Modular sofa. How to choose
Are you choosing a sofa and have settled on a model model? Worthy choice! But do you know everything about her? Our article contains all the information about upholstered designer furniture and describes the nuances that you need to pay attention to when purchasing.
Modular sofa
Modern apartments can no longer be imagined without comfortable, upholstered furniture. The variety of sofas is amazing. All kinds of shapes, sizes, colors - allow you to choose a model for any purpose and room, create an individual interior, highlight the character of the house and its inhabitants. Modular sofas for the living room are especially popular among buyers. Naturally - after all, this is a whole set of items for sleeping, relaxing, meeting with friends, which does not require additional chairs to ensure comfort for everyone. Is it worth your attention? Let’s look at all the nuances.
Table of contents
A little history
Furniture designer for your interior
Types of modular sofas
Mechanisms of transformation
Advantages and disadvantages of upholstered furniture made from modules
Materials for the production of furniture modules
Frame
Layout mechanism
Filler
Upholstery
Tips from professionals on choosing a modular sofa
Conclusion
A little history
For the first time, a design consisting of separate independent elements appeared to buyers in 1970. The French furniture house Roshe Bobois presented the Mah Jong model, with the motto “You are a creator, do as you want!” The sofa contained several wide soft seating sections that could be folded out at night and a pair of corner chairs, without a rigid connection to the main frame.
The first modular sofa Mah Jong
The success was deafening. First of all, large families became interested in the model - now everyone had their own relaxation corner in the house. The design was also appreciated by fans of frequent rearrangements, studio owners and fashionable interior designers, as it looked very non-trivial in comparison with traditional straight and corner sofas that do not change their position.
Now the modular transforming sofa is very popular among the modern buyer. Its appearance has undergone great changes - along with traditional models, it has changed its geometry and is offered in asymmetrical forms. The designers have thought about convenience even in the smallest details - all kinds of shelves for books, lighting, poufs, armrests and electronic capabilities. This is truly a worthy acquisition for the interior of a modern living room.
Furniture designer for your interior
Upholstered furniture of this type is suitable for almost all rooms, thanks to autonomous parts that can be ergonomically placed, even in small spaces. But you still need to know about the types in order to choose the best option for the purpose and existing conditions.
Types of modular sofas
So, this group of sofas is represented by two main types:
Sectional.
Sectional modular sofa
These models differ in that they have locks on parts (staples, hooks, etc.) and are assembled in a specific pattern. They are very similar to corner models, which have the ability to grip on different sides. The contacting sides are usually covered with technical fabric.
Transforming.
Modular transformable sofa
They are self-contained parts of a custom design. This may include sections for sleeping, poufs, armchairs, a relaxation mechanism, etc. Any shape - straight, island, radius, U-shaped or angular. The buyer independently chooses what will be in his sofa, according to his goals.
Also especially popular is the frameless modular sofa. It has similar varied shapes and components, but instead of hard materials, a dense filler is used inside to keep its shape and provide comfort.
Frameless sofa lounge
Mechanisms of transformation
Modular sofa layout diagram
Modular sleeping sofas have all known layout designs. Individual sections are transformed into a horizontal plane like a Book, Pantograph and others. Dolphin and Eurobook are considered the best for such furniture. Why:
Pushing the sleeping bed forward without moving the entire sofa away from the wall. This saves space and looks neat and compact when unfolded.
Such mechanisms are simple and understandable, along with a traditional book, which means they are more durable in operation and not troublesome to repair.
Blocks not intended for sleeping can have a relaxing layout that assumes a semi-sitting position and has a lifting part for the legs.
Advantages and disadvantages of upholstered furniture made from modules
Modular sofa in the living room interior
To dispel all doubts, here are all the advantages of composite upholstered furniture:
Chic appearance. A modular sofa bed impresses everyone - expensive, stylish, modern. It will perfectly complement the interior of a loft, minimalism, modernism and others.
Forming a model the way you want. The customer indicates his wishes in advance based on the existing features of the premises, a catalog with examples and the budget. The output is convenient in all
respects the product with suitable upholstery and dimensions.
The modular design replaces almost the entire set of upholstered furniture, even in its simple version - a sofa and a pair of armchairs. That is, you can fully equip even a small living room, without additional expenses.
Functionality. A sofa made of individual modules is always at the center of everyday life. You can sit on it, lie down, sleep, host a large group of friends, play with children, store bedding and utensils in drawers. Space is zoned with it, creating ergonomic corners in one room.
There are also disadvantages that are important to know about in advance:
it will require space, especially if it is of a non-standard shape - ideally the center of the living room or studio, and not just a free corner in the room;
the larger the sofa, the stronger its frame and upholstery should be, and this is significantly higher in price, as is custom-made;
frequent “upgrades” quickly wear out even durable furniture fabric (typical for sectional models);
a straight or corner modular sofa is not suitable for classic and retro styles - these are completely different interiors and dissonance in this case will be ensured;
Frameless models quickly lose their shape in case of active use (sleep, children) - the upholstery experiences stress on the seams and often breaks.
Also among the disadvantages is its cost, but with all the advantages it is completely justified.
Materials for the production of furniture modules
The price range for transformable sofas depends on the materials used. Budget options do not always mean poor quality, just as expensive ones do not always mean good quality. It all depends on the purpose and operating conditions.
Frame
Wooden frame of a modular sofa
Natural wood is a durable and environmentally friendly material that does not cause allergies among owners. However, a sofa with such a frame is very capricious. If there is no balance of moist and dry air in the room, then over time there is a risk of wooden parts becoming too dry or waterlogged, causing them to begin to crack or swell. This is especially true for models located near kitchens without exhaust hoods and good ventilation.
Frames made from wood waste behave better - chipboard, fiberboard, etc. These are glued shavings with a protective resin coating. The parts of the sofa frame are cut out of the plates and fastened together. They are durable, practically inert for the unstable climate in the room. But at the same time, they significantly increase the weight of the furniture. If the sofa is sectional, then “reformatting” it yourself is still a lot of work. Well, environmentalists will be against chemical compositions in the frame.
Layout mechanism
Layout mechanism
It must be as reliable as a Swiss bank. Especially if the sofa is intended for sleeping and there are cheerful children in the house. The best options would be steel and carbon structures, which have good strength and wear resistance. The latter are not even felt in the weight of the sofa itself.
Hollow aluminum tubes are rare and are found in budget models. They are not bad, but it is better to buy a sofa with them, which is guaranteed not to be actively used. For example, for an office, or simply as part of the interior, or for unforeseen circumstances - late guests, relatives.
Filler
Sofa filling options
Softness and shape are very dependent on the type of filler used in sofa modules. For this purpose the following are used:
polyurethane foam - has good elasticity, quickly returns the surface to its original state, does not burn, does not crumble, does not cause allergic reactions, although it is not a natural material;
polymer foams and granules - with them, pillows and sections are very soft and comfortable, usually they are enclosed in a separate bag to make it easier to wash the covers. But stability of shape and elasticity are not about them. In addition, they do not tolerate sunlight well and a sofa with such filling near an open window will quickly “grow old”
horsehair, rubber, latex, jute, even dust from cereals, everything that environmentalists love so much - they are clean, have a “sleeping” effect, but at the same time, like everything natural, they quickly wear out and crumple.
You should also pay attention to the frame under the filler. Usually these are various spring blocks:
snake - zigzag springs located parallel to each other. Lightweight, interchangeable, but not suitable for active loads - they break easily and sag;
the Bonnel block is a dense elastic mesh of interconnected elements, but a fracture of one of them entails the need to replace the entire canvas;
independent spring block - evenly distributes the load on the surface of the sofa, moderately hard, has a relaxing effect on the back and neck, and can be easily repaired in case of damage to the elements. But products with it are higher in price.
The last option is found in modular furniture models more often than others, as it is recognized by designers as the best in terms of performance.
Upholstery
Modular sofa with pillows
The modular sofa is beautiful not only due to its modern design. It uses decent
furniture fabric that does not require drapery in the form of capes, covers, blankets. Of course, each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages:
Genuine leather and suede. They look expensive and respectable, but for a large family this is an impractical solution. Scratches easily appear on such a surface, and more serious damage is already a reason for restoration.
Eco leather. The most delicate, tactilely pleasant surface, any color, but, unlike strong natural ones, it is very thin. In addition, such sofas are not very comfortable for sleeping - they are smooth and cold.
Natural fabrics - cotton, linen, drape, wool, matting. Very suitable for a homely, cozy environment. The range of colors allows you to find the ideal option for harmony with the rest of the interior. But such materials are difficult to care for, require special chemicals for cleaning and are powerless against the claws of pets.
Synthetics. Perfectly withstands pressure and active use. Withstands wet cleaning well - does not shrink, does not fade. But at the same time, it can be allergenic for household members and fade in direct sunlight if the sofa is installed near windows.
There is no perfect upholstery, as follows from the points, but it is quite possible to maintain the appearance of a modular sofa if you immediately choose the appropriate option and regularly take care of it.
Tips from professionals on choosing a modular sofa
Modular sofa for living room
Since modular sofas as furniture have long been popular with customers, this has resulted in valuable user experience that has been taken into account by designers based on feedback. It will also be useful for your choice:
First, estimate the size of your living room or studio where the sofa will be placed. A traditional straight model can occupy no more than 20% of the floor area, for a module up to 35% is allowed. If the blocks are larger than these areas, you will either have to empty the room of the rest of the furniture or refuse to buy it altogether. Otherwise you will get a cluttered effect.
Decide on the shape and number of modules. Why do you need additional parts? For example, a pouf alone will take up to 1 square meter. m. and if it will not be used, then it is better to exclude it from the design.
There are never too many storage systems - choose models with existing linen drawers and, if possible, deep drawers.
A transforming sofa will allow you to easily and quickly create a new interior, but to sleep on it you need to purchase a mattress, since the joints will be felt depending on the number of attached elements.
Leather and suede are good, but are you ready to treat your sofa with care? What about your children? Restoration is not a cheap pleasure, as is restoring polished folds.
The color of the sofa upholstery can be in two options. In monochrome with the rest of the interior, or in contrast with other surfaces if there is no other furniture in the living room. Otherwise, the multicolor will turn into kitsch, which will irritate the eyes and cause stress. Do you want bright accents? Choose two or three colored pillows.
Sectional sofa models with locks wear out faster on the sides of the locks, but they securely connect the block structure together.
Pay more attention to the layout mechanism - nothing should stick, creak or move with difficulty. Replacement and repair should also be clear to the DIYer.
Well, the main thing is that you should like the furniture. A sofa, chosen according to all the rules, will be very comfortable and ideally suited to the interior, if you have already mentally imagined the model you are interested in in the living room. Devote a couple of evenings to leafing through the catalog and find the one and only cozy one.
Conclusion
Prefabricated, modular sofa in the living room
The popularity of modular sofas has been at its peak for several years now. And this is natural, given the numerous advantages of the models and their appearance. But the rest of the furniture is in no way inferior in quality and convenience. The Russian manufacturer “Ladya” is ready to convince you of this!
