Guide to choosing the right convertible sofa

The convertible sofa is useful both for hosting friends and for furnishing a studio or a house. It represents a significant investment which requires thinking about your needs in terms of bedding , space to unfold the bench and interior layout .

It is part of the mechanical furniture whose origin dates back to the first patent filed by Albert Ducrot, inventor of the convertible sofa find out more about article convertible furniture of yesterday and today i . The range of convertible sofas has expanded enormously, offering the possibility of having tailor-made bedding and a designer convertible sofa.

I. TYPES OF SOFAS

The convertible sofa is one of the mechanical pieces of furniture that makes life easier. In one movement, the latter is a 2-in-1 piece of furniture which can be used as an emergency bed or also as an everyday bed. Today, the mechanism of the convertible sofa is so advanced that it can be done in the blink of an eye, effortlessly and without danger. There are several models whose characteristics we will develop.

• The sofa bed

Basic, the sofa, unlike the sofa bed (clic-clac and BZ), contains the mattress, in the bottom of the body. The sofa has a seat and backrest that are independent and well separated from the mattress. The sofa bed for small spaces is the ideal product, especially for city dwellers.

The sofa bed for daily sleeping

More and more people sleep on a sofa bed every day. For what ? While it is possible to save space in a small space, it is above all discreet . It can be made in all colors and materials including leather.

Comfortable, choose a rapid convertible sofa which unfolds in the blink of an eye, with easy opening and whose cushions remain attached to the structure of the sofa. For daily use, the sofa bed must have a mattress approximately 15 cm thick .

A convertible sofa for sleeping every day must be chosen carefully. Indeed, choosing the wrong mattress or box spring will not make your sofa bed comfortable. A cheap sofa bed is generally not designed for sleeping in it every day.

The sofa bed for occasional or regular sleeping

For extra sleeping , it is possible to turn to the 3-fold sofa, that is to say the mattress is folded into 3 parts. Only the back cushions can remain in place.

It unfolds by pulling on the mattress placed under the seat, in a single movement. Why can it only be used occasionally ? Because its mattress is generally only 6 cm thick , with a low density of around 30 kg/m3.

Although you can sleep there frequently, it still does not provide the comfort of models for daily sleeping.

The meridian

With Baroque influence, the chaise longue appeared in Antiquity and became a fashionable piece of furniture from the 18th century. It is distinguished by the presence of its single armrest and its inclined backrest , unlike the recamiere which has a foot and a bedside table at the same height.

Trendy, it comes in dark colors like black, purple, purple, burgundy or gray. Brighter colors will fit into younger interiors. In low velvet, the chaise longue retains its spirit of old-fashioned furniture, with upholstery, studded edges and Louis XV feet.

As a convertible, the chaise longue retains its asymmetry. Considered a daybed for one person , once unfolded, it transforms into a 120 x 200 mattress, for “one and a half places” or 140 x 200 for 2 people.

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• The convertible bench

Inexpensive and practical, the convertible bench is a must-have piece of furniture. What's the difference with a convertible sofa? The mattress of the folded convertible sofa constitutes the very structure of the sofa, including the seat and back.

The click-clack

Ideal in a studio or a guest room, thesofa bed is the ally of small spaces , with its bed perpendicular to the wall.

The sofa bed has a fairly simple system: you have to tilt the seat and move it forward to hear the hinge mechanism, make a click. By unfolding the mattress, the seat folds down, which makes the clack noise, hence its name clic-clac.

Modular, the sofa bed can be unfolded into a bed, into a semi-reclined relaxed position and into a classic sitting position. Folded, this convertible sofa takes up more wall space, because its length corresponds to that of the mattress.

The BZ

With a bed parallel to the wall, the BZ sofa unfolds like an accordion. Once folded, the mattress takes the shape of a Z in 3 folds, hence the origin of its name. Quite compact, the BZ does not take up any space on the wall .

Once transformed into a bed, it takes up more space than a sofa bed in a room. Simply pull the seat towards you so that the bench becomes a bed. To fold it, simply push the mattress structure towards the wall, lifting it a little.

The futon

With an exposed slat structure, the convertible futon is very characteristic. Most models offer several positions: sitting, relaxing or lying down. The bed is very low, in accordance with Japanese tradition. It has a very firm mattress, with a thickness greater than 10 cm and a density between 60 and 80 kg/m3.

If the futon often has 2 places, it is possible to benefit from a 1 place futon. Thanks to folding armrests, the futon can have a sleeping function for one person.

• The pull-out sofa bed

Ideal in the bedroom of a teenager , who wants to give a studio feel to the room, the pull-out sofa bed offers a suitable additional sleeping solution.

Under the sofa, the mattress is placed in the rocker panel, perfectly concealed. In the blink of an eye, the sofa transforms into a bed. Simply open the drawer on casters in which the mattress is placed. It can also serve as a storage drawer.

The pull-out sofa bed really saves space . Depending on the model, it is possible to leave the sheets and duvet permanently , for unbeatable installation speed. The trundle bed can take the form of a camp bed. However, forget the bed with rudimentary military comfort! The latter can have a slatted base and a mattress whose thickness depends on the height of the drawer.

• The wardrobe-bed-sofa

Complete mechanical furniture, the sofa bed cabinet is ideal for small rooms, in order to optimize space and benefit from significant space savings. A perfect accessory for the interior design of a studio, the sofa is integrated into the bed cabinet.

In appearance, we only see a sofa, with a decorative shelf above it. How does it work ? Simply remove the cushions from the backrest, which can be stored in the trunk, under the seat and pull out the shelf, so that the mechanism works.

Hidden in the box which served as support for the sofa, the foldaway bed tilts and the shelf becomes the foot of the bed, without having to remove the objects or books placed on it.

In a few seconds, the bed is in place. The bed base of the sofa bed is therefore the board, which serves as support for the backrest. To put the bed back in place, simply lift this board in a single movement. See a bed cabinet in action with this video:

• The bed warmer / ottoman

For extra, the convertible version of the fireside chair and the ottoman are perfect for small budgets . With a delimousse system, they allow you to benefit from a bed with a foam mattress which is the very structure of the seat. The characteristic of the délimousse is that the mattress is found on the floor.

Folded on itself, the pouf is just a raised square cushion . Once unfolded, it forms a bed for one person. The armchair system is identical, except that it can form a double bed depending on its dimensions and its low backrest can be used as a pillow. The delimousse sofa, for its part, has a 3-fold mattress, which allows you to sleep on the floor.

The délimousse should be reserved for occasional use, due to the absence of a box spring, the thickness of the mattress less than 10 cm and the low density of the foam around 30 kg/m3.

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II. THE MATTRESS

Although hidden, the mattress is the centerpiece of the convertible sofa . It can have different dimensions and materials , depending on the desired quality, use and budget. The density of the mattress is also adjustable , depending on the desired density. To know how to choose the best mattress , follow our advice.

It is sometimes difficult to find household linen in the right sizes, in stores that only distribute standard sizes. On the web, however, it is easy to find a very wide choice.

• The material of the mattress

The choice of mattress depends on its material. However, you must take into account the upper layer of the mattress, which covers it. In wool or cotton, this filling, the thickness of which varies, can provide additional comfort. Memory foam.

Memory foam

On a latex, pocket spring or foam mattress , memory foam is recommended for all people who want optimal comfort and maximum support.

This type of bedding is therefore recommended for back pain or lower back pain. In fact, memory foam is viscoelastic, which allows it to absorb the person's weight and return to its shape immediately.

For sleeping, it cushions shocks as soon as the person changes position during the night. The shape memory allows good independence when sleeping as a couple. Thermoactive, it reacts to body and room temperature. Less breathable, it is not recommended for people who sweat a lot at night.

Polyurethane foam

Firmer than polyether foam recommended for occasional sleeping , polyurethane foam is the ideal material to combine firmness and flexibility.

Light and airy, it can provide satisfactory support , while remaining soft, thanks to its cells. Polyurethane foam can be highly resilient (it regains its initial properties after being deformed).

To ensure perfect horizontality of the body, the structure of the foam can be different depending on the part of the body: softer at the extremities and firmer at the pelvis, to support the lumbar area. High resilience foam must have a density of more than 26kg/m3 and a thickness greater than 10 cm.

Latex

When it comes to bedding, latex is the gold standard for firm mattresses. Although it only comes in 3rd place in mattress sales, latex is a material widely used for convertible sofas.

Hypoallergenic, this porous material allows good ventilation and expels humidity, especially if the bed base is slatted and circulates air . As the site 60 million consumers specifies, latex is a strictly regulated name. A mattress must have as its main constituent, what we call its core, 100% latex, with a minimum thickness of 10 cm.

• The thickness of the mattress

Thickness is a key criterion for comfort. The thicker the mattress, the more it will allow regular use and optimal body support. For an extra bed, a 6 cm mattress is sufficient . If sleeping is frequent, it is then important to opt for a mattress of more than 10 cm. For everyday use, a mattress of 15 cm or more is perfect for quality equivalent to a classic bed.

Choice of mattress based on size and weight:

Firmness is indexed to the density of the mattress, which must be between 60 and 85 kg/m3. As indicated in the table above published in this article, you must choose it according to its morphology.

Between 60 and 75 kg/m3, the support is flexible. It is suitable for small people. Described as medium, the firm support corresponds to a density between 75 and 85 kg/m3, ideal for average statures. If you want to have a hard mattress, you are tall and/or overweight, very firm support is necessary with a density of 85 kg/m3.

Discover La Maison Convertible mattresses

• Linens

Depending on the convertible sofa models, their mechanism and their cover, it is possible to leave the household linen in place in whole or in part, on the mattress, even folded: the fitted sheet, a duvet or even blankets.

It is essential to choose the right sheet sizes. Too small, the sheet will not cover the mattress properly and will come off each time it is folded. Too big and it will tend to gape and wrinkle. The larger the mattress, the more difficult it will be to find linens.

The standard size for a convertible sofa is 140 cm. However, you can find them in size 130 cm like certain clic clac models or in 160 cm, which makes the purchase of indoor linen more difficult.

The difficulty also comes from the length of the bed, which is 190 cm as standard for a bed. For convertible sofas, it is 200 to 210 cm long. It is preferable to turn to stores specializing in household linen, to find them in atypical dimensions.

III. THE COVERING OF THE SOFA BED

The cover of a convertible sofa is often completely removable, which allows for simple and easy maintenance. If the must still remains the Strips sofa bed by the Italian designer Cini Boeri created in the 70s, whose cover serves as a duvet, the covering of the convertible sofa can be made of cotton, linen or even leather, like a sofa classic.

• Natural materials

A basic furnishing material, cotton can be pure, organic, basket weave or blended. Very resistant, basketweave cotton has excellent hold, thanks to a weight between 300 and 400g/m2 which gives it a heavy and rigid appearance.

It can be mixed with linen or polyester. With a natural wrinkled finish, linen is a natural fiber that is easy to maintain . Simply wash the cover in the washing machine at 40°C and dry it, without ironing, so that the linen remains supple. Naturally, linen has a cream color, which goes well with a light or dark wooden structure.

Leather is the most luxurious convertible sofa material . With a fine grain and a supple appearance, calfskin is not the most recommended for the multiple manipulations of folding and unfolding a convertible sofa, due to its fragility. It is preferable to opt for cowhide leather , which is particularly a reference in furniture. The most suitable remains buffalo leather , with a marked grain and rigidity, which ensures its solidity.

• Synthetic materials

Also called eco leather , imitation is a fabric covered with a layer of polyurethane (PUL), which gives a leather appearance. This imitation can be available in all colors and all grains of leather. Easy to maintain, a wipe with a dry cloth is enough to dust the sofa. Microfiber is a synthetic fabric, widely used in furniture.

With increasingly fine textures, microfiber is made of polyester and can be cleaned with Marseille soap if there is a stain . More delicate and very soft to the touch, with its suede appearance, Alcantara is a microfiber fabric, which is a polyester/polyurethane blend. For good durability, the latter must be dusted regularly and maintained with a steam cleaner.

• The fabric provided

Do you want to have a sofa with a fabric that perfectly matches your interior? Today, depending on the brand, it is possible to choose the upholstery fabric from a manufacturer.

Personalized , the latter can be matched to other fabrics in the room such as curtains or carpet, which is practical when the fabric is a specific print. Custom-made, the latter can be sewn to the dimensions of the convertible sofa , to make a perfectly fitted cover. On order, this service is more expensive than choosing a standard and longer fabric.

IV. THE STYLE OF THE SEAT BED

If the bench serves as a bed, it nonetheless remains a modern sofa, which must blend into an interior. The choice of sofa obviously depends on your tastes, your desires and also your interior.

Basic or elaborate, the look of the living room can be completely in line with the spirit of the room or offset for more originality. The style of today's sofa can have a classic spirit with fabric cushions and a rounded structure.

Discreet, the convertible sofa is not detectable at first glance. Only the clic-clac and the BZ have a specific shape, which makes them recognizable. Well-loved for furnishing a student studio, this piece of furniture is both functional and practical, while being low-cost.

Design , sofas are less and less massive with the absence of bottoms and metal feet. Contemporary style invites itself into our living rooms. Designers are riding the wave of the convertible sofa, as easily as if it were a basic sofa. The fact that a sofa is convertible is no longer just an option among classic sofas.

The same sofa can also be offered in several sizes and with the option of having a bed or not. Find sofas from the greatest contemporary designers on the page The designer sofa of the 21st century .

The Nordic trend brings a real influence in terms of decoration. The Scandinavian-style sofa is characterized by a refined shape , oblique natural wood legs and a light- colored convertible sofa covering in fabric. It can be in a neutral color that can be enhanced with knit or faux fur cushions.

Character colors like orange, blue, yellow and also green are popular in the style from the Far North and can transform a room. The convertible sofa can have exotic accents, with a woven wood structure.

Plant fibers go well with a natural interior with a Zen tendency. Quite robust, woven banana leaves, for example, offer a raw appearance to the decoration.

Oriental-inspired , the sofa can have shimmering colors , in an iridescent fabric.

The baroque style brings a retro touch to a room like a chic and glamorous boudoir. In velvet , the bench is often studded, in the shape of a chaise longue. Black, violet, crimson and gray are the favorite colors of this vintage, resolutely feminine trend.