In an industry where well-being at home is a major focus, the furniture market is, if you will, somewhat ambivalent. It promises beautiful, stylish, and comfortable furniture to help us feel at home in our interiors.
By seeking to produce in new ways to address these various challenges, Kipli is coming up with innovative solutions. So you can feel just as comfortable inside your home as you do outside.
The market for convertible sofas: a (highly) standardized sector
The Problem with So-Called “Standard” Sofa Beds
The first question is: What does “standardized sofa beds” mean? Well, these are the sofas most commonly found on the market: with sleeping surfaces and seats made from petrochemical-based foam (i.e., petroleum) and melamine-coated wood (i.e., plastic, covered in polyester —more plastic—and manufactured on the other side of the world). With such a wide price range, one might wonder about the quality behind these sofas, which sell for between €300 and €1,500.
When it comes to comfort, standard sofa beds aren’t all that impressive either; they’re designed to be a temporary solution, and often result in a rather unpleasant awakening due to the aches and pains they can cause during the night . And that’s where the whole problem lies.
We accept this type of sofa bed as the norm, without knowing why, what its benefits are, or—much less—what the consequences might be.
If we look at durability, we see that it is very poor, with the base—as well as the additional mattresses— beginning to sag early on, even within the first few years of use, causing them to lose both their comfort and their aesthetic appeal.
When discussing the composition of synthetic sofas, many terms are used: polyester, polyurethane, etc. But simply put, this means that we spend a significant portion of our lives resting on petroleum-based products ( a big chunk of plastic). And this is not without consequences: these materials can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are harmful to our health.
A standard sleeper sofa, like these, pollutes throughout its entire life cycle. From the very beginning, they involve a long manufacturing and distribution chain because they’re made on the other side of the world under appalling working conditions. While you’re relaxing on them, they release VOCs into our homes—and even more so afterward, since they’re rarely recycled but simply (and unfortunately) sent to landfills.
A solution we all like.
In light of this, we wanted to redefine the standards of this industry by offering a responsible alternative that is just as comfortable—if not more so. We identified several criteria, and they were significant ones:
- First, a sofa that’s durable. In other words, a sofa that doesn’t sag after three years, but retains its comfort and good looks long after that.
- To ensure that it protects your home and doesn't contribute to indoor pollution, it must be natural—free of chemical treatments and plastics.
- Practical, so that setting it up and putting it away is a breeze.
- And the key factor: we wanted a comfortable sofa where we could relax both day and night.
In keeping with our commitment to sustainability, it was unthinkable that our sofa would be manufactured on the other side of the world, like most others. To ensure responsible manufacturing, it had to be crafted as close to home as possible, by skilled workers who are fairly compensated.
Our goal: to offer you a natural alternative
The Choice of Materials and Their Benefits
Because we wanted this sofa to be a natural and practical alternative, we chose a frame made of French beech wood—a durable and sturdy material that’s perfect for supporting the weight of all these high-quality materials.
Next, for the seat, we chose a material we know well, since it’s what all our mattresses are made of: natural latex. Offering a soft feel yet good support, it’s very durable and retains its comfort for a (very) long time. On top of that, it’s untreated and therefore doesn’t contribute to indoor pollution.
To cover all of this, we’ve selected different materials for the covers. The first is made entirely of organic cotton, offering all the benefits of a natural material. The second is a blend of recycled organic cotton fibers and recycled polyester, making it even more durable.
The design of this sofa
With all these beautiful materials, we needed to combine techniques and craftsmanship to bring out the best in them. Of course, we wanted this sofa to be comfortable. So we decided that its seat—and thus the reclining areas —should be made exclusively of natural latex. And to add an extra touch, it comes with five cushions filled with shredded latex, which hold their shape even better than feathers.
Next, we wanted this sofa to be used every day—or at least on a regular basis. So we developed a simple unfolding mechanism so you can easily relax on it. And finally, we wanted this sofa to be practical for storage as well, so we equipped it with a storage compartment under the seat to store the comforter and pillows until they’re needed.
The desire for local, family-run production
Of course: sustainability and responsibility were the guiding principles behind the design of this sofa. To manufacture the Folia sofa, we chose to partner with a family-owned business based in Poland. Founded in 1996, this company has passed down its craftsmanship from generation to generation, while incorporating a touch of modernity. Defying fleeting trends and fads, they handcraft each sofa using high-quality materials, so you can enjoy peaceful relaxation. And it’s because of their commitment to precision and their obsessive pursuit of quality that we love them 💚.
A customer experience you don't have every day.
Because your comfort is our top priority, we firmly believe that offering healthy and comfortable furniture must go hand in hand with services that make your life easier. That’s why we offer premium delivery that includes transport up to your floor and into the room of your choice, on a date that’s convenient for you, with a 2-hour time window!
Fair prices all year round.
In order to stay true to our philosophy of responsible consumption, we have chosen not to offer sales, Black Friday deals, or spectacular promotions. We are committed to ensuring a fair price for everyone, which means fair compensation for the artisans behind each product. High-quality craftsmanship comes at a cost, and it is essential not to devalue this work through constant discounts. By maintaining stable prices throughout the year, we are able to sustain a balanced and thoughtful profit margin.
Satisfied customers.
And we’ll end this article on a note of confidence: providing exemplary customer service is essential to ensuring a satisfying experience. We’re constantly evolving, and feedback from our customers helps us keep improving. If you have a moment, feel free to share your thoughts or send us a message. Feel free to leave us a review or send us a quick message—we’ll always read it.
Discover our line of 100% natural sofas:
Chairs - Linen Sofas - 2-Seater Sofas - 3-Seater Sofas - 4-Seater Sofas - Sofa Beds - Modular Sofas - Green Sofas - Gray Sofas - 3-Seater Sofa Beds - 2-Seater Sofa Beds