SOFA CUM BED

Dear friends

There is a saying "necessity is the mother of invention".  Probably the sofa cum
bed should be one such item. Just like the Malayalam saying "Neiappam thinnal
randundu kariam" initially sofas served dual purpose sitting and using as bed.
But today sofa cum bed serves three purposes with a third purpose of storing
things like books, bed sheets, pillows etc.

Sofa cum bed was a very popular item during 1985's.  After the appearance of
prestigious sofa sets these sofas had a down fall. Today old model sofa cum beds
is in store room and given for those who specifically desire it.

The new wooden sofa cum beds and storage are much wanted and on display in
select furniture marts. Let me go in to sofa cum beds

1. Sofa cum bed ? Introduction

The first introduced sofa cum bed was   on tubular frames of iron with a sitting
and supporting back. Over the frames of about 6feet x 1.5 feet, a country wood
frame was fitted with spring loaded and top cushioned with cotton and foam
rubber and covered with a stitching of designed foam leather or similar sheet.

The two wooden frames supporting back and sitting were hinged at three or four
locations.  The supporting back side had an additional fitting to keep it erect
from the steel frame of the seating.

When required the supporting frame was tilted with slight pressure and the
additional fitting got released and sofa became a bed. The released additional
fitting became support for the slanting side while using as bed.

Depending on the material of frame work, hinges, type of country wood, quality
of spring, foam leather the sofa cum bed was priced from above Rs 500-00. to
2000.

Three or four people could conveniently sit on it. So when a family come as
guest rather than settees, sofa was more convenient.  Sofa cum bed with a teapoy
was the most important furniture in guest room. The quality of sofa varied
depending on financial position.

2.  Sofa cum bed show rooms, repair shops and works shops

The sofa gained so much popularity, exclusive showrooms for sofa cum beds,
repair shops with display and manufacturing units started.  I purchased my sofa
cum bed  from the manufacturing unit, having a good margin. Now too repair shops
are there. Manufacturing units of this model has almost switched in to other
models.  Now show rooms display other models.

3. Relaxing in the afternoon

Sofa cum bed was very comfortable with spring loaded cushion, for women folk to
relax and watch TV and go in to nap in the after noon.  Two sofa cum bed solved
all problem of guest accommodation.  It was the period TV was a luxury.

After office work relaxing in sofa and viewing TV was felt very comfortable.

4. Guest accommodation

It was very convenient to accommodate guests (gents) in Halls in the sofa.
Though the top of sofa cum bed either on support or on side was slightly oval,
still it was felt good as a bed. Infact many elders preferred it instead of cot
for the cushioning effect.

5. Sofa cum bed convenience

Sofa cum bed did not occupy much space.  When required it could be changed to
bed with slight adjustment. It did not spoil the appearance of the hall

5. Enikku sofa mathi ( I need only sofa)

In my brother's house at Pandalam there was a sofa cum bed as well as  cot in
the thalam. My brother's sons used them . The second was more intelligent. He
told my brother ? I require only sofa.

I asked him once the reason- His reply made me laugh and laugh. At least 10 days
there will be some relatives staying in the house including their grand mother.
He tactfully understood their preference was to cot than sofa. So he opted for
sofa. Let the elder brother sleep in the floor with mat on those days !!!....

6.  Down fall of sofa cum bed

Just like the steel furniture these sofa cum bed too met with a down fall. With
construction of guest rooms,  sofa cum bed found less use. Appearance of modern
sofa set with more comfortable  double sitting  is almost equal to  sofa cum bed
space.  Probably TV watching too got reduced.  Now a day TV is seen for limited
period by most.  Many having TV in bed room too reduced the used of sofa cum
bed. Now in houses TVs have separate room and called TV room. The place of TV
has  almost gone from guest room now.

7. New wooden sofa cum bed

Of late wooden sofa cum bed has started appearing . Probably in resorts and
guest houses they found their application most keeping aesthetic appearance.  In
the night they could well spread to the same level and side support could be
used as pillows for additional memebers.  Next day morning the spreads and cover
is removed up keeping hygiene . Day time they could be normal used

Made to order wooden sofa sets with storing are available in furniture shops
now. These are called OST type. I asked why- they told me it meant outside teak
for appearance .  In these sofas there are two cushions in the sitting area.
There is a  bottom frame swift sliding from the front. It can be pulled and 2nd
cushion can be placed on it for bedding and supporting side  could be used as
pillows.  A small wooden frame supporting the back cushion is elegantly made and
comes as a protection on one side. The side handles prevent pillow from falling
down.

The slider has a thick frame and plank above it is sturdy  . This plank is
hinged and can be raised and kept when necessary. Inside is the storing area for
pillows, bed sheets ,books etc. If we ask they will compartment  and give as per
choice.

Seeing their sleek appearance   I was compelled to purchase one to my office
room for my clients about one  year back. It was actually made for some body
that ordered but desired some more time  to lift  it.  I  find it very
convenient to keep  my wide Xrays, scans etc with out folding  plus new bed
sheets and other furnishings inside.

These sofa cum beds cost about Rs 22000 thousand now. Old type steel frame sofa
cost above three thousand.  Sofa cum beds is really a comfortable furniture.