Chair-beds: features of choice

A chair-bed is a functional sleeping place that can replace a full-fledged bed. If earlier it was believed that such furniture was intended only for guests of the house, now it is purchased for permanent residents of the apartment. You just need to know the features of choosing a chair-bed in order to choose the most comfortable sleeping place.

Many owners of small houses and apartments prefer to use functional armchair-beds in the interior. They can be placed both in the kitchen and in the bedroom. But this furniture is perfect for large rooms too. When assembled, it is a common element of a soft headset that can be located in the living room.

It is also popular to use folding chair models in children's rooms, replacing a full-fledged bed with a small, but no less comfortable chair that can provide a child with a healthy sleep thanks to an orthopedic surface with high-quality filler.

Each of the standard sizes of the chair-bed has its own disadvantages and advantages, which depend on the individual needs of the client and the dimensions of his living space:

• Small-sized models. The smallest armchair-beds have a sleeping module with a width of 60 to 70 cm. Usually, small-sized models are purchased for children's rooms, since an adult is uncomfortable to sleep on such a product. But even for children, it is better to choose a chair with a larger width for convenience. If we take into account the size of the armrests, then the width of the structure can reach 80-90 cm. But in models without armrests, the width of the seat is equal to the width of the sleeping module.
• Double models. Double armchairs in their appearance resemble small sofas, the width of their seat and berth reaches 120 cm. If this is a model without armrests, then the owner of this product gets a comfortable and wide one and a half berths at their disposal. If there are armrests, the width of the sleeping module and the seat does not exceed 90-100 cm.
• Corner models. There are specialized models of chairs designed to be installed in the corner of a room. These products have two backs, which form a right angle with each other. A corner chair that can be folded out either to the left or to the right, depending on the position, forms a berth with a width of at least 100 cm.

Methods of arrangement and layout of space in an apartment are very important for creating a cozy and harmonious environment. There are several ways to arrange a chair-bed in a room, the main thing is to take into account the dimensions that the structure will occupy when unfolded. Otherwise, there are no restrictions on the location of transforming chairs.

In order to furnish the room not only from an aesthetic, but also from a practical point of view, it is necessary to draw up a plan of the room in advance with the designation of all sockets, door and window openings. Only thanks to this, you can choose the most optimal place for installing a TV, chair-bed, table, sofa and other interior elements without compromising functionality.

The standard arrangement of the furniture set is to install a sofa and an armchair along the wall.

But not every apartment layout allows you to arrange furniture in this way. For example, in large spaces or studios, it will be ergonomic to place a soft headset closer to the center of the room, this will allow you to zone the space for relaxation.

When shifting the soft headset to the center, you can position the armchair perpendicular to the sofa or at an angle of 45 degrees.

Before you go to the furniture salon and start choosing a chair, you need to decide on the place where you plan to place the product and take measurements of the space, taking into account the dimensions that will be available to the furniture in the unfolded state.

The dimensions of the products, both assembled and disassembled, are different, for example, there are large armchairs, the design of which is more like a sofa. Accordingly, when unfolded, the berth will be large, providing a comfortable surface for rest, and there are also small models with a narrow berth that is not suitable for daily sleep.

When choosing the size of the structure, the dimensions of the space are also taken into account. A bulky armchair in a small room with low ceilings will look unprepossessing, the same applies to small models in large rooms - they will simply "get lost" against the background of the rest of the interior.

The most important rule when choosing an upholstery material is to pay attention not only to the aesthetic characteristics of the fabric, but also to practicality. Undoubtedly, it is important to choose a material that harmoniously fits in the texture and color scheme into the main interior, but we must not forget about the more essential properties of fabrics. The main factor for choosing is the purpose of the piece of furniture:

• Perfect for children's models cotton upholstery. It is distinguished by its simplicity of texture and environmental friendliness; there are also a large number of colors in the assortment. Cotton textiles are hypoallergenic. The disadvantages include a low level of strength and lack of dirt-repellent properties. Therefore, if the upholstery is not removable, then it is difficult to care for it.

• Tapestry and jacquard easy to clean and have a high level of wear resistance. They are considered budgetary, but quite high quality types of upholstery.

• High-strength and damage-resistant materials include chenille and flock. Some manufacturers impregnate these fabrics with a special compound with anti-claw properties. These fabrics are great for those with kids and pets.

• Genuine or artificial leather upholstery has a long service life, is easy to clean and is not afraid of moisture. But if we are talking about natural materials, then such a leather seat can be cleaned only with the help of specialized products and this must be done regularly. Leather substitutes (eco leather) are easier to clean.

• Suede, velvet and silk belong to the elite and expensive upholstery. These materials help create a luxurious environment, but at the same time require very careful maintenance, otherwise they will quickly lose their attractive appearance.

• Velor upholstery is soft to the touch and looks very attractive in many classic interior designs, but this type of fabric smudges easily, fades in direct sunlight and washes off. Therefore, family people and animal owners should definitely say no to such fabrics. This is an impractical choice, especially if the upholstery is not removable. Replacing it is an expensive pleasure.

• If it is planned to often spend time on a chair-bed, both during sleep and just rest, then it is better to give preference synthetic materials such as leatherette - it is more durable and easy to clean.

Chair-bed frames are made from two main types of materials:

• wood;
• metal.

The most budgetary is considered chipboard frame, but this material is significantly inferior in strength to other types of frames. Therefore, chipboard structures are not suitable for heavy loads and it is undesirable to use them for daily sleep.

What can not be said about timber structures... These models easily withstand daily transformations from an armchair to a bed and vice versa, they are distinguished by a high service life, environmental friendliness and wear resistance, and due to the impregnation of wood with special compounds, the wooden frame becomes moisture resistant and not susceptible to mold.

For a wooden frame, various tree species can be used, the price of the product depends on this. The most favorable in terms of price-quality ratio are conifers. They are characterized by reliability and durability; models with such frames are produced at an acceptable cost.

The most durable are considered structures on a metal frameThey are easy to operate and maintain. Chair models with different types of decomposition mechanisms and various shapes are often made of metal, since it is more malleable in production.

The metal frame is a tubular base, the surface of which is coated with anti-corrosion paint, which gives the structure additional protection against mechanical damage and rust.

Combined structures made of wood and metal are considered no less high quality and durable. Such products combine practicality, functionality and ease of use. They are also an economical option.

In addition to the types of frames presented above, frameless furniture is also distinguished.

These products have an original and beautiful appearance, they can even be easily made by hand. As for the frameless chair beds, we can say for sure that they are not suitable for daily sleep, since the structure does not have sufficient support. But as a place to relax during the day, these products are ideal and become an unusual addition to the living room, they can also be placed on a balcony or veranda.

The mechanism of transformation of the chair-bed is the most significant factor influencing the choice more than the design and dimensions of the products. Manufacturers supply transforming upholstered furniture with various types of folding mechanisms. Let's consider the most popular ones.

• "Accordion". From the name of this mechanism, it becomes clear that by its principle of unfolding it resembles an accordion. The berth consists of two modules - a back and a seat, it forms a flat surface for sleeping. Even children can use such a roll-out mechanism. The accordion mechanism is very easy to use. It is enough to pull the seat unit towards you, and the structure will decompose by inertia. All armchair-beds with accordion mechanism are equipped with a box for storing linen. Some models contain an additional, third module, which is hidden when folded. When unfolded, it slides out of the seat and forms an additional sleeping area.

• Sedaflex. A transforming chair with this mechanism in the unfolded state has a flat berth without joints and seams, which is inside the structure when the chair is folded. The sleeping module mattress is 5-7 cm thick and has a removable cover. The base for the mattress can be fitted with either wooden slats or metal mesh. Thanks to this, the chair-bed has an orthopedic base and is suitable for daily use. In order to unfold the structure, it is necessary to remove the seat unit and pull the sleeping module towards you; when expanding, the steel legs are pulled out, on which the base rests.

• Tick-tock. The berth is formed from the back and seat of the chair. The tick-tock mechanism is reliable and easy to use, with a storage module under the seat. To unfold the chair, you must raise the seat and lower it to the floor. The structure makes a walking motion, after the back of the chair is lowered into the resulting space - and the bed is unfolded.

• "Telescope". The sliding folding mechanism is easy to operate and forms a large sleeping module for comfortable rest. The chair-bed structure consists of three blocks. To unfold the "telescope", the unit with the seat rolls forward, by inertia the third part of the structure, which forms the headrest, moves out of the backrest, then it is necessary to lower the backrest with the headrest into the niche.

• Puma. This mechanism is reliable and easy to use thanks to a counterweight system that minimizes the effort required to transform the product. Chairs with puma mechanism are perfect for children's rooms. The advantage of this design is that it does not damage the floor covering, since the sleeping module folds and unfolds with walking movements, eliminating friction with the surface. To unfold the chair, it is necessary to raise the seat and slightly pull it towards you, at this time an additional element will automatically rise from the niche under the seat and two soft modules form a berth.

• "Dolphin". This mechanism is based on a pull-out unit located under the seat. It is enough to pull the lower module towards you, then grasping the handle or strap to pull out the indoor unit, which forms a sleeping place. Thanks to the special design of the mechanism, it becomes a matter of a few seconds to unfold and fold the chair.

• "Eurobook". Roll-out types of construction include products with the "Eurobook" transformation mechanism. The sleeping module of the product consists of two elements, one of which is a seat resting on wheels, and the second is the back of the chair. In the models "eurobook" there is a storage system under the seat. In order to unfold such a chair, you need to pull the lower module on wheels towards you, which, thanks to the rollers on the guide rails, will easily give in to movement, after which it is necessary to lower the back of the chair into the formed niche.

• Recliner. The recliner chairs are equipped with a mechanized structure that allows you to change the position of the product in space at the touch of a button. Recliners can not only unfold and fold the structure, but also change the angle of the backrest, its height, the same applies to the seat. Often these models are equipped with an additional footrest. Recliners are not suitable for daily sleep, but as a place to rest, read and relax, they are irreplaceable.

The types of materials from which the products are made directly depend on the future purpose of the chair-bed.

If this is furniture for the kitchen, then it is important to purchase models with good dirt-repellent upholstery properties or a replaceable cover.

If this is an armchair-bed for a bedroom, then the priority is the choice of a high-quality filler with the functions of an orthopedic mattress of the desired rigidity, a strong frame and soft upholstery are also important.

In a furniture showroom, before making a purchase, you need to pay attention to some aspects:

• There should be no damage to the upholstery. You should also check all seams and folds.
• It will be useful to fold and unfold the structure several times, thereby checking the transformation mechanism. The product should be assembled and disassembled easily and without unnecessary sounds. If a chair bed is purchased for children, it is important to consider whether the child will be able to lay out and assemble his sleeping place on his own.
• A positive factor in favor of choosing a model is the removable cover. If it is absent, then it is best to purchase a product with wear-resistant upholstery.

• It is necessary to check the tightness of the armrests and legs, if any. The structure should be firmly fastened and none of the elements should move, if this is not provided for by the functionality.
• Before purchasing, you need to make sure that the product is comfortable, it should be soft and comfortable, with a seating depth and seat width that meet individual proportions. Getting up from the chair, you need to check how long it takes for the filler to take its original form.

When choosing a product, it is necessary to take into account such characteristics of the filler as:

• strength and reliability;
• the degree of withstanding the load;
• environmental friendliness and hypoallergenicity;
• ventilation;
• susceptibility to deformation.

There are a wide variety of chair bed variations on the market nowadays to suit almost any style and decor. In accordance with the design solutions, high-tech, minimalism, Provence, modern or classic options can be presented.

• For Provence style interiors furniture of the most simple and laconic forms is selected. Since this design is closely intertwined with rustic motifs, the chair-bed should be as "homely" and cozy as possible. For Provence, models with wooden inserts or carvings, floral or simple geometric prints on the upholstery are suitable, but solid pastel-colored fabrics will harmoniously fit into such an interior.

• For the classic empire style it is necessary to select pompous and bulky models of armchairs with a spring base and a pouf, the style of which will certainly be combined with a color scheme with curtains, decorative elements and the rest of the furniture set. Modern models are not suitable for the Empire style. The product must certainly be equipped with armrests and legs with graceful curves.

• For a modernist interior the smoothness of geometric shapes and lines is important both in the design of furniture and in decoration. An Art Nouveau armchair must have a massive structure and forged legs.
• For a high-tech or minimalist room modern models of armchairs 90x200 cm are suitable, including recliners in a simple and minimally decorated style made of eco-leather. The high-tech style welcomes the use of glass and chrome details to create a futuristic setting.

There are no specific rules in choosing the color scheme of chairs. Here you can show your imagination as much as possible. And yet there are some design tips to help make your interior stylish, cozy and pleasing to the eye.

1. The most pleasant, soothing colors are light green, lime green, and all kinds of shades of blue. They are the most common colors used in interior design, are pleasing to the eye and can have a relaxing and calming effect.
2. Chairs of bright, sometimes even flashy colors will look spectacular: magenta, bright red, bright blue and others. In this case, it is worth paying attention to those colors that are most liked by the household. Otherwise, furniture of this color can become annoying or just get bored.
3. Classic options are white, brown, gray. Chairs of this color will certainly fit into any house. They won't attract too much attention, but they will still look stylish and trendy.
4. As for the fabric upholstery of the seats, colors such as gray and red, pink and blue, green and orange will be in harmony.

Basically, the owners of armchairs, who purchase them for children's rooms, living rooms or summer cottages, leave positive reviews about the products of various companies. Buyers who have examined many furniture salons note that there is a wide range of convertible chairs to choose from, and they easily managed to find a design that meets their needs both in terms of size and in terms of functionality, colors and texture solutions.

The owners of products on a metal frame note their long service life and the ability to withstand heavy loads. But wooden models do not go unnoticed either. Their owners write about the strength and environmental friendliness of the structure, and the design of wooden chairs is awarded the best reviews.

Customer preference is given to such transformation mechanisms as Eurobook, Dolphin, Cougar and Tick-Tock. These structures, according to buyers, are the easiest to use and are less susceptible to breakdowns and the appearance of squeaks and jams.

The following short video will introduce you to an interesting device for rest and work in comfortable conditions - a recliner chair