Pros and cons of a sofa bed with a swivel mechanism

Advantages of corner sofas

The laconicism of the corner design allows you to fit the sofa into the design of any room. Some use corner models to zone space in studio apartments. This type of furniture will be much more practical if equipped with a transformer function. The corner sofa bed will serve as a sleeping place if the need arises.

Corner furniture is a more modern option compared to conventional classic sofas, which is why this type of design is used in the manufacture of models in the minimalist or hi-tech style. The design solutions are varied: sofas can be equipped with additional pull-out elements in the form of tables and shelves. The high-tech style implies a minimum number of design elements and a high level of functionality of furniture pieces, so equipment control panels or additional devices can be built into retractable parts.

Traditional lush corner sofas with rounded edges and carved inserts will appeal to connoisseurs of classic styles. Such models are less often provided with transformation mechanisms. The main reason is the inability to use the backrest as a sleeping surface due to its asymmetry. For classic corner sofas, as a rule, the “dolphin” mechanism is used.

Varieties of such sofas

Sofas with a swivel mechanism are available in straight and corner versions. There is no significant difference in ease of use between them, so they choose one or another model solely based on preferences or layout features.

The only significant advantage of corner sofas is more spacious built-in storage systems. When unfolded, a large box is formed next to the sleeping area, into which you can put decorative pillows and blankets while you sleep.

When folding out the corner sofa, a spacious drawer is created that can be used to store things.

Choosing fabric for the sofa

If you have decided on the type of sofa, then pay great attention to the choice of fabric for the upholstery. After all, performance characteristics largely depend on the quality of the fabric, its level of wear resistance and ability to clean.

Let's consider several types of popular fabrics for covering sofas:

Microfiber. The fabric consists of the finest hairs of polymer fiber. It feels like nubuck or suede to the touch, but is cheaper than its analogues. The fabric has an increased level of strength and wear resistance. Does not wipe off, does not fade, hypoallergenic.
Jacquard. Woven material with a raised design or pattern. The fabric is very durable and dense, not subject to deformation or stretching. The downside is the price. Jacquard is made mainly from natural fibers. Sometimes synthetic threads are added to the weave, which gives the product strength and slightly reduces the cost of the material.
Velours. Woven material with short pile. The fabric is soft to the touch, similar to velvet. When weaving, synthetic fibers are used, which provide an additional margin of strength. The material is stain resistant and easy to clean.
Matting. Woven fabric, durable and soft to the touch. A very durable base makes the surface of the upholstered furniture wear-resistant, the material does not fade or deform, and is easy to clean. The fabric has mostly solid colors.
Flock. The base material is made of cotton or synthetic polyester. A layer of fine nylon pile is applied to the surface, which makes the fabric rough and pleasant to the touch. The material absorbs odors very quickly, so use in the kitchen is undesirable.
Chenille. The fabric is made by interlacing fleecy and warp threads. Outwardly it resembles corduroy. The material has a high level of strength and density. For a sofa, it is better to choose flock made from polyester threads, without adding cotton fiber. This way the upholstery will have higher wear resistance.
Faux leather. They consist of several layers, the fundamental ones of which are a woven base and a polyvinyl chloride coating. If you decide to choose leatherette for furniture upholstery, then carefully study the sample. It should be thick and flexible. When using low-quality artificial leather, abrasions and deformation may appear on the sofa within the first few months of use.

Mechanisms of transformation

The choice of transformation mechanism depends on how often you will use the sofa as a sleeping place. An important factor is the comfort level of the transformable corner sofa bed. In some cases, it unfolds in such a way that several parts of different hardness are formed on the surface. This becomes inconvenient for daily use, since the hard parts of the frame will interfere with a comfortable position on the bed.

Before purchasing a sofa, carefully study the transformation mechanism. Ask to demonstrate its operation, pay attention to the reliability of the design and the quality of the assembly. The transformation mechanism must work clearly, using minimal physical influences. There should be no gaps between the sofa elements. There should be no sounds when the transformation mechanism operates.

Photo of a transformable sofa

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Corner sofa with dolphin mechanism

A very popular type of transformation of both corner sofa designs and classic ones. The mechanism received this name because of the trajectory of unfolding the additional area to convert the sofa into a bed. The movement is similar to a dolphin jump. Among such options, there are often modular corner sofas-transformers, which are presented in the form of several separate modules. Each part can be used separately and look like a mini-chair or small sofa.

The peculiarity of the “dolphin” mechanism is the transformation of an additional soft surface, which is hidden under the sofa seat. It is enough to grab this part by the handle and it will roll out from under the seat. An upward movement of the hand will raise the hidden seat, and it will lock in the desired position, thereby forming a full-fledged berth. Thanks to the guides and furniture wheels, rolling out the additional surface occurs smoothly and smoothly, and the transformation mechanism, made of durable metal, will not require much effort to fix the additional seat.

The “dolphin” mechanism has proven itself well in the furniture market. Corner sofas made using this design solution are very convenient and comfortable.

Sofa with swivel mechanism

Corner structures with a rotating mechanism are distinguished by their larger dimensions compared to other options. The thing is that the entire surface of the corner sofa is involved in the transformation process. The minimum dimensions of the sofa are 200 x 270 cm. One part of the seat is equipped with a lid for a built-in spacious drawer, the second rotates 90 degrees and is installed close to the stationary half, forming a berth. A straight corner transforming sofa is an excellent option not only for the living room, but also for the bedroom.

The seat rotates smoothly and easily thanks to the furniture wheels on which the lid moves. The freed space has a square, smooth surface that imitates a small furniture table. It is very convenient to use as a bedside table. If you wish, you can put a glass of water on it or put your phone on it.

The rotating corner sofa-transformer has a simple change mechanism, so it is very reliable. This type of sofa is suitable for daily use. Continuous soft seats create a comfortable place to sleep.

How is this sofa constructed?

The main difference between a sofa with a swivel transformation mechanism is the length of the sailors. They are identical to each other. The principle of operation of the system resembles scissors. The moving part simply changes its position from perpendicular to parallel, thereby creating a berth.

Drawers are often installed inside the sofa. These can be retractable storage systems, and in corner models, when unfolded, bedside tables are formed for storing large items (blankets, pillows).

The sofa often comes with drawers.

Corner sofa-Eurobook

The transformation of these models occurs due to the displacement of the main seat to the side level. The final stage is to recline the backrest, which fills the resulting niche. Thus, you get a full-fledged sleeping place. A corner sofa-transformer (Eurobook) is one of the most common types of corner sofas.

The side seat also serves as a lid for the drawer, which can be used as a place to store bed linen. The movable part of the sofa is equipped with a pair of wheels in the free part and has two guides with wheels in the inner part, so the transformation is quick and easy. The back is not fixed in any way. It is simply removed and placed in an empty niche. It should be noted that the surface of the sofa is formed by three elements of different softness. This may cause discomfort when positioned.

Principle of operation

To get a berth, the moving part must be moved at a right angle and secured with a special hook. After this, a perfectly flat surface without noticeable joints is formed; it is comfortable to sleep on such a sofa (especially if an orthopedic base is installed inside).

Unfolding the transforming sofa is quite simple.

During transformation, the wheels do not scratch the floor covering, so you don’t have to worry about its integrity and safety.

Corner sofa "Oliver"

This is a very multifunctional sofa that can be transformed not only into a sleeping place, but into a linear structure. The dimensions of the corner transforming sofa “Oliver” in the assembled position are 150 x 200 cm.

To transform a sofa into a sleeping place, you need to connect two seating surfaces together by rotating one of them. You will get an area of 150 x 150 cm. Both parts must be pulled out towards you. Lower the backrest into the resulting niche. The sleeping place is ready. It is worth noting that the rear backrests, which participate in the formation of the berth, are distinguished by the hardness of the frame, so the area of the resulting bed is not uniform in softness. The photo shows a corner transforming sofa made of gray matting.

To turn it into a linear model, it is enough to move apart the parts of the seats to form a continuous surface in one line. The “Oliver” sofa is convenient because both soft surfaces of the seats are transformed, and this increases its functionality. The transformation mechanisms are simple, rotary, so the likelihood of failure of this design is minimal. Another name for this design is the corner sofa-transformer “Lyra”, which is synonymous with the name “Oliver”.

Corner sofa with American-style transformation mechanism

The system of such transformation is massive and quite complex at first glance. There are no particular difficulties when performing the process of unfolding the sofa. The lid folds back with a slight movement of the hand and forms a sleeping place.

The transformation process begins with the movement of the back. Tilt it towards you, it should fold into the same plane as the seat. Bend the resulting structure towards you again, a mattress will appear, which is folded inside the sofa, and metal bases that act as supports will also become available. This way you will have a full-fledged sleeping place, and the seats with the back of the sofa will be at the level of the supports for the retractable structure. The side part together with the folding part form a sleeping place. There is also space on the side to store some things.

The process of creating a place to sleep does not take much time, but due to the complexity of the design and the large number of mechanism parts, this type of modification of a corner sofa is more susceptible to malfunctions associated with the transformation part of the furniture fittings. If you decide to buy the American version of a corner sofa, then choose one with a higher quality and durable transformation mechanism.

Customer reviews about corner sofas

Corner sofas with a transformation function are very comfortable and practical. In a situation where relatives or friends have arrived, an ordinary sofa can be converted into a full-fledged bed. This is especially true for Russia. In our country, most people cannot boast of having guest rooms in their homes.

It’s one thing when the sofa needs to be folded out only occasionally, if necessary. It’s completely different when the sofa is used as a sleeping place all the time. It is in this case that dissatisfaction arises and design flaws emerge. The most common problem is the inconvenience of using a sofa as a sleeping place due to the location of the solid frame elements in the middle of the surface. According to reviews, the corner transforming sofa is not suitable for permanent use as a bed. This applies to the “dolphin”, Eurobook and American-style transformation mechanisms. The thing is that the side lid of the laundry box has a rigid frame, and the surface of the rolling out mechanism is very hard, compared to the springy base of the seat. Constantly sleeping in such a place is not only inconvenient, but also harmful to health. It may be possible for one person to sit on such a sofa, but sleeping together is problematic.

Positive reviews are left about sofas with the Oliver mechanism. It is very comfortable to sleep on such a surface, the surface is soft, and the design itself is reliable. If desired, you can place such a sofa in the living room, bedroom or kitchen. The sofa is compact and functional.

Advantages and disadvantages of a swivel sofa

The corner swivel sofa is somewhat similar to a standard corner sofa with a “dolphin” transformation mechanism. Even the appearance speaks about this - if you don’t know that this is a rotating model, then it won’t take long to make a mistake. But the rotary model is given out by an overly long corner part , the length of which is slightly longer than the height of the average person.

A sofa with a “dolphin” mechanism has a lower part that slides out on rollers, which rolls forward and rises up. Despite the minimum of parts, the design is not reliable. Yes, and for transformation you will have to make a certain effort. The last drawback is the lack of a flat (without drops) surface after unfolding. Therefore, sleeping on such sofas is not always comfortable, since the orthopedic surface does not imply any distortions or differences in height.

A corner sofa with a rotating transformation mechanism solves the problem of a flat surface. It is very comfortable, does not cause difficulties in transformation and forms an excellent sleeping place. And being equipped with orthopedic mattresses, a swivel and recline sofa will also be beneficial for health.

Let's look at the advantages and benefits of corner swivel sofas:

Advantages

Extreme simplicity of design - due to the absence of unnecessary parts, such sofas practically do not break. There are no small elements in the transformation mechanism, and large ones are not subject to frequent breakdowns;
Ease of transformation - having suffered with other transformation mechanisms, you begin to understand that the corner swivel sofa is a brilliant invention of mankind. One of its seats is simply rolled up to another seat, secured - and now the berth is ready;
Presence of orthopedic properties - if the manufacturer has equipped the swing-out sofa with orthopedic mattresses, then sleeping on such a sofa will be quite useful. If necessary, even those who suffer from spinal diseases, for example, intervertebral hernia, can sleep on it;
Large width of the berth - here you can easily accommodate two people, and one person can feel like a king, enjoying a wide berth with maximum space;
Having a spacious drawer for bed linen is a big plus, since you can hide your linen right in the sofa during the day without shoving it into cabinets.

Flaws

Rarity is truly one of the biggest drawbacks. Corner swivel sofas are rarely found on sale, and forums on the Internet are simply replete with user questions about where to buy a swivel-retractable sofa;
High cost - despite its extreme simplicity, the cost of corner sofas with a rotating transformation mechanism cannot be considered low. But you have to pay for simplicity and reliability - there is no escaping this fact.