not stretch, and is highly durable. The disadvantage of the material is susceptibility to contamination.

Matting is a solid, noble fabric. Upholstered furniture made from matting looks very voluminous. This upholstery is durable and easy to care for. Thanks to the special texture of the fabric, small stains are practically invisible. Therefore, such furniture can be safely installed in the hallway or kitchen. If you are thinking about which sofa to choose if there is a pet in the house, it is better to pay attention to other models. Scratches cause the matting to tighten, and this damage is almost impossible to remove.

The most popular upholstery material is tapestry. It belongs to wear-resistant fabrics. Soft and comfortable, it is easy to care for: it can be washed and treated with chemical compounds. Tapestry sofas are chosen for installation in children's rooms or country houses. Manufacturers produce a huge range of colors and textures of this material.

Linen products are slightly less popular. The material is practical and environmentally friendly, but the appearance of linen fabric is not so attractive - it is nondescript and hard to the touch.

Upholstery materials

Not only the appearance of the furniture, but also its performance characteristics depends on the quality of the upholstery. What fabric to choose - so that it is pleasant to the touch, is easy to clean and allows air to pass through. It often happens that people are puzzled by the question of choosing upholstery after purchasing a sofa, when they want to change worn out or damaged fabric. Furniture manufacturers offer a fairly wide selection of upholstery options:

• microvelor is very popular due to its practicality and resistance to wear. The price is reasonable, average. The fabric is tactilely pleasant. It is antistatic and hypoallergenic material;
• flock is the most popular. Able to withstand even some mechanical stress. If there are animals in the house, then you should choose this one. The material is easy to care for, resistant, durable. One disadvantage is that flock absorbs odors, so it should not be used in the kitchen;
• genuine leather is an ideal, but expensive option. A straight leather sofa is an indicator of wealth and status. Requires maintenance, mechanical damage can be restored, unlike the eco option;
• eco-leather is practically indistinguishable from natural leather in appearance. Practical, but unstable to mechanical stress. This upholstery option is contraindicated for young parents and animal owners;
• cotton - this upholstery is what you need when it comes to a child's room. Eco-friendly, moisture-proof and breathable. Disadvantage: Compared to other fabrics, cotton wears out the fastest. Special impregnations can extend the service life;
• jacquard is a noble and elegant option. Dense, wear resistant. Modern impregnations make it impervious to dirt and dust. The cost is high, not a budget option;
• Chenille is a combined material containing both natural and artificial bases. Common. The fleecy surface makes the chenille sofa very cozy. It lasts a long time and is easy to clean with either a vacuum cleaner or a sponge;
• silk - a sofa with silk upholstery is a rare occurrence. You won’t find it in the store, unless they offer it when reupholstering. This is a luxurious upholstery option for a sophisticated interior;
• tapestry has literally been tested for centuries. Beautiful, durable, but fades in direct sun;
• arpatek - looks like leather. Very high performance characteristics. Originally intended for use in car interiors.

When choosing a material for upholstery of upholstered furniture, make sure that its characteristics correspond to the operating conditions in your apartment. Otherwise, the snow-white eco-leather runs the risk of being painted with felt-tip pens or torn by a cat running away from the child. Choose an option that will be easy for you to care for. Remember: a straight fabric sofa is for you, not you for it. Furniture should be fun.

Arpatek

Tapestry

Jacquard

Microvelour

Genuine Leather

Flock

Chenille

Eco leather

How to choose a sofa for the living room, nursery and kitchen

• Living room.

The most advantageous option for a living room is a corner sofa with high backs and armrests. It is better to choose soft and deep seats that clearly follow the shape of the body. Wood is suitable as a frame. Choose natural, breathable upholstery fabric. These are linen, cotton, a mixture of wool and synthetic fabric. Materials such as flock, velor, and velvet are also suitable.

Which sofa to choose for a seating area with a TV? A model for 2-3 seats is suitable. It is better to choose a metal frame, since such models are more compact. Choose the degree of softness of the seat and the height of the backrest at your discretion. It is better that the seat covering is resistant to stains, since many people like to eat in the living room. For example, it can be leather or leather substitutes, as well as polyester and acrylic.

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• Children's room.

The criteria for choosing a sofa for installation in a nursery are brightness, colorful upholstery, as well as safety and environmental friendliness of materials. Solid wood sofas are suitable. For upholstery, choose hypoallergenic, lint-free fabrics (linen, cotton, chenille). To choose a truly high-quality piece of furniture, it is better to immediately go to a good, reputable manufacturer. Don't skimp on children's furniture. The shape of the sofa should also be safe. Make sure that the product does not have sharp corners or hard edges.

• Kitchen.

Manufacturers offer a huge range of corner sofas for the kitchen. It is better to choose models with high seats (50 cm from the floor) and medium-hard pillows. Give preference to sofas with a metal frame. Metal parts must be chrome-plated or painted or made of stainless materials. When purchasing wooden structures, you should understand that they require more complex maintenance. In this case, it is better to choose moisture-resistant models (oak, larch) - they are usually made to order.

If you are deciding which sofa to choose for small kitchens, it is better to purchase products with storage systems under the seats. It is convenient to store kitchen utensils, as well as cereals and some products.

When viewing sofa options in a store, carefully study the properties of the upholstery. The advantage is moisture-resistant fabrics that are stain-resistant. It is important that the surface of the kitchen sofa does not absorb odors. Good options would be eco-leather, microfiber, and synthetic materials. Linen or cotton materials are also suitable, but only if they are pre-treated with a water-repellent solution.

Design

The sofa will last a long time if it has a durable frame and high-quality filling. The most reliable materials for the frame are metal and natural wood. Frames made of MDF and chipboard have a medium density and are therefore less durable. If you choose a sofa with a frame made of these materials, give preference to a quality product from a manufacturer you trust.

Before purchasing, do not be lazy to check the quality of the filler. This can be done by sitting down or pressing your hand on the edge of the sofa. If the surface wrinkles easily and quickly returns to its previous shape, the filler is good. It should not creak or jam.

Photo: pinterest.com

Where is it better to buy a sofa: in a regular or online store?

If you have already decided on the sofa model and are familiar with the properties of the designs and upholstery, you can order the product in the online store. Here you can quickly select the right option, since all models are before your eyes. In an offline store, in the halls, only a small part of all models is usually displayed. To see all the options, you will be offered catalogs, and you will learn about the characteristics of the sofas from the consultant’s story.

How to choose and buy a sofa in an online store? Internet services usually do not require upfront fees. After receiving delivery, you will have the opportunity to evaluate the product and, if it does not suit you, refuse to purchase. Before ordering, you can go to the store’s showroom, where you can better examine and monitor the quality of the models. If you don’t know what kind of sofa you need and want to inspect it, as well as find out the cost, you can visit a furniture center with furniture from leading manufacturers.

• What marketing ploys should you not believe?

Some sellers offer favorable low prices for goods in an online store, but you will not find such a product in a real center. The consultant will inform you that this furniture is out of stock, and then try to lure you with another product, but at a higher price.

• Do I need to require a guarantee and for how long?

According to the standard, the guarantee for upholstered furniture items is 18 months. However, what is important here is what the seller promises after this period. If the product was purchased from an intermediary, it is quite possible that if the sofa breaks down, they will refuse help and refer you to the manufacturer. It will be extremely difficult to get any action from the seller. Therefore, before purchasing a product, it is important to make sure that the store has its own service team, which will repair the sofa.

Breakage and damage to upholstered furniture is, unfortunately, a common problem. All sofas are assembled by hand and therefore have their own service life. Before choosing a sofa, you should make sure that the seller is ready to fulfill its obligations to correct defects.

Final tips on how to choose the right sofa

• The first step is to understand where you want to install the sofa. It is necessary to take measurements of the room and the area where it will be installed. This will make it easier for you to correctly determine the required dimensions of the product.
• The second step is to decide what you are buying a sofa for (for relaxing in the living room or as a main sleeping place). It is important to take into account the weight of the person for whom the model is being purchased (child or adult). These factors will help you choose the necessary transformation mechanism for the product.
• When purchasing, you need to check the quality of the transforming mechanism. Metal elements must be thick enough (from 3 mm). Monitor the quality of all connections.
• Before choosing a sofa, see if its density suits you. To do this, you can sit down or even lie down on it. The sofa should not creak - this indicates errors in the assembly of the frame.
• All seams and staples must be straight. Also evaluate how well the back surface of the product is upholstered. This indicates the seller's integrity.

How to choose a sofa

Here are some tips on how to choose a good sofa.

• Purpose - decide what you need the sofa for. If you only plan to relax while sitting, you can take a closer look at sofas without a transformation mechanism. They are simpler, because there is nothing to break. If you need to choose a sofa for daily sleep, then an ottoman sofa and folding models (eurobook, dolphin, etc.) are suitable.
• Size - any piece of furniture should fit well into the interior of the room. If there is a huge sofa in a small room, it is unlikely to add comfort to the residents. Therefore, for small-sized apartments it is better to choose compact models with the possibility of transformation. Pay attention to the size of the bed: in a standard double sofa it is 140 or 160 cm in width and from 180 to 200 cm in length. The width of the ottoman or folding bed is from 80 to 110 cm and is designed to accommodate one person.
• The folding mechanism makes the sofa a universal piece of furniture - it can be turned into a bed if necessary. If you have to unfold the sofa every day, you should give preference to reliable mechanisms: book, eurobook, dolphin. If you sleep on the sofa from time to time, the mechanism can be any. Before choosing a sofa, you should consider how it will fit into the dimensions of the room and when unfolded.
• Upholstery material: the most durable and inexpensive upholstery is fabric. If pets live in the house, choose a sofa with anti-claw upholstery fabric, then neither the furniture nor the love for the cat will suffer. But a sofa with faux leather is not the best purchase. If you still want to buy a presentable sofa for the living room or office, then you should choose eco-leather. This is a reliable, durable, aesthetic and tactilely pleasant material. Large leather sofas are gradually going out of fashion: if you want just one, think about how harmoniously it will look in the interior of the room.
• Additions - for greater comfort, add-ons can be added to the sofa. A corner sofa often has an ottoman (this is the name of the protruding part where you can relax reclining with your legs stretched out). Under the ottoman there is a spacious compartment for storing bed linen. Poufs and banquettes can be included with the sofa. They can be used in different ways: placed under your feet as a small table, used as additional seating if a lot of guests have come.