Characteristic features of ottoman sofas, their varieties
Sofas are divided into several types, differing in form or mechanism of transformation. Some models are the best suited for living rooms, others - for offices or offices. The sofa with an ottoman, which some manufacturers attribute to a separate species, is most popular today. What is such upholstered furniture - this article will tell.
Content
What is the ottoman and its purpose
Not everyone is familiar with the name "ottoman" so it’s worthwhile to figure out what it is. This furniture is a soft wide bed without a back. However, its appearance has undergone strong changes over time. Originally in Asia, the Ottoman served as a place to wait in line at government offices. She looked like a laconic seat with no frills. After this piece of furniture came to Europe, it evolved and in appearance began to look more like a couch, which was upholstered with expensive fabrics, supplemented with pillows, armrests or a back at the head. The modern Ottoman is smaller (although manufacturers, at the request of the customer, perform it in any size), it looks like a pouf in the form of a cylinder or a cube.
There are no strict rules regarding the shape of such models: the couch can be round, square, rectangular. The material of the legs, upholstery also depends on the wishes of the future owner.
By designation, the Ottoman belongs to multifunctional items of upholstered furniture. It can be part of a sofa module, or it can be an independent element. The Ottoman as a separate piece of furniture serves as an additional sleeping place (for example, for guests), a cot or a sitting area, and reading. In this case, in appearance and design, it resembles an ottoman and is laid out in length. Today, the Ottomans are installed several types of transformation mechanism.
| Transformation mechanism | Benefits | disadvantages |
| Manual | A simple and reliable way of fastening. Models with this mechanism are inexpensive and durable. | It’s hard to lift the structure, the child will need the help of adults |
| Spring loaded | Easy to lift due to shock absorbers | Models with a spring unit are more expensive; periodic replacement of hoist elements is required |
| Gas shock absorber | Lightweight, durable | High price |
Whatever the way the ottoman is laid out, it will have a lot of advantages in cases where there is no way to allocate space for a full bed. When folded, this model is compact and does not take up much space. A box is provided for bedding, pillows. There are models with an orthopedic mattress.
Varieties
The Ottoman, made as part of the sofa, differs in appearance and resembles an ottoman on legs. Often she copies the shape of the furniture. The sofas themselves differ in the type of construction (fixed, modular) and in shape (straight, angular). Depending on the size of the room, tasks and style, one or another model is selected. Advantages and disadvantages of straight and angular options are presented in the table.
| The form | Features | pros | Minuses |
| Straight | Huge selection of models, this sofa is suitable for any type of room | Does not take up much space, can replace the bed | Are absent |
| Angular | Can be left-handed, right-handed, L-, U-shaped | Turns into a full sleeper | Not suitable for small rooms, as it takes up a lot of space |
As a separate item
The Ottoman as a separate element of the sofa system can correspond to it in appearance or differ, but at the same time fit into the interior. Such a model can easily turn into:
- a tea or coffee table if you move it to the sofa;
- footrest when you want to relax and rest;
- convenient place for children's games due to its low height.
For models of this type, it is better to choose a more rigid filling. A flat surface will be more convenient than a relief design. Abrasion-resistant upholstery fabric will extend the service life. Of the minuses, it is worth noting that the ottoman, made in the form of a separate element, will harmoniously look only in spacious rooms.
Modular
The Ottoman as part of the sofa system is manufactured in the same dimensions and upholstery as the furniture itself. She lays down on the sofa and forms the letter L-shaped with it. Also this movable module can:
- become an additional freestanding seat;
- extend the sofa to create a full bed;
- form a corner if you need to create a closed space.
When choosing modular designs, it is advisable to give preference to transformable models in which the blocks are fastened together with Velcro or straps. Sectional products have one significant minus - in order to disassemble and re-assemble the components, you will need a special tool.
The sofa module is equipped with wheels or legs. The advantage of the former is that it is easier to move such furniture, it is more convenient to create the desired combination. But if you plan to use the Ottoman as an extension of the berth, it is better to choose models with legs - they are more stable.
Universal
A sofa with a universal ottoman is a common model. Its advantage is that the couch can be attached to either side of the sofa, left or right. This option allows you to change the interior and update the environment, without resorting to additional financial costs. Also, a universal ottoman is convenient when moving, when it is not yet known how the furniture will be located in a new place. The main disadvantage of this option is the fragility, since frequent movements of the structure contribute to the breakdown of fasteners.
Materials of manufacture
Modern upholstered furniture is very diverse. Manufacturers offer a wide selection of ready-made models or create exclusive copies at the request of the customer. If we talk about the ottoman, then the buyer needs to decide on the appearance of the product (whether it will be made in the same style as the sofa or not), its size (depending on the dimensions of the room) and materials.
The Ottoman consists of a frame, filler, upholstery and legs. The first element is made of wood, plywood, timber or chipboard. Each of these materials has features that need to be considered. The best in terms of price and quality is a frame made of wooden beams or quality plywood. Such products do not deform over time, do not lose their qualities.
As for wood, in order for the product to last a long time, it is better to give preference to expensive species: walnut, oak, ash.
If the frame consists of chipboard, then you need to choose a material with a low resin content. It is desirable that it be painted or coated with a protective compound. In this case, the material will be safe for health.
For filling soft synthetic materials are used, such as syntepuh, hollofiber, struttofiber. Their advantages:
- keep their shape well;
- do not cause allergies;
- dust mites do not start.
Preference is given to fillers made from natural materials, such as felt, a padded jacket or wool. Another filling option is spring blocks (dependent and independent). Products with orthopedic mattresses are the most expensive. For furniture, removable covers can also be used, for example, with holofiber filler - it makes the ottoman even softer.
Artificial, natural fabrics, their combinations, as well as leather or its substitute are used for upholstery. Textiles are environmentally friendly, but less durable. For upholstery, flock, matting, chenille, jacquard are often used. Artificial leather is a cheaper substitute for genuine leather.
Materials for the manufacture of legs are plastic, chromed metal, wood. The advantages of steel and solid wood are that they can withstand heavy weight. The advantages of plastic are in its low price. For an aesthetic purpose, a “wood-like” or “metal-like” coating is applied over it.
Placement Tips
Many consumers know what a sofa with an ottoman is, but find it difficult to choose a place to place it. Such furniture will be appropriate both in small rooms and in spacious rooms. In small living rooms or nurseries, it should be placed close to the wall. Thus, the sofa will not take up much space, will serve as a berth for the child or guests.
In a large room, upholstered furniture is placed at the junction of walls or along one partition. An interesting option would be the location of the sofa in the middle of the room. This will add variety to the interior.
One option is to place the sofa in the middle, but not in the center. So you can divide the room into zones: separate the place for receiving guests from personal space.
A sofa with an ottoman in its modern form is an interior item that embodies any wishes of a customer. In appearance and material, it can be as close as possible to models of past centuries. In this case, upholstered furniture will also play a decorative role. It can also be a convenient, functional and practical vacation spot for its owner.
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