Sofa cushions

Sofa cushions are the most vulnerable parts of furniture design. The main part of the load falls on them; therefore, the durability of furniture depends on them no less than the frame. The convenience of sofa cushions is a modular system, so if you wish, you don’t have to throw furniture away: you can restore it. To do this, it is enough to know the features of the filler, its properties and the specifics of the repair.

Sofa cushions are unique in that they allow restoration or full replacement without the need to change the frame. They can be used to update the interior of the room at no extra cost. Moreover, they can be not only ordered by individual sizes, but also made independently, it does not take much time and in fact is not as difficult as it may seem at first glance.

If we consider them according to the technical characteristics, the name of the “pillow” is quite arbitrary. Rather, it is a kind of orthopedic modules that contribute to proper rest or sleep.

According to the type of filler, pillows for a sofa are springless and with a spring block. On the basis of this is different and their degree of rigidity.

Modules vary in size and thickness. It depends on the design of the model, the type of transformation mechanism and the filler. The advantages of pillows include the possibility of turning them to the other side, if one gets dirty.

The only drawback, according to experts, is the fact that even the most expensive pillows are not able to replace an orthopedic mattress. This is due to the fact that the sleeping bed of the mattress is whole, and the pillows have joints at the junctions. With a long and heavy weight load, they bend, so it becomes difficult to sleep on such a surface.

Any modular cushion consists of a filler and upholstery. The filler is the basis of the module, the upholstery closes the structure, giving it a complete look.

To the pillow was elastic, but at the same time, not too tight, manufacturers use a special material that forms the module. As a filler volume module used:

• dependent and independent type springs (designs with springs of horizontal and vertical position connected and not connected among themselves);
• polyurethane foam (budgetary elastic filler that looks like a sponge in a sheet form of different thickness);
• combined "sandwich" of several layers of polyurethane foam or duet spring block and foam rubber;
• artificial latex (durable and expensive material that can withstand a large weight load without loss of quality);
• natural latex (the most expensive and durable material, often a combined version with the addition of coir to obtain an orthopedic effect).

Each type of filler is designed for a certain weight and service life, so if there is a question about changing pillows, you need to consider the purpose of the furniture.

Spring options are interesting in that they can be of coherent construction or of independent type, when each spring is packaged in a textile case and functions independently. Moreover, the connection of the mat is created by connecting the covers of the springs.

Foam structures are solid sheets of various modifications. Some roll into a roll, others more dense, so they can not be wrapped, but they are resistant to bends and long retain their original shape.

Coconut ches (coconut fibers) are rather coarse and represent a hard layer of small thickness (about 3 cm). If a synthetic winterizer or holofiber is added to the structure, their layer is even smaller.

Manufacturers use different materials as the top of the product. As a rule, it is rather dense furniture textiles. The most common type of upholstery are tapestry, chenille, flock. The Korean upholstery with velor texture, called "Chinchilla" is an unusual version of upholstery material.

If there is a question about changing pillows or buying a new sofa, they usually proceed from several characteristics: filler, upholstery, operating conditions. Choosing the ideal type of filler, you can stumble on different "pitfalls".

In this case, even the opinions of experts are ambiguous. Some believe that the spring blocks are more reliable, others claim that it is the springless modules that last longer, while the spring counterparts bend in the center after a year or two, forming an unsightly hole.

When buying new pillows, pay attention to the layer thickness: ideally, it should not be thin. For example, a bonnel spring block with an increased wire diameter is considered a good indicator. In some cases, it has a gain in the form of polyurethane foam (polyurethane foam) 2.5 cm thick, and the total thickness of the module is 18 cm.Other options include the addition to the spring unit in the form of polyurethane foam, coir or felt. The combination of the three materials together is 19 cm. Excellent, if the module is reinforced by foam rubber, not only at the top and bottom, but also along the side faces.

The cost of the pillow depends on the filler and upholstery. For example, modules with zippers and double-sided upholstery with different patterns are much more expensive than conventional counterparts. Therefore, a removable cover is one of the important factors when purchasing.

The price of modules depends not only on the components, but also on the size and configuration. For example, if you need three new small pillows 40 x 63 x 15 cm in size, their cost will cost around 4,000 rubles from sewers and two or three hundred more - from the tapestry. A set of three large modules 90 x 63 x 15 cm, reinforced with felt will cost from 5,900 to 6,200 rubles. A variant with a mattress of 90 x 190 x 19 cm and two pillows with a size of 40 x 95 x 19 cm will result in from 6,500 to 7,000 thousand rubles.

In addition, it is worth considering that the cost of foam modules without springs will be less. The more complex the design, the more expensive it is.

If you want to update the "sofa" in the country style yourself, you can make pillows with your own hands, using the necessary materials and methods of specialists.

If the cushion of the spring unit has slipped, it is not necessary to change it completely. In this case, you can make dismantling. In order to replace the stretched spring, it is loosened, then unscrewed and replaced with a new one. However, if there are too many springs left, it is better to replace the spring unit with a new one.

In fact, all embodiments are based on a multi-layer manufacturing method. Since the pillow implies operation, we need a base (the old spring block), polyurethane foam and felt. Having made the replacement of old weakened springs, it is supplemented with a layer of dense foam rubber from above and below, then reinforced on the upper surface with a layer of felt. To extend the integrity of the upholstery, the side faces of the block are wrapped in foam rubber (you can use a special adhesive for polyurethane).

If the master performs the construction of foam, you need to buy a material of different density and connect the sheets on the principle from hard to soft.It’s not worth trying to save and glue together only soft foam rubber: such a pillow will very quickly bend and form dust. Even if you want a soft seat, you can not do without a dense PUF.

If the modules are different, and the sofa is not intended as a sleeping option, you can make a large mat of dense material, and for pillows that form the back, you can choose a filler of lesser rigidity.

Covering the module - the process is not difficult, but requires accuracy. First you need to consider that for pillows you need two covers: internal and external. One closes the design of the module, giving it a complete look, the second performs a decorative function. The first case is made of coarse textile, characterized by good strength and density. The second fabric should also be dense, but also beautiful, fitting into the interior.

To make it easier to complete the process, you can rip the old cover and, in the absence of a zipper, add a stock. When the material is ironed out, it is measured in order not to buy excess fabric, then it is acquired the necessary amount of material and cut out in compliance with the direction of the fractional thread.It is not necessary to add allowances other than those that already exist: planting textiles should be as dense as possible: slipping of textiles and its sagging are unacceptable, since this will lead to the formation of folds and loss of attractiveness of appearance.

At desire the cover can consist not only of textiles. Sometimes a layer of padding polyester is added to it, connecting it with upholstery with decorative stitches. Often the cover is decorated not only with stitching, but also with a finishing edging or cord.

Choosing a cushion for a sofa is a topic that worries many people. Having a good base available, I don’t want to throw away furniture only because of worn out modules. Repair pillows will change the style of the interior and extend the life of the sofa.

An example of an independent waist of a sofa (restoration of soft parts, replacement of upholstery fabric and strengthening of the main frame of furniture) - in the video.