Choosing soft sofas and armchairs

Where to begin

The search algorithm is simple: we determine the initial data, measure the area that we plan to allocate for upholstered furniture, and go … to the Internet. Virtual selection is less time consuming, since there is no need to move around the city, and models can be compared without relying on memory, but simply flipping the “windows”.

The assortment of sofas and armchairs can be viewed on the factories’ websites “Allegro Classic”, “Kind style”, Boconcept, Family hall, sweet life, Ikea, Furniture & time, Native.

Having stopped on one or another sofa, you can “evaluate” it live by visiting a specialized store. At the same time, we do not recommend limiting ourselves to an external examination. You will get a full idea of ​​the quality of the upholstered furniture you like only if you have all the information – about the materials of manufacture, filling, upholstery. And if a model equipped with a transformation mechanism is chosen, then you should find out about its pros and cons.

Most of the sofas and armchairs are assembled from the same structural elements as in the last century and the century before last. The complete list of components is as follows: frame, base, seat, backrest, sidewalls, armrests, legs. And our first task is to find out what these elements are made of, since the stability and reliability of the chosen model depends on them.

The frame and base are usually made of durable materials that are not subject to deformation.

• Cheap option In the cheapest models, these elements will be made of chipboard.
• Average price category The frame and base of sofas and armchairs of the middle price category are made of fiberboard, multilayer plywood, pine, birch, metal.
• Expensive option Bearing parts of furniture “with the name” are made of hard wood (most often beech) or metal.

Well, the question of the material for the legs and armrests, if any, remains at the discretion of the manufacturer. Much depends on the design decision. Furniture in a modern style is likely to be equipped with metal legs, while a classic sofa and armchair will be equipped with wooden legs.

Of course, no less than the stability and reliability of the model, we should be concerned about the softness and elasticity of the seat and back. It is also desirable that they last as long as possible, easily assuming the shape of the body and just as naturally returning to their original position. The key to success is multilayer flooring. The lower layer provides elasticity, the middle layer provides softness, and the upper layer, which is shock-absorbing, determines how long the middle layer will not be pressed through.

• Cheap option does not provide for a three-stage structure – the lower and middle layers are a single block of not too high-quality polyurethane sheet foam, known to us as “foam rubber”. This material does not retain its shape for a long time – one and a half to two years, after which the sofa needs to be replaced or restored. Even a shock-absorbing pad made of batting or padding polyester does not save the day.
• Average price category The stuffing of a sofa in this category will look like this: at the bottom – a mesh of rubber-fabric belts, in the middle – polyurethane foam (PPU) or foam rubber (artificial latex), on top – a dense non-woven material – synthetic felt.

No matter how cheap or, conversely, expensive upholstered furniture is, before it is upholstered with fabric or leather (artificial or natural), the fillers are covered with another layer – the so-called cover tissue. It can be thick linen, cotton or thin non-woven fabric – non-woven.

Additional elements

Modern models of sofas and armchairs are often complemented (optionally) with decorative overlays on the armrests. And from the purchase of these accessories, you can get some benefit. After their installation, the previously soft armrest turns into a mini-table, on which it is convenient to put a cup of tea or coffee, a glass of wine. Moreover, the material for making decorative overlays – wood – is much less afraid of spilled liquids than fabric.

The most affordable option is fabric. But even here it is not so simple. Typically, the manufacturer offers up to eight price categories for fabric upholstery. By the way, this does not mean that one or two articles appear in each category. The assortment is usually very diverse not only in color, but also in texture. A similar – up to eight categories – classification applies to more expensive leather.

High-quality fabric upholstery has:

• natural composition;
• high wear resistance: more than 5000 cycles are considered a good indicator);
• resistance to the formation of pellets or rolling of pile: norm – 2–5;
• Dirt-, water- and dust-repellent impregnations such as Teflon from DuPont and Scotchgard from 3M (both companies – USA).

The result is a higher price category and, accordingly, the cost of the finished sofa.

The price-determining factor in the situation with leather is the dressing and the manufacturer.

Before choosing one or another upholstery, take a closer look at the finished products in the showroom or at their photographs in the interior, which the factory has prudently placed in the catalog. After all, the manufacturer usually understands better than the buyer in what kind of upholstery – variegated, monochromatic or combined – this or that model will look more advantageous. Agree, covering a sofa of classic shapes with chintz in a small flower may be fun, but such a creation will look more than inharmonious.

We select the upholstery depending on the style of the sofa

Sofas and armchairs reminiscent of the Empire or Regency erafor example, “Calypso” from EKMI or Sharlota from Natif (both from Russia), will be good in velor, natural or artificial leather.

Stylistics of the American West – “Manchester” from “Allegro-Classic” – allows the combination of plain leather and printed fabric.

Modern models, such as Spider from Natif or Star from Möbel & Zeit (both from Russia), it is permissible to be covered with fabric and leather. However, their color should be bright, catchy, emphasizing the originality of the form and attracting attention.

Country style furniture (“Ectorp” from IKEA or Victoria from Family Hall, China) is upholstered in plain, colorful or striped fabric.

For retro models, like Voima from Novapak (Finland) or “Turio” from Pushe (Russia), “to face” a cell or companion materials.

Unlike foreign factories, which do not welcome too frequent folding and unfolding of upholstered furniture, and therefore rarely use anything other than such a time-tested scheme as “French clamshell”, our companies are in constant search, coming up with their own designs. Among the most popular are the Dolphin, Accordion, Tango, Book, and Click-Klyak mechanisms. The principle of operation of each corresponds to the name. For example, “Dolphin” reminds of the jump of the mammal of the same name, “Accordion” – about the corresponding musical instrument, etc.

By the way, the “French clamshell”, like its “American” and “Belgian” counterparts, is not particularly suitable for everyday use. The transformation process is tiresome. In addition, you have to find a place for the removable seat cushions. And in general, the convenience of the sofa itself, equipped with one of the above schemes, raises great doubts. After all, the function of multilayer filling is performed by a folding bed and removable pillows folded several times.

Therefore, before purchasing a sofa, we recommend that you try the transformation mechanism on your own. It is possible that the purchase of the selected model will have to be abandoned, because in the unfolded state the sofa will go beyond the boundaries of the area allotted to it.

Care of the cloth

The fabric is very comfortable. Many, mainly foreign manufacturers, make such upholstery removable. If tea or coffee is spilled, it doesn’t matter, just open the zipper or peel off the Velcro, and now the cover can be washed or dry-cleaned.

By the way, it is better to ask the manufacturer about the care method when buying.

If the upholstery cannot be removed, for example, grease stains are fought like this. Apply an absorbent cloth, treat the stain with a sponge dipped in soapy water, and then dry the clean surface.

Skin care

Keeping track of leather models is even easier. The main thing is to avoid chemical solvents, stain removers, abrasives and substances containing chlorine. They can damage the face layer of the upholstery. The same recommendations are best followed when caring for high-quality leatherette.

It is better to install upholstered furniture upholstered in leather at a distance of at least 30–40 cm from sources of heat and intense lighting.

Upholstered furniture made of genuine leather should be regularly, at least once or twice a year, processed (fattened) – wiped with a sponge soaked in stearic grease.

Read about cleaning products for upholstered furniture here.

Replacement of upholstery

Unlike cabinet furniture, soft furnishings are more difficult to manufacture and, therefore, to restore. Therefore, it is better to entrust even its simple constriction (replacement of upholstery) to a specialist. He will check to see if wood elements, soft bed fillers, straps or springs need replacing. The repair can take several days or weeks, depending on the complexity. The approximate cost of work is from 2000 rubles. (chair) and from 4000 rubles. (sofa).