Wardrobe sofa bed transformer, product advantages and disadvantages

Advantages and disadvantages

In this model, the sleeping place is put away in the closet, leaving a sofa that is comfortable for daytime rest, which is very convenient for one-room apartments. Transformable beds with a sofa provide a special lifting mechanism that allows you to transform into several types of furniture. This design has the following advantages:

decorates the interior of the room in any of the transformable types of furniture (wardrobe, sofa, bed);
easy to use, multifunctional, convenient and durable. To move the model to the desired position, you need to use a simple transformation mechanism;
a high level of functionality allows the furniture to change its overall design several times a day;
the heavy bed can be easily reclined during transformation;
the assembled kit takes up little space;
A folding bed with a sofa saves space in small children's rooms. She frees up the room for the child's games and other activities.

Having many advantages, sofa and bed cabinets also have disadvantages:

for daytime sleep they have to be laid out again;
not all bedrooms are suitable for installing transformable furniture, since only solid walls can support its heavy weight;
its cost is unaffordable for families with average incomes.

When choosing furniture for small spaces, you need to take into account the capabilities of the models and the requirements for them. If the room does not have solid walls, a transformable bed with a sofa cannot be installed.

Popular models

Designed for everyday use, transformable furniture is an excellent way to functionally utilize your living space. Thanks to its presence, you can quickly turn the living room into a bedroom or provide an additional bed in any other room. A folding bed built into a closet can help out both in case of unexpected guests and when it is necessary to accommodate a large number of family members. The most popular models of this design:

With built-in sofa. The berth is fixed horizontally - the mechanism is located on the side. If necessary, it is possible to install a wardrobe-bed with a corner sofa or with a straight model.
With a folding bed. It can be combined with a single or double modification, where the mechanism is placed at the foot and the bed is folded vertically.
For children, with one or two beds. Sleeping places for two children are obtained due to the horizontal arrangement of the bed blocks one above the other (lateral fastening of the mechanism), and for one child the bed can be secured by both vertical and lateral folding.

Installation of a transformable wardrobe-bed with a sofa is carried out exclusively on load-bearing walls. If there are no permanent partitions, you should opt for other options - without the need for vertical fastening.

The design of the 3-in-1 wardrobe-sofa-bed is significant, so before installation you need to evaluate the characteristics of the floors and walls. Their surface must be perfectly flat, which will ensure reliable fixation, tight fit and, as a result, long-term operation.

Characteristics of folding transforming beds, placement options

With built-in sofa

With folding bed

For children

What are the differences between the different designs?

Furniture of this type is one of the most functional and practical solutions. It allows you to turn your bedroom into a study or living room in a matter of minutes. Furniture designs vary. Regarding the wall, there are two models:

vertical, with the head of the bed in contact with the wall. The berth is removed into the closet using a vertical mechanism;
horizontal, with a lifting mechanism that places the bed in the closet with its side facing the wall.

The main elements of furniture are transformation mechanisms that facilitate its operation. According to this principle, models are divided into two types: folding and lifting.

Vertical

The horizontal
folding bed with sofa has the following elements:

sofa and bed frames;
footboard and headboard (backrest);
mattress;
retractable legs;
pencil case;
fasteners.

A lifting bed with a sofa has certain design features: it is equipped with three types of mechanisms for transformation:

piston devices with gas elevators, ensuring smooth transformation of furniture;
springs that can withstand heavy loads;
a hand-held device characterized by durability and reliability. But to bring it into working condition, you need to make a lot of effort.

It is difficult to compare mechanisms with each other to say which one is better, since each has its own characteristics:

Furniture with gas springs can be placed in a closet at 45 cm, but it is visible on the headboard of the bed. It has a high cost and is not always available to people with average incomes;
when choosing a bed with a lifting mechanism, you need to pay attention to the authority of the brand;
the device, consisting of twisted springs, is hidden in a niche by 25 cm, while it is not visible;
a manual lifting mechanism requires certain physical effort.

A three-in-one furniture set has significant weight. Therefore, its installation is carried out on perfectly flat surfaces of floors and walls. There is an opinion that a transformable sofa can slam shut spontaneously, but if the springs are in good condition, this will not happen. Check the functionality of the mechanisms regularly. This will relieve you from worrying about their normal operation.

Criterias of choice

If you decide to purchase a bed-wardrobe, you need to first take care of the quality of the product. Reliable fastenings, expensive fittings, durable materials will be the key to long-term use. A stylish façade will complete the overall positive picture.

Transformation mechanism

Various models of transformable furniture with a built-in bed provide certain types of fastenings. Depending on the total weight of the folding module and its configuration, the type of transformation mechanism may vary significantly. Most often used:

Spring mechanisms, the operating principle of which is designed for thousand-fold use due to the presence of twisted and gas springs made of carbon steel. The depth of the niche for this type of fastening must be at least 25 cm.
A gas lift looks like a piston containing gas under high pressure, which allows you to silently and smoothly change the position of the bed unit. The depth of the niche should be more than 45 cm.

On exclusive designer models, an electric drive mechanism can be installed. After receiving a command from the remote control or the power button, the module will be assembled without additional mechanical impact. If you plan to make a transforming bed with your own hands, you can consider using a manual mechanism - changing the position of the bed unit will be done manually.

In addition to the type of mechanism, the types of wall mounting also differ. For bunk or children's models, as well as sofas of all types, the side fixation method is used. For a wardrobe-bed with a sofa, horizontal fastening is the most optimal and practical. For single or double products, installation is most often done on the lower part, due to which the folding occurs vertically.

Springs

Gas lift

Manual control

Electric drive

Manufacturing materials

The transformable wardrobe-bed-sofa can be made of various materials. The final cost of the entire sample directly depends on their properties. You also can’t ignore stylistics - not every raw material suits the chosen concept equally well.

The frame of the folding bed must be made of high-strength steel, this will ensure that the correct geometry of the entire structure is maintained.

A bed with a lifting mechanism is traditionally made from slabs and lumber. Thickness and structure directly affect strength, so the thicker the type of structural product, the better. The most popular are:

laminated chipboard (LDSP);
board made of fine wood fraction, coated with film (MDF);
natural wood of various species.

Features and types of corner sofa bed, selection criteria

Budget models are most often made from artificially obtained materials. Their strength properties are characterized by a high coefficient. The finishing of the facade can be done using veneer - a thin cut of wood glued to an artificial material.

Exclusive models in the premium price category are made from natural lumber. Wood is rightfully considered the most environmentally friendly raw material for the production of furniture cabinet parts. Models made from pine, linden or oak look presentable and have a pleasant smell.

When producing a lift-up bed with a sofa, certain materials are also used for upholstery and filling. Budget-type folding furniture rarely comes with an orthopedic mattress, which contains spring mechanisms. Preference is given to special high-density furniture foam rubber, which does not shrink and retains its shape for a long time. Synthetic padding or padding polyester is also used. However, they do not have high performance characteristics.

External upholstery is selected to match the overall color of the room. Preference is given to dense furniture fabrics that are resistant to abrasion, such as microfiber, velor, chenille, matting, as well as natural or artificial leather.

laminated chipboard

MDF

Natural wood

Foam rubber

Sintepon

Sintepooh

Microfiber

Velours

Chenille

Gozhka

Leather

Transformer dimensions

The size of the space that the furniture built into the closet will occupy depends on the parameters of the room, the number of beds, as well as the folding mechanism itself. The 3 in 1 transforming sofa consists of the following structural elements:

wall cabinet module;
frame with upholstery;
folding legs;
fastening system.

As a rule, the length of the sofa varies from 1.8 to 2.2 m. The width can be from 1.1 to 1.5 m. A wide range of models allows you to choose the best option for any room. The ideal solution for a small room up to 9 m2 would be a sofa 1.8 × 2.2 m.

The dimensions of the built-in bed depend on the dimensions of the bed. If you plan to accommodate one person, a width of 0.8–1.2 m will be sufficient, for children - 0.7 m. The length varies slightly, for an adult it is 1.9–2 m. In double models, the width is from 1. 6 to 2.1 m.

The size of the niche required to store furniture when folded is influenced by the chosen transformation mechanism. Depending on its dimensions, the depth of the cabinet can be from 25 to 45 cm.

Since the appearance of the assembled cabinet depends entirely on the wishes of the customer, the number and size of shelves may vary. The width is determined individually and has no clear dimensional boundaries. The height directly depends on the distance to the ceiling. As a rule, these dimensions range from 2.1–2.5 m.

Modifications of folding beds, popular models and designs

Differences by type of transformation

Furniture is classified taking into account the transformation mechanisms that transform it. An ordinary sleeping place can easily turn into another type. An important element of the wardrobe model with a bed and sofa is the front part:

it is a closet;
the model is made of MDF or chipboard;
facades can be mirrored, plastic or combined.

Made from chipboard, the facades follow a strict design and are used in a minimalist style.

For more relaxed forms of design, preference is given to mirror options:

they visually expand the space, make it lighter and more spacious;
The advantage of the mirror surface is its rich design possibilities. For this purpose the following are used: photo printing;
decoration with contour patterns;
various colors of surfaces (matte or colored).

The front opens when the folding transformation mechanism presses the bed against the wall:

the closet serves as a storage unit, complementing the interior of the room with the art of design;
these may be design options with drawers or shelves that are not involved in the transformation;
some samples are equipped with a shelf that acts as a support leg.

The cabinets are illuminated and the wall options with filling are presented in the form of:

shelving;
shelves;
boxes.

The next type of transformation is a sofa. There are many mechanisms for transforming it into a bed. These include the following varieties:

“Lit” sofa models have a mechanism that transforms into a single bed;
The principle of the clamshell is the scroll. When folded, the mattress goes into the structure. During transformation, the folding elements are pulled out by the hinges. This type of sofa has three types of mechanisms: the Italian type is more advanced than others. It doesn't require you to remove the pillows;
the American mechanism for unfolding the sofa is made in two steps;
the French version of the mechanism transforms the sofa in three steps (seats and pillows are removed).

Pantograph sofas do not have rollers, since it does not come into contact with the floor during transformation. Lightly touching the surface, move it away from the back, which is laid horizontally on a free space;

the puma unfolds simply: the front part is lifted and moved forward, placing it on the stand. The second part of the furniture is located in the free space;

The best transformation mechanism is considered to be a roll-out straight model or a corner sofa with drawers. The design consists of three parts. The seat needs to be pulled towards you, while all three parts are pulled out. This mechanism is called a telescope due to its operating principle;

The Eurobook is installed in the middle of the room or near the wall. The model consists of a bed and large drawers. It is equipped with a simple mechanism: the front part extends, and the back falls into this place;

The dolphin is easy to transform: it has two parts (stationary and retractable). They move it apart as follows: the roll-out mechanism from under the seat is pulled out all the way, then, moving towards itself, the other part is pulled out;

The accordion transformation mechanism is easy to operate: its bed has three parts (two backrests and a seat). The seat extends, then the backrests are placed on one plane;

a book is a model that has a popular transformation mechanism. When unfolding it, the seat must be raised and then lowered. Fold it in reverse order.

Accordion

Roll-out

Eurobook

Lit

Pantograph

Puma

Dolphin
Sofas have two options for folding transformation mechanisms:

straight classic, located in the center of the room. It is used for bedrooms combined with living rooms;
A functional wardrobe sofa bed with a corner sleeper frees up free space. A sofa cabinet with a corner sofa is a practical model that takes up minimal space.

Sofas of these models have different sizes:

length ranges from 180 to 220 cm;
width – 115-10 cm.

For small apartments with an area of 7 to 9 m2, a sofa with a size of 120x180 cm is sufficient. For spacious rooms (from 10 to 15 m2), options with a size of 150x180 cm are suitable. In three-in-one designs, the main load falls on the metal frame, so here they use a mechanism equipped with synchronized lowering of the legs. It ensures high stability of the furniture. Sometimes plywood or wood frames are used instead of metal ones.

The next element of transformation is the bed - this is the main element. Bed sizes vary (single, narrow or double for couples). Beds with reclining mechanisms have the following dimensions:

width from 75 to 180 cm;
length – from 190 to 220 cm.

In transformer bed models, special attention should be paid to mattresses. Lifting mechanisms must be equipped with dependent springs. They are held in a vertical position by a double metal frame, the function of which is to prevent the mattress from sagging. The disadvantage of this design is its rigidity. To make the mattress softer, it is equipped with:

latex or coconut coatings;
covers made of soft fabrics are used.

It is not advisable to use mattresses equipped with independent springs in beds with a lifting mechanism, since in a vertical position the connection between the elements is broken, causing the mattress to sag to one side.

How to choose the right lift-up bed with sofa

When choosing, you need to focus primarily on the area of the room. The dimensions of the purchased furniture depend on this. The sleeping place can be one-, one-and-a-half or double.

The bed has special straps with which you fasten the mattress with bedding, they keep it in an upright position when you fold the bed.

It saves a lot of space in the room, which is its big advantage.

The sofa bed provides the necessary space during daylight hours to accommodate guests or simply sit comfortably in front of the TV while doing your favorite activity.

Consider in advance exactly how the bed will be raised - by the side or the base. From this parameter the width of the sofa will become larger or smaller.

The bed itself is silently hidden along with the bedding.

A sofa bed saves a lot of space in the room, which is its big advantage.

This type of furniture is often made to order, so you have the opportunity to choose your own upholstery fabric, filling, shape of armrests and method of lifting. Gas lifts will be more convenient in this sense, since their use requires a minimum of effort.

Thanks to the presence of a sofa, this model is perfect for the living room and bedroom, where there is a need not only to sleep, but also to receive guests, watch TV and relax.

By purchasing a sofa bed you get convenience, comfort and at the same time increase the space in your room.

How to choose a reliable option

In order for the bed model to serve properly throughout its entire operational life, you need to pay attention to the following parameters when choosing it:

If the furniture is of high quality, the price will match it. If it has an affordable price, it will use plastic and plywood instead of metal and natural wood;
when choosing, you need to pay attention to the functionality of the product, since modern furniture is valued not only for its design, but also for the maximum benefit that it can bring for daily use;
Build quality is considered an important parameter. Transformation mechanisms should work easily and without failures;
It is better to prefer high-quality and durable materials, which are more reliable in such models.

When choosing furniture, it is important to pay attention to the fillings and upholstery of the sofa, since comfortable rest depends on them. They are presented in a variety of modern materials. The following fillers are offered:

blocks equipped with independent springs: soft, durable, comfortable. However, with a vertical transformation mechanism, it is undesirable to purchase them, since the springs sag. This is reflected on the surface of the sofa, which can sag;
blocks with dependent springs are convenient to use, but do not have a very long service life (from 7 to 10 years);
You can use PPU (polyurethane foam), which is used more often than other materials. It retains its qualities for a long time and is available to people of any income.

For sofa elements (armrests, pillows and bolsters) use: padding polyester, holofiber, padding polyester. Having made the right choice of furniture, you can choose the ideal option that meets the needs of interior design, versatility and impeccable quality. Various materials are used for upholstery:

leather is easy to care for, wear-resistant, environmentally friendly. But if there are pets in the apartment, it is better to refuse this choice;
a simpler option would be eco-leather, which is not inferior to the original material in terms of characteristics;
tapestry is considered a luxurious upholstery option;
Velor is considered an ideal option for furniture, wardrobe, bed, sofa. The material is highly wear-resistant, cleans well, and does not lose color and texture after a soap solution.

Having managed to take into account all the pros and cons when choosing a transformer, you will purchase functional furniture that can be selected for any interior. It will easily solve the problem of lack of space, help make the room spacious and bright, and will last a long time without repair.