Sofas

Straight or corner?

Start with the plan of the room and with how the sofa is going to be used.

Are you going to sleep on the sofa?

This is one of the main questions in the choice.

If the sofa is needed mostly for sitting, what comes first is the comfort of the seating, the depth of the seat, the design and the size.

If it is going to be used for guests from time to time, what matters is how simple it is to fold out and the size of the sleeping area you get.

If you are planning to use the sofa for sleeping regularly, particular attention is worth giving to the surface when it is folded out, to its size, to the filling and to your own sense of comfort.

A sofa for sleeping should not be chosen on the "sprung or springless" principle alone. Comfort is affected by the whole construction: the base, the filling, the thickness and combination of layers, the mechanism and the geometry of the sleeping area.

The folding mechanism — what changes for you?

VENETO sofas use different mechanisms. They are worth judging not by name alone, but by how much room is needed to fold them out and how convenient that will be in your particular room.

Before buying, it is worth seeing how the particular sofa folds out, and checking its dimensions not only closed but also opened out.

A sprung or a springless sofa?

VENETO models use different constructions of filling.

A springless sofa is not automatically better or worse than a sprung one. They are different constructions and different feelings.

If the sofa is meant for sleeping on regularly, it is better to compare several models in person and judge not only the filling but the whole surface when it is folded out.

What materials are used inside?

VENETO sofas use the materials the company also uses in making its products for sleep.

• Ecofoam — An orthopaedic foam used as one of the main elastic materials in the construction of some models.
• Memoryfoam — An anatomical foam that adapts to the contours of the body and creates a softer, more enveloping feel.
• Aero Latex — A latexed foam with a springy character, used in the comfort layers of some sofas.
• ReFiberMix — A thermal felt that can serve a structural and separating purpose between different layers.
• ThermoFiber — A thermally bonded polyester fibre used to form soft, voluminous layers.
• Protect Layer — A protective interlayer of spunbond used inside the construction.

The composition of the filling differs with the model, so it is better judged together with the overall construction of the sofa rather than by one material.

The size of the sleeping area

If the sofa is going to be used for sleeping, check two parameters separately:

the dimensions of the sofa when closed and the size of the sleeping area once it is folded out.

They are not the same thing.

For one person a more compact sleeping area can be enough. For two it is better to look at the wider versions and to be sure to judge how comfortable it is for both users.

Before ordering, it helps to mark the dimensions of the future sofa on the floor with masking tape. For a folding model, do it twice — closed and opened out.

That makes it clear straight away whether the walkways remain and whether the sofa will get in the way of other furniture.

Seating: why height and depth matter

Two sofas of the same size can feel completely different.

The figures for seat height and depth are given in the specifications of the particular VENETO models.

Do you need a storage box?

Some VENETO folding sofas have internal storage space.

It is convenient for bed linen, blankets, pillows or things that are not used every day.

If the sofa regularly turns into a bed, being able to keep the bedding in it is especially practical.

Whether there is a box, where it sits and how much it holds depend on the particular model.

Fabric can change a sofa completely

One model in different fabrics can look like completely different furniture.

For VENETO sofas there is a wide choice of furniture fabrics, textures and shades. That lets a sofa be matched to an interior that already exists, or made the main accent of the room.

When choosing the upholstery, consider more than colour. Texture matters, so does how it feels to the touch and how the fabric looks in daylight and in the evening.

Where possible, the final choice is better made from a physical sample of the fabric.

How to choose a sofa in a few minutes?

Start with six questions:

• Is the sofa needed for relaxing, for occasional sleeping or for regular sleeping?
• Does a straight or a corner shape suit your room better?
• What is the largest footprint the sofa can take when closed?
• How much room is there to fold it out?
• What size of sleeping area do you need?
• Do you need an internal box for bed linen?

After that you can compare mechanisms, fillings, seating, fabrics and design.

If you are hesitating between several models, VENETO staff will help you compare them by dimensions, sleeping area, mechanism and what is included.

Looking after a sofa

Regular care helps keep the look of the upholstery and the working order of the mechanisms for longer.

Dust and small marks are worth removing with a soft vacuum attachment. Stains are better dealt with straight away, following the recommendations for the particular fabric.

Use the folding mechanism smoothly, without sharp jerks or excessive force.

Do not put the sofa hard against sources of strong heat, and follow the care recommendations for the upholstery you chose.

Questions and answers

What folding mechanisms are there?

The most common are the Eurobook, the click-clack, the walking mechanism and the swivel one. They differ in how much room is needed in front of the sofa and whether it has to be moved away from the wall. The mechanism of each model is given in its specification; in the showroom, unfold the sofa yourself.

How do I check that the sleeping place is big enough?

Look not at the overall dimensions of the sofa but at the size of the sleeping place when unfolded — on the product page these are separate figures. For two people, consider not only the width but also the length of the sleeping place, your sleeping habits and the space available.

What is the warranty on sofas?

20 months — on Veneto sofas and armchairs for home use. The term runs from the date of dispatch; the rules for accepting the product and caring for it are set out on the warranty page.