The sofa has been and remains an almost indispensable piece of furniture in any apartment and any home. It is both a place of relaxation, a place where you can sit with friends, and a place to sleep, especially in modern small-sized apartments, and also often serves as an additional sleeping place for guests. This is why it is important to choose a folding version for your home. Now there are many types of sofas, which differ in the type of folding. One of the most popular models is the accordion sofa. It is quite convenient to unfold, but it also has its own characteristics. It is quite possible to assemble it yourself, without resorting to the help of assemblers, despite the apparent complexity of the transformation mechanism. How to assemble a sofa accordion? The assembly diagram and its technology are presented in this material.
How to assemble a sofa accordion - assembly diagram
What is a sofa accordion
An accordion sofa is a type of upholstered furniture that, when unfolded, provides a spacious sleeping area, and when folded, it becomes a compact sofa. This model got its name due to its unique transformation mechanism, which resembles a musical instrument when unfolded.
How to fold out an accordion sofa
The accordion sofa bed features a simple mechanism that works on the principle of an accordion. There is no need to use force to unfold it, and even a 10-year-old child can cope with this task. To arrange furniture you need to follow three simple steps:
- Raise the seat until a characteristic click is heard.
- Pull the mattress towards you until it is completely straight.
- Place the mattress on the legs.
When unfolding this sofa, there is no need to move it away from the wall, which greatly simplifies the operation process.
Design advantages
The system appeared relatively recently, but has managed to become very popular. This is due to a number of advantages that make its use very convenient:
- The sleeping area is absolutely flat, without joints or height differences. Sleeping on it is very comfortable, especially if the filling is chosen correctly. Models are available with orthopedic mattresses; they can be used as a bed for daily sleep. They are comfortable and practical.
- There is no need to move the product to unfold it. If necessary, it can be moved close to the wall, this will not interfere with the arrangement of furniture. The sleeping mattress only moves forward. This must be taken into account before purchasing and free up space in front of the system so that it is convenient to use.
- There is a drawer for storing bedding items. It is roomy enough to put a blanket and pillows in it. Access to the box is not difficult; just lift the seat and you can put in or take out the items you need.
- Long term of use, subject to compliance with operating instructions. The accordion is one of the reliable mechanisms, designed for a large number of transformation cycles. Breakdowns are certainly possible, but they are quite easy to deal with.
How to fold an accordion sofa
To fold the sofa, you also do not need to make significant efforts. To do this, follow simple steps:
- It is necessary to slightly raise the outer part of the mattress.
- Apply a little pressure on the support and push the structure towards the body.
- The mattress moves until it clicks.
When unfolded, the accordion sofa provides a flat sleeping place, ensuring the correct position of the body during sleep. Thanks to this, it is pleasant to sleep on it, and in the morning people feel refreshed and well-rested.
Video: How to unfold and fold an accordion sofa
Mechanism principle
The frame consists of a steel profile. Wooden (usually birch) armor is placed on it in a certain order. This is the general principle that characterizes such a sofa. Thanks to this design, the “accordion” system has an orthopedic effect. The sofa consists of three parts. The first and second blocks make up the bed. The third part is needed for sitting.
To fold it or disassemble it, there are special rubber wheels at the bottom. This allows you to use furniture even on laminate or linoleum. The first and second blocks of the mechanism have armor that is perpendicular to the berth. The third part of the structure is the seating area. Therefore, armor is located here more often. This allows you to withstand heavy loads.
Materials
As we found out, usually an accordion sofa has a metal base frame, as well as wooden slats for the mattress. And here, in principle, everything is clear. That’s why most often accordions are chosen based on their “clothes,” that is, the upholstery in the first place. So, the following materials can be used for upholstery:
- flock , which is characterized by great strength and durability;
- leather and eco-leather , which will give the sofa solidity. These are easy-to-care materials, but they can be easily damaged by sharp objects. Also, such materials should not be chosen by those who have pets;
- jacquard is a material considered the most inexpensive, but at the same time it looks stylish and beautiful;
- matting is a material based on burlap, durable, undemanding, but hard and not particularly beautiful;
- velor is a delicate and pleasant material, but difficult to clean.
What is an accordion sofa
When choosing a sofa model and its upholstery material, you must take into account the conditions and frequency of use of the product. You also need to remember to take measurements of the room and decide where the furniture will be placed so as not to make a mistake with the dimensions. It would be a good idea to take into account the general style of the interior at the selection stage in order to choose a sofa that best suits the color and style.
Leather accordion sofa
Types of sofas with accordion mechanism
All accordion sofas differ in the method of installation, in the number of seats and sleeping places.
Straight, angular, modular
According to the type of location in the room, accordion sofas are divided into:
- straight. They are located either in the center of the room or near the wall. They often come complete with two chairs that are installed on the sides;
- corner. They are distinguished by an additional elongated seat, which occupies a quarter of the width of the sofa. An additional seat increases the sleeping area. Most of these models are equipped with tables, shelves, bedside tables;
- modular. They consist of separate blocks. Thanks to this, consumers can periodically modify the appearance of the sofa, making it a straight or corner model.
Single, double, triple
According to the number of seats, accordion sofas are divided into:
- single. Not the most common option, although it is compact in size and fits perfectly into small rooms;
- double. The most popular model, in demand among married couples. Suitable for both sitting and sleeping;
- triples. Not as popular as double ones, but they have a variety of variations. They are divided into modular and corner, and their standard length varies from 2.5 to 3 meters.
Single, double
According to the dimensions of the sleeping place, sofas are:
- Single. Suitable for small apartments and completely replace the bed. Such models are chosen for children and teenagers.
- Double. The most common option. Such models often decorate not only living rooms, but also kitchens, children's rooms, and bedrooms. They provide both seating with friends and comfortable sleeping space for two adults.
With armrests (soft, wooden), without armrests
Almost always, designers try to give the sofa a stylish and original appearance with the help of armrests. They are:
- soft or hard (wooden);
- curved or straight;
- narrow or wide;
- prefabricated or solid;
- made from one material or combined (made from different materials).
Sofas without armrests are more suitable for stylish modern interiors. In addition, such models take up significantly less space in the room.
According to frame material: solid wood, metal frame
As for frame materials, they are divided into:
- Metal. They are characterized by a long service life, durability, ability to withstand heavy loads, and stability. Most often, such bases are equipped with orthopedic lamellas that ensure comfortable sleep.
- Wooden. More affordable, but not as durable. The service life of this model is about 10 years.
Additional equipment
The accordion sofa consists of: frame, base, filling and upholstery fabric.
Leather, eco-leather, flock, velor, chenille, jacquard and others can be used as the main upholstery fabric.
It can also be equipped with additional options:
- orthopedic mattress. It completely follows the curves of the body, maintaining it in the correct position during sleep;
- linen drawer. When unfolding the transforming mechanism, underneath there is a convenient and spacious linen drawer where you can put bedding;
- table. A very convenient option for those who like to drink tea or coffee while watching TV. It is also convenient to place a laptop on it;
- overlays for sidewalls. They protect those areas that are most subject to wear and tear. In addition, the pads are functional, as you can put a cup of coffee, magazines, or a mobile phone on them;
- removable covers. They help preserve the original appearance of the furniture, as they protect the upholstery from intensive use;
- side shelves. They can be used to store books, magazines and decorative items. This way, everything you need will always be at hand.
Mechanism problems and how to solve them
Like any other furniture, this one has its pros and cons. The latter include the need to apply some force when folding. Another drawback is common to all withdrawable systems. When unfolded, the legs may scratch the floor covering. Laminate, parquet and similar materials are especially sensitive to such effects. Therefore, everything must be done carefully, without sudden jerks.
Some people don't like the slightly unusual appearance of the sofa. They think the back is too wide. This is due to the fact that it consists of two blocks stacked close together. This can hardly be considered a disadvantage, rather a subjective opinion. Despite the fact that the mechanism is considered reliable, it has “weak” points that break most often. This:
- Frame, especially if it is made of low-quality materials.
- Hinges that hold the frame.
- Battens and fittings holding them.
- Wheels.
If a problem appears, you should study the accordion sofa mechanism on video or from photos and listen to specialists. They claim that repairs are most often possible. Moreover, it can be done at home. It's very easy to change the rollers. You need to select the appropriate size wheels and install them to replace the worn ones. In this case, the mounting axis can be drilled out and a bolt can be placed in its place, securing it with two nuts.
Armor, if it is made of high-quality material, is extremely difficult to break. More often than not, the fasteners that hold them fail. They are a kind of metal “pockets”, the latter are attached to the frame using rivets. Replacing fittings will not be difficult if you purchase an analogue at any furniture store. Rivets are installed using a special device. You can use regular bolts instead.
Accordion sofa dimensions
The standard dimensions of a folded accordion sofa are:
- width from 75 to 200 cm;
- height up to 105 cm;
- depth from 80 to 195 cm.
Bed dimensions
As for the size of the bed, for sofa models with an accordion mechanism, they start from 70x190, 70x200, 80x200 cm for a single bed and more. The most popular are double models, whose sleeping space when unfolded is 140x200, 160x200, 180x200, 200x200 cm. It can reach 225 centimeters in length (see photo below).
Corner models
For corner sofas, the size of the side part (ottoman) is additionally added.
Assembly and preparation for use
Assembling an accordion-type sofa yourself is not at all difficult. Moreover, many who are interested in making their own products note that making such a sofa is as easy as shelling pears compared to other models. In order to construct such a model, you need to stock up on a metal frame, chipboard panels or boards, upholstery and filling material, as well as fasteners. As for assembling a purchased sofa, there is nothing complicated here either.
Mechanism transformation
Step-by-step work that allows you to easily assemble a sofa accordion
Along with the furniture parts, there is also an instruction manual, following the step-by-step instructions in which you can assemble this sofa model very quickly. Of course, assembly variations may differ slightly depending on the subtype of sofa, but still, in general terms, the technology remains the same.
Advice! Assembling any furniture alone is not easy. So it’s better to invite an assistant to assemble the accordion.
Straight accordion sofa
In general, the entire assembly process can be divided into two stages:
- frame design;
- assembly of sleeping elements.
Let's take a step-by-step look at the process of assembling one of the accordion sofa models.
Step 1. As a rule, a sofa of this type is delivered from the store partially disassembled. That is, armrests, a mattress, as well as the frame structure itself with the assembled transformation mechanism will be delivered separately. The first thing you need to do is unpack the sofa and free it from packaging elements.
Usually such sofas are delivered partially disassembled
Step 2. Next, you need to take the frame part and unfold it, spreading it apart until it is completely unfolded.
The frame part expands
Step 3. Then you need to lay the mattress on the surface of the frame. It is equipped with special Velcro strips that will help securely secure it to the frame part.
The mattress is being laid
Special Velcro tapes are available
Step 4. Use Velcro strips to secure the mattress to the frame. To do this, it is imperative to secure it to the base of the frame in the places where the mattress is folded, and also fix the mattress on the edges of the frame. You need to use all the Velcro - this is the only way to achieve reliable fixation of the soft part.
Fixing the mattress on the frame
Fixation process
It is important to properly fix the soft part
Step 5. Now you need to start installing the armrests. For this process, it is necessary to remove the fixing and adjusting elements of the armrests from the main frame on the sides, and also remove the supplied fittings from the packaging. You will also need a key for 10.
The fixing and adjusting elements of the armrests are removed from the main frame
Accessories included
Step 6. It is necessary to install and secure the holders on the armrests of the sofa in specially designated places.
Attaching the holders
Step 7. When all the holders are fixed on the armrests, you need to insert them into the special transformation grooves.
Next, the armrests are inserted
They need to be inserted into special grooves for transformation
Step 8: The armrests also have plastic connectors. They need to be put on the back of the sofa. They will help further tighten the armrests towards each other.
Installing a sofa back
Step 9. Now you need to move the sofa to such a position that you can reach with your hand the adjustment knob located between the armrest and the bed.
You need to get to the adjustment knob
Step 10. Next, the lamb needs to be tightened until it stops. The sofa is completely assembled, all that remains is to check its transformation capabilities and, if all is well, place it in the chosen place in the apartment.
The lamb is tightened until it stops
Let's consider a more complicated version of the assembly, where it is also necessary to additionally assemble the transformation mechanism.
Step 1. In this case, you first need to attach special brackets to the side armrests. Fixation is done using bolts, screws and washers.
Fixing the brackets on the armrest
Bolts are used for fixation
Step 2. Now you can assemble the frame. It is required to install small and large supports, fixing them with screws and nuts, and also install special flags on the transformation mechanism.
Assembling the sofa frame
Step 3. After this, you need to install the springs on the mechanism support, and then the plugs on the rods.
Installing the spring and plug
Step 4. After this, when the main part of the sofa is assembled, you can install the armrests by screwing them to the base of the sofa using nuts.
Armrests are installed
Step 5. All that remains is to install the back of the sofa and that’s it, the product can be used. The main thing is to test it before use and make sure that the folding mechanism functions correctly.
At the end the back of the sofa is installed
Customer Reviews
As for general customer reviews, they note the following:
- The mattresses in such products are smooth, without depressions or cracks. Consequently, they are pleasant and comfortable to sleep on;
- The mechanisms are durable. If the product has a metal frame, then the sofa will serve the owners for more than 10 years;
- When folded, the furniture takes up minimal free space and is perfect for small spaces. When unfolded, it completely replaces a bed and is suitable for resting two adults;
One of the negative aspects is the possible appearance of squeaks during operation.
Sofa mechanism click-clack repair
Manufacturers of budget furniture rarely make durable click-clack mechanisms, so repairs to the click mechanism are often required.
The body of the “click-clack” sofa is made of sheet iron, which bends under weight. This is a common cause of lock failure. It is difficult to make repairs at home; it is easier to completely replace it.
The click-clack mechanism is designed so that the load falls on the joints. It often breaks due to the fact that the mounting bolts that are located between the mechanism and the wooden frame become loose. As a result, gaps appear and lead to distortions.
During repairs, a broken or stretched spring is replaced, old rivets are removed, and bolts and nuts are installed instead.
Possible malfunctions and ways to eliminate them
Sometimes, after using a piece of furniture for a long time, users encounter some problems.
An accordion sofa on a metal frame creaks: what to do?
If a sofa with a metal frame makes unpleasant squeaks when folding and unfolding, then this problem can be easily solved if you lubricate all the folds and folds with machine oil.
What to do if the accordion sofa does not fold up
Most likely, there is a problem with the mechanism itself, which can be replaced with a new one yourself. To do this, you need to remove the mattress from the frame and unscrew the broken part with a screwdriver. The new mechanism is purchased at the store and simply installed in place of the old one using self-tapping screws.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that the accordion sofa is a universal piece of furniture that has a place in the living room, bedroom, and nursery. Small, large, narrow or wide... It does not take up much space when folded, and thanks to its unique transformation mechanism, even children can cope with unfolding and folding the sofa.
Sofa materials
Sleeping sofas must be strong and durable. For this purpose, the frame is made of thick metal profiles. All three parts are connected to each other using special locking loops.
The wood must be well dried. Pine and birch are best suited for these purposes. Poorly dried material settles over time, and the sofa begins to creak. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the quality of wood.
The soft parts of the sofa are filled with elastic or spring blocks. Therefore, a mattress is not required for such furniture. Please note that if you have a removable cover, it will be easier to care for the sofa.
The covering material must be made of dense fabric. Its wear resistance class is at least 5. This must be taken into account for those sofas on which you are supposed to sleep every day. If you have pets in the house, it is recommended to choose a special type of fabric that does not leave claw marks or puff marks. It is better to order a sofa with a material of this type, then the product will last longer.
