Narrow sofa

A narrow sofa is one of the most ancient and mobile pieces of furniture that can fit into any interior. Appeared in Asia in the XVI century and initially looked like a narrow long shop, upholstered in soft material. Used, to put it in modern language, as office or desk furniture for officials working in the office. It is not by chance that the word “sofa” itself is translated as “written sheets of paper.”

The sofa came to Russia in the 18th century thanks to the efforts of Grigori Alexandrovich Potemkin, who brought him to St. Petersburg after the end of the Russian-Turkish campaign. The novelty quickly gained popularity among the nobility and, in the oriental manner, on it not only sat, as in Europe, but managed to sleep.

Modern multifunctional models nowadays are easy to meet in the kitchen, in the living room, office, bedroom, children's room, hallway and even on the loggia.

The concept of “narrow” in relation to this category of furniture has a very broad meaning. On the one hand, they are ranked with products with a shallow depth of sitting.On the other hand, they are also quite capacious, but with a small length, when compared with the dimensions of ordinary representatives of this type of upholstered furniture. An example of this is mini-transformers.

Narrow straight sofas are (cm):

1. by lenght - from 80 to 250,
2. on the depth of sitting - from 40 to 65,
3. in width - from 65 (roll-out) to 90 (book, eurobook).

Forms do not differ a great variety. In addition to the classic rectangular, occasionally there are oval or fantasy. Some time ago it was often possible in the furniture stores to stumble upon sofas in the hallway with a height difference.

Small-sized models are very convenient when it comes to small premises or their infrequent use. At the same time, in appearance and performance of the main functions of the baby are not inferior to ordinary sofas.

Nowadays, narrow sofas are able to provide from 2 to 5 seats, withstand up to 250 kg, and folding models for sleeping provide in some serial collections even two-meter height of a person.

The height of the narrow sofa - the distance from the floor to the highest point is determined by the purpose, functional features, design solution and the capabilities of the manufacturer.

Of fundamental importance is the height only if there is a place to sleep. In classic “click-click” models, the standard is 90 cm, in transformers — 70, in the narrowest models, “books”, it is reduced to the values ​​allowed by GOST: the space for night rest in disassembled form cannot be less than 50 cm .

When interior design should initially plan and select the same height for all types of upholstered furniture, if you intend to place them in one in the living room. The only exceptions are mantel and rocking chairs.

The height and depth of the seat determines the peculiar vocation of the sofa. For eating or other activities at the table, its dimensional signs practically coincide with the characteristics of the chairs - 40/42/45; there are also 50 cm from the floor. Due to their design features, most transformers are high. These include all types of American folding beds - 47 cm.

The lowest among the narrow considered sofas, scrolls. These original models consist of a mattress twisted into a roll or a seat folded from small mats. The back is made out, as a rule, in east style. A place to sleep in a disassembled form is located directly on the floor, legs and base is not provided.

You can’t stay long on extra-narrow depth seats, from 40 to 45 cm, so you need to relax at least half a meter to relax and not go anywhere. From 60 cm begins the count of the depth for the overall clamshell models. It is this value that allows to accommodate withdrawable systems. More comfortable "books" or "dolphins" have their own standard - 90 cm.

The length is important when planning the seats, which must be considered when choosing a sofa for the kitchen. GOST per person accounts for 50-60 cm. These minimum values ​​are associated with the space at the dinner table, which is necessary for guaranteed comfort and eliminates interference from those sitting nearby.

For two decades of the end of the past and the beginning of this century, upholstered furniture seems to have narrowed and become smaller than 15% of its predecessors.Mini-models on this background are no longer so contrasted with the "big brother".

Compactness became the personification of the hidden reserves of its owner. The sofa simulator Champ from Tobias Franzel combined the passivity of rest with active sports training. The back of this soft mini-structure, when transformed, turns into a fighting pear.

In order to stand out and be able to defend their place in the sun, manufacturers increase the functionality of products from 2 to 1 to 4 to 1, desperately “stuffing” the backs, armrests, legs and base of the case with various devices. Strangely enough, ordinary high-quality furniture imperceptibly moves from the category of “things for the poor” into a luxury item, because it means that the owner has so much free space that he can afford “simplicity”.

The varieties of this large group are most often determined by narrow and ultra-narrow sofas of several types:

• without backs;
• with backs;
• with armrests;
• with backs and armrests.

Benches-sofas can be: lightened - sofa canapes on elegant legs with carved light backs, like those of chairs, or massive, on the floor; hard or padded. Small cameras or hanging storage boxes are used as additional elements; shelves and built-in lockers are rarely found.

Materials used for the manufacture of a variety of, so the bench is easy to pick up in accordance with the existing style of the room.

Models without backs are intended for rare celebrations when an increase in seats is required or for offices where a small waiting period for visitors is expected. Fine narrow stools are able to decorate a spacious living room or hall.

Reklayner - the invention of the XIX century, a classic attribute of cabinet upholstered furniture. "Recline" in English means "recline", "lean back."The first samples were a bench with armrests, due to which a sleeping place was formed. On it, albeit without much comfort, it was possible to take a nap, a charter, or linger until late at work.

Today, models of this group assume mechanisms for the transformation of all parts of the sofa: backs, armrests, footrests, and head restraints. In addition, when assembled, it is possible to automatically or with a small effort change the position, adjust the height and angle of all elements of the structure. The most advanced models with an electric drive are equipped with a massager and a glider.

Due to the hidden mechanisms, even when assembled, are the largest representatives of narrow sofas. Available with or without armrests. All models are upholstered, sometimes have storage systems.

Small-sized giants are most often located in the kitchen, although they get along fine in the nursery, in the study, and even in the living room.In all cases, even before the purchase, it is important to foresee how the dimensions of the planned sofa fit in with the other furniture in the room, whether there will be enough space for it unassembled (the value is indicated in the description as the width of the product).

There are transformers on the folding mechanism system:

• "Book" - bed formed by disclosing the form by analogy with a book with a slight advancement of the seat forward. Rather strong and durable design, but very noticeable differences in height at the junction of the back and seat. Due to the additional functions, the upgraded version of the “book” is considered to be “Click-Klak”. The backs of these sofas are fixed in a sitting, half-sitting and reclining position.

• Couch or "Eurobook" - removable back cushions are involved in the formation of the bed, they fill the vacant space when the seat is advanced. Do not have elevation differences, reliable and easy to operate. The sofa belongs to this family.

• French and American clamshell - guest option. The French sofa of triple addition in unassembled form is not designed for heavy weight.During operation, deformation of individual elements is likely, even with careful use, the clamshell fails after 5 years. The bed of both is no different comfort.

• With withdrawable system - one of the reliable mechanisms of transformation, designed for frequent use. The bed is low, which in some cases creates an inconvenience.

• "Accordion" provides the most spacious and comfortable bed, unfolds on the principle of an accordion. The sofa is reliable in operation, which ensures him a leading position among the transformers.

• "Dolphin" ("Kangaroo") - Sleeper is formed by pulling the surface to sleep. The system is strong enough for daily use. Duration of operation is limited to the class of spring-closers.

The main difference between these sofas is the additional requirements for strength and quality of materials.at. Otherwise, the choice of model for the kitchen is made in the same way as in other cases: based on the size of the room, its general style, the decision of the dining area and personal taste preferences.

Temperature changes, pollution, cleaning - a serious test,therefore, wooden parts are treated with a special composition, which significantly prolongs their service life and prevents possible swelling or cracking. But even in this case, sofas from flammable materials should be located at a considerable distance from the stove and battery. The only exceptions are aluminum constructions and forging.

Upholstery is preferable to non-marking, non-holding odors and easy to clean: leather, imitation leather, flock, microfiber, reinforced jacquards. A variety of durable and beautiful upholstery fabric is growing from year to year, there are more progressive solutions with enhanced protective properties.

Narrow sofa for the kitchen - in the next video.