In a cozy small kitchen, you can also afford a little luxury – high-quality materials, thoughtful design, and verified logistics. But only a cozy sofa can turn a small-sized Cinderella into a princess. The small size of modern models makes it possible to fit it into almost any interior, even on Khrushchev’s nine square meters. Low, high, angular, round or oval – among all the variety of species, a narrow and straight sofa was best able to adapt to the tastes and requirements of discerning owners..
Irrefutable advantages:
- can store a lot of useful items in its bowels;
- increases the number of seats at the table;
- takes up little space;
- withstands the aggressive environment of the kitchen;
- you can sleep on it if you want.
SIZE MATTERS
Unlike their living room counterparts, kitchen sofas are small in size. Their main task is to replace chairs, expand the functionality of the dining area, delimit or save space. In any case, the dimensions should fit into the designated space and leave room for free passage from one or both sides – at least 75-85 cm.
A narrow sofa assumes a shallow seating depth. The minimum size that can be found today is 40 cm, but this is rather an exception to the rule, suitable only for people of graceful build. The standard provides for – from 45. The width of the back ranges from 5 to 15 cm, so the total value that you should be guided by when forming the dining area is about 60 cm.
Additional features of such models – only a storage box – vertical (with a seat rise) or horizontal (with a swing or sliding system), which is rare.
For sofas in which a berth is provided, the seat depth is greater, otherwise the retractable structure will not fit. Depending on the folding device: for roll-out – from 60, “books” – from 90 cm. It is important to provide the size of the sofa unassembled before purchase, in the description of models it is indicated as the width of the product.
The length is determined based on the size of the table, the planned number of seats and the physique of the household. And already for the result obtained, they choose a model that is suitable in the furniture showroom. In stores, the height of the sofa is presented in the description, taking into account the back. It depends on the design decision and can be high or low; in sofa benches, they do without it at all. But the seat height is set for furniture in the dining area according to standards and GOST.
Standard sizes of narrow straight sofas for the kitchen (cm):
- length – from 80 to 250;
- seat depth – from 45 to 65;
- width: for withdrawable models – from 65,
- book, euro book – from 90;
- seat height – 40/42/45, in some variants 50.
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The latter indicator depends on the average height of family members and the level of the tabletop. The comfort zone between the underframe and the seat should not exceed the range of 29-31 cm.
POSSIBILITIES OF SMALL FORMS
The maximum weight that a kitchen sofa can support is 100 tons. This was created by Maria Vatolina for her famous monumental project Kitchens with a Waterfall. Ordinary sofas are not so powerful, but you can enroll in the weightlifting category – they hold weight up to 200-250 kg.
The constructions are solid, relatively lightweight. Materials used: wood, plywood, a little less often due to its high cost of aluminum. Particleboard and MDF are used, but are recognized by experts as short-lived, the service life is 5 years. Metal is also rarely used: products are obtained with increased strength, but unaffordable.
Since, first of all, a sofa in the kitchen replaces chairs, its shape in most models corresponds to the purpose: the seat is quite rigid, and the back is thin, almost straight, often attached to the wall for stability. In more comfortable versions, there is an analogy with chairs in cafes or restaurants. In expensive models, in which a berth is provided, springs or thin latex mattresses can be used.
In the smallest in size, in order to save space, armrests are often not used. And this has its advantage – you can move the table close to it.
The storage areas are made from basic frame materials. Ventilation in most cases is provided from the back, invisible side.
DOLPHIN, BENCH AND BOOK
In salons, usually narrow sofas for the kitchen are presented according to the price scale and categories of equipment:
- simple non-separable (with or without backrest);
- non-separable with storage boxes;
- sofa bed (with a berth).
In any of the positions there can be a backrest of different sizes or without it..
Sofa bench (without backrest) – lightweight construction compared to others. A subspecies of a bench, hence the name. Some models have a storage box, which can be as large – from the floor to the base of the seat, or as small – 10-15 cm and placed directly under the seat. In extremely rare cases, a soft bench is equipped with a berth.
With storage box. Most kitchen sofas have a storage area. Drawers are often opened by lifting the seat and have an open position lock. For frequent use, so that you do not have to move the table, lifting mechanisms located on the side have been developed. The inner dimensions of the box are 3-5 cm less than the overall dimensions of the lower part of the sofa. Found in both simple and folding models.
Narrow sofas are able to open their folding structures and provide additional sleeping space in the apartment. It is not intended for permanent use, therefore the mechanisms cannot withstand constant load. And the bed itself does not differ in increased comfort, but for rare guests it is quite suitable.
There are several principles of unfolding. Most Popular:
- Dolphin (Kangaroo) – an exhaust bed, like a cabinet drawer. Closer springs are considered to be a sign of the quality of this system..
- Book – when assembled, the seat is a double folded shape for a bed, by pulling one of them, a single plane of the bed is formed, which is fixed in height by a special mechanism. Like Dolphin, it is a guest option.
- French folding bed – ideal for receiving guests in a small kitchen. Unfolds in length, like a normal clamshell. Since the back is not involved in transformation, its shape and design distinguish the models of this system from others. For regular use, an analogue of the French clamshell is suitable – Sedaflex, but the price is much higher.
- Eurobook – an exhaust seat with the help of profiles (more durable) or rollers, like the Dolphin, on which the back of the sofa fits. The most reliable bed, applicable for frequent use. Varieties of eurobook: Click-clack, Relax and Tick-tock.
Stylish ensemble of the room
In order to replace the chairs, the straight kitchen couch will have to strain a little. It is necessary to fit into the style ensemble of the room, to match the color scheme of the table. Ideally, have the same upholstery as the dining set, the same texture of wood parts or the coating of metal elements. To make the sofa the accent of the kitchen composition is one of successful solutions, you only need color support for other few items.
The dimensions of the sofa depend on the area of the room and the space allocated for the dining area. The proportions of the furnishings are also taken into account. A massive set, for example, will accept upholstered furniture with a high back and a powerful base. A single-tier or lightweight kitchen, on the other hand, will require an airy structure..
The straight shape allows you to put the sofa in any convenient place, and rearrange it if you wish. The iron rule of the eating area is that sunlight should fall on the table, but not blind people, so it is better to place the sofa with its back to the window or opposite the kitchen set against the wall on the side of the window.
ORDERED TO SURVIVE
For a soft nature, the atmosphere in the kitchen is tense, the climate is harsh. The frame and exposed wooden parts must be treated with a protective compound, otherwise the sofa will not last long. From constant changes in temperature and humidity, cracks, swellings will appear and you will not have to rely on the strength of the structure, not to mention the appearance of the product. In close proximity to the working area, aluminum structures feel incomparably better.
Upholstery should also be ready to take the blows of the culinary elements. Nothing in the dining area is safe from drops of fat, spilled drinks and a meeting with a ruddy homemade cutlet. At the forefront of this confrontation is a leather sofa or upholstered with quality leatherette. They are not only easier to care for, they are pleasant to the touch and do not lose their original attractiveness for a long time..
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Flock has proven itself very well. Nice, does not deform, does not fade in the sun and is rare cleanliness: easy to clean, clean, moisture and odors do not linger on it. With a pronounced repulsive character and microfiber, but unlike flock, it does not tolerate temperature changes, that is, it can exist only at a considerable distance from the plate. Forest, Courtesan, Scotchgard and a special jacquard for the sofa in the kitchen have proven themselves well..
The internal content of soft forms is of no less importance. Hard, form-stable fillers are selected for the kitchen. For example, dense foam rubber that easily maintains a flat surface of the seat without dents. However, such budget material will last a little over 4 years. The ideal is polyurethane foam, sometimes reinforced with a fibrous layer..
