A compact sofa is a great idea to organize not only a cozy, but also a functional seating area in a small kitchen. After all, modern small sofas can become an additional sleeping place, a niche for storing items, and a place to sit at the table. But here I must say that we are talking about kitchens of at least 9 sq. m.If the size of the room is even smaller, even a small sofa cannot be expanded.
Small sofas in the kitchen: style, comfort, functionality
Sometimes, one simply cannot do without a folding small sofa in the kitchen, if in other rooms there is absolutely not enough space for sleeping and resting for all residents. The second functional role of a small sofa is the delimitation of two zones when the kitchen is combined, for example, with the living room.
Of course, buying a sofa for the kitchen is not as easy as choosing chairs, because you need to take into account a number of factors: functionality, commensurability of the assembled structure and the area of the room, ease of transformation, dimensions of the sofa in a disassembled state, practicality of upholstery, strength and reliability of the structure.
Options for compact upholstered furniture in the kitchen interior
Small corner sofa in the kitchen
Often, the owners of small kitchens prefer corner upholstered furniture. These sofas can accommodate many more people than the classic straight ones. In addition, most of these structures are equipped with a spacious niche for storing the necessary things. They can be turned into a full-fledged bed, which when assembled does not take up much space.
In very small kitchens, it is better to put a sofa without a transformation mechanism, but with a large storage box and comfortable roomy side shelves, on which you can put, for example, a clock, a small receiver or a bowl of fruit.
There are semicircular models. In studio apartments there are semicircular folding sofas, which, if necessary, are transformed into a large bed.
Comfort and functionality will be provided by modular sofa options that change their configuration. Modern manufacturers often supplement them with a minibar, a magazine rack, and storage boxes under the seat. But in such structures it is fundamentally important to pay special attention to the quality of the frame so that the transformation mechanism will serve for a long time..
Folding couch with sleeper
There are single and double rooms. For a small kitchen, the first will be the best option. Such models are available with or without backs, have two transformation mechanisms – folding and roll-out. Some models are equipped with hidden drawers for storing small items.
Sofa bench
Such a model is a kind «closet with seat», designed to store things that are rarely used. Differs in its simplicity, comfort, lightness and reasonable price. In terms of style, the sofa bench is neutral, so it will perfectly fit into any interior. Some corner models are sold with a table that can be converted into an additional seat.
Small sofa in the kitchen: varieties according to the folding principle
Today there are more than ten types of folding mechanisms. Let’s take a closer look at the most popular ones.
«Kangaroo» or «dolphin», perhaps the best option for any kitchen, even a very small one. Most often, this type of transformation is installed in kitchen corners. The sofa easily converts into a bed that serves as an additional place to sleep.
The French clamshell looks very attractive. During the transformation, its graceful backs are not used. Such a sofa takes up a minimum of space. This is the best option for a small room..
Sedaflex is a relative of the previous one, but it costs an order of magnitude more. It can be used as a permanent place to sleep, while frequent use is undesirable for the former..
A straight roll-out sofa for a small kitchen is the least suitable. And there are reasons for this: it is difficult to unfold; there is no storage space in it; the mechanism of such a model is quite capricious; takes up a lot of space when unfolded.
A good option is a sofa «accordion». Easily unfolds, reliable, but requires a lot of space, so it is better suited for studio apartments.
The sofa-book has several subtypes:
- click-gag;
- eurobook;
- tick tock;
- relaxation.
These models have storage departments, and they are very easy to transform. The classic book is not intended for frequent unfolding, so it makes sense to buy it if it is planned to use it as a bed in rare cases.
Which upholstery to choose?
The most practical upholstery for kitchen furniture is leather, as well as vinyl leather (leather substitute). Such materials are durable, resistant to fading, and easy to clean. However, this is not the only practical option. Modern manufacturers offer durable, high quality materials that do not absorb odors and are not afraid of stains.
In a large kitchen, almost any option can be used at all, because the sofa can be placed as far as possible from the working area and not worry about splashes from oil or other food. Furniture in pastel shades will be beautiful and versatile in any kitchen interior.
If you want to focus on the recreation area or highlight any element of the kitchen interior, choose an effective bright design of a compact sofa that will catch your eye. But keep in mind, this solution requires color balance..
Where to place the sofa in the kitchen?
The most common and comfortable places to place a small sofa in the kitchen are as follows:
- under the window – a similar layout accepts corner and straight classic designs;
- opposite the working area – with a standard layout, the sofa is placed opposite the cabinets and stoves, in parallel;
- in the center – this option is appropriate for studio apartments or large kitchens;
- in the corner of the kitchen – here the best solution would be a corner sofa or a kitchenette complete with a table. This layout will free up enough space to accommodate the refrigerator and other items..
Good luck!