8 tips for choosing an Italian sofa, how to buy on sale

The Italian sofa is the highest quality, centuries-old craft traditions, handwork combined with advanced wood processing methods, exquisite design and natural materials. Not for nothing all over the world, Italian-made furniture is considered a model of reliability and sophistication. The only thing that can restrain from buying is the high price, because a sofa made by Italian masters from solid wood and natural fabrics cannot cost as much as a chipboard product, but there are some tricks here. Employees of the EMOZIONI DI CASA store reveal the secrets of choosing a really good and satisfying Italian sofa, and learn to save by shopping during the sale of exhibition designs, when a chic sofa can be purchased at half price. Interesting options are presented on the page of Italian sofas, well, and how to choose the most suitable model from all this assortment, we share the tips of professionals.

No. 1. Sofa shape

In form, all existing sofa models can be divided into several groups:

• direct - This is a classic, suitable for any room and use. Dimensions vary widely;
• corner and sofas with ottoman often taken for the same thing. Their L-shape and the ability to maximize the use of room space unites them. A sofa with an ottoman is characterized in that its protruding part does not have armrests, but is often equipped with a niche for storage;
• island sofas designed to be installed in the center of the room, they are not used as a bed - only as a recreation area. Often such sofas have a round, oval, semicircular shape, can be rectangular. The approach to the "island" should be from all sides;
• modular sofas consist of several elements that can be combined in different ways depending on the requirements. This is the most versatile option, because if desired, one large sofa can be turned into a smaller sofa and several poufs.

Depending on the number of seats sofas can be compact (for 2-3 people) and real giants (for 5 people or more). Here, everyone chooses depending on their own needs, but you should not blindly trust the manufacturer's instructions on the number of seats, as one company calls a double sofa 190 cm long, and the other 160 cm.

No. 2. Determine the purpose of the sofa

For living room, child and the office will require completely different models of sofas. When choosing sofa to the hall First of all, you need to pay attention to its convenience and the ability to accommodate the required number of people. For children it is necessary to select a sofa without sharp elements, wooden armrests and protruding legs, with a practical and easy-to-care upholstery. To the office you can put a small and not the softest sofa, without the possibility of transformation, but its frame and filler should be as “hardy" as possible, especially if there are always a lot of visitors in the office.

Theoretically, every sofa can turn into to a berth, but not every model is intended for constant use as a bed. Sofa beds must be equipped with reliable and sturdy mechanisms that allow folding and folding the sofa daily. Many models from Italian manufacturers, although equipped with a certain transformation system, cannot serve as a permanent bed, but they can become a “guest” bed if necessary. If you need a full-fledged sofa bed, it is better to clarify the design features of a particular model in the store.

No. 3. Transformation mechanism

If the sofa even turns into bed, then when buying, you should pay attention to the features of the transformation. The main thing is that it was easy to fold and fold the sofa, and when disassembled, it fit into the room and did not interfere with free movement.

The main methods of transformation:

• "book" - the classic and most reliable mechanism, but when choosing such a sofa it is worth considering the need to leave a distance from the wall of 15-20 cm. Such a mechanism is considered the most durable and can withstand up to 40,000 assemblies;
• Click clack - a more functional version of the "book", differs in the ability to leave the sofa in a reclining and half-sitting position, and this can be an additional plus when organizing a comfortable sitting area;
• Eurobook - a simple and reliable mechanism, which consists in pushing the seat forward and lowering the backrest in its place;
• Tick-tock - a mechanism resembling a "eurobook", only here the seat is advanced forward due to the spring mechanism. This is a more expensive, but also more practical option, and the risk of scratching the floor is minimized;
• "telescope" - a mechanism that involves the formation of a berth of three parts. When unfolding, it is necessary to pull the lower part of the seat and fold the backrest forward, and fill the space with a mattress. The option is not the most convenient, since the berth is low, and with frequent use the floor will be scratched;
• "accordion" - one of the most popular mechanisms, the sleeper in it consists of three parts: two of them in the assembled form form the back, and one - the seat. In operation, such models are simple and reliable, but it is difficult to arrange additional storage boxes in them, and a lot of space for transformation will be needed;
• "dolphin" - the mechanism, common in corner sofas, involves the presence of half a berth under the main seat, which is advanced if necessary. A sofa with such a mechanism is hardly suitable as the main berth, but for a living room equipment, where guests will occasionally spend the night, this is a good choice;
• "cot" involves rolling the berth forward. Depending on the number of parts that make up the bed, and some other features, there are “clamshells” of the American, French and Belgian types. Italian sofas are often equipped with an “Italian clamshell” mechanism, the peculiarity of which is the presence of small containers for storing linen.

Number 4. Sofa frame

The frame of the sofa, like the human skeleton, takes on the main load and ensures the strength of the entire structure. Most Popular Materials for the manufacture of the frame:

• solid wood - The ideal option with the best strength characteristics. The most reliable and expensive species are oak, beech, walnut and maple, conifers are cheaper and slightly less durable. Almost all models of sofas presented in the assortment of the EMOZIONI DI CASA store have a frame made of solid wood;
• metal carcass also has good strength indicators, but in case it has a welded structure;
• chipboard frame and wooden blocks - the most budgetary option, can be used in economy models of sofas, but not every manufacturer will do this, since it is impossible to call chipboard completely eco-friendly material.If you opt for a sofa with such a frame, it is important to make sure that the formaldehyde emission complies with the norm for residential premises (E0 and E1).

When buying a sofa with a wooden frame, it is important to make sure wood quality, but with a naked eye, the buyer will be able to evaluate only the quality of surface treatment, which is also important. The tree should be dry and smooth, with a minimum of knots and potholes.

No. 5. Sofa filler

From filler qualities directly depends on the comfort of relaxation on the couch and the safety of its original appearance. As a rule, different materials are used to fill the seats, backs and handles. In modern sofas, such types of fillers:

• spring block - The most durable option, suitable for organizing seats and backs. Doctors say that the sofa is considered the most beneficial for spinal health, where the spring unit is combined with a multilayer filling, for example, from polyurethane foam. The presence of a spring block prevents the sofa from sagging and dents, can withstand decent loads and provides free air circulation inside. Springs can be of different types. Bonnel - separate springs connected by a spiral steel wire, this is a good option, but much more popular and practical are the "snake" springs, which are located horizontally inside the seat. There are also blocks with independent springs located vertically, with each spring hidden in a separate case. Among the minuses of spring blocks, it is worth noting the high cost, the complexity of the repair, possible creaks (but this is not the case in expensive models), as well as a limited variety of forms;
• polyurethane foam (PPU) is the most popular option for filling sofas, which, moreover, is notable for its low price. It is a common misconception that polyurethane foam and foam rubber are different materials, the former being good and the latter being bad. In fact, these are substances with identical chemical composition, and it has so historically developed that thin and soft material is called foam rubber, and its thicker variety is called polyurethane foam. The main advantages include elasticity, resilience, hypoallergenicity, a variety of shapes and degrees of rigidity. As a filler, it is better to choose the most dense material. Advanced Italian manufacturers use PPU of different density as a filler for seats, combining it with springs;
• synthetic winterizer - An inexpensive material used to fill sofa cushions is often used together with PUF. It is elastic, lightweight, allows you to give the pillows the necessary shape. In addition, it is a moisture resistant material that does not cause allergies and is not prone to development. mold, but as an independent filler for seats, it is not suitable;
• holofiber - A relatively new type of filler, which can be called a synthetic winterizer, but unlike the last fiber, it is not straight, but twisted, due to which it easily changes and restores shape. By softness, holofiber is not inferior to fluff, but it does not cause allergies and does not contribute to the development of microorganisms;
• natural fluff and feather often used to fill the pillows of Italian-made sofas, combined with a spring unit. The price of such products is above average, but environmental friendliness and comfort are on top;
• sintepuh, an artificial analogue of natural fluff, is used to fill cushions. The material quickly restores shape, is notable for its low price, softness, lightness, moisture resistance and hypoallergenicity.

It is best that the density of seats, handles and pillows be different, which is ensured by the use of different fillers.

No. 6. Upholstery Material

Upholstery options are even more than transformation methods and types of filler, which allows you to choose the optimal material that is fully consistent with the interior solution and the tastes of the owners. Moreover, large furniture stores that directly work with Italian manufacturers, for one model of the sofa they offer a lot of different ways of upholstery and decor, so in fact you can get a completely unique product made with all the wishes of the future owner.

If the perception of the sofa depends on the color and pattern of the upholstery material, then its practicality and ease of care is already a matter of the properties of a particular material. It is desirable that it be resistant to abrasion, which is determined Martindale test: The best indicator is 20,000 cycles or more. The denser the material, the more durable it is, so the density should be at least 200 g / m². Material that does not stretch, shrink and roll does not last longer, and the presence of special impregnations and protection against burnout will be only a plus. These and many other indicators must be present in certificate of quality for textiles.

The most popular upholstery materials couch:

• jacquard - dense upholstery fabric, looks luxurious, lasts a long time, strikes with a wide variety of colors, but is not suitable for an apartment where there are pets, since there are puffs from the claws;
• velvet and velor - soft warm fabric with a small pile, it looks elegant, does not stretch, but loses appearance relatively quickly and is not suitable for families with children;
• flock - One of the most popular upholstery materials, and it is used both in budget models and in some luxury ones. It is obtained by applying nylon pile to a cotton and polyester base under the influence of an electrostatic field. It turns out a soft, pleasant to the touch material, which can have a complex texture and mimic more expensive fabrics. Flock tolerates mechanical stress, moisture and sunlight, but absorbs odors and wipes over time;
• tapestry - a mixture of cotton and synthetic fibers, and the more cotton, the lower the wear resistance. The material looks great, durable, easy to care for, but not suitable for apartments where animals live;
• shenill - fabric resembling velor, but even softer, does not stretch, looks expensive, retains its original appearance for a very long time, is easy to care for, but is afraid of moisture and animal claws;
• silk It is used very rarely and only for the most expensive sofas. It is a hypoallergenic and durable material with excellent appearance and high price;
• leather - expensive upholstery with a chic appearance. A leather sofa will become an adornment of an office or home library, it will be distinguished by durability, strength, moisture resistance and ease of care. Of the minuses, the high price, the ability to "stick" to the skin, the ability to crack with time, fear of fire, including cigarettes, and also not such a wide selection of colors as textiles;
• arpatek, or eco-leather imitates genuine leather, but costs less. The material is not bad in operation, does not stretch, does not fade, but with time it can crack, with impregnations it will last longer;
• natural and artificial suede pleasant to the touch, but will require careful care to maintain the original appearance.

To simplify the care of the sofa, choose models with zipper: The upholstery can be removed and washed or cleaned accordingly. Fabric coating teflon allows her to literally repel pollution, and for families with small children this is the best choice.

Number 7. What else do you need to know?

When choosing a sofa, also pay attention to such details:

• seams should be neat, double, even, without protruding threads - this is an indicator of the level of the manufacturer;
• stapleswith which the fabric is attached to the frame should not be visible;
• on carved decorative elements there should be no scratches and chips, if the technique of artificial aging was not used;
• accessories must be of high quality and reliable;
• An ideal sofa from the point of view of a carcass, a filler and upholstery may be inconvenient specifically for you, so you cannot do without testing a sample in a store;
• warranty must be mandatory, a minimum period of one and a half years.

  

  

  

  
  

Number 8. Showcase Sofa Designs - A Real Way to Save

Such high-quality, beautiful and well-thought-out Italian sofas are inaccessible for many due to the high price. A good way to save follow the news of major furniture storeswho often arrange sales of exhibition furniture samples.

What sofas with exposure? These are the highest quality and beautiful products with which the manufacturer demonstrates the strengths of his products. Such sofas were not in use, but for some time were in the showroom of the store. To buyers they Offered up to 50% off. For the store this is a necessary measure, because the sale eliminates the need to bring exhibition samples back to the warehouse.

Sofas from the exposition, as a rule, are distinguished by their impeccable appearance, because the exhibition is held indoors with a normal microclimate, and the load on the product is insignificant: you must admit that when choosing a sofa you don’t sit down on every product, and so every customer. The only negative is that you have to come to terms with the upholstery color used, but, on the other hand, the demonstration models are distinguished by the use of neutral shades. It turns out, for reasonable money, you can create an elegant atmosphere in your apartment - the main thing is to keep track of sales of furniture stores.