Types of upholstered furniture: what they are, features, tips for choosing
Content:
- Features of upholstered furniture, its pros and cons
- Types of upholstered furniture
- Upholstered furniture in the interiors of different rooms
- How to choose upholstered furniture: recommendations from experts
Upholstered furniture is an indispensable element of the interior, which creates coziness in the house and encourages a comfortable rest. The classification of such furniture items is very diverse: sofas, armchairs, couches, ottomans may differ depending on the size, degree of rigidity, upholstery material and other criteria. The buyer can choose a separate product or a set in the same style, choose a stationary option or a compact mobile design. To make a good choice, it is worth finding out what types of upholstered furniture exist today, what features characterize it and what to look for during the purchasing process.
Features of upholstered furniture, its pros and cons
Upholstered furniture is a whole group of furniture products that have soft upholstery and are intended for sitting or relaxing in a lying position. A significant part of upholstered furniture is equipped with backs and armrests, but in some cases these elements may be removable or absent altogether. But there is always filling in armchairs, sofas and poufs (natural or synthetic). Furniture with various transformation mechanisms is also popular - “Eurobook”, “Click-Clack”, “French folding bed”, “Accordion”, which turns a sofa or couch into a sleeping place and back.
If there is no separate bedroom in the room, upholstered furniture can be used for sleeping. But most often it is still bought for daytime relaxation, receiving guests, evening TV watching and just communication between family members. Therefore, not only comfort, but also a pleasant design is so important for upholstered furniture, because the upholstered furniture group usually plays the role of the “first violin” in the orchestra of the living room. An example is designer sofas - aesthetically impeccable furniture with elegant finishes that will harmoniously complement any interior style.
The advantages of upholstered furniture depend on its production characteristics and modification features, but there are several general advantages that are worth highlighting:
- Upholstered furniture sets the tone for the room and creates a cozy atmosphere in the room.
- If you want to lie down or sit down for a short rest, there is no alternative to upholstered furniture.
- The price range is very wide: customers are offered both exclusive designer chairs and a huge selection of models from the budget segment.
- Upholstered furniture is appropriate not only in home interiors, but also in public spaces: theaters, offices, hotels, restaurants. It can also be placed outdoors - such structures are usually equipped with a moisture-repellent coating and removable cushions in covers.
- Most models, even the economy segment, are made from environmentally friendly materials. For example, the frame can be made of metal or wood, and the upholstery can be made of soft velor, genuine leather, or practical polyester.
- Upholstered furniture is one of the best ways to divide space. Zoning with upholstered furniture is especially important in studio apartments that do not have partitions.
Upholstered furniture is also not without its disadvantages. Thus, its transforming mechanisms may become deformed or broken, and the seams on the upholstery may come apart. In addition, some types of upholstery materials are quite easily soiled. Dirt is difficult to remove and may require dry cleaning. So before purchasing, you need to carefully study all the characteristics, ask the seller for a certificate of conformity and, of course, pay attention to the warranty period.
Types of upholstered furniture
Now it’s worth familiarizing yourself with the types of upholstered furniture. Here are the main criteria for its classification.
Design
The designs of upholstered furniture are closely intertwined with their purpose. Depending on its structure and the presence of a frame, the following furniture elements are distinguished:
- Frameless furniture. The most fashionable piece of upholstered furniture that does not have a frame is a pear-shaped bean bag chair. There is a thick layer of filling inside, and the outer cover has a zipper, making it easy to clean or wash the product. True, due to the lack of a frame, the filler deforms quite quickly, and it has to be changed.
- Modular furniture. Modular structures consist of several independent sections that can be arranged in any order.
- Sofas. The most popular type of upholstered furniture is divided into straight and corner sofas, and the latter, in turn, can be U-shaped or L-shaped. Depending on the number of seats, sofas can be double, triple or more spacious, designed for family vacations. The model is selected depending on the purpose. For the kitchen, a non-folding sofa with practical upholstery is sufficient, and products for the bedroom should have an increased level of comfort. Some models are additionally equipped with useful options - shelves, mini-tabletops, and decorative elements - carvings, inlays.
- Chairs. This element of upholstered furniture is good for its ability to fit even into small spaces. It’s comfortable to relax and work on the chairs, and if you don’t skimp on the transformation mechanism, you can get an extra bed.
- Poufs. Elements of upholstered furniture such as poufs look like soft stools. They can optionally have legs or wheels, and under the seat there is often space for storing various small items.
- Banquettes. Elegant banquettes not only serve as seating for 2-3 people - they complement the main furniture group, play the role of a bright accent and simply decorate the interior. In addition to traditionally shaped banquettes, there are models on sale with shelves for shoes and drawers for storing things.
In addition to the above designs, on the upholstered furniture market you can find ottomans - a product with a low back and a bolster at the head, ottomans - a mini-sofa without a back or with pillows that replace it, sofas, characterized by large seats and the presence of armrests. Somewhat less common are chaise longues, on which you can sit with your legs stretched out, and pate sofas of round or oval shape - they are usually installed in offices and hotel lobbies.
Upholstery material
Since replacing the upholstery of upholstered furniture is not a cheap pleasure, it is better not to skimp on it. Here are a few types of upholstery materials that have proven themselves:
- Velour. The fleecy fabric is very pleasant to the touch and is resistant to fading. It is comfortable to sit and lie on furniture upholstered in velor, but, unfortunately, the pile can wear out over time. If you are buying a sofa for daily sleep, it is better to give preference to a more wear-resistant material.
- Polyester. Furniture upholstery made of polyester is practically free of disadvantages. Its main advantages are resistance to dirt and tearing, hypoallergenicity, aesthetic appearance, and affordable price. But it is worth considering that polyester is sensitive to heat.
- Genuine leather. It is no coincidence that upholstered furniture upholstered in genuine leather is used in expensive interiors - it looks very presentable. To extend the life of leather furniture, it is worth treating it with special products every 2-3 months.
- Eco leather. This material is a good replacement for natural analogues. It is relatively inexpensive, wear-resistant, and easy to clean—an important advantage if there are children in the house. In addition, the structure of eco-leather is quite porous, and in summer it will not be hot to sit on upholstered furniture.
- Faux fur. There is nothing warmer and more comfortable than upholstered furniture covered in faux fur. In addition, the imitation of natural fur looks impressive: a small ottoman “like a leopard” will become the highlight of the interior.
Other materials used for upholstery of upholstered furniture include durable jacquard, textured matting, and anti-vandal flock, which is impervious to the claws of pets. If you want to keep the upholstery in its original form for as long as possible, you should purchase protective covers.
Frame material
The durability of upholstered furniture is directly affected by the frame material. Such material can be used:
- Tree. Natural wood is an expensive but environmentally friendly material with a pleasant aroma that can last for decades.
- Metal is the most wear-resistant material that is not afraid of heat, humidity and increased loads. The only negative is its considerable weight, although this is not a big deal for stationary upholstered furniture.
- MDF and chipboard are compromise options, reasonable ratio of quality and price.
Upholstered furniture with a frame made of chipboard has also proven itself well. It is better to give preference to materials of class E-0 or E-1, the content of formaldehyde in which is minimal.
Filler
Many manufacturers of high-quality upholstered furniture use highly elastic polyurethane foam (HR PPU) as a “filling” - an improved version of foam rubber. The porous bulk mass is soft, elastic, and perfectly retains its shape. A sofa with such filling, complemented by a reliable spring block, will not wear out. If the owners plan to sleep on the sofa, the spring block should be orthopedic.
Another modern type of filler is Periotec. The material, consisting of three layers of polyester fiber, does not cause allergies, does not deform, does not harbor parasites, and is also considered fireproof.
Materials such as struttofiber, holofiber, and synthetic fluff also have good consumer characteristics. When making backrests, padding polyester is often used, and sofa cushions are stuffed with elastic cellular latex.
Dimensions
One of the requirements for upholstered furniture is its compliance with the dimensions of the home. Owners of spacious apartments can afford a massive sofa, including a round or corner one. The main thing is that the upholstered furniture does not block the passage and access to other pieces of furniture. Mini-sized upholstered furniture is suitable for a small apartment, and when arranging a standard home, it is important not to overdo it with the amount of upholstered furniture. To avoid mistakes, before purchasing, you need to take measurements of your home and decide on the placement of the sofa, armchairs and ottomans.
Upholstered furniture in the interiors of different rooms
When buying upholstered furniture, it is advisable to take into account the purpose of the room. It is worth finding out where and what kind of furniture is best to place.
Living room
A set of sofas and a pair of armchairs, decorated in the same style, is well suited for the living room. Since the furniture in the hall is not exposed to negative influences, as, for example, in the kitchen, the upholstery can be light, and its material can be almost any.
Kitchen
The purpose and area of the kitchen allows for the installation of a small corner sofa, under which there are compartments for small items. A banquette with a moisture-repellent coating would also be a good solution - such an element of upholstered furniture will perfectly complement the interior.
Bedroom
The bedroom is the best place in the apartment to install couches, ottomans, and additional chairs. But bulky upholstered furniture is inappropriate here, because the bedroom already has a bed.
Hallway
A banquette or a cute pouf is suitable for a corridor or hallway. It is advisable that they be upholstered with non-staining fabric. Otherwise, they will have to be regularly cleaned of dirt, which inevitably comes from the street.
Children's room
Mini sofas and small folding chairs fit well into the interior of a children's room. In addition to sleeping, they can be used for daytime rest, reading, and games. Important requirements for children's furniture are environmental friendliness and the absence of sharp corners. There are also no drawers in which the child can store toys and other necessary things.
Loggia
On the spacious loggia you can place a single chair-bed. This piece of furniture will become indispensable for relaxing in the summer heat.
How to choose upholstered furniture: recommendations from experts
Since upholstered furniture is purchased for a long time, its purchase must be approached with all responsibility. Expert advice will help with this:
- You should not waste time studying the product data sheet. It indicates the permissible load, frame material, filler and other parameters.
- It is advisable to feel the surface of the upholstered furniture: there should be no layers of filler or any lumps in it. Other important requirements for the filler are moderate elasticity and the ability to quickly restore its shape after pressure.
- You need to check the operation of the transforming mechanism: high-quality upholstered furniture should unfold and assemble without effort.
- You should not be guided only by the beauty of the furniture. It happens that even very beautiful sofas and armchairs do not combine with other home furnishings.
- If you plan to place upholstered furniture not against the wall, but, for example, in the center of the room, its back part should be draped with upholstery.
The catalog of the Garda Decor online store presents the best examples of upholstered furniture, created with the participation of professional designers. High-quality materials, harmonious shapes, exquisite finishing - sofas, armchairs, poufs from Garda Decor are ideal for the implementation of exclusive design projects. Experienced managers will be happy to help you choose furniture that both the buyer and his loved ones will love.
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