Sofa nach Funktion & Eigenschaft: Welches Sofa passt zu Ihnen?
Schlaffunktion, Module, Relaxposition oder waschbarer Bezug – moderne Sofas können heute weit mehr als sitzen. Dieser Ratgeber zeigt Ihnen die wichtigsten Funktionen im Überblick.
Die wichtigsten Punkte auf einen Blick:
- Liegefläche für zwei Personen: mind. 140 × 190 cm. Schlafsofas mit weniger Breite sind für eine Person geeignet – für zwei dauerhaft zu eng.
- Klappbett-Sofas: oft nur 120–130 cm Breite. Die Liegefläche entspricht Sitztiefe + Rückenlehne – das klingt nach viel, ist es in der Praxis oft nicht.
- Matratzendicke ab 10 cm für echten Schlafkomfort. Dünnere Auflagen reichen für gelegentlichen Gästebesuch – für regelmäßige Nutzung nicht.
- Elektrische Relaxfunktion: feiner einstellbar als manuell. Mehr Verstellmöglichkeiten, sanftere Bewegung, weniger Verschleiß an der Mechanik.
- Waschbarer Bezug: abnehmbar + formstabil prüfen. Martindale-Wert ab 30.000 für Haushalte mit Kindern oder Haustieren empfohlen.
What do you want your sofa to do?
The sofa is the centrepiece of almost every living room: the place where we relax, watch TV, read, welcome guests and sometimes even spend the night. But a sofa is no longer just a place to sit. Increasingly, it’s the functionality that determines the purchase – not just the shape and colour.
Should your sofa convert into a full-size guest bed when needed? Adapt flexibly to a house move? Adjust to the perfect reclining position at the touch of a button? Or simply stay clean and tidy when children and pets live with you? The clearer you are about what your sofa needs to do, the easier it will be to choose.
Our advice to start with: first consider what function your sofa needs to fulfil, and only then decide on the fabric, colour and shape. The following sections are sorted by importance – from the most sought-after functions to the more specialised features.
Sofa bed – flexible sleeping solutions for small spaces
Hardly any other sofa feature is as sought-after as the sleep function. A sofa with a sleep function – often simply referred to as a sofa bed – combines two pieces of furniture in one: a cosy sofa by day, a fully-fledged sleeping space by night. It really comes into its own in smaller homes, guest rooms and studies, as it saves space without compromising on comfort. Pay attention not only to the sleeping surface but also to how easy it is to use and the width when laid out: a 140-size is often sufficient for occasional guests, whilst for regular use it can certainly be wider.
An overview of the key mechanics
Folding or sofa-bed mechanism
The backrest folds back to form a
flat sleeping surface – quick, easy and ideal for occasional overnight guests.
Pull-out sofa (bed function)
A sleeping surface concealed beneath the seat is pulled out – usually offering greater comfort and a continuous mattress.
Sleeper armchair
A single armchair with a sleeping function – the clever solution for unexpected guests.
Who would benefit from a sofa bed?
A sofa bed is the clever solution wherever a room has to serve a dual purpose. In a guest room or study, it replaces a bed that’s rarely used and frees up space during the day. In your first home, it’s often the centrepiece – serving as both a sofa and a bed. And even those with plenty of space appreciate the sofa bed as a hassle-free backup when guests stay over at short notice.
You should bear in mind the space required when the sofa is extended: leave enough space in front of the sofa so that the sleeping surface can be pulled out freely. It’s best to measure this area in advance – this will prevent the bed from bumping into the coffee table or the opposite wall later on. Take a second look at the upholstery: a seat that doubles as a mattress at night should be firm enough to support your back for several hours.
Our tip: If you sleep on it every day, you should make sure you have a single, continuous mattress and a lying length of at least 200 cm. Our interior design experts can help you find the right dimensions for your room.
Sofa bed with mattress & storage compartment – when sleeping comfort matters
If the sofa is to be used as a permanent or regular place to sleep, sleeping comfort becomes the top priority. A sofa bed with a mattress provides a fully-fledged sleeping surface that is hardly any different from a real bed – and a sofa bed with a storage compartment also offers valuable storage space for duvets, pillows and bed linen.
It all comes down to the mattress.
How well you sleep depends on the mattress. Common choices include highly elastic cold foam mattresses, which provide point-elastic support and mould well to the body, as well as spring core variants with good ventilation. It is important to ensure the mattress is of sufficient thickness and is paired with a suitable slatted base, so that the sleeping surface does not sag even after many years.
Storage space that grows with you.
The storage compartment is the unsung hero of every small bedroom: anything that gets in the way during the day can be tucked away under the sleeping surface to save space. Look for a smooth-running lifting mechanism and an easily accessible, neatly finished storage compartment. In a small space in particular, a sofa bed with a storage compartment can also double as an extra chest of drawers.
The interplay between the mattress and the base.
A flexible slatted base, rather than a rigid panel, ensures that the mattress can breathe and that sleeping comfort is maintained over the years. Anyone who regularly sleeps on a sofa bed should also check whether the mattress can be replaced if necessary – this way, the sofa remains a fully-fledged place to sleep for years to come, without having to buy a new piece of furniture straight away.
Our tip: A sofa bed that’s used every day no longer means having to compromise – provided you pay attention to the mattress, the mechanism and the sleeping surface when buying one.
Still unsure what’s right for you?
Come along and find out for yourself by trying out our furniture – our interior design experts will listen to your needs before making any recommendations. Free of charge and with no obligation, either in-store, via video call or as a home consultation.
Modular sofa – the versatile seating solution
A modular sofa consists of individual elements—seating modules, corner pieces, ottomans and armrests—which can be freely combined. Instead of a fixed configuration, you can choose exactly the arrangement that suits your space: as a spacious living room suite, a compact corner or a long row of seating.
Flexibility that moves with you.
The biggest advantage becomes apparent when life changes. When moving into a new home, a modular sofa can be rearranged, added to or scaled down – a traditional sofa would often have to be replaced entirely. Many systems can be expanded with additional modules later on, so that the sofa grows with your needs.
From individual pieces to a living room suite
Typical components of a modular sofa include seat units without armrests, corner and straight modules, chaise longues and footstools, which can be used either as a footrest or as an extra seat. These elements can be combined to create exactly the shape your room needs: a spacious U-shape for family evenings, a compact L-shape for a small living room, or a long bench running along the wall. If your family grows or you move to a bigger home, simply add more modules.
When buying, it’s worth checking the modules’ connection system, the depth of the seat and whether the system will still be available in the future – because the ability to buy additional pieces later is a real plus point with modular designs. Tip: Draw up a simple floor plan in advance; this will make it easier to determine the ideal number of modules. You also have a choice when it comes to upholstery: many modular systems are available in different fabric and leather qualities, so that the look and care requirements can be tailored to your everyday life.
Our tip: Not sure how many modules will fit in your living room? Bring your room measurements with you – we’ll put together your ideal combination and show it to you right here in the furniture store.
Sofa with reclining function – relaxation at the touch of a button
A sofa with a reclining function brings your favourite reclining position straight into your living room. The seat, backrest and footrest can be adjusted to provide optimal relief for your back and legs – ideal for long evenings in front of the telly or for putting your feet up after work.
Who is it the right choice for?
People with back or joint problems in particular appreciate the precise adjustability of electric models. Many can be adjusted to the desired position with millimetre precision, whilst some even offer an integrated massage function. For that evening moment of relaxation after a long day at work, it is the most comfortable solution available on the market.
Manual or electric?
Basic models are adjusted manually using a lever. An electrically adjustable sofa with a reclining function is more comfortable: at the touch of a button, the footrest and backrest move gently into the desired position; many models also offer an adjustable headrest and an extra-flat reclining position. An integrated rechargeable battery or USB port is handy, so there are no cables running across the living room.
Washable sofas – easy to look after day in, day out
Where children play and pets snuggle up, a washable sofa cover is worth its weight in gold. A sofa with a washable cover has removable slipcovers or covers that can be detached via a zip and machine-washed – making stains a thing of the past.
What should you look out for when choosing a cover?
The material and the manufacturer’s care instructions are crucial. Sturdy, abrasion-resistant fabrics and a specified washing temperature that you can actually use in everyday life make all the difference. Also make sure that the covers are easy to remove and can be put back on without creases.
A washable cover not only extends the life of your sofa but also keeps it hygienically fresh – particularly useful if there are allergies in the household. Before you make your decision, it’s therefore worth asking yourself this simple question: Is the sofa cover washable, and if so, how? Models with a fully removable, washable cover offer the greatest peace of mind here, whilst sofas with fixed covers usually only allow for spot cleaning.
Our tip: An alternative offering greater flexibility is to use slipcovers or throws that can be placed over your existing sofa and washed separately. However, if you prioritise ease of care from the outset, you’ll find a built-in, washable cover system the most convenient option – especially in a lively household.
Welches Sofa passt zu Ihnen?
Kommen Sie zum Probesitzen.
Ihr individuelles Sofa entsteht bei uns im Gespräch – im Einrichtungshaus, per Video oder als Heimberatung bei Ihnen zu Hause. Hier sehen und fühlen Sie alle Bezüge, klären jedes Maß und sichern sich bis zu 25 % auf Ihr Sofa.
