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Overview of the sleeping functions in sofas. Discover the differences!

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Overview of the sleeping functions in sofas. Discover the differences!
Elise Elise

Elise

Most people prefer to choose upholstered furniture with a sleeping function. Why such a decision? There can be various reasons, but the most common is usually the small size of the apartment. Fold-out couches or corner sofas will be perfect as a comfortable bed at night, to remain a place for meetings with loved ones during the day. So you can enjoy beautifully decorated - and uncluttered! - interior, even if you possess a small studio apartment. But what are the differences between the individual functions? Read our article and you will easily be able to choose the sofa of your dreams!

Do you prefer a sofa or a couch in the living room? What is the difference?
Before we start looking at the sleeping functions, it is worth explaining one of the most problematic issues. Do you want to choose a sofa or do you prefer a couch? Browsing the Internet, you have undoubtedly come across a lot of product proposals with various names. At first glance, it would seem that they are completely identical! Why this double nomenclature? And is there a way to tell the difference between a sofa and a couch?

It turns out that the use of two names is absolutely justified! Most stores are starting to use a division based on the presence - or lack - of the sleeping function. The couch will have a special internal mechanism that will help you quickly and efficiently transform it into a comfortable bed. The sofa, on the other hand, will be distinguished by its airy, minimalist shape and the lack of the possibility of unfolding.

It is also good practice to look for the word "fold-out" that accompanies a given type of furniture. In some places, you can still encounter the use of the term "sofa bed", although this combination is slowly being forgotten.

Now that you know what the difference in the terminology used is, it's time to move on to the merits. Let's take a look at the most popular types of sleeping functions together so that choosing the right one is no longer a problem!

Folding-out furniture with the sleeping function
As the furniture industry is developing dynamically, we can meet many types of sleeping functions. They differ in the way they are made and operated, as well as in the degree of comfort provided. Precisely because some of them turned out to be too uncomfortable in the long run (e.g. once popular Belgian ones), nowadays they are hardly used. Therefore, we will focus here only on those that put the good of their user first.

Click-clack, a proven classic
The click-clack unfolding system is one of the simplest mechanisms available on the market. Our parents and grandparents know it well, because it was extremely popular in the People's Republic of Poland and could be found in practically every sofa bed. It worked reliably in them for many long years - no wonder that it has survived unchanged to our times. Due to its specificity, the click-clack mechanism is almost exclusively used in sofa beds. 

The unfolding process here is uncompromisingly fast. All you have to do is grab the seat and lift it up with a firm movement. Press the piece held in your hands against the backrest - if everything is successful, you will hear a characteristic sound. Click-clack. At this point, we can lower the seat and it's ready! Our sofa bed now serves as a place to sleep prepared, for example, for the arrival of overnight guests. However, it is worth paying attention to the fact that there is a small groove in the middle of the bed, which can be disturbing at night. That is why sofa beds are recommended for occasional sleeping or as part of a duo with a topper.

Sofa beds with the click-clack system almost always have a bedding container located under the seat. Thanks to this, you gain a practical way to organize textiles or less frequently used items.

Fold-out sofas with the DL sleeping function
Corner sofas with the sleeping function are equipped with a sleeping function marked with two mysterious letters - DL - as often as couches. All because this solution is extremely convenient to use, and at the same time reliable. Thanks to this, the furniture does not deteriorate too quickly and maintains its excellent condition for a long time. 

How is the unfolding process performed? This time it has also been simplified as much as possible. First, the seat should be pulled out - most of the models available on the market are equipped with a small handle located in the middle of the seat. Then gently pull the whole thing until it stops. The backrest of the furniture should be folded and inserted into the resulting gap. In this way, we get a fairly uniform and even bed, on which everyone can sleep properly. In addition, in order to unfold the furniture, it is not required to move it away from the wall!

An advantage of the construction with the DL mechanism worth mentioning is, of course, the spacious container under the seat. It will allow you to take better care of order and effectively hide all less aesthetic trinkets. In the corner sofa you will find it usually in the ottoman, and in the couch it will be placed under the seat.

Some models with the DL sleeping function go a step further and are equipped with a special automation. This component additionally makes the unfolding of the whole more pleasant, completely eliminating the need to put effort into the process.

Delfin, i.e. corner sofas with the sleeping function and a container for bedding 
You can find the Delfin sleeping function nearly only in the corner sofas. Its advantage is the extremely intuitive mechanism that does not require the use of force! From under the lower part of the seat, we pull out a trolley equipped with wheels in one smooth movement. Then we lift the bed, aligning its surface with the seat and ottoman. And that's all! The corner sofa turned into a bed in just seconds. The Delfin provides a spacious sleeping area, and at the same time, even a child can handle it.

Under the ottoman, there is usually a practical storage for bedding. You will find enough space in it to conveniently store not only textiles, but also down jackets, blankets or tablecloths. 

What sofa should be chosen for the living room? Pay attention to your needs!
We have analyzed the most popular and best unfolding systems for couches and corner sofas. So you already know what you will take into account when choosing your dream furniture! However, we also recommend asking yourself how often this piece of furniture is to be used and by whom.

If your couch or corner sofa is only to help you occasionally host guests, the type of mechanism used in them will definitely become unimportant. In such a situation, it is best to pay attention to whether the product matches our favorite interior style. Be sure to also focus on the leisure functions of the sofa set and its aesthetic values.

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