When choosing furniture, consumers want to choose the most practical, functional and effective fixtures. These are the three main nuances that I pay attention to.
Furniture that can transform is quite popular now. This is because it combines all three of the above qualities. They often purchase such furniture for a small apartment. A transformable bed is the best solution that allows you to save as much space as possible. Some models can “turn” into a table, wardrobe or sofa.
Advantages
The described furniture is multifunctional and looks attractive. The consumer, paying attention to this device, can purchase a bed, sofa (wardrobe or table) at the same time. The installed lifting mechanism is simple, so even a child can understand its operation. You can save space as much as possible, this has already been mentioned above. It will be possible to combine several types of furniture in one device. Due to the wide variety of designs, colors and materials, you can diversify your interior.
In addition, as described in reviews of transformable beds, the process of folding and unfolding is carried out quickly. It should be noted: in order to “transform” the bed into another type of furniture, just press the handle. Most of these devices fit easily into the interior and will be a great addition to the bedroom.
Many note that the decision to use such a bed will have a great impact on the lighting. The room will become more spacious and brighter.
How is pine different from oak?
The manufacturer advertises several options. Natural wood furniture is made from solid oak, walnut, alder, pine, and cherry. Oak will last for decades, demonstrating respectability and luxury. Cherry, alder, and walnut will give you the opportunity to choose a unique shade and make the interior chic.
Pine is the most affordable material in terms of price and quality, but it must be done without a hitch. Otherwise, you can forget about strength. The wooden frame can support no more than 100 kg. However, it is quite heavy and expensive.
Metal makes the frame durable. For him, 100 kg is not the limit. But the most attractive in terms of price and quality are combined transformers made of wood and metal. They are elegant and durable.
Lift bed design specialists offer original solutions. For example, different combinations of items. This could be a combination of a bed, a closet, or a secretary. Or a bed, a wardrobe, a sofa. Moreover, the sofa can be corner.
Another design solution is a wardrobe-bed with a dining table. The manufacturer's imagination is limitless. Not everyone can buy a high-quality transformer bed that meets all the buyer’s desires. Young families, for example, will have to save up for such a purchase.
Flaws
Thanks to reviews of transformable beds, we can highlight the main disadvantages of such furniture. Buyers comment negatively on the cost of the product. A family with an average income can afford such a design, but it will take some time to save up the required amount before purchasing. When buying a bed, you need to pay attention only to expensive options, since only they are 100% high quality and reliable. Such furniture can only be installed on a solid wall. This introduces some restrictions. The fact is that other walls will not be able to withstand the load. If a purchased transforming bed for a small apartment turns into a table or a closet, then inconvenience will arise. They are associated with the fact that you will constantly have to fold and unfold furniture. If after a hard day at work you want to finally relax in bed, you will have to devote some time to transforming it. If the furniture “turns” into a sofa, then this type of problem will not arise.
Types of mechanisms
Before purchasing, you need to consider what types of transformable beds there are. The sizes of some models may not be suitable for small apartments, so you need to take the selection of options seriously. You need to decide exactly what function the room serves, for example, a person wants to combine a bedroom and a study, or a bedroom and a living room. In both cases, you will need different types of bed.
Lifting mechanisms are divided into two types. There are horizontal models, in which the fastening is carried out on the longest side of the bed, and vertical ones. The latter have a special mechanism. It ensures that the bed is raised from the head of the bed.
Operating principle of the lifting mechanism
The lifting mechanism is the main element in the equipment of transformer models. Each double bed is equipped with a similar element. It is worth paying attention to one important nuance. The complexity of the mechanism directly affects its reliability. This must be taken into account when choosing a multifunctional bed.
Depending on the principle of operation, there are three types of mechanisms:
- manual - reliable and durable. In order to turn a transformer with such a mechanism, for example, into a closet, you will have to use your muscles. A double bed will require significant force to move into an upright position. In a vertical position, the stock is secured with a special hook;
- spring - a very simple mechanism in design, which ensures its reliability. The main thing in such a mechanism are springs, which tend to stretch. They will have to be changed every few years. If models that turn into a wardrobe are equipped with a manual mechanism, then a spring mechanism allows you to turn the bed into a sofa;
- piston - the basis of such mechanisms are gas elevators. Furniture equipped with them requires no effort for transformation. A good option for a children's room. But such solutions are expensive and are not always of high quality.
Lifting mechanism installed in a double bed transformer
Simple lifting mechanism
Piston mechanisms made in Russia, Turkey and China have a bad reputation in the market and are best avoided.
Types of beds
There is a more specific classification of such beds. It is based on what the model “becomes” after transformation. For example, you can get it by having a transforming bed, a folding bed and a nightstand. As for the latter, there are many models that, after transformation, become a chest of drawers.
For small rooms, a mechanism that raises the bed to the ceiling level is great. This option is called BedUp. An excellent option for a transformable bed is a wardrobe-table. For a teenager, such furniture will be a great way to save space in the room. There are also models that combine a wardrobe and a sofa in one piece of furniture. Typically this option is used in small living rooms.
The most popular model is a bed that can “turn” into a closet. Due to the fact that the mechanism presses the bed against the wall, the passage is cleared. This bed is ideal for any interior. There are options in which shelves are installed. They are not involved in the folding process.
A sofa bed is also a popular option. It is also often installed in the living room.
Often parents try to save as much space as possible in the nursery. A transformable bed-table will help you do this in the best possible way. The child will be able to complete homework and other tasks at the workplace, and after finishing, “turn” it into a bedroom. Many children like this type of furniture.
Types of mechanisms
Transformable furniture is equipped with tilt-and-turn mechanisms, each of which has its own disadvantages and advantages:
- Retractable mechanism. It is easy to operate and safe. Models with such a device usually have space for placing bed linen.
- Folding mechanism. It is dangerous because during transformation it can fall or pinch an arm or leg. Beds attached to the wall save space when assembled and allow you to place built-in shelves above them.
In addition, folding mechanisms can be gas-lift or spring. Spring ones are considered more durable and reliable due to their simplicity. There is practically nothing to break in the spring. But transforming such devices requires some effort, so for older people it is not recommended to purchase models with a spring device.
Some lifting mechanisms require significant effort
Gas lift devices are not as reliable, but if used correctly they will last quite a long time. Furniture with this mechanism unfolds effortlessly. The only drawback of gas lift is that furniture with it is much more expensive.
The gas lift mechanism allows you to transform furniture without effort
Folding bed
We are talking about a model that can change from a bed to a closet. The design consists of two elements. Of course, this is a wardrobe and a bed. Often this option is installed in children's rooms.
This type of bed can be horizontal or vertical. The latter option can be used in rooms with a very small area. Thanks to this mechanism, the bed can be installed as a single or double bed. This transformable bed is ideal for two children.
Horizontal models are most often installed if it is possible to install a spacious storage system or a stationary table.
Table-bed
Thanks to this product, you can combine working and sleeping areas. You should pay attention to the fact that the dimensions of the table should be optimal for comfortable work at it. Reviews of transformable beds note that ideally the length of the tabletop should be 60 cm and the width 120 cm.
There are two types of beds depending on the folding mechanism.
The first is called table-down. In this case, the bed is located above the tabletop. To expand the bed, you need to lift the table up. The second option is “table-up”. This transformable children's bed-table is a huge success. The mechanism works completely opposite to that described above. At night, the table is located closer to the table, and the sleeping place is above it. To remove the bed in the morning, you need to pull the bed by the side and push it into the niche. The main advantage of such a bed is that you don’t have to remove things from the table.
Rules for choosing transformer beds
Among the variety of furniture offered by modern furniture manufacturers, choosing a transforming bed is not easy. The main rule that should be followed when choosing a sleeping place is to take into account your needs and wishes as much as possible.
It would be good if the model has the functionality you need. For example, if you want to combine a sleeping and working area, but your choice is a bed-table. And if you need to organize a place for guests - a sofa bed.
Before purchasing, it is recommended to consistently evaluate the following parameters:
- sleeping area;
- the material from which the furniture is made;
- transformation mechanism.
Arrangement of sleeping places for transformable beds
The most important thing in a transforming bed is the sleeping place itself. His choice should be given special attention.
It consists of three main elements:
- frame;
- grounds;
- mattress.
It is important that the frame is strong. It is best to purchase beds with a frame made of natural wood or metal. Structures made from synthetic materials are more affordable, but less reliable.
The bed base is attached to the frame and serves as the base for the mattress. It can be either solid or lattice (lamella).
The solid base is a layer of wood, plastic or chipboard with a thickness of 10-30 mm and is characterized by high strength, reliability and durability. But it does not allow air to fully circulate in the mattress. This significantly disrupts the level of sleep hygiene.
The lamella base consists of gratings fixed at a certain distance from each other. This ensures unhindered air circulation in the mattress.
Mattresses in transformable beds can be included with the furniture. Otherwise, the mattress will have to be purchased separately. If you do not have health problems and do not need a special mattress, then it is better to choose the first option.
What materials are used in the manufacture of transformable beds?
Various materials are used to make transforming beds:
- metal is the most durable, environmentally friendly and wear-resistant material. In addition, metal structures are inexpensive. At the same time, metal is quite heavy, which makes the furniture bulky;
- natural wood - not inferior to metal in terms of performance properties and fits into any interior, but has a high cost;
- MDF and chipboard are the most affordable materials with average performance characteristics. Furniture made from chipboard and MDF is not very strong and durable, and also becomes creaky over time.
When purchasing furniture made from chipboard, be sure to ask the seller for a quality certificate: classes E0 and E1 are recognized as safe. Materials of other classes may emit toxic substances that are dangerous to the human body. It would be good if the chipboard was covered with veneer.
Types of transformation mechanisms
Modern furniture uses two types of transformation mechanisms:
- spring;
- gas.
The spring mechanism is based on the work of elastic coiled springs made of carbon wire and is reliable: it is designed for tens of thousands of applications.
The transformation system on gas shock absorbers is not inferior in strength to a spring mechanism.
It is impossible to say unequivocally which system is better, but the gas mechanism has a clear advantage - quiet operation.
A correctly selected transforming bed will allow you to solve several problems at once - from saving space to rationally dividing the room into zones. In addition, modern models of transformable furniture look quite impressive and can decorate almost any interior, and the numerous types of transformable beds presented in furniture stores will allow you to choose exactly the design that you need.
Sofa bed
Such a sleeping place can be transformed into a sofa at the right time and vice versa. There are angular models. In this case, the furniture is installed in the corner of the room, which saves space. Rectangular models are available. This option is considered classic. Reviews of transformable beds advise installing a similar model in the center of the room. And one more option: irregularly shaped. These beds have rounded seats or a wave shape.
It is recommended to install such furniture in a small apartment where there is no separate living room. The mechanisms can be completely different. Let's look at the three most popular ones.
The book is a reliable mechanism. It works this way: you need to raise the seat of the sofa and recline the back. After this, the seat lowers. Among the disadvantages of such a mechanism, it should be noted that the sleeping area will be uneven. A similar option is a Eurobook. The seat will move forward, and the back will fall in its place. Thanks to this solution, the sofa bed does not have to be moved away from the wall. Many people prefer to install furniture with a roll-out mechanism. Among the advantages, it should be noted that in the sofa condition the maximum amount of space is saved, and in the bed condition the sleeping place is quite spacious.
Transformers in the furniture market
Furniture that can be transformed encourages creative solutions. She is extremely popular. Buyers are more interested in the wardrobe sofa-bed transformer. This design is quite easy to operate in everyday life. With a slight movement of her hand, she goes into the closet. And in place of the bed, as if by magic, a sofa appears.
It is a pleasure to use such furniture. It can be bought at a furniture hypermarket or ordered according to non-standard room dimensions from the manufacturer. Your wishes will be taken into account in the design project. Individuality will be noticeable in everything. Even in your favorite colors of furniture covers that will perfectly match the decoration of the walls in your apartment. Tempting. But something else is more important. Manufacturer's authority. After all, such an acquisition is not for one day, not even for one year!
This approach is justified when purchasing a transformable bunk bed for both children and adults.
