Soft sofas and armchairs
Where to begin
The search algorithm is simple: we determine the source data, measure the area that we plan to allocate for upholstered furniture, and go ... to the Internet. Virtual selection takes less time, because there is no need to move around the city, and the models can be compared without relying on memory, but simply flipping through the “windows”. The range of sofas and chairs can be viewed on the sites of the factories "Allegro Classic", "Good Style", Boconcept, Family hall, Dolce vita, Ikea, Möbel & Zeit, Natif. Having stopped on this or that sofa, you can “evaluate” it live by visiting a specialty store. In this case, we do not recommend limiting the external inspection. You will get a complete picture of the quality of the upholstered furniture you like, only having all the information - about the materials of manufacture, filling, upholstery. And if you choose a model equipped with a transformation mechanism, then you should learn about its pros and cons.
Sofa "Calypso". Manufacturer: EKMI (Russia). From 87 000 rub.
Model Tank. Manufacturer: Calligaris. New
Armchair "Ron". Manufacturer: Pushe. From 11,520 rubles.
Evaluate the frame
Femme model. Manufacturer: Arflex (Italy). New. Most of the sofas and armchairs are assembled from the same structural elements as in the past and the century before last. A complete list of components is as follows: frame, base, seat, back, sidewalls, armrests, legs. And our first task is to find out what these elements are made of, because the stability and reliability of the chosen model depends on them.
- The cheapest option In the cheapest models, these elements will be made of chipboard.
- Medium price category The skeleton and base of sofas and armchairs of the middle price category are made of fiberboard, multilayer plywood, pine, birch, metal.
- Dear option The bearing parts of the furniture “with the name” are made of hard wood (most often it is beech) or metal.
Well, the question of the material for the legs andarmrests, if any, are left to the discretion of the manufacturer. Here a lot depends on the design decision. Furniture in modern style, most likely, will be equipped with metal, and the classic sofa and chair - wooden legs.
Casa sofa. Manufacturer: Interface (Finland). From 85 200 rub.
Sharlota sofa. Manufacturer: Natif. 120 700 rub.
Voima sofa. Manufacturer: Novapak. From 111,100 rubles. If the frame of upholstered furniture is made of durable and reliable materials, in the future the situation will be updated only with the replacement of the upholstery that has served its time.
Check the elasticity of the seat and backrest
Schelly chair. Manufacturer: BoConcept. From 41 200 rub. Of course, no less than the stability and reliability of the model, we must worry about the softness and elasticity of the seat and backrest. It is also desirable that they serve as long as possible, easily taking the form of the body and just as easily returning to its original position. The key to success is multi-layer flooring. The bottom layer provides elasticity, the middle layer - softness, and the upper layer - the shock-absorbing one - depends on how long the middle layer will not be pressed through.
- Cheap option does not providea three-stage structure - the lower and middle layers represent a single block of not too high-quality sheet polyurethane foam, known to us under the name "foam". This material retains its shape for a short time - one and a half to two years, after which the sofa needs to be replaced or restored. Even a cushioning pad made of batting or padding polyester does not save the situation.
- Medium price category Padding this sofacategories will look like this: at the bottom - a mesh of rubber-fabric belts, in the middle - polyurethane foam (PUF) or foam rubber (artificial latex), on top - dense non-woven material - synthetic felt.
- Dear option Well and, of course, the most difficult"Pie" from expensive sofas. General support is provided by spring blocks, lattice or beech slats (armor). What exactly will be chosen depends on the model. For example, due to the spring block, the seat turns out to be higher than when using spring mesh or lat. At the same time, the armor makes it more elastic, and the spring mesh - hard. However, the lack of softness is regulated with the help of one or several soft fillers - natural or artificial latex, PPU. The cushioning layer of artificial (more often) or natural felt completes the three-layer composition. The back is usually made softer, so spring blocks, grilles or armor are absent in it, and often fluff is used for stuffing.
Model "Calcutta". Manufacturer: "Allegro-Classic." From 44,420 rubles.
Armchair "Romeo". Manufacturer: "Good Style". From 16 000 rub.
Armchair "Turio". Manufacturer: Pushe. From 15 680 rub.
However cheap or, conversely, expensive neitherwas upholstered furniture, before upholstering it with a cloth or leather (artificial or natural), the fillers are covered with another layer - the so-called surface cloth. It can be thick linen, cotton or a thin non-woven fabric - non-woven fabric. Optional elements Modern models of sofas and chairs are often supplemented (optionally) with decorative overlays on the armrests. And from the purchase of these accessories you can get some benefit. After their installation, the previously soft armrest turns into a mini-table, on which it is convenient to put a cup of tea or coffee, a glass of wine. Moreover, the material for the manufacture of decorative linings - wood - is afraid of spilled liquids much less than cloth.
Choose a material for upholstery
Armchair and sofa "Oasis". Manufacturer: EKMI. From 34,000 and from 67,000 rubles. The most affordable option is fabric. But here it is not so simple. Usually the manufacturer offers up to eight price categories of fabric upholstery. By the way, this does not mean that one or two materials appear in each category. The range is usually very diverse, not only in color but also in texture. A similar - up to eight categories - classification applies to more expensive leather. High-quality fabric upholstery has:
- natural composition;
- high wear resistance: a good indicator is considered more than 5000 cycles);
- resistance to the formation of pellets or lint rolling: the norm - 2–5;
- mud-, water- and dust-repellent impregnations such as TePlon from DuPont and Scotchgard from 3M (both companies are USA).
Model Moël. Manufacturer: Ligne Roset. From 169 200 rub.
Sofa Pas si Classique. Manufacturer: Ligne Roset. From 167 280 rub.
Armchair and stool Kupu. Manufacturer: Kaani (Finland). 110 590 and 17 100 rub. The result is a higher price category and, accordingly, the cost of the finished sofa. The manufacture and the manufacturing company are price-determining in the situation of the skin. Before choosing an upholstery, look at the finished products in the showroom or their photos in the interior, which the factory prudently placed in the catalog. After all, the manufacturer is usually better than the buyer understands what kind of upholstery - variegated, monochromatic or combined - this or that model will look more advantageous. You must admit that wrapping a sofa of classic forms with chintz in a small flower may be fun, but such a creation will look more than inharmonious. 
Sofa and chair "Omega". Manufacturer: "Allegro-Classic." From 77,500 and from 38,560 rubles.
Sofa Odeon. Manufacturer: Dema (Italy). New
Sofa Exit. Manufacturer: HT Collection (Finland). From 68,100 rubles. We select upholstery depending on the style of the sofaSofas and armchairs, reminiscent of the era of the Empire or Regency, for example, “Calypso” from EKMI or Sharlota from Natif (both from Russia), will be good in velor, natural or artificial leather. The style of the American West - "Manchester" from "Allegro-Classic" - allows for the combination of monophonic leather and printed fabric. Modern models, such as the Spider from Natif or Star from Möbel & Zeit (both from Russia), can be covered with fabric and leather. However, their color should be bright, catchy, emphasizing the originality of the form and attracting attention. Country-style furniture (Ektorp from IKEA or Victoria from Family Hall, China) is upholstered in a plain, colorful or striped fabric. Retro-models, like Voima from Novapak (Finland) or “Turio” from Pushe (Russia), “to face” cell or companion matter.
Choosing a transformation mechanism
Victoria armchair. Manufacturer: Family Hall. 20 901 rubles. In contrast to foreign factories that do not welcome too often folding and folding upholstered furniture, and therefore rarely use anything other than such a time-tested scheme like the “French Folding Bed,” our companies are constantly looking for their own designs. Among the most popular are the mechanisms "Dolphin", "Accordion", "Tango", "Book", "Click-Klyak". The principle of operation of each correlates with the name. For example, “Dolphin” reminds of a jump of the mammal of the same name, “Accordion” - about the corresponding musical instrument, etc. operation. The transformation process is tiring. In addition, you have to look for a place for removable seat cushions. And in general, the convenience of the sofa, equipped with one of the above schemes, is very doubtful. After all, the function of multi-layered filling is performed by a folded folding bed and removable pillows. Therefore, before purchasing a sofa, we recommend that you try the transformation mechanism yourself. It is possible that the purchase of the selected model will have to be abandoned, because in the unfolded state, the sofa will go beyond the area allocated to it. 
Sofa Spider. Manufacturer: Natif. 42 400 rub.
The Kramfors model. Manufacturer: IKEA. 27 990 rub.
Ectorp sofa. Manufacturer: IKEA.From RUB 14,990 Fabric care The fabric is very comfortable. Many, mainly foreign manufacturers, make such upholstery removable. If tea or coffee is spilled, it doesn't matter, just open the zipper or peel off the Velcro, and now the cover can be washed or dry-cleaned. By the way, it is better to ask the manufacturer about the care method when buying. If the upholstery cannot be removed, for example, grease stains are fought like this. Apply an absorbent cloth, treat the stain with a sponge dipped in soapy water, and then dry the clean surface. Skin care Keeping track of leather models is even easier. The main thing is to avoid chemical solvents, stain removers, abrasives and substances containing chlorine. They can damage the face layer of the upholstery. It is better to follow the same recommendations when caring for high-quality leatherette. It is better to install upholstered furniture upholstered with leather at a distance of at least 30-40 cm from sources of heat and intense lighting. Soft furniture made of genuine leather should be processed regularly, at least once or twice a year ( fat) - wipe with a sponge soaked in stearic grease. Read about means for cleaning upholstered furniture. Upholstery replacement Unlike cabinet furniture, "soft" furnishings are more difficult in production and, accordingly, in restoration. Therefore, it is better to entrust even its simple constriction (replacement of upholstery) to a specialist. He will check to see if wood elements, soft bed fillers, straps or springs need replacing. Depending on the complexity, the repair can take several days or weeks. The approximate cost of work is from 2000 rubles. (chair) and from 4000 rubles. (sofa). The editors would like to thank Allegro-Classic, Good Style, Boconcept, Family Hall, Dolce Vita, IKEA, Möbel & Zeit and Natif for their help in preparing the material.
