How to Choose the Best Convertible Sofa?
Table of Contents
Top Best Convertible Sofa Based on Reviews and Price
Why You Need a Good Convertible Sofa?
The convertible sofa is useful both to accommodate friends, as well as to furnish a studio or a house. It is one of the mechanical pieces of furniture whose origin dates back to the first patent filed by Albert Ducrot one of the pioneer inventors of the convertible sofas. It commands a significant investment. Hence, it requires thinking about your sleeping needs, space to unfold the seat and interior layout before purchase. In addition, the range of convertible sofas has grown enormously. They offer the possibility of having custom bedding and a designer sofa.
Amid the various models and types, this guide brings you some useful purchase information. It includes the criteria and features to watch out for in your prospective convertible.
Top 8 Factors to Know When Buying a Convertible Sofa
1. The Different Convertible Sofas
There are two main categories of convertibles: Convertible sofas and convertible sofa-beds of the click-clack or BZ type. The major difference between the two lies in the design of the convertible sofa. The convertible sofas contain a seat independent of the mattress. In other words, they are real sofas, which look like fixed sofas.
The difference is that they are equipped with a bed located at the bottom of the body. The convertible sofa beds, for their part, are bent. They have covered mattress covers that fold quickly and easily. Cheaper than sofas, they are also less aesthetic and less comfortable. The BZ bed is perpendicular to the wall. They are unlike the types which have a bed parallel to the wall.
These convertible sofas can be found in these types:
- The convertible futons: The futons feature exposed lath structures. They offer a sleeping space that is very low, as is the Japanese tradition. They generally offer three positions – sitting, relaxing, and lying down. They are fitted with rather firm mattresses and can accommodate one or two people.
- The convertible chaise lounges: Unlike the sofas, the chaise lounges have a unique armrest with an inclined backrest. They retain their asymmetry in convertible models. Depending on the model, their bedding can accommodate one person for beds of 120cm and two people for those of 140cm.
- The pull-out sofa bed: This is a sofa fitted with a bed placed under the sofa, at the bottom of the body. It is enough to pull to transform into a bed. And on some models, it is even possible to push the drawer back, leaving the sheets and the duvet. This represents a real time saver on a daily basis. As it allows us to give a studio spirit to a room, it is great for adolescents to equip their rooms.
- The wardrobe bunk sofa bed: This is perfect for very small surfaces. It looks like it can be mistaken for a sofa overhung by a shelf. But it contains a Murphy bed hidden in the box serving as support for the sofa. Simply remove the back cushions to transform the sofa into a bed and pull on the shelf.
- The convertible pouf: This is a cushion that can be transformed into a bed with a foam mattress for one person. The mattress is folded out on the floor. This inexpensive system is a good sleeping solution.
- The fireside chair: This works the same way with the flip-flop. But unlike the ottoman, it offers two places and allows the low backrest to be used as a pillow. There are also sofas with the same system, but due to the absence of a box spring, they are to be reserved for an extra bed.
- The convertible corner sofa: This combines aesthetics and convenience. It provides additional sleeping while giving a very stylish look to space.
2. Determine the Future Use of the Sofa
A convertible sofa intended for a small space will be chosen according to the reduced size it offers. If the sofa is purchased to serve as both a sofa and an extra bed, a basic bed will do. On the other hand, do you wish to have both a sofa and a bed used daily? It is, therefore, recommended to invest in a good-quality sofa with quality bedding. It will provide optimal user comfort. Besides, it will last longer than a poor quality convertible sofa used daily.
3. The Dimensions: Between 80 to 160cm
The convertible sofa must generally fit into a small space. So it is necessary to check precisely the space available before any purchase. Consider the width once the sofa is unfolded to avoid unpleasant surprises. With the number of models available on the market, there are varying sizes. So it is possible to find a sofa perfectly suited to the allocated space.
Although the standard width is 140 centimeters, the convertible sofas are generally offered in eight different widths ranging from 80 to 160 centimeters. The smaller ones are perfect for children or single people. The larger ones correspond to high-end models.
4. Comfort: Choose Resilient and High-density Models
The sofa must meet the user’s comfort criteria: it can be soft or rather firm, with or without armrests, and with or without headrests.
The quality of the seat foam must be characterized by resilience and density. The more resilience, that is to say, the ability of the material to recover its shape, the better the comfort. High-resilience polyurethane seat foams, for example, help optimize comfort.
The density of the seat also influences comfort. This is because, the higher the density, the firmer the foam. Whether you prefer soft or firm materials, the quality of the seat will depend essentially on the budget spent on the purchase of the sofa. Of course, models offering optimal comfort are expensive. Finally, depending on personal preferences, you can opt for a convertible in fabric, microfiber or leather.
5. The Opening System
Depending on the type of convertible sofas, there are different mechanisms. The sofas intended for occasional sleeping have a mechanism that requires removing the cushions before opening the sofa. Would you like to transform the sofas intended for regular sleeping into a bed? Simply remove the back cushions and unfold them by pulling them towards you. And the seat cushions will remain mechanically attached.
As for the sofas intended to be used as a daily bed, they unfold in a single gesture without removing a single cushion. This thanks to a rapid opening system, all the cushions remaining fixed to mechanics.
6. Occasional, Regular or Daily Sleeping?
There are three types of beddings for convertibles. This corresponds to different qualities and thicknesses of mattresses. These are namely: an extra bed, a regular bed, or even a daily bed. It is the use you want to make of it that will determine which one to choose.
- For occasional sleeping: Sofas intended for occasional sleeping are supplied with a mattress with a thickness of approximately 6 centimeters in polyurethane. They have a density of 26 to 30 kg/m3.
- Regular sleeping: Sofas intended for regular uses generally have a foam mattress with a thickness varying from 10 to 12 centimeters. They also have a density between 30 and 50 kg/m3.
- Daily-use convertibles: For the sofas intended to be used as a daily bed, the quality of the bed is essential. They are generally equipped with mattresses with a thickness of 13 to 18 centimeters. The mattress can be latex, memory foam or embedded springs. In addition, choosing a renowned brand allows you to benefit from a quality mattress.
7. The Type of Cover: Natural or Synthetic?
Natural Material Covers
The basic material for furniture, cotton, can be pure, organic, plaited or mixed. Very resistant, the braided cotton has an excellent hold. They have a grammage between 300 and 400g/m2. This gives it a heavy and rigid appearance. It can be mixed with linen or polyester. With a natural crumpled finish, linen is a natural fiber, whose maintenance is simple. It is enough to wash the cover, in the washing machine at 40°C and to dry it, without ironing so that the linen remains flexible. In the natural, linen has a cream color, which goes well with a light or dark wooden structure.
Leather is the star material for sofas. With a fine grain and a flexible aspect, calf leather is not the most recommended for the multiple manipulations of folding and unfolding of a convertible sofa. This is because of its fragility. It is preferable to opt for a cowhide leather. This is notably a benchmark in furniture. The most suitable remains buffalo leather. It has a marked grain and rigidity, which ensure its solidity.
Synthetic Materials
Also called eco-leather, the imitation is a fabric covered with a layer of polyurethane (PUL). This gives it a leather look. This imitation can be declined in all the colors and all the grains of leather.
Easy to clean, dry cloth is enough to dust the sofa. Microfiber is a synthetic fabric, widely used in furniture. With increasingly fine textures, the microfiber is made of polyester. It can be cleaned with soap if stained. More delicate and very soft to the touch, with its suede appearance, the Alcantara is a microfiber fabric, which is a polyester/polyurethane blend. For good durability, the latter must be regularly dusted and maintained with a steam cleaner.
8. Interior Storage Space
Some models of convertible sofas are highly efficient because they have interior storage. This can be in the form of drawers or chests for storing pillows or a duvet. This is a very practical feature when you have a small accommodation.
Wrapping It Up
Formerly reserved for additional use, the convertible sofas have progressed so much. Today, certain models offer comfort comparable to that of a fixed sofa. There is not a convertible sofa but a multitude of types of sofas. This is why it is essential when buying a convertible sofa, which can represent a substantial budget, to determine your expectations to select a model that is suitable for your needs.
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