“It’s very ergonomic,” says the salesman, stroking the rounded back of the sofa, and he sounds quite convincing. But what is sofa ergonomics? Having appeared in everyday life relatively recently, the word has become synonymous with convenience and comfort. But comfort is a very individual concept, based on our habits, sometimes even on dreams. Ergonomics is based on the physiology of the human body and the conditions in which it is most beneficial for this body to be day after day.
For example, tired of a hard sofa with a short seat and a straight back, a family chooses a luxurious model in the salon with a depth of more than a meter, filling made of natural or synthetic down, and a gently sloping back that seems designed for complete relaxation. But will the purchase bring the expected pleasure? It is comfortable to recline in the deep design, but in order to just sit without falling back, you will need pillows under your back. A seat that is too soft is not suitable for sleeping at night and is even harmful to the spine. The back you fall into will begin to irritate a person with a bad back after just a few days. And so on…
Seat
The correct seat height usually ranges from 35 to 45 cm. This is a small difference, which may be noticeable if older people or those with musculoskeletal problems sit on the sofa. It's easier to get up from a high sofa. Accordingly, it is more convenient for small children to climb onto low sofas.
The depth of the seat should be at least 60 cm, but if the back is hard or uncomfortable and you have to put pillows under the back, you will need more space. To please people who like to sit on the sofa with their legs and take relaxed poses, manufacturers offer models with a depth of 75-85-100 cm. A depth of 120 is not the limit, but the sofa turns out to be too bulky, and you can only sit on it for a while on the edge .
Individual selection by height
Some people find standard height options uncomfortable. If a person is about two meters tall, then he needs a minimum of 50 cm of seat height. So, if your height is very different from the average, you should not be guided solely by the standard. It is important to sit on the sofa in different positions to ensure its ergonomics.
Diagram with dimensions
It is worth defining goals. It’s one thing if it’s a decorative sofa for the living room, on which it’s just nice to sit with guests. Here the issue of height is not fundamental, because a person will not constantly use such furniture.
A sofa that is too high or low can even provide a pleasant contrast to the body compared to a conventional chair or bed. In addition, many designer models do not meet height standards.
It’s a completely different matter if you need a universal sofa that is also suitable for sleeping.
For these purposes, it is better to choose an extremely ergonomic option, which will be close in properties to a classic bed, at least when unfolded. A corner sofa in this case is a bad solution.
Seat height diagram
Tilt angles
The back of the sofa is too straight and does not allow you to relax. A pillow will help correct the situation, but it is better if the angle of inclination is 110-120 degrees, and the back relief has convexities in the lumbar and neck areas. Such an ergonomic sofa seems to carefully support you exactly where you need it.
A slight slope of the sofa seat from the edge to the back helps to position your feet more comfortably and position them. But you may not like sleeping on such an inclined plane.
Choosing a mechanism for transforming a sleeping sofa
The choice of mechanism is influenced by the frequency of folding the sofa into a bed.
If you use the sofa occasionally, any mechanism will suit you. But if you use the sofa bed often, pay attention to this point.
Its service life depends on the reliability and ease of use of the sleeping sofa mechanism.
The most reliable mechanisms for sleeping sofas are recognized as:
Sofas on which we sleep across the sofa
- Transformation mechanism “Book”
- Transformation mechanism "Eurobook"
- Folding mechanism "Pantograph"
Sofas on which we sleep along the sofa
- Transformation mechanism "Accordion"
- Transformation mechanism "Sedaflex"
- Transformation mechanism "Roll-out" and "Conrad"
The operating principles of all mechanisms are described in detail in the article mechanisms for transforming sofas.
Video review about the mechanisms for transforming sofas for sleeping
Filler
A sofa that is too soft, like one that is too hard, is not suitable for constant use. It is best to choose a medium-hard option, or a model in which the seat is more elastic and the back, on the contrary, is soft. Comfortable sofas have a thick backrest complemented by down pillows.
The best fillings are considered to be latex and memory foam, coconut fiber, but they are all quite expensive. Among polyurethane foam of differentiated density, you can also find acceptable options, especially since self-respecting companies use more than one version of polyurethane foam, but make multilayer “sandwiches” that are comfortable and durable. Long-term elasticity is provided by spring blocks at the base.
How to check?
There are two options for checking the quality of sofas. This is a direct inspection and testing, and the second is familiarization with the documentation confirming the quality of the product being sold.
When purchasing a sofa, testing it is very important. As you know, without actually testing furniture, it is quite difficult to judge its advantages and disadvantages, as they say, “by eye.” Therefore, try to take a closer look at the height of the sofa and its seats. Try sitting down and standing up. If this manipulation causes you joint pain or tension, then continue to search for a height that is more acceptable to you.
Once you have found a sofa of the required height, check its elasticity. Test the effectiveness of the filler. A sofa that is too soft will make your body “sink” in it. This would not be the best option for putting stress on your back. If a sofa is too hard, your ischial tuberosities will quickly become tired while sitting. Therefore, the best option for you will be a medium degree of hardness. It will allow you to sit comfortably on the sofa and not worry about restoring its shape.
The height of the backrest, as well as the depth of the sofa, also play a big role. Ideally, the sofa should reach the height of the backrest to the neck of a person in a sitting position, or at least have an average depth.
As for the documents, we note that all information about the manufacturer, fabrics, components and manufacturing technology is contained in the certificates that stores must have for each batch of goods. Such documents must be available regardless of whether the salon is a manufacturer or simply a seller of such furniture. The receipt, warranty coupon and certificate must always be provided to the consumer. This set of papers is a kind of insurance for the client against possible problems with the purchase. If such problems arise, then the buyer will be able to file a complaint against the seller’s actions and demand compensation for damages.
Free space
Speaking about ergonomics, we cannot ignore the issue of distance between furniture. If it is less than 70 cm, then it will be truly inconvenient for an awkward or overweight person to make his way between the sofa and the chair; he may get caught in clothes or hit the table leg. There can be no talk of any convenience here. Therefore, when going to the store, you need to know exactly not only the parameters of the room, but also the space intended for this or that furniture. You shouldn’t rely on your eye, since in spacious salons with large ceilings the furniture seems smaller than it actually is.
In the VIP-Sofas salon, you can order furniture according to individual sizes and designs. We sell only premium quality furniture. We deliver throughout Moscow and throughout Russia. Call! +7(495) 665-30-01
24.04.2019
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How to choose product dimensions
When choosing the size of your sofa, be judicious. You need to be based on:
- room possibilities;
- interior design;
- the required capacity of the sofa.
The optimal increase for a sofa for each family member is 70 cm when disassembled, 50 when assembled.
In fact, there is hardly enough space on it, so be more wasteful: it is better to buy additional modules or use more spacious models.
In a large family, three-seater corner sofas, one-and-a-half-size fold-out products, etc. are needed. The optimal increase for a sofa for each family member is 70 cm when disassembled, 50 when assembled. Based on this calculation, you can accommodate three people in a double version with a length of about 200 cm. In fact, there is hardly enough space on it, so be more wasteful: it is better to buy additional modules or use more spacious models.
In small rooms, double sofas 1.8-2 meters long are installed.
The additional module expands compactly, making such devices a comfortable sleeping place
In small rooms, double sofas 1.8-2 meters long are installed. They can be cut in depth up to 70 cm. Height is 7-8 decimeters. If the size of the apartment allows, it is better to purchase three-seater, corner models. The additional module expands compactly, making such devices a comfortable sleeping place. Its height should be sufficient for a person to feel comfortable while resting.
If the size of the apartment allows, it is better to purchase three-seater, corner models.
The height should be sufficient for a person to feel comfortable while resting.
Designers advise choosing sofas with a high backrest. It visually expands the space around the furniture. However, it should not exceed the level of the window sills in the house.
Designers advise choosing sofas with a high backrest.
The height should not exceed the level of the window sills in the house.
What is sofa ergonomics
“It’s very ergonomic,” says the salesman, stroking the rounded back of the sofa, and he sounds quite convincing. But what is sofa ergonomics? Having appeared in everyday life relatively recently, the word has become synonymous with convenience and comfort. But comfort is a very individual concept, based on our habits, sometimes even on dreams. Ergonomics is based on the physiology of the human body and the conditions in which it is most beneficial for this body to be day after day.
For example, tired of a hard sofa with a short seat and a straight back, a family chooses a luxurious model in the salon with a depth of more than a meter, filling made of natural or synthetic down, and a gently sloping back that seems designed for complete relaxation. But will the purchase bring the expected pleasure? It is comfortable to recline in the deep design, but in order to just sit without falling back, you will need pillows under your back. A seat that is too soft is not suitable for sleeping at night and is even harmful to the spine. The back you fall into will begin to irritate a person with a bad back after just a few days. And so on…
Corner
This type of sofa, such as a corner one, has the largest dimensions due to its shape and is suitable only for a spacious room. You need to take into account in advance how much space the sofa occupies when unfolded, so that it does not block, for example, a passage or a chest of drawers. The corner side serves as an additional couch, on which you can either sit or recline. This part is often used as a place for reading, since a bedside table or floor lamp can easily fit on the side. This type provides a large linen drawer, which will become an additional niche for both bed linen and any other things.
The dimensions of such products are quite varied - from 140 cm to two meters or more, and the depth, on average, is 60-80 cm. It all depends on the transformation mechanism. Such models provide such folding methods as “dolphin” , “puma” .
When ordering this type of sofa, the buyer is also given the opportunity to choose a design that includes armrests or an option in which this element is absent.
How to measure the standard height of a sofa from the floor
To find out the height of the sofa you like, you should measure it, starting directly from the floor. Press the ruler onto its surface near the sofa, positioning it strictly perpendicular. Measure the height to the surface of the seat if you are measuring the seat and the height to the top of its back if you want to know the overall height of the selected model. If additional cushions are included with the backrest, measurements are taken up to the top of the cushions.
The armrests are measured from the surface of the seat - from its central part to the depth, in the place where the seat is easiest to push through.
