Straight sofa. How to choose
Does the variety of sofa shapes make you confused? Classic is always a win-win! The straight model is relevant everywhere, in any interior and room. But it also has its nuances. How to choose the right straight sofa and what its nuances are is described below.
Straight sofa
Upholstered furniture is already traditional in every home. “Four-legged friends” have become an integral part of comfort and coziness. They are designed for relaxation, sleep and comfort. They host gatherings with guests, children play, and pets bask. In short, the acquisition is extremely necessary. The variety of modern models makes you wonder - which ones are better? If such a question arises, and there are no preferences, it is better to consider the classic option - a folding straight sofa. It has a lot of advantages, but there are also nuances. Let's look at the topic and don't miss anything!
Table of contents
Straight sofas, their features
Advantages of the model
Flaws
Straight sofa design
Frame
Layout mechanisms
Linen drawers and shelves
Filler
Upholstery
Choosing a straight sofa wisely
Choosing a sofa by size
By layout type
By filler
By upholstery fabric
Difficulty of care
Availability of accessories in furniture - are they necessary?
Legs or lack thereof?
Conclusion
Straight sofas, their features
Straight sofa in minimalist style
The standard sofa model is appropriate in almost any style - from classic to loft. Usually it is chosen by conservative people who do not like floridness in any matter. Simple and clear, cozy and functional - these are the signs of a “normal” sofa for such owners. And this is true if we consider the model from the point of view of its pros and cons.
Advantages of the model
Let's rank them with a list:
Simple geometry. A straight sofa bed can be easily installed against any wall, having previously measured the future location to ensure it matches the model’s parameters.
Ergonomics of space. If space for bulky furniture is limited, then every centimeter of space counts. And a straight sofa against the wall saves it, even if purchased for sleeping, thanks to its snug fit when folded.
Compatibility with other furniture. A classic sofa and armchairs, poufs, tables, etc. are a standard set of upholstered furniture for the modern owner, suitable for almost any interior.
Versatility for different rooms and purposes. For sleeping, relaxing, living rooms, children's rooms, kitchens, offices - a straight sofa would be appropriate everywhere.
Practicality. Typically, all straight sofas have spacious linen drawers, which are used by thrifty homeowners to store any items.
On a straight sofa it is easier to choose or sew a beautiful cape, cover or blanket.
Flaws
There is no ideal furniture. And a straight sofa has disadvantages. Determine their significance:
straight sleeping sofas are inconvenient for meetings with friends - corner and modular sofas are suitable for such purposes, so that the interlocutors can see each other;
if the owners are “oversized”, then the width of the bed may be inconvenient for sleeping or take up a lot of space in a small living room;
classic straight sofas without the possibility of an intermediate “reclining” layout are tiring for long periods of sitting.
But these features are individual for everyone - it is quite possible that the model will suit specific people and will be convenient in any version.
Straight sofa design
The simplicity and convenience of the model actually depends on the design and components. Straight sofas with drawers consist of different frames, fillings and upholstery, which, in turn, have advantages and disadvantages.
Frame
Fiberboard parts
Almost any modern furniture is created from wood or its processing products:
Natural array. Of all the advantages - lightness and environmental friendliness. There are more disadvantages - reaction to too humid or dry climates, swelling, cracking. Sometimes bugs can appear in the thickness, undermining it. It is also important to consider that natural wood is sensitive to heavy loads - heavy weight or active children's games. And a sofa model with a natural frame is not cheap.
Fiberboard, chipboard and other boards made of resins, shavings and glue. The necessary parts for assembling the frame are cut out of them. Thanks to them, straight sofas with a berth are heavy, but there are more advantages. It is inert to moisture, dryness and steam. The boards are durable and can withstand even increased activity. Environmentalists argue that resin and glue are harmful, but a good manufacturer has all the safety certificates.
Deciding what frame will be in your sofa is everyone’s business.
Layout mechanisms
Straight sofa with Pantograph mechanism
Almost any mechanisms can exist in straight sofas. Traditional Book - simple and clear, Eurobook - improved and modified, Pantograph, Dolphin, Accordion and others. Some of them are difficult for children and the elderly to use, and cannot be repaired on their own. Also, the choice should be based on what else will be in the room and what its size is, so as not to clutter it.
Linen drawers and
lks
Linen drawers under sections
Almost all sofas have storage systems. But most often they are intended only for light-weight bedding. Usually these are shallow drawers with a bottom made of thin plywood, non-pull-out, located directly under the sleeping sections.
Models of sofas with drawers that can be removed from grooves are more durable. They are useful for storing household utensils, supplies, and seasonal items. It often happens that individual drawers differ in color and are a decorative element of the appearance of the sofa.
Straight sofa drawers
Also, shelves are installed in the armrests of a straight sofa in order to store all sorts of household little things - newspapers, books, remote controls, etc. This is very convenient, you don’t have to look for them, but the cost of such a sofa automatically increases.
Straight sofa with shelves in the armrests
Filler
Fillers for a soft straight sofa
Elasticity, hardness, softness and shape depend on the filler used in straight sofas. Modern materials for this:
natural - latex, wool, jute, horsehair and others - environmentally friendly, soft, giving comfort, but aging, and over time turning into dust. With them, the formation of voids is possible;
polymer foams and granules - polyurethane, foam rubber, holofiber - are light and non-toxic, have the necessary rigidity (PPU) and a memory effect (quickly return to their original state after loading);
springs - they are not used without additional soft filler, but they have differences (bonnell, snakes and independent block). The first and second are not very durable, they sag quickly and are designed for a small load, the latter distributes it and can be repaired without complete replacement.
The price of a straight sofa model also depends on the filling used, but does not indicate absolute quality.
Upholstery
Sofa with flock upholstery
There are a great variety of furniture fabrics. Manufacturers try to combine beauty, strength and wear resistance in materials. Everyone has them to one degree or another, but, of course, they have their own nuances. For example:
Natural. These include linen, cotton, matting, wool, leather and suede. They are hypoallergenic, but, like everything natural, they are capricious. In particular, they shrink, strongly absorb moisture and dirt, and shed. But they are pleasant to the touch and have warmth (except for genuine leather).
Synthetic. Among them are chenille, flock, corduroy, tapestry, velor and others. They have beautiful colors, pleasant texture, and are not subject to changes in size even with high humidity. But they can fade from direct sunlight if the sofa is located near a window.
The durability of the upholstery is especially important for sofa owners in homes with children and pets. Active games, sharp claws and teeth can ruin the material, which is difficult to restore.
Choosing a straight sofa wisely
So, how to choose a straight sofa model so that it serves the owners for the entire stated period and, if possible, in decent condition? To do this, you should pay attention to several points:
Choosing a sofa by size
Three seater sofa
This is the most important point on which the comfort of vacationers will depend. Especially if you choose a model for sleeping. In order not to make a mistake, the place for installing the sofa is carefully measured, taking into account the armrests and free passage near the sofa when unfolded.
The number of seats, length and width are also important. For example, couples or large people should not choose a two-seater sofa - it is guaranteed to be cramped, especially if the model folds forward. The principle of choice is the number of family members + 1. This way it will be more spacious to lie down and everyone will sit together.
Sleeping sofa with thick sections
By layout type
Simple sofa book
If the sofa will be used by children or elderly relatives, then they should easily cope with the layout and put the sofa back together. It is also important to check the design in stores if it needs to be replaced if it breaks. Usually there are no problems with this and you can order it in any online market. Self-repair also should not be difficult due to the “intricate” mechanism.
By filler
Independent spring block
As described above, each type has advantages and disadvantages. But if you need not only comfort, but also durability, choose the one that has a longer wear life. Soft ones are polyurethane foam and latex, spring ones are an independent block. Their service life is several decades.
By upholstery fabric
Furniture fabric - matting
Active use will negatively affect beautiful and expensive fabric. If the sofa will be used actively and constantly - for sleeping, for children - then in this case a dense natural or synthetic material is chosen. Matting and chenille have proven themselves well. The first has a smooth, easy-to-clean structure and naturalness. The second one - does not shed, does not shrink, and is strong for the tricks of pets.
The color of the upholstery is selected in accordance with the interior. Or in monochrome
- the same tone as other surfaces. Or contrasting, but then there should be little or no other furniture next to the sofa. Very often, decorative pillows are included with straight sofa models. They will refresh the design of the room.
Difficulty of care
Sofa dry cleaning
If you think that caring for your sofa is limited to periodic vacuuming, then this is not so. Capricious fabrics require special chemicals to remove stains; some of them do not tolerate waterlogging, while others also absorb odors. Therefore, get ready for constant care even for unpretentious material. This includes daily dust collection, immediate removal of stains so that they do not become old and persistent, and annual professional dry cleaning. This is the only way to preserve the original appearance of the sofa for a long time.
Availability of accessories in furniture - are they necessary?
Sofa with drawers for small items
We are talking about decorative inserts - shelves, compartments. Yes, they are very convenient - a sort of mini-cabinet for household small items. However, the cost of such models is significantly higher. You can determine whether an accessory is really necessary based on your own lifestyle. Typically, these options for straight sofas are chosen by people who love order in everything and literally “work while sitting.” What you need will always be at hand.
Legs or lack thereof?
Straight leather sofa with chrome legs
The presence of legs allows you to carefully wash the floor under the sofa without moving it. But if the living room has a floor made of materials on which dents may remain - wood, laminate, linoleum - then it is better to prefer a model without them.
Sofas without legs also have disadvantages - the furniture will have to be constantly carefully moved so as not to scratch the floor during cleaning and laying out, if the mechanism involves disassembling forward. In such a case, you need to purchase soft pads for the front part of the frame so as not to be afraid for the integrity of the surface.
Conclusion
Straight sofa in the living room interior
A straight sofa is a classic and familiar model to everyone. It will suit any style and interior, has all the advantages of other models, but is not without its drawbacks. But it still continues to be the most popular type among buyers. Everyone sees simplicity and comfort in it. Straight sofas are offered in a wide range by the Russian manufacturer Ladya. He is responsible for the quality of any item and offers to furnish any room in your home. We will be glad to see you!
