Sofa accordion: principle of operation of the mechanism, pros and cons, reviews

What is a sofa accordion

An accordion sofa is a type of upholstered furniture that, when unfolded, provides a spacious sleeping area, and when folded, it becomes a compact sofa. This model got its name due to its unique transformation mechanism, which resembles a musical instrument when unfolded.

Assembly video

The process of assembling an accordion sofa according to the instructions is not always clear. If you received your purchase in disassembled form and now need to assemble a single whole from individual parts, watch the video.

We gave a detailed description, talked about the design features, showed how to assemble an accordion sofa, and an assembly diagram. We hope you can now choose your ideal option!

A folding sofa is a practical element of furnishings in a city apartment or a private home. Its value to consumers lies in its ability to quickly transform from a comfortable seat to a spacious bed. Among the popular options for folding furniture is an accordion sofa, consisting of three movable sections.

Saving space is a pressing issue for residents of studio apartments and small-sized housing, in which the living room is assigned the role of an additional or main bedroom. A folding sofa with an accordion mechanism will help to equip such a room functionally and comfortably.

How to fold out an accordion sofa

The accordion sofa bed features a simple mechanism that works on the principle of an accordion. There is no need to use force to unfold it, and even a 10-year-old child can cope with this task. To arrange furniture you need to follow three simple steps:

1. Raise the seat until a characteristic click is heard.
2. Pull the mattress towards you until it is completely straight.
3. Place the mattress on the legs.

When unfolding this sofa, there is no need to move it away from the wall, which greatly simplifies the operation process.

How to lay out an accordion transformation model

It’s very easy to lay out, and you can’t help but feel the pleasure of using such comfortable furniture:

• first you need to slightly raise the seat until it clicks, which means that the safety mechanism has completed its action;
• Next you need to easily pull the seat forward, the mechanism will unfold into a comfortable sleeping bed;
• folding the accordion in the reverse order is also easy; when you roll the berth back to its previous position, you need to press lightly for the safety lock to work and the sofa to regain its previous compact appearance.

How to fold an accordion sofa

To fold the sofa, you also do not need to make significant efforts. To do this, follow simple steps:

1. It is necessary to slightly raise the outer part of the mattress.
2. Apply a little pressure on the support and push the structure towards the body.
3. The mattress moves until it clicks.

When unfolded, the accordion sofa provides a flat sleeping place, ensuring the correct position of the body during sleep. Thanks to this, it is pleasant to sleep on it, and in the morning people feel refreshed and well-rested.

Video: How to unfold and fold an accordion sofa

Advantages and disadvantages

When considering such a model for purchase, it is worth familiarizing yourself with their features in advance. Accordion mechanisms for sofas, like any other systems, have both pros and cons. Benefits include:

1. Smooth surface. When unfolded, the sofa is a spacious and perfectly flat surface that can compete with beds.
2. Ease of operation. The easy folding mechanism can be used even by children, as changing the format requires minimal effort. In addition, the mechanism is perfectly balanced and, in good condition, does not allow distortions.
3. Compactness. When folded, the sofa takes up minimal space, since the entire mechanism is hidden in a special niche. To unfold it, you do not need to move furniture. The part adjacent to the wall remains stationary, making the transformation much easier.
4. Orthopedic frame. The slats used in modern accordion sofas provide an orthopedic effect. As a result, the posture of vacationers on it is not disturbed. During sleep, the most natural position is maintained, due to which the back and neck do not become numb in the morning.
5. Storage space. Almost all folding sofas have special sections in which you can put bed linen. They come in different sizes, depending on the model and strength of the frame. Access to the storage is easy, you just need to lift the seat.

If desired, the products can be equipped with removable covers, drawers on wheels and additional shelves.

Despite the large number of advantages, the “accordion” also has negative sides. They can seriously affect the owner’s comfort and therefore require study:

1. To fold the sofa, the mechanism must be lifted. This task will require some effort, but after lifting the frame, all that remains is to direct it downward by inertia.
2. If the system is damaged, the sofa cannot be transformed. The internal lever mechanism itself is expensive. Therefore, many people prefer to purchase new furniture instead of repairing old ones.
3. When unfolded, the sofa takes up a lot of space. This is important for compact housing, because nearby furniture will have to be removed or adjusted to fit the remaining space. The same goes for carpets.
4. The folded back of the furniture visually looks too massive, and not everyone likes it.

Sofas with a folding accordion mechanism have more pros than cons. It is quite convenient to use, but requires effort to fold. In addition, the mechanism may break or jam, and repairs will be quite expensive.

Pros and cons of the accordion mechanism in sofas

Sofas with an accordion mechanism are in great demand among consumers. They are provided by various manufacturers in a wide range, allowing each buyer to choose exactly the option that best suits the interior of the living room, nursery or bedroom.

The main advantages of the accordion sofa include:

1. Ergonomic and compact when folded.
2. Large sleeping place with a length of up to 2 m when unfolded.
3. Durability and reliability.
4. Long service life.
5. Easy to unfold and fold.

The accordion folding sofa bed is suitable for daily use as a sleeping place.

As for the disadvantages, we should add to them:

• the presence of a thick back, which does not always look stylish and modern in interiors;
• lack of a separate backrest. That is, when the sofa is folded out, the back goes into the sleeping area;
• no wheels. If the room has laminate or other covering that is susceptible to mechanical stress, the legs of the sofa will easily scratch it;
• When unfolded frequently, metal frames may begin to creak.

The principle of operation of the accordion mechanism

The sofa acquired an unusual name due to its slight external resemblance to an ancient Russian instrument. Just one chord sounds, and instead of a small sofa, the room turns out to be a full-fledged bed, on which both the owners themselves and unexpected guests can lie down.

The mechanism itself is the basis of the furniture. It consists of a steel profile to which wooden panels are attached. Thanks to this design, the sofa received a base for the backrest seat, which has a sufficient degree of shock absorption. The back and seats themselves consist of spring blocks filled with foam rubber.

The covers of the blocks can be any: from all kinds of eco-leather or leatherette to any type of fabric. Accordingly, the price for different types of coating will vary greatly in the finished model.

The layout mechanism is so simple that even small children can usually handle it.

In order to disassemble the accordion, you just need to slightly lift the seat, pull it forward and roll out the berth.

Types of sofas with accordion mechanism

All accordion sofas differ in the method of installation, in the number of seats and sleeping places.

Straight, angular, modular

According to the type of location in the room, accordion sofas are divided into:

• straight. They are located either in the center of the room or near the wall. They often come complete with two chairs that are installed on the sides;
• corner. They are distinguished by an additional elongated seat, which occupies a quarter of the width of the sofa. An additional seat increases the sleeping area. Most of these models are equipped with tables, shelves, bedside tables;
• modular. They consist of separate blocks. Thanks to this, consumers can periodically modify the appearance of the sofa, making it a straight or corner model.

Single, double, triple

According to the number of seats, accordion sofas are divided into:

• single. Not the most common option, although it is compact in size and fits perfectly into small rooms;
• double. The most popular model, in demand among married couples. Suitable for both sitting and sleeping;
• triples. Not as popular as double ones, but they have a variety of variations. They are divided into modular and corner, and their standard length varies from 2.5 to 3 meters.

Single, double

According to the dimensions of the sleeping place, sofas are:

1. Single. Suitable for small apartments and completely replace the bed. Such models are chosen for children and teenagers.
2. Double. The most common option. Such models often decorate not only living rooms, but also kitchens, children's rooms, and bedrooms. They provide both seating with friends and comfortable sleeping space for two adults.

With armrests (soft, wooden), without armrests

Almost always, designers try to give the sofa a stylish and original appearance with the help of armrests. They are:

• soft or hard (wooden);
• curved or straight;
• narrow or wide;
• prefabricated or solid;
• made from one material or combined (made from different materials).

Sofas without armrests are more suitable for stylish modern interiors. In addition, such models take up significantly less space in the room.{banner_serefs}{banner_ondes}

According to frame material: solid wood, metal frame

As for frame materials, they are divided into:

1. Metal. They are characterized by a long service life, durability, ability to withstand heavy loads, and stability. Most often, such bases are equipped with orthopedic lamellas that ensure comfortable sleep.
2. Wooden. More affordable, but not as durable. The service life of this model is about 10 years.

Transformation mechanism "accordion"

These days, compact and easy-to-transform accordion sofas are becoming increasingly popular. What is the “accordion” transformation mechanism?

Production:

The ANDERSSEN factory cooperates with two companies that supply accordion mechanisms.

The main supplier is .

The ANDERSSEN factory uses a wide range of sizes of accordion mechanisms produced, the width of which is 0.8 m; 1.2 m; 1.4 m; 1.6 m and 1.8 m.

The second company producing accordion transformation mechanisms is Steelglass.

Cooperation with the Steelglass company allowed the factory to realize the most daring discoveries of designers:

• release of the “accordion” model with a wide berth (1.8 m),
• release of the “accordion” model with a shallow depth (1 m).

General description
The “accordion” transformation mechanism is a steel frame on which birch armor is arranged in a certain order, creating an orthopedic effect. When disassembled, you get a full-fledged, flat sleeping place.

The mechanism consists of three parts. To form a sleeping place, the accordion sofa bed rolls forward using rubber wheels, which allow this folding mechanism to be used for any floor covering, including parquet and carpet.

In the first and second parts of the mechanism (head and back area), birch armor is located perpendicular to the sleeping place, which provides an orthopedic effect. In the third part of the mechanism (the place for the seat), the armor is located in greater numbers, for greater load and reliability of the structure.

In mechanisms with a width of 0.8 m and 1.8 m (from the Steelglass company), the battens are located differently; this is a design feature of the “accordion” transformation mechanism with reduced and increased width.

The procedure for transforming the sofa into the “bed” position:

1. If the case of the model has a zipper, you must first unzip it.
2. Pull out the seat, lifting it slightly at the beginning. Continue moving forward, folding the sofa into the “bed” position.
3. To gain access to the linen drawer, you need to raise the seat of the unfolded sofa one click. The seat is securely fixed, the linen drawer is accessible.

The procedure for transforming a sofa from the “bed” position to the “sofa” position:

1. Raise the seat.
2. Roll up the sofa.
3. Fasten the zipper on the cover.

Possible equipment
Models of sofas with an “accordion” transformation mechanism can be equipped with a linen box, which is located under the frame and is attached to it. Also, these models can be equipped with a decorative backrest of different shapes. It improves the appearance of the sofa when disassembled, protects the wall from friction of pillows, and allows you to place the sofa in the center of the room.

Sofa accordion “Bud”

In addition to the accordion sofa, you can order an accordion chair-bed (mechanism width 0.8 m) or a simple chair without a transformation mechanism.

Set of sofa and chair-bed "Orient Express"

Selecting a mattress

Sofas with an accordion mechanism are equipped with both a polyurethane foam mattress (PPU) and a mattress with a spring block.

• Sofas with a reduced depth of 1 m (“Ognivo”) use mattresses 8 cm thick. They have a special structure: in the seating part, the mattress is gradually thickened by 3 cm. This provides a more comfortable fit on the sofa, making the appearance cozy and aesthetic. And the slight lifting of the mattress in the foot area provides comfort when resting while lying down, while the legs occupy an optimal and physiologically advantageous position.
• The Odyssey series uses mattresses 10 cm thick.
• The remaining models are equipped with a 12 cm thick mattress.

In models of the “Monsoon”, “Discovery”, “Tivoli” series with a transformation mechanism 1.4 and 1.8 m wide, in addition to PPU mattresses, a mattress with an independent spring block produced by .

Advantages of a sofa with an accordion mechanism:

• The sofa can easily be transformed into a bed;
• The mechanism provides a wide range of sizes;
• A disassembled sofa forms a large, flat and solid sleeping area (without joining seams);
• When assembled, the sofa is very compact and takes up little space in the room;
• To complement the sofa you can choose a chair-bed and an armchair;
• The accordion mechanism provides the possibility of choosing a decorative back (several back options);
• The sofa is equipped with a box for linen.
• The accordion sofa bed can be placed close to the wall (it does NOT need to be moved away from the wall when unfolded).

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Additional equipment

The accordion sofa consists of: frame, base, filling and upholstery fabric.

Leather, eco-leather, flock, velor, chenille, jacquard and others can be used as the main upholstery fabric.

It can also be equipped with additional options:

• orthopedic mattress. It completely follows the curves of the body, maintaining it in the correct position during sleep;
• linen drawer. When unfolding the transforming mechanism, underneath there is a convenient and spacious linen drawer where you can put bedding;
• table. A very convenient option for those who like to drink tea or coffee while watching TV. It is also convenient to place a laptop on it;
• overlays for sidewalls. They protect those areas that are most subject to wear and tear. In addition, the pads are functional, as you can put a cup of coffee, magazines, or a mobile phone on them;
• removable covers. They help preserve the original appearance of the furniture, as they protect the upholstery from intensive use;
• side shelves. They can be used to store books, magazines and decorative items. This way, everything you need will always be at hand.

Accordion sofa dimensions

The standard dimensions of a folded accordion sofa are:

• width from 75 to 200 cm;
• height up to 105 cm;
• depth from 80 to 195 cm.

Bed dimensions

As for the size of the bed, for sofa models with an accordion mechanism, they start from 70x190, 70x200, 80x200 cm for a single bed and more. The most popular are double models, whose sleeping space when unfolded is 140x200, 160x200, 180x200, 200x200 cm. It can reach 225 centimeters in length (see photo below).

Corner models

For corner sofas, the size of the side part (ottoman) is additionally added.

What to do if the sofa does not fold out

Turning an assembled sofa into a full-fledged bed is quite simple, because this is what the mechanism is designed for. The accordion layout sequence is as follows:

1. The layout area is cleared of unnecessary objects and floor coverings in the form of a carpet (if any). This is necessary, since the movement of the mechanism’s rollers will be carried out along the floor.
2. The seat rises until it clicks, which indicates that the safety unit is turned off. In budget models there may not be a click, then the seat just needs to be brought to the top point.
3. The raised seat stretches towards itself to the end, as a result of which the individual blocks form a single space.

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At this stage the bed is ready. To fold it, you need to roll the seat into place until it stops. Raise the bottom until it clicks and lower it. This movement will lock the mechanism and make the sofa compact again.

If the design is in good working order, there will be no problems with transformation. But since this is a mechanism, problems do occur. The weakest points include: the wheels of the mechanism, frame hinges, lamellas and the frame itself.

Rollers that become clogged, stop spinning, or otherwise stop working will be cheaper and easier to replace than to repair. Replacement wheels must be of the same size. The procedure is as follows: unscrew the screws or screws securing them to the axle, and then fasten the new parts in the same way.

The slats can also burst and crack if they are subjected to heavy loads. Fasteners also often fail. A sofa with such damage begins to creak and depressions form on it. Individual wooden planks for replacement can be purchased at furniture stores, as well as a set of fasteners. Installing them without the special equipment used to install rivets is difficult. But it is quite possible to replace them with standard bolts - this will not make the design work any worse.

If the problem lies in the mechanism itself or the hinges, it is better to seek help from professional furniture makers. They will be able to carry out welding work and change parts. And in particularly difficult cases, they will recommend replacing the entire sofa.

You can prevent breakage by regularly lubricating the joints, but this does not always save you, and the furniture can still break.

Sofas with an accordion mechanism are compact, easy to use and reliable. They can be angular, straight, or in a chair format, and can also be equipped with additional storage for things and shelves. The mechanism is easy to unfold, but expensive to repair, so it is better to choose steel frames, the service life of which is much higher than wooden or aluminum ones.

Free the wheels from dust and replace if necessary.

Check the lamellas, replace cracked or broken ones

Tighten fastenings

Check the operation of the mechanism, replace or repair broken parts

Customer Reviews

As for general customer reviews, they note the following:

• The mattresses in such products are smooth, without depressions or cracks. Consequently, they are pleasant and comfortable to sleep on;
• The mechanisms are durable. If the product has a metal frame, then the sofa will serve the owners for more than 10 years;
• When folded, the furniture takes up minimal free space and is perfect for small spaces. When unfolded, it completely replaces a bed and is suitable for resting two adults;

One of the negative aspects is the possible appearance of squeaks during operation.

Possible malfunctions and ways to eliminate them

Sometimes, after using a piece of furniture for a long time, users encounter some problems.

An accordion sofa on a metal frame creaks: what to do?

If a sofa with a metal frame makes unpleasant squeaks when folding and unfolding, then this problem can be easily solved if you lubricate all the folds and folds with machine oil.

What to do if the accordion sofa does not fold up

Most likely, there is a problem with the mechanism itself, which can be replaced with a new one yourself. To do this, you need to remove the mattress from the frame and unscrew the broken part with a screwdriver. The new mechanism is purchased at the store and simply installed in place of the old one using self-tapping screws.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that the accordion sofa is a universal piece of furniture that has a place in the living room, bedroom, and nursery. Small, large, narrow or wide... It does not take up much space when folded, and thanks to its unique transformation mechanism, even children can cope with unfolding and folding the sofa.

Features of the mechanism

The name “accordion” for this transformation mechanism was not chosen by chance. The peculiarity is that when folding and unfolding, the process resembles stretching the bellows of this musical instrument. Structurally, such sofas are divided into three separate, but combined zones. These are wooden or steel frames filled with slats that form a rigid base.

The accordion system is as functional as possible, primarily in terms of space. When folded, the mechanism takes up little space, and by raising the seat, the owner will have access to a storage box where bedding or other necessary items will fit.

When unfolded, two of the three blocks form a sleeping place, while the third is a seat that takes on the main load. High comfort is achieved through an orthopedic frame made of wooden slats, which is covered with a polyurethane foam base. In the most expensive models, the mattress is equipped with its own springs, increasing ease of use.

The maximum permissible load for such a product is 100 kg per bed. However, this indicator depends on the configuration and strength of the model.

The reliability of accordion mechanisms in sofas depends on the price category. Inexpensive models made from wooden beams and chipboard are suitable for temporary accommodation of one or two people, but they quickly become unusable. Furniture with a steel welded frame and filling made of independent springs or latex will cost more, but in this case the strength also increases significantly.

For maximum comfort, there are models with folding tables and built-in shelves. They are not particularly practical or popular. But in conditions of limited space they will help save square meters.

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