Sofa: design features
So, the ottoman: what is it and what does it look like? You’ve probably come across furniture in stores that looks like both a sofa and a bed at the same time – that’s what an ottoman is. Its distinguishing feature is a long back, usually quite low, straight or curved. Another feature is a wide and flat seat that can easily replace a full-fledged sleeping place.
Armrests in ottomans are usually the same height as the back, but they are not always available. In some designs, there is a soft headboard designed in the same style as the back, which forms an angle of 90° with it. The ottoman seat is flat and not divided into several sections. It is usually made on Bonnel springs, but in modern premium class designs the springs are independent inside.
It is interesting that the ottoman is not modern furniture. The history of its origin originates in Asia, where rulers, and then ordinary people, gladly included low, long sofas of an unusual appearance in the interior. In the Middle Ages in Europe, the ottoman was considered a sign of luxury, so in wealthy homes it was displayed in the best rooms.
The difference between an ottoman and a bed, sofa, couch and sofa
These types of furniture are quite similar, which is why they are often confused by buyers. However, there are signs that make it possible to distinguish one from another:
- Sofa. Absolutely all models of sofas are made with a comfortable back equal to the length of the seat. In the case of the ottoman, variations are possible. For example, the back can occupy 2/3 of the length, be curved and not reach the edge. The second difference lies in the transformation mechanism. They are different for the sofa, while the ottoman can be laid out in one way – roll out the lower part of the structure, getting a spacious place to sleep.
- Couch. This is a fairly comfortable model that can accommodate one person. It does not have armrests and a back, but a soft headboard is provided. Usually, the couch does not stand out too much in design and is installed in small guest bedrooms.
- Sofa. It is not suitable for sleeping and therefore does not include a folding mechanism. In fact, it is a small compact sofa with soft armrests and a comfortable back.
- Bed. It does not decompose and in most cases has a removable mattress. Its place is exclusively in the bedroom, but if there is nowhere to put a bed in a small apartment, the ottoman is furniture that can replace it with the greatest success.
The sofa is very convenient both for daytime rest and as a permanent sleeping place. Its seat surface is smooth and springy, but if this is not enough, you can buy an additional topper or an inexpensive mattress. On sale there are models equipped with pull-out drawers, which allows you to store bed linen and blankets.
Original 2-in-1 models
Modern designers never tire of developing new types of furniture that combine various useful functions. Today, such concepts as sofa-couch or sofa-bed are quite common. What is it and what do similar models look like?
A sofa-bed is usually called a single-bed non-detachable structure with an even sleeping place and the same backs on three sides. This is a great choice for a teenager’s room who likes to host guests.
A sofa-couch is a piece of furniture that is usually installed in small living rooms. This model has soft armrests and a back, but the seat is flat and not divided into sections. If you add bright decorative pillows to such a design, it is difficult to distinguish it from an ordinary sofa.
In general, an ottoman is an incredibly convenient and practical interior item that easily fits into any environment. A correctly chosen model allows you to significantly save space in a small room and provides a comfortable place for a full rest at any time of the day.
