Folding furniture, how to choose and what to look for

Manufacturers represent a huge assortment of folding furniture for camping, cottages, fishing and picnics. But design developments have stepped far forward, and folding stylish furniture now replenishes the interiors of restaurants, cafes, and also complements the home decor. For those who can’t boast extra square meters, folding furniture comes to the rescue. It helps optimize space and create comfort in the home.

Advantages and disadvantages

Today, both individual items of folding furniture and sets of it are very popular. It is functional, compact, does not cause problems in everyday life to the owners of the house. Folding furniture takes up little space, the dimensions allow you to store it on the loggia, in the closet or outside the door.

Advantages of folding furniture:

Easy to use;
Practical and comfortable;
Small-sized;
Saves living space.

Designs for small rooms, summer cottage, camping are made of various materials. They manifest their features in different ways:

Wood ─ hardwoods ─ oak, linden, walnut, maple, birch, cherry are used to make folding structures. Furniture made of natural wood gives the suburban area a presentable appearance, and also has a therapeutic effect on human health;
Plastic ─ Especially popular is garden furniture for relaxing. It is durable, not afraid of changes in temperature and moisture. The light weight allows even children to rearrange it from place to place, take it on a picnic or in a campsite. Plastic folding structures have several advantages: a low price segment, a variety of configurations, different color schemes. To keep it in perfect condition, it is enough to wipe it regularly with a damp cloth and soap solution;
Melamine foil ─ Manufacturers use melamine foil for thin chipboard panels. The self-adhesive layout looks like stone or wood. This is the material from which simple economical designs are made. For expensive options for folding furniture, a durable chipboard with a thickness of about 28 cm is used. These structures are covered with colored plastic, which has increased wear resistance;
Laminated plywood ─ Indisputable advantages are shown by furniture made of laminated plywood. It perfectly tolerates temperature changes, light mechanical damage and humidity. And also for a long time retains an attractive appearance;
Aluminum ─ a folding aluminum structure coated with powder paint in any color, is able to maintain its original appearance for a long time. This is a comfortable, easy option for hiking and other outdoor activities.

In addition to the positive characteristics of the design of various materials, they have their drawbacks. Wooden products are expensive, poorly tolerate dampness. And plastic structures must be treated with caution. Plastic can be of poor quality, and when solar heated, it can release harmful substances.

Aluminum folding structures have virtually no flaws. The anodizing technology in which such products are made is the application of durable and beautiful protective coatings. They are made in various colors and textures.

Existing options and their features

Folding furniture models are universal. They have a fairly wide range of applications. They are used not only for public places, residential premises, but also for tourism. Such furniture is folded up, if you need to free up space, it is removed, and laid out at the right time to obtain a large work surface. There are a lot of options for folding furniture. It is simple, cheap and elite:

KingCamp folding table and chairs ─ a comfortable option for a summer cottage, a picnic and camping. KingCamp folding furniture set, consisting of a single aluminum model, includes a table and 2 benches. Light weight (11 kg), allows you to take it everywhere with you. The dimensions of the table are 86x67x70 cm, and the benches are 85x35x42 cm. The whole package has dimensions 136x86 cm;
Set of table and chairs Event Set 95 ─ it is considered a family set, which consists of a table and 4 chairs. A feature of this set is that the table can be installed on an uneven surface. The plastic washers mounted on the legs allow you to align the horizon of the countertop. The set folds compactly into a flat case with a total weight of 7.3 kg. A table with a refractory plastic worktop has a size of 95x61x60 cm, and an aluminum chair 41x29x34 cm. The table can withstand a load of up to 30 kg and a chair up to 100 kg;
A stool is simple folding furniture, which is a chair without a back. It has a small weight of 0.8 to 3.0 kg, but it’s hard to sit on it for a long time;
Travel chair ─ it has a backrest, and the armrests are adjustable in height. With a small weight (2-3 kg), the chair is quite stable. There are options for chairs with side tables;
Chaise lounge ─ a very comfortable design for outdoor recreation, near the outdoor pool, on the beach or terrace. It is fixed in three positions ─ sitting, reclining and lying. Furniture manufacturers produce folding sun lounger designs with padded seats and adjustable plastic armrests. You can find options with sun screens. A light weight of 3 to 8 kg allows you to transport it both in the car and manually;
A folding bed ─ the design is a folding bed weighing from 5 to 11 kg. It is an indispensable attribute in a small apartment. Modern folding beds are equipped with soft headrests, and adjustable legs allow you to install them on any surface;
Table-case ─ the table model is folded in half and is a case. It is convenient to transport in a car, as well as carry it manually. The weight of the structure is from 4 to 12 kg;
Camping picnic table ─ furniture has a comfortable, compact, sturdy design with rounded corners. Table dimensions ─ 70x70x75 cm. The frame is made of steel pipes Ø 16 mm, has a matte finish and an aluminum panel. The table weighs 4.4 kg and can withstand a maximum weight of 30 kg;
The director’s chair Pinguin Director Chair petrol ─ director’s attribute at the summer cottage ─ this is the place of honor of the head or “your beloved” For its manufacture, fabric material with polyethylene impregnation is used. The aluminum armrests are equipped with cuffs made of upholstery. Its height is 78 cm, and dimensions 48x34x46 cm. The small weight of the chair 2.55 kg withstands loads up to 100 kg;
Metal chair Halmar K5 ─ a Polish manufacturer introduced to the market a high-quality, comfortable and functional folding chair design. It has eco-leather upholstery and a rectangular-shaped seat. The chair is often used in small rooms;
Folding model Mifine ─ is a set of folding furniture, which consists of a table and 4 chairs. It is a great option for outdoor recreation. The case table has a plastic worktop. Dimensions in the unfolded state 120x60x70 / 55 cm, and in the assembled 60x60 cm. The seats of chairs are made of textile upholstery. Stability is given to them by crossed aluminum legs. The table can withstand a maximum load of 30 kg, and a chair 100 kg.

Case table

Cot

Stool

Camping

Kingcamp

Mifine

Event Set 95

Chair Halmar K5

Armchair

Pinguin director chair petro

Deck chair

Reliable mechanisms

Folding furniture is currently a comfortable option for home and relaxation. It is made out with additional elements ─ a soft pillow, a removable seat, a fabric and leather cover. Folding furniture models are constantly being upgraded, becoming beautiful and interesting.

Modern designers have developed ideas that optimize the functional use of folding home furniture. For example, the folding mechanism of the bar counter saves space and at the same time zones the premises, increasing the working surface.

In a small room, a table with a clamshell mechanism remains in demand. To set the table in working position, you need to fix the countertop in a horizontal state, and if you need to get a cot, then the movable part reclines vertically and a frame structure is taken out.

In folding chairs use:

Locking mechanism in which all bolts must be tightened tightly. It should prevent the product from “collapsing”;
The synchronous sliding mechanism is mounted on a folding Thatcher chair, which allows you to vary the width of the product;
Umbrella mechanism ─ designer Patrik Jouin designed a folding chair. Its mechanism is reminiscent of a drop umbrella, in which the center of the chair rises or falls. The unusual appearance of the folding model is estimated at $ 3950;

In folding chairs or sofas, the footboard, which is a continuation of the seat, often serves as an additional element. When the mechanism for folding furniture is activated, the footboard is hidden under the seat or folded with the product. For folding chairs with a footboard, manufacturers install the Dolphin mechanism.

In folding sofas and easy chairs set mechanisms:

Accordion;
Eurobook;
Dolphin.

In structures that are designed for relaxation, use mechanisms that can change the configuration of the product. For example, on a sun lounger, the inclination of the headrest, the footrest and backrest changes.

Criterias of choice

To create comfortable conditions in a summer cottage, in a small living room, people choose folding furniture designs. It can be used for any corner of the garden or for a small apartment, and at the right time can be quickly removed to a secluded place. When buying folding furniture, you need to pay attention not only to the aesthetic appearance, but also to the design of the mechanisms that provide folding. Choosing furniture, first of all, you need to decide where it will be used ─ in the house or on the street, at what time of year, temporarily or permanently.