Varieties and characteristics of narrow sofas for the kitchen

When furnishing the kitchen, you need to carefully consider the entire setting and purpose of each item, since all family members use this room. You can often find a sofa in the kitchen. This piece of furniture can be borrowed from the assortment for other rooms or created specifically for the kitchen.

The question of the appropriateness of finding a sofa in the cooking and eating area has no clear answer. Most often, this option for arranging furniture can be found in those apartments where the kitchen serves as a living room or is combined with it. Since these situations are common in the layout of a modern apartment, the sofa is also in every second kitchen area.

What other additional advantages does a sofa installed in the kitchen have:

• special narrow models are produced that do not look bulky and can fit even in a modest room;
• it can comfortably accommodate several people;
• a high-quality sofa is much more comfortable than chairs;
• some models can be used as an additional place to sleep;
• it can be turned into additional storage system;
• a wide selection will allow you to choose exactly the model that will harmoniously fit into the interior;
• often the sofa acts instead of a partition, delimiting the zones in a studio-type apartment.

There are many models to be seen in any furniture store or website. To make it easier for you to make a choice, let's bring this set into a kind of classification.

According to the configuration, sofas can be:

• straight;
• angular (they can also include p-shaped and t-shaped sofas);
• semicircular (with different radius of curvature).

The shape of the sofa depends on the construction features of the kitchen. If the kitchen has a free corner, the sofa can be folded on one or two sides. The main thing is that windows, heating devices, balcony and entrance doors, pipes and boxes do not interfere. Models consisting of modules (or blocks) can be distinguished into a separate view; they can be used as a single composition or each separately.

Typically, these models allow you to use one of the parts as a small table.

A separate group includes sofas with built-in mechanisms, it is thanks to them that a narrow sofa turns into a full-fledged bed on which you can relax or spend the night. Mechanisms are simple and more complex. Anyone can be adapted for the kitchen, but the most popular are:

1. "book";
2. "Eurobook";
3. "tango";
4. "Dolphin".

These models are quite compact - with a small depth and width of 1.2 m. Sofas with mechanisms such as "accordion", "French folding bed" are too voluminous, but they are also in demand by customers who have free space. In furniture consisting of modules, the mechanism is usually installed in the widest (usually central) part. All unfolding and extending systems differ in the quality of the fittings, the dimensions in the unfolded state and the efforts that need to be made. Simple mechanisms require just one action.

Another group is made up of sofas with the ability to store things, food and kitchen utensils.

Two options are possible here:

1. closed and open niches;
2. all kinds of drawers.

Most often, niches are located under the seats. Drawers are installed on the front or on the side - this is more convenient, since the removal of things does not interfere with those sitting. It is advisable to take these possibilities into account at the time of planning all kitchen furniture, so as not to clutter up the space with cabinets or uncleaned things.

Kitchen sofas can vary:

• by the presence of armrests;
• by the type of supports (with legs, wheels, etc.);
• on the softness of the back and seat.

All these differences must be taken into account when choosing. Many manufacturers offer to make a sofa according to a special project. Then it can be made really shallow, of the desired width and with those characteristics that you desire.

Of course, sofas for the kitchen differ in the material from which all their parts are made. The base (frame and supports) is usually made of wood, wood-based panels or metal, and therefore they have different indicators of strength, weight, service life and environmental friendliness. MDF is distinguished by an affordable price, ease of processing, assembly and installation, a wide selection of PVC coatings. Wood is more durable and natural, looks and smells good, but is expensive. Metal is increasingly being used not only in hidden details, but also in decor. It is more difficult to assemble and transport a sofa with a metal base, but it will last much longer. Consider the expected load when choosing the material, as this seating area will be used frequently.

The quality of fittings, fasteners and mechanisms plays a huge role.

It will be better if they are made of steel rather than aluminum or plastic.

The next important detail is the cover of the sofa (upholstery). For covering, artificial or natural leather, acrylic, velor, tapestry, flock and other types of textiles are used. Since the sofa will be in the kitchen, the cover must be durable, waterproof and easy to clean (a smooth, lint-free material is preferred).

The filling depends on the degree of softness - usually foam rubber is used, and in ergonomic models the filling is multilayer.

It is impossible to prohibit the use of certain colors, especially if you have any special preferences or you have a clear idea of ​​what exactly you need. But there are certain recommendations that will help you make a final decision or correct it.

• For any interior items in the kitchen, neutral colors are preferable - they make the room more spacious and lighter. It will be better if individual items are bright - for example, a seat cover, bedspread or cushions. This rule is optional, but convenient, because changing the color of the parts to another, you get a completely different look.
• Warm colors help to maintain a good mood and make the atmosphere cozy. Green, brown and yellow look unobtrusive but beautiful.
• Bright colors evoke stronger emotions, promote appetite. A red or orange sofa will definitely have a positive effect on activity and mood. However, these colors get bored faster.
• The most suitable colors for the kitchen-living room will be: pink, gray, purple. It is acceptable to use stripes or other small, meaning-neutral drawings.

For a kitchen in a classic style and a sofa, you need an appropriate one. It is good if it is a sofa bench with curved legs and armrests, a carved semi-upholstered back and an oval seat. The decor will be wood and plain or patterned upholstery.Any sofa of a restrained color, without a lot of decorative details, is suitable for furniture in the neoclassical style. Options with a leather cover will also harmoniously fit here.

For a modern kitchen, sofas with chrome details are suitable.

In other modern trends, unusual shapes and colors are provided. In this case, the sofa will certainly become the highlight of the modern kitchen.

An interesting option looks when the sofa is a kind of continuation of the kitchen set. For this, a low, narrow cabinet is ordered from the same material and color. You can order a seat for it. Instead of a backrest, cushions or a sheet of frame material protrude.

Let's see what they pay attention to when choosing a sofa for the kitchen.

• Despite the fact that for the kitchen, a model with a narrow seat and a small-sized back is more often needed, its depth should not be less than half a meter, otherwise it will be difficult and inconvenient for people to sit.
• If the sofa is going to be used as a bed, it should be comfortable when unfolded.
• For furniture with roll-out mechanisms (it doesn't matter if they relate to pulling out drawers or creating a place to sleep), you need to take into account the dimensions so that nothing interferes with their full action.
• Think in advance about what you will be storing in the couch and organize the interior space accordingly. If you will place groceries or dishes in it, be careful about the materials - they must be safe.

• Pay attention to the quality of the seams, fasteners, assembly. Even these little things are important.
• Choose a manufacturer by carefully studying the proposals in this area. Don't just focus on cost. Delivery, assembly, warranty service and good reviews of the furniture will be an additional plus.

For tips on how to choose the right sofa, see the video below.