How to choose your BZ/Futon sofa bed?
The convertible bench is a space-saving piece of furniture that allows you to have a comfortable bed in a room with reduced dimensions.
If in the past sofa bed meant “unsightly piece of furniture used to provide extra sleeping”, today, the convertible bench combines design and comfort. It is available in two main models, which differ in their opening direction and their mechanics: the clic clac and the BZ sofa.
1.The Clic clac, a simple and effective convertible bench
The sofa bed is the ancestor of all convertible sofas. In just a few years it has gone from being an extra bed to becoming an essential space-saving piece of furniture. It is now equipped with cushions and is generally accompanied by a cover whose coverings have also changed significantly. If its mechanics remain simple, it is robust and easy to handle.
The click clack offers maximum space saving when in the bed position, due to the low setback required from the wall. It is appreciated for its large dimensions when folded and its seat length corresponding to the total length of the bed, i.e. 180 to 200 cm. It is most often equipped with a box placed under the seat which offers very practical storage space. Its format varies little and it is always a 2-seater bed.
Our selection of Clic-Clac design sofas
2.The BZ sofa, an ultra compact convertible bench
The BZ bench seat is an ultra-compact “triple” sofa bed. This simply means that like the clic clac where the mattress is folded in half, on the BZ the mattress is folded in thirds. This type of mechanism offers the main advantage of allowing the creation of narrow sofa beds. The BZ is available from 80 to 180 cm wide.
The principle of the BZ sofa is simple since you just have to pull it to unfold it. However, it requires a greater distance than the click clack since it unfolds perpendicular to the wall. Just like the sofa bed, it is covered with a zippered cover that you will need to remove to convert it into a bed. It is available in a wide choice of coverings and different colors and can be optionally equipped with armrests or a headboard which will improve its comfort and aesthetics.
Our selection of BZ benches
3.The difference between Clic clac and BZ bench seats: a different opening direction
The sofa bed opens parallel to the wall. The distance of the sofa from the wall once opened therefore represents the width of the bed, i.e. 1.40 m on most models. On a click clack, the length of the sofa seat is equal to the length of the bed once unfolded. It therefore varies between 1.80 m and 2.00 m. As the mattress is folded in half, the depth of the sofa measures half the width of the mattress, i.e. 70-80 cm. It can therefore be easily unfolded in a narrow room or in a bedroom already equipped with a bed. It is therefore in sleeping mode that the sofa bed reveals its space-saving advantage.
Conversely, the BZ bench seat opens perpendicularly. The depth of the seat corresponds to 1/3 of the total length of the mattress, but the BZ has a larger mechanism, so it is ultimately deeper than the click clac. On the other hand, the width of the sofa once the bench seat is folded corresponds to the width of the bed. It is available from 80 to 180 cm, which offers a wide variety of options. But, as it opens perpendicular to the wall, the space provided at the front of the bench to unfold the bed must total at least 2 m. The major advantage of the BZ is its ultra compact shape when folded.
Please note: the clic clac sofa is a bed space-saving piece of furniture and the BZ sofa is a space-saving sofa piece of furniture.
4.Choose the covering for your BZ/Clic clac bench seat
Clic clac and quality BZ sofa are both covered with a completely removable cover. This allows it to be removed completely for easy cleaning. During the day, the cover covers the sofa and allows you to maintain impeccable hygiene when sleeping. The night is completely withdrawn to make way for the bed sheets. This cover is available in multiple materials, each available in an almost unlimited color palette.
Most often, you have the choice between:
- Microfiber
Microfiber is a synthetic material that is very pleasant to the touch. It is most often treated with anti-stain treatment, a real plus if you have children at home or pets. Its maintenance is easy and it offers varied colors.
- Polyester
Polyester covers are easy to maintain. This synthetic material gives your sofa cover robustness and durability. Polyester is available in smooth fabric or velvet effect, for a very trendy look.
5.Choose the mattress for your convertible bench carefully!
The mattress of your sofa bed is one of the key elements of comfort. The choice of a mattress is based on two main criteria:
- The technology of a good mattress for clic clac or BZ
On the bench, the mattress serves as both a seat and a bed . It is folded in 2 or 3 when the sofa is folded. For total and lasting comfort, choose polyurethane or bultex mattresses. The technology of these mattresses gives them properties that are perfectly compatible with use with a sofa bed. They are designed to return to their shape and have great resistance , which prevents the mattress from sagging at the seat, which is used more heavily on a daily basis.
Unlike the sofa bed, where the mattress must be inserted inside the mechanism, on a bench seat, it is simply placed on the box spring. The thickness of the mattress is therefore not limited. Whatever the model, you can therefore opt for a mattress of up to 20 cm without any disadvantage. On a well-made convertible bench, the mattress provided will total at least 12 cm and will have a density of at least 30 kg/m² , which is sufficient for occasional sleeping . And, if you want to invest in a sofa that will serve as a bed every day , choose a sofa model equipped with a 15 to 18 cm mattress with a density of 50-55 kg/m² for ideal sleeping comfort.
On the bed base side, BZ and clic clac are equipped with curved wooden slatted bed bases , which are both solid and durable. Rare models have double slats for increased comfort and durability.
6.How to clean and maintain your convertible bench?
It is important to differentiate maintenance from cleaning your sofa bed. Maintenance aims to keep your sofa clean and hygienic. Cleaning mainly occurs when the cover of your bench seat has been stained.
Maintaining your Clic clac or BZ
It must be done in two stages, at an average frequency of once a week:
- First the exterior of the bench
The cover that covers your sofa bed simply needs to be vacuumed regularly and does not require further treatment unless there are stains. In this case, refer to the washing label and carefully follow the manufacturer's advice.
- Then the mattress, the hygiene of which must be impeccable
To clean a mattress, you must first vacuum its surface. Then, you can possibly clean it with steam, taking care not to humidify it too much and to let it dry properly. Specific cleaning products can effectively combat mites. Their use is particularly recommended for people with allergies. Regular maintenance of your bedding guarantees perfect hygiene and greater durability.
Please note: As with any bed, it is advisable to let the mattress breathe by ventilating the room for at least 15 minutes before folding it. You will thus be guaranteed not to trap the humidity of the night inside the bed.
Cleaning a stained cover
To clean a sofa that has been stained, a few precautions are necessary:
- First of all, always look at the cleaning method recommended by the manufacturer on the cover label. If you put a cover intended for dry cleaning in the washing machine, it could be irreparably damaged.
- Then, depending on the material, adapt the products you use. Polyester fabrics are most often dry cleaned, so you will need to take your cover to the dry cleaner. Microfibers can be steam cleaned, unless they have received an anti-stain treatment. In this case, you will also have to entrust its cleaning to a professional.
7.What quality can you expect from an inexpensive click clack?
How to choose the right convertible bench between quality and price?
When opting for a convertible bench model, you might be tempted by an inexpensive sofa bed. So before you choose, here are the important questions you should definitely ask yourself before buying.
To choose a robust and durable model, it is appropriate to compare a number of points before purchasing. If the inexpensive sofa bed may seem attractive, it can also turn out to be more expensive in the long run than a quality model.
The first price benches are extra beds equipped with a minimal polyester foam mattress 6 or 8 cm thick. They most often come from China and have basic and not very robust mechanics. The cheap clic clac mattress generally has a density of 20 kg/m² which gives great rigidity to the bed. With a budget of 200 euros, you can't really expect more.
The inexpensive sofa bed differs from high-end models in many ways:
- - The mechanics, first of all, are more basic and often more fragile,
- - The bed base is made up of slats that are also thinner and less robust,
- - The mattress is then less thick and of lower quality, it deforms more quickly
- - The cover, finally, is less pretty and less well finished, it has not necessarily received anti-stain treatment, or does not adapt well to the sofa. These are all points that you should check when buying your bench seat to avoid unpleasant surprises.
What makes the price of convertible benches vary?
The sofa bed is made up of different parts: the structure, the mattress and the cover. Some merchants offer convertible benches with a good quality structure which seem attractive from a price point of view. Be careful though, cheap sofa bed offers can hide many options which can increase the bill by several hundred euros. Some even go so far as to display the price of the sofa without a cover in order to present an attractive base price.
What is the difference between an inexpensive bench seat and a La Maison Convertible model?
At La Maison Convertible, since our creation, we have chosen quality and transparency. We only offer fully finished French benches, that is to say equipped with a comfortable mattress intended for sleeping, and a quality cover. With a starting price of around 700 euros for a fully equipped product, you have the guarantee of purchasing a quality bench seat with excellent value for money.
Go further on BZ and Clic-Clac
What are the criteria to take into account when choosing your BZ/clic-clac?
When choosing a BZ or a sofa bed, several factors must be considered. The size and space you have is important, as is the comfort of the mattress. Additionally, ease of use of the conversion mechanism is essential - a good BZ or sofa bed should be able to easily convert from sofa to bed position. Also, remember to consider style, color, material, and price.
How do I determine the appropriate BZ/clic-clac size for my space?
It is important to measure your space before purchasing a BZ or sofa bed. Make sure you have enough space for the sofa when sitting, but also when lying down. This includes space to move the sofa, as well as space to open and close the conversion mechanism.
What is the best type of mattress for a BZ/clic-clac?
The choice of mattress depends on the use you plan for your BZ or sofa bed. If you plan to use it primarily as a sofa with occasional use as a guest bed, a standard mattress may be sufficient. However, if the BZ or clic-clac is going to be used regularly for sleeping, a higher quality mattress, such as a memory foam or innerspring mattress, might be a better choice for optimal comfort and support.
How to maintain and clean a BZ/clic-clac?
Cleaning and maintaining a BZ or sofa bed depends on the material of the cover and the mattress. For most fabrics, vacuuming regularly and spot cleaning immediately is recommended. If the cover is removable, follow the manufacturer's instructions for washing. The mattress can be aired and vacuumed regularly to keep it fresh and clean. Additionally, check and oil the conversion mechanism regularly to ensure proper operation and longevity.
