The modern world dictates rules in which compactness, versatility, simplicity and ease of use of household items play a dominant role. This is due to the fast pace of life and compact housing in big cities. A person must make the most of every centimeter of usable space without wasting extra time.
It is not surprising that multifunctional sofas are becoming increasingly popular among furniture. At first glance, they are no different from the classic ones, but with a slight movement of the hand they turn into a completely different element of the interior. Moreover, their cost is significantly lower than the sum of the price of all the furniture concentrated in them.
Design features of functional sofas
These are not exactly ordinary designs. For a long time, many people have known about folding sofas that turn into one or more beds. This furniture is considered practical and is often purchased for small apartments.
These days, designers have gone much further. They have created such “folding beds” that easily perform functions much greater than just a sofa and a bed.
Form
There is no single standard for the shape of such sofas. They can be:
- rectangular;
- corner;
- semicircular;
- and even irregularly shaped.
It all depends solely on what functions are hidden in them. Compact dimensions allow you to neatly stack different pieces of furniture. And just a few simple movements can easily transform the sofa and change its shape beyond recognition. From simple it can become a bunk bed or a huge place for watching movies with a large group. For this opportunity, most people around the world fell in love with them.
Size
The dimensions of such furniture are also difficult to determine in advance. The thing is that they also depend on the number of elements hidden behind the folding mechanisms. A sofa bed can also be called multifunctional. It is designed for one-room apartments and helps transform the living room into a bedroom and vice versa. At the same time, its dimensions change significantly.
A modern functional sofa has many more transformation options. They can be laid out horizontally and occupy almost the entire space of the room. But those transforming in the vertical plane are still considered more in demand. This is due to the small area of the premises and free space along the walls. So the dimensions in width and length do not change. But the height becomes an order of magnitude greater.
There is also a mixed option. In this case, the sofa can be transformed in the vertical and horizontal plane. Such furniture is suitable for the most modern and advanced people who value originality in everything. But at the same time you will have to forget about compactness when unfolded, since such structures require a lot of space.
Mechanisms of transformation
It will be quite difficult to describe all the mechanisms. Perhaps right now an engineer with ambition and creativity is developing a new way to transform a sofa familiar to everyone since childhood.
First of all, it is worth highlighting mechanical and manual methods of conversion. If done manually, all elements will have to be rearranged or pulled out manually. This doesn't seem very convenient. But the designers took care of comfort. They usually provide these elements with wheels for ease of movement or make them as light as possible.
With the mechanical method of transformation, you need to press the lever or pull the handle. This will activate working mechanisms that themselves transform the furniture. You may need to manually remove or add some parts. But this can be ignored.
There are mixed methods too. In them, the mechanism moves the main heavy part, which then needs to be filled with soft pillows, for example. Well, the most modern options are with an electric motor. Sometimes they are remote controlled. They can also be connected to the Smart Home control system. This is convenient in different life situations. For example, in the morning you didn’t have time to turn your bed into a sofa, and in the evening you come back with guests and don’t want them to see it. Just one click on a button in the smartphone application, and strangers will see a beautiful compact sofa in the living room instead of a sloppy bed.
Who is a modular sofa suitable for?
Modular sofas are not just a tribute to fashion; in some cases, such furniture is the optimal solution for interior design. Similar designs are suitable for:
- large families whose members prefer to gather together in the living room to watch TV and spend time together;
- spacious rooms in which it is necessary to effectively and functionally zone the space;
- modern interior styles.
It is worth understanding that if your purchasing budget is limited, then it is better to purchase a standard model, since a good system is not cheap. Another feature is that a modular sofa does not fit into a classic, vintage, rustic interior. There are practically no examples of this style on the modern market.
Mostly modular sofas are purchased for large houses, apartments, and reception areas of large companies and corporations.
Options
Above we looked at the physical characteristics of multifunctional sofas. As has already become clear, there is no single standard for their manufacture. Moreover, something new and unusual constantly appears. But you can still divide all possible designs into three main groups:
- transformers;
- designers;
- modular.
Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, taking into account which you can choose the ideal option for each specific room.
Transformable sofas
They got their name for a reason. The operating principle is very similar to the famous Autobot robots. At first glance, they seem like simple, nondescript sofas, but with simple manipulations they turn into completely different, chic pieces of furniture.
Most often they turn into places for two people to sleep. So that they do not interfere with each other, the result is a bunk bed with a ladder and railings for complete safety.
There are also options when a table is hidden inside the sofa. This is convenient for receiving guests. In everyday life, an additional table in the room is not needed. Therefore, it is hidden in a disassembled state inside the structure.
There is another popular and rather original type of transformers - a sofa bar. Yes, it has a hidden niche for storing drinks and utensils. In everyday life, the sofa is nothing special, but simple manipulations turn it into the central furniture element of a fun party. This design is very popular with young people who like to actively communicate with friends.
Designer sofas
An amazing option for those who like to constantly change their interior or lead an active lifestyle and need different furniture, depending on the situation. In terms of their structure, designer sofas consist of different blocks that are not particularly connected to each other. Such fastenings may be conditional or absent altogether. This solution was invented so that the furniture owner could combine them at his own discretion.
Need a large sofa with plenty of seating? - Please. Have guests arrived and there is nowhere to seat them around a table to drink tea? - No problem. Parents have arrived and need a bed to sleep over? - Yes, rearrange a couple of blocks!
The good thing about this kind of furniture is that it can be modified countless times. A designer sofa is suitable for competent organization of space in a compact room.
Modular sofas
This variety is a little similar to constructors. But there is a fundamental difference here. The designer combines elements in the vertical and horizontal planes. Modular ones have only horizontal orientation.
Externally, such sofas are a little similar to the familiar soft corners from the nineties and two thousand. They consisted of two or three elements combined with each other.
Modern modular sofas are good because they do not have a constant set of elements. Manufacturers produce different parts that are compatible with each other. The buyer can only assemble his own set in accordance with personal preferences. This way you can organize the space in the room and use the maximum usable area.
If you want to change something in the future, you can always add or remove a module. You can also replace them with others by changing the profile of the recreation area.
Buying a modular sofa is preferred by people who value practicality and who prefer to use every centimeter of the room to its maximum benefit without losing a sense of style and moderation in details.
What is a modular sofa
A sofa that consists of separate independent elements is called modular. It includes the buyer's choice:
- poufs;
- chaise longues;
- backrests;
- armrests;
- modules with built-in cabinets, tables and shelves;
- corner and end elements.
Also, such a sofa can be equipped with a system for storing linen or a mechanism necessary to transform it into a sleeping place.
Each manufacturer has a different composition of modules and depends on the design and features of a particular model. Some options can be assembled from more than fifty elements. In others there are about ten.
Buying a modular sofa occurs as follows:
- the buyer chooses the model, color and upholstery of the furniture he likes;
- depending on the customer’s needs, he is offered various combinations of modules and their arrangement;
- the furniture is assembled based on the above requirements and sent to the new owner.
Placed in an apartment
Such multifunctional sofas are very popular in Moscow and other big cities. This is due to the fact that most of the population lives in small apartments, where it is necessary to organize the space correctly and wisely. And the advantage of multifunctional sofas is that they take up minimal space with maximum operational capabilities. And such furniture is suitable for both young people and retirees, since it is comfortable and easy to use. You just need to choose the right option for installation in a specific room.
In the living room
This is the most common place for a sofa, which is quite logical, because it was created in order to receive guests and spend time with them pleasantly. Therefore, modular sofas are a good choice here. They allow you to assemble your own design, which takes up all the useful space.
Transformers are also a good choice, allowing you to get additional sleeping places for guests staying overnight.
Young people will like multifunctional sofas with a large number of additional compartments and drawers for storing small items and bed linen. The main thing is to take into account the dimensions of the room itself. They should allow you to perform all the actions necessary to transform the sofa.
In the bedroom
People don’t often install sofas directly in the bedroom itself. For such purposes, compact options are suitable that can be transformed into another sleeping place or provide the opportunity to rest a little in the middle of the day when you don’t want to touch the main bed.
But for one-room apartments it is difficult to determine the functional purpose of one living space. It will be both a living room and a bedroom at the same time. Therefore, you need to select a sofa that allows you to quickly change its functional purpose. After all, in the morning you have to rush to work and you don’t want to waste extra time making the bed. And in the evening you need to make an effort to organize a sleeping place for yourself.
Not making the bed will also not work, since there will be practically no room left to receive random guests. Therefore, the best option would be a transformer with compartments for storing linen.
Young and active people can use a modular sofa and construction set. Only the first does not leave room for daily transformation, and the second requires a little more effort.
In the nursery
For this room, it’s definitely worth buying a transforming sofa that turns into a bunk bed if the nursery is designed for two kids. During the day they will have enough space for active games, and at night they will have comfortable sleeping places. This is a great option for small apartments.
If space allows, then you can put here a designer sofa in bright colors and with a large number of blocks. Children will willingly use them to organize their play space. This will not only provide convenience, but will also help children develop, stimulating their creativity and imagination.
But modular sofas would not be entirely appropriate here. They take up a relatively large amount of space and are designed for a relaxing holiday. And this concept is completely incompatible with children's space.
In the kitchen
At this point you need to look at the dimensions of the room itself. It’s not often that kitchens in city apartments are large and quite spacious. Therefore, you need to give preference to compactness and the ability to easily increase the number of seats. During the celebration, such a kitchen turns into a dining room. Therefore, you can slightly block access to kitchen equipment to accommodate guests.
For large kitchens and studios, the sofa will be another option for family or friends to relax at night. It’s great if the transformer allows you to hide the table and convert the seats into a bed. It’s also good if a compact sofa converts into a large sleeping area.
But a bunk bed will not always be appropriate here, because there are often many cabinets and shelves on the walls that interfere with the complete transformation of the furniture.
In the hallway and corridor
Perhaps these are the most limited usable spaces in the apartment. They are used only for changing into outerwear and putting on shoes. They rarely stay here for long. But this does not mean that you cannot place a sofa in the hallway.
It will have the smallest possible dimensions, allowing a maximum of two people to sit down. At the same time, every corner of such furniture should be used. This is its functionality. It can be a place to store shoes while waiting for their season, or storage for additional accessories. But you can’t expect a sleeping place or other transformations from such a sofa, because there are rarely corridors in which all this will fit.
Advantages of a modular sofa in the interior
Let's talk in more detail about the distinctive features of modular sofas. As already mentioned, the most important difference is the ability to design a free version of furniture from a set of elements. The parts can be a small sofa, an armchair, a table, an armrest-cabinet, a pouf, a corner part, etc.
Ordering a modular system requires a careful approach and sense of taste from the buyer. You need to clearly understand the overall composition and layout of the room, the purpose and number of seats, so that the future product fits well into the interior. To arrange a living room, a sofa sometimes has to be divided into separate components; often one of the elements is a minibar. A bedroom cannot be complete without a comfortable place to sleep and spacious linen compartments. The kitchen also needs storage space for various things.
The developers of these designs may not have imagined how quickly their invention would become popular throughout the world. Thus, the advantages of modular sofas include functionality and ergonomics, the combination of different components (bed, table, linen drawers, poufs) in one product, and unique appearance. With the help of such a sofa it is easy to divide the space into zones.
Many will call the most important advantage that the models can be easily divided into the necessary parts, for example, putting a pouf instead of a table (this applies to transformable systems).
The disadvantages include the fact that modular systems are easier to imagine in the design of modern styles than in traditional classics, although some models with high soft backs and armrests can also be used in classic interiors.
But, one way or another, what is primarily attractive about modular options is the opportunity to have a sufficient number of seats. This is relevant for those who like to gather in a large group in the living room or on the veranda and relax, sitting comfortably on comfortable seats.
Functional furniture in the office
Do not think that multifunctional furniture is used exclusively in apartments and residential buildings. In offices and public places, it is also necessary to organize corners for people to relax quietly while waiting for their turn to resolve business issues or other issues.
For offices where many people work, it is important to organize a relaxation area where employees can drink coffee and take a break from the routine in order to relieve themselves of the burden and begin work with renewed vigor. For such places, modular sofas with plenty of seating are suitable. You can also consider getting a hidden coffee table if you need it from time to time.
Waiting areas for appointments with managers or responsible employees should also be equipped with comfort for visitors. Here, too, modular furniture will come to the rescue.
But in the offices of executives you can also use transforming sofas. Directors often have to receive visitors in an informal or semi-formal setting. Therefore, it would be good if a minibar for various drinks is hidden in the sofas. Also, managers are more likely than others to stay for extracurricular work. They need a place to rest. And here, too, transformable sofas will come to the rescue.
Well, don’t forget about the most modern offices, an example of which is Google. She actively uses the most modern and innovative options offered by furniture designers to create the most comfortable and relaxed conditions for her workers. Therefore, in such offices there are always a variety of functional sofas that give a feeling of home comfort.
High-quality modern furniture has ceased to be just one thing. Increasingly, designers are combining the properties of two or three objects into things. And sofas were no exception. The demand for this approach is proven by the popularity of the products on the market. Moscow and other cities around the world actively use them in interior design.
Final tips on how to choose the right modular sofa
There are a number of basic characteristics of upholstered furniture that should not be neglected before purchasing:
- Sofa dimensions. Be sure to make sure that the dimensions of the furniture correspond to the place where you plan to install it.
Furniture products in mall showrooms often look smaller, and shoppers may get the wrong impression about the size of the sofa. Before purchasing, you need to make a plan of the room with furniture arranged, including a sofa. After installing all the items, there should be free space, especially if the sofa will need to be unfolded daily.By spending a little time planning your layout, you can choose the best modular sofa option.
- Purpose and additional options.
Each sofa is designed to be installed in a specific room. The kitchen corner looks compact, it is suitable for comfortable sitting, it is good if it has drawers for storing kitchen utensils. A softer model for relaxation is selected for the living room; in addition, it can be equipped with a built-in table or minibar. When choosing a sofa bed, it is better to choose a model with an orthopedic base. These products are ideal for regular use. When unfolded, they take on the appearance of a familiar square or rectangle. In addition, you can find such variants of modular sofas with an unusual shape that you will have to sleep on an oval or round surface, but this, however, does not affect comfort. - Color design. Let us remind you that the shade of the upholstery should be selected depending on the overall design of the entire room.
- The reliability of the manufacturer guarantees the quality of the furniture. Be sure to check the availability of certificates and guarantees; each purchase is formalized by an agreement. When signing the acceptance certificate, carefully inspect the entire product.
- Pay special attention to the frame of the modules. If the sofa has a transformation system, then make sure that the sofa folds out into a flat bed.
