What to look for when choosing a transformable bed

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At the end of the 19th century, the first transformable bed appeared, which was invented by the American doctor William Murphy. A transformable bed is designed to free up square meters during the day and provide comfortable places to sleep at night. Today, a bedroom with a transformable bed is often found in small apartments. The product can hide not only a sleeping place, but also other furniture items ─ a table, a cabinet, shelves, and folding doors can serve to zone the room.

Which mechanism is more reliable?

The most reliable of those discussed above is the gas mechanism. Many manufacturers provide gas lifts with a very impressive warranty of 5 years or more.

The ease of use of the unit does not mean that its mechanism is also simple, therefore, there is a high probability that it will not last long.

Spring mechanisms fail over time; excessive force should not be applied to them; in addition, springs do not provide any support to the base of the bed, being responsible only for folding and unfolding.

Manufacturers quite often recommend transforming the bed less frequently.

The only advantage of the spring mechanism compared to the gas one is its relative accessibility. Therefore, if the bed you plan to purchase will not be used quite often, you can still opt for springs. For other cases, it is recommended to choose gas lifts.

Gas lift is the most common mechanism for assembling a transforming bed.

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.

Variety of transformable beds

The bed occupies a special place in the apartment. Although this piece of furniture takes up a large area, it is one that cannot be abandoned even in the modern world. In large rooms, you can easily place the crib where it will be conveniently located and cause a minimum of disturbance.

The owner of a small premises can purchase a 3 in 1 transformable bed for a small apartment. This construction can be used in two ways:

• hide during the day, leaning against the wall;
• convert into another piece of furniture.

The simplest and most practical solution is a lift-up bed. It is attached to the bottom of the wall with movable hinge mechanisms. Anyone can handle the design: from a teenager to a pensioner. The back of such a bed can be disguised as a closet.

You can hide drawers or shelves inside such a transformable model, on which you can conveniently place a large number of different things, hiding them from prying eyes. In such designs, you can not even remove the bed linen for a day. It is attached using various devices.

Types of transformable bed mechanisms

In addition to the already mentioned options for location relative to the floor surface, transformable beds are usually distinguished by the type of mechanisms used that ensure folding and unfolding of the transformer. The most common mechanisms are those with shock absorbers. During operation, they do not create unnecessary noise, reliably coping with their main task.

A sofa that transforms into a bed is one of the most popular modifications for one-room apartments

In order not to make a mistake when choosing the most suitable mechanism, you need to take into account the maximum load on the bed structure. In this case, not only human weight, but also the dimensions of the mattress are used as data for calculations. It is best that the maximum permitted load on the bed has a small margin. This will significantly extend the life of the transforming bed.

Each buyer sees for himself the advantages and disadvantages of the mechanism of transforming beds.

Not very often, but the loop mechanism still occurs. To unfold such a bed, you will have to apply many times more effort than for other mechanisms.

Choice of transformation mechanism

Placing the bed inside the closet is provided by a special lifting mechanism. He is responsible for the specifics of furniture operation, its service life and safety. Each variety has pros and cons that need to be considered before purchasing. There are 3 main types of lifting mechanisms for wardrobe beds:

• the manual device is reliable and durable, but requires physical effort, so it is not suitable for the elderly and children;
• coil springs are designed for very heavy loads and can withstand more than 50,000 operating cycles;
• piston devices with gas lifts are silent and easy to use.

Popular types of accordion chair-beds, features

The gas design ensures a smooth rise and fall of the berth, requiring a minimum of effort from the person. A bed with such equipment can be placed in a closet 45 cm deep. A significant drawback: the device remains visible at the head of the bed. Pistons filled with gas are considered the most vulnerable of all types of transformation mechanisms; they quickly become unusable. The spring type lasts much longer, but over time it causes an unpleasant squeak. However, it allows you to hide the bed in a niche by 25 cm. There are vertical and horizontal ways to fold out a transforming bed. The second option is applicable only for single models. The first can be used for furniture of any size.

Regardless of the model chosen, the bed-wardrobe must be regularly checked for serviceability. The possibility of sudden closure or opening of the structure must be excluded. Special fittings prevent them from tipping over, which is especially important for massive products. In order not to worry about your own safety, you should choose high-quality furniture from reliable manufacturers.

Manual

Spring Gas Lift

Tips for choosing

Each buyer selects furniture depending on his taste and the interior of the room, but there are several aspects that you must pay attention to when choosing:

Quality of material. It is best to choose a transforming bed made of MDF or natural wood. This material guarantees a long service life of the furniture.

• You should not opt ​​for the cheapest models. A product that is very cheap may indicate low quality construction. It is better to give preference to a more expensive but proven furniture brand.
• When choosing a product in a store, you should ask for the opportunity to personally try to disassemble and reassemble the transforming bed. Furniture should be used without load. If disassembly does not require much effort and is easy, then you can safely purchase this particular furniture.

Previously, transformable beds were produced exclusively by Western furniture brands (Germany, France, Spain). But modern furniture from domestic manufacturers is not much inferior in quality to its foreign competitors

Moreover, furniture from a domestic manufacturer will cost much less. Particular attention should be paid to the strength of fastenings, folding mechanisms and supports, because this is the main component of transformable beds. The dimensions of the furniture must correspond to the height of the person. There is a simple way to determine whether a bed will suit a person's configuration: to do this, you need to lie on the bed and put your hands behind your head

If the elbows do not extend beyond the bed, and there is a distance of 15-20 cm from the elbow to the edge, then such furniture is guaranteed to fit.

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A small living space is not a reason to refuse comfortable and stylish furniture. Following the simple recommendations presented above will help you choose the right quality transforming bed for a small apartment that can last a long time.

Types of transformable beds

Many buyers are interested in the question: what types of transformable beds are there? Modern furniture manufacturers offer many options for transformable beds, so you can always choose furniture that best suits your needs.

There are the following main types of such structures:

• folding wardrobe bed;
• table-bed;
• sofa bed;
• transformable bed for newborns.

Folding wardrobe-bed transformer

A folding wardrobe bed is a design that can easily be transformed from a wardrobe to a sleeping place and back.

The wardrobe-bed consists of two main elements - a stationary wardrobe, which is the basis of the structure, and a folding bed.

Depending on the orientation in space, a folding bed can be either horizontal or vertical.

Vertical orientation is the most rational option for placing a bed in a small room. In this case, the sleeping place can be of any size - from single to “royal”.

The horizontal orientation of the bed is used if the structure is additionally equipped with a spacious storage system or a bedside stationary table.

Depending on the size, folding beds can be:

• singles for adults and teenagers: 90x190 or 80x190 cm;
• for tall people: 90x200 cm;
• for small children: 150x70 and 160x70 cm;
• one-and-a-half-sleeping: 120x190 cm;
• double: with a width from 160 to 220 cm.

Transformable table-bed

A table-bed allows you to profitably organize two zones at once - a working and a sleeping area. This design is a full-fledged bed that can be transformed into a comfortable table.

Depending on the transformation methods, there are two types of table-beds:

• “table-up”: in this case, the sleeping place is lowered down at night, and the table is at floor level. In the morning, the table rises up - to do this, just pull the bed by the side and push it into the niche. The main advantage of this mechanism is that you don’t have to remove things from the table;
• “table-down”: in this case, the bed is located directly under the tabletop. To expand the sleeping area, the table is raised up, and during the day, on the contrary, it is lowered.

Transformable sofa bed

A sofa bed is a full-fledged sleeping place that can easily be transformed into a sofa. Depending on the shape, sofas can be:

• rectangular: a classic option that is ideal for installation in the center of the room;
• corner: such sofa beds are installed in the corner of the room, freeing up additional space;
• irregular shape: with a rounded seat or in the shape of a wave.

Sofa beds can have different folding options. The most popular of them are:

• book: first the seat of the sofa is raised, and the back is leaned back, and then lowered. This folding mechanism is considered one of the most reliable; it has a significant drawback - the inability to provide a perfectly flat sleeping area;
• Eurobook: in this case, the seat moves forward and the back rests on it. This mechanism is convenient because there is no need to move the sofa away from the wall;
• roll-out mechanism: the berth moves forward. The advantages of this method are the compact size of the sofa when folded and the spacious bed when unfolded.

Transformable bed for newborns

A transformable crib for newborns is an excellent option for young families, allowing you to save space in the room.

There are many models of such furniture, differing from each other in functionality and design. Depending on the configuration, cribs consist of various modules - tables, chests of drawers, removable cradles. In some designs, the changing table serves as the supporting structure of the crib; in others, it is possible to transform the chest of drawers into bedside tables.

Main varieties

Transformable furniture is a product that has been in high consumer demand for several years now. It is quite natural that manufacturers are expanding their range, improving and modifying popular models. Along with the usual “2 in 1” transformers, products are offered that combine the functions of 3 or more pieces of furniture. Depending on the area and interior of the room, in each case you can choose the ideal option.

Single and double

A single bed equipped with a lifting mechanism, as a rule, provides standard sizes: length - from 200–210 cm, width - 70–90 cm. Conventionally, one and a half models can also be included in this group, the demand for which is always high. Here the width varies from 120 to 160 cm, while the length remains standard. The dimensions of children's furniture are much smaller, the width rarely exceeds 0.7 m, the length is in the range of 120–160 cm. Products with one sleeping place can be folded out in two ways:

• vertical, when the lift-and-fold mechanism is attached to the end of the bed;
• horizontal, when the side of the bed and the wall of the closet are connected.

Double models can only be folded vertically. Considering the width of the structure, which can reach 2 m, this feature should not be considered a disadvantage. Double transformable beds with a wardrobe can be successfully combined with many modern interior styles; the main thing is to choose the right furniture front. The designs are ideally suited to the trends of minimalism, constructivism, and hi-tech.

Pros and cons of a round sofa bed, product characteristics

Bunk

Most often they are used to furnish the rooms of two children, but they are also suitable for arranging sleeping places for two adults. In some models, the upper tier is removed, just like the lower one, and the transformation mechanism is horizontal. In others, the second floor does not transform, being in the same position. In a large family, such furniture would be an ideal option. It is also important that two-tier folding structures look great in loft, country, Provence, Scandinavian, and classic interiors.

Three in one

Wardrobe-beds with a lifting mechanism, equipped with the functions of other pieces of furniture, are often used in the arrangement of children's rooms, offices, and living rooms. There are two types of such furniture:

• wardrobe-bed + sofa, where the lower part of the structure, when folded, turns into a soft seat with a back;
• wardrobe-bed + table, in this case the surface of the latter always remains in the same position.

The dimensions of such structures do not have any generally accepted standards, but each of the models provides specific requirements for the installation method. For example, it is not recommended to install a transforming wall with a bed and a sofa in rooms where there are no main walls. But you can choose the most varied interior for such a multifunctional product: minimalism, modernism, fusion, avant-garde, techno.

Wardrobe bed + sofa

Wardrobe bed + table

With additional elements

In order to increase functionality, the design may include a mezzanine, cabinets, chest of drawers, additional shelves on the sides or a closet above the bed. The high cost of such furniture is compensated by a large number of storage systems. The corner wardrobe-bed deserves special attention. It allows you to rationally use this part of the room, while at the same time freeing up usable space for other structures. In addition, such models are always equipped with shelves and racks, which adds convenience to the use of furniture.

Materials

The choice of material for a transformable bed must be taken responsibly. Let us describe some features of various types of materials.

Much attention should be paid to the quality of the material of the transformable bed fastenings. For reliable fastening, it is worth using confirmations (that is, the same screws, but with a blunt tip), as well as reinforced steel corners

One of the main parts of a transformable bed is its support, that is, the legs. They bear the main load (about two-thirds), so it is worth choosing furniture with durable legs. In some models, the legs can be replaced with a wide support board or a curved steel pipe, which provides a fairly strong support.

Rules for choosing a mattress

Many models of transformable beds are sold already equipped with mattresses. However, such products are not suitable for everyone. Sometimes due to the orthopedic needs of the body, sometimes based on issues of convenience. Be that as it may, many people prefer to choose a mattress separately from the bed.

The mattress plays an important role for human health. Choose this product based on the size of the bed.

The main rule in this choice is the correspondence between the dimensions of the mattress and the proposed transformable bed. Most often, the manufacturer indicates the appropriate dimensions of mattresses directly in the characteristics of the offered models.

The mattress may have additional fasteners.

Many bed frames are initially designed so that either the mattress is securely fixed into them without additional equipment, or the possibility of attaching the mattress is provided.

Consider the dimensions of not only the mattress, but also other things nearby.

Specialized medical transformers

A transforming medical bed differs from a regular one in that it has adjustable sections, which allows the patient to be in the most comfortable position possible. There are 4 types of such products:

1. Single-section - in them only the upper part is movable, which allows you to lower and raise a person’s head and shoulders.
2. Two-section beds - together with the head section, there is a leg section, which is necessary for people with musculoskeletal problems.
3. Three-section - allow you to change the position of the hip part.
4. Four-section beds are considered optimal for bedridden disabled people, as they provide easy adjustment of the head, intermediate, hip, and leg sections.

Purpose of a functional bed, popular manufacturers

Medical products are often equipped with additional elements that may be necessary for bedridden patients: side rails, stands, handles, toilet compartment, brake device. Separately, it is worth highlighting transformable beds for childbirth. For more than 30 years, horizontal structures have been used in hospitals, but today vertical models are also produced.

Single-section Double-section

Three-section Four-section bed

Dimensions

The sizes of transformable furniture are very diverse and allow you to choose a bed individually for everyone. You can choose a transforming bed for a child, but when choosing, you should take into account his age. Properly selected furniture is the key to convenience and comfort.

For children

For adults

Beds for adults can be double, single or single.

Advantages of transform models

Furniture capable of transformation rationally helps to distribute the free space of the room. Similar models differ:

• the sleeping bed is unfolded and assembled using a simple mechanism, which includes special belts, an electric drive device, and strong springs that can withstand heavy loads;
• the ability to transform into a sofa, bed, wardrobe with a slight movement of the hand;
• the free space of the room is significantly saved;
• in addition to the sleeping space, a large number of things can be stored inside the model, and you can also use furniture to divide the space into zones;
• variety of sizes and colors of transformable beds;
• Possibility of installation anywhere in the apartment, even in a corner.

In small apartments you can install a transformable children's bed; this option is especially attractive for families raising several children.

But in addition to the advantages, these pieces of furniture are characterized by certain disadvantages:

• with frequent folding and unfolding, the design mechanism may fail;
• high cost of the headset, especially from foreign manufacturers;
• Elderly people may become tired assembling and disassembling the structure every day.

Varieties

Manufacturers offer the following variations of transforming beds:

Vertical design - an “adult” double wardrobe-bed-transformer, the head of which is fixed to the wall, and the main part is placed at its entire height. The horizontal bed is intended for use as one sleeping place, attached to the wall with its side. The advantage of a model located horizontally is that the wall space remains unoccupied and paintings or shelves for books can be placed on it; moreover, when unfolded, it does not look so bulky and takes up little space.

The distance between the lower and upper tiers can be small, so if the sleeping places are assembled, they will occupy a minimal amount of space. Also, two-story children's beds can be folding. A crib with a pendulum for small children is the best way to rock a child to sleep without additional psychological costs. It is equipped with a pendulum-shaped mechanism that sets the crib in motion. The “smart” crib rocks and rotates, and the child falls asleep much faster.

Photo of a transforming bed for a small apartment

Beautiful room interior ideas

Practicality and compactness are the main features of a modern interior. A creative design move can turn even the smallest apartment into a bright and spacious room.

Crowding is the main disadvantage of small apartments, but this problem is quite easy to solve.

The main feature is the lighting. You should not hang heavy and dark curtains on windows. They are more suitable for spacious rooms. It is better to let more sunlight into the room. The main thing is to avoid the presence of dark corners. You can place artificial LED lighting along the floor or ceiling. This technique will visually expand the cramped space.

An even more interesting technique is photo wallpaper. The image of a spacious landscape or city panorama on the wall gives a feeling of freedom, expanding the room and, as it were, continuing it further, transferring the inhabitants to another place. It should be noted that images in cold tones will visually enlarge the room. It is best to choose wallpaper with an advantage of green, blue or blue colors.

You can use two different wallpaper variations. Plain wallpaper on all walls creates a feeling of enclosed space. It’s worth experimenting with colors or decorating one of the walls with stone or wood tiles.

Minimalism is a modern design style. The laconicism and rationality of the interior of a small room is both stylish and comfortable

An abundant accumulation of decorative items creates a feeling of oppressive space, so they should be used in a small room in doses and carefully. Do not clutter the walls with a large number of paintings, and the shelves with various vases and figurines

Space loves order.

An excellent option for visually increasing space are mirrors. A sliding wardrobe with a mirrored door will fit perfectly into any interior and create a feeling of freedom.

When decorating a small room, you should divide the room into functional zones. That is, you need to imagine what exactly this or that area will be used for (rest, work, sports). Depending on this, it is worth placing decorative items and necessary furniture.

Multifunctional furniture, such as a transformable bed, will be an ideal solution for saving space in the room. By combining both a sleeping area and a closet in one design, you can solve the problem of lack of space.

By following these simple rules, you can easily and without much expense transform a cramped, gloomy home into a cozy, bright and spacious room where you can spend pleasant time with yourself and in company.

See even more transformer models in the next video.

Advantages and disadvantages

Folding furniture was invented back in 1921 by the American William Murphy. Since then, the design of such furniture has been constantly improved. Today, the topic of saving space is especially relevant, because the living spaces in modern apartments are small. Designers are creating new and creative ideas for hybrid and practical furniture.

A transforming bed is perfect for lovers of minimalism and will allow you to save as much free space in the room as possible. Their distinctive feature is the presence of a special lifting mechanism, which allows you to change the shape of an object in a couple of moments.

The obvious advantages of this type of furniture are as follows:

• Practicality and functionality. A transforming bed is not only sleeping furniture. This bed can also be used as other pieces of furniture when arranging an apartment. The transformer can easily turn into a chest of drawers, a table, and a sofa, which makes it very mobile.
• Ease of use. Thanks to the simple design of the transformable bed, you do not need to make much effort to unfold or fold this furniture, and the time spent on this process is minimized.
• Saving space in the room. Transformable beds can be used not only at home, but even in an office space, which will allow you to fully relax right at work during a break, without cluttering your workplace with large furniture.

Using inconvenient areas of the room. For areas of the room where it would be impossible to place full-size furniture, a transformable bed is perfect, which can even be placed in a corner.

Possibility to choose furniture of various sizes for both adults and children.

Affordability. Transformable beds are a fairly budget option for furnishing an apartment.

Taking care of your health. Modern transformable beds are equipped with orthopedic mattresses, which is perfect for caring for posture

This is especially important when buying a bed for a child.

But certain disadvantages were also identified in folding types of furniture, in particular:

Since the transforming bed has to be folded out often, the internal mechanisms wear out quickly, so when buying furniture it is important to pay attention to the quality of the material and the reliability of the folding structure. It is important to remember that it is not advisable to place a transforming bed near ordinary room partitions. Often they may not withstand the weight of a folding structure. Therefore, the installation of transformable furniture must be carried out near the main wall. Transformable beds should not be purchased by elderly or physically weak people, since unfolding this bed requires some effort, which can be difficult or traumatic for them.

However, despite some disadvantages of a transformable bed, such furniture has many more advantages, which indicates the undoubted need to purchase such products for a small apartment. Transformable beds can turn into pieces of furniture for absolutely any purpose.

Let's talk about the types of transformable furniture for small spaces.

Variety of sofa beds

In literally every major furniture department you can find several options for beds with a transformable base. Particularly in demand are those that can easily be converted into a sofa. Their advantage is that they are suitable for arranging any room, regardless of the chosen interior style. Inside most models there is a special compartment designed for storing bed linen and other things. In addition, modern transformable beds are equipped with orthopedic mattresses, which is also their indisputable advantage. Only budget types of furniture have disadvantages, the production of which uses cheap materials and fittings.

Features and types of sliding beds, placement methods

A separate variety is a sofa that transforms into a two-story bed. The operating principle of such structures can be different: the back, seat or lower part can be turned into a second tier. There is no single classification; each manufacturer has its own individual approach.