Step-by-step guide to assembling a corner sofa: tips and tricks

What is the most impressive and important element of decor in the living room? No, it is not a large TV on the wall. Of course, we are talking about a beautiful and comfortable corner sofa. It is the one that takes up a significant part of the space, it is the one that will comfortably accommodate you and your guests, and it can withstand all the pranks of children. However, if you decide to move it to another room or even a new apartment, this can turn out to be a difficult task. At first glance, everything seems easy: unscrew the necessary fasteners, separate the parts, pack and you're done. But it is at this stage that inexperienced craftsmen can encounter serious difficulties. At best, this will lead to a loss of time, and at worst - to damage to the fastening mechanisms and the furniture itself. 

It's not as scary as it might seem at first glance. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to disassemble and assemble a corner sofa yourself, how to supervise the work of an invited furniture assembly specialist, as well as what should and should not be done during dismantling and transportation. 

How to quickly assemble and disassemble a corner sofa

Disassembling a sofa in 15 minutes? It's unlikely. It's only possible if you're a craftsman with years of experience and incredible furniture assembly and disassembly skills.

A corner sofa is a massive interior element, so its movement and transportation are usually carried out in disassembled form. This significantly simplifies all the manipulations necessary when moving furniture, as well as its placement in a truck. 

Let's look at several situations when it may be necessary to assemble or disassemble a sofa:

• You have decided to assemble a new sofa yourself, without resorting to the help of specialists;
• You have hired a professional for assembly or disassembly and want to confidently supervise his work, having the necessary knowledge;
• You are about to move, and for ease of transportation you need to disassemble the sofa.

Before you begin transporting your sofa, it is important to consider several key points:

• Prepare stretch film. It provides protection for the soft parts of the furniture from abrasions, dust, dirt, damage and moisture. Carefully wrap all the necessary parts with film;
• Purchase corrugated cardboard. This is especially useful if the sofa has polished wood or other sensitive materials in its design. Alternatively, use thin rolls of foam for added protection;
• Are you disassembling the sofa yourself? Make sure you have an assembly or disassembly diagram, if any. If you don’t have one, look for the necessary information online to avoid mistakes when disassembling.

Design features to consider during the process

First, it is important to determine what type of sofa design you will be working with. Corner sofas can be classified according to several criteria:

1. Connecting element:

• The sofa consists of a three-seater unit connected by a corner element, or a two-seater unit connected by a corner element.
• An option where a two-seater block or a three-seater block is combined with a sofa located perpendicularly.

1. Features of the main part:

• The design is in the "Eurobook" format.
• Accordion transformation mechanism.
• Dolphin layout scheme.
• American clamshell format.

Guide to disassembling a Eurobook sofa

To begin with, it should be noted that sofas with different transformation mechanisms can be divided into three main categories:

1. Click-clack mechanism.
2. Classic Eurobook.
3. Modern Eurobook.

To disassemble you will need an open-end wrench.

Instructions for disassembling sofas with click-clack mechanisms and classic Eurobooks:

1. Lift the sofa seat and lay it on its back.
2. If the sofa has side panels, remove them by unscrewing the fasteners.
3. Remove the seat by unscrewing the corresponding fasteners.
4. Loosen the fasteners that secure the back of the sofa.

When disassembling a Eurobook type sofa, you should remove only the side parts and the roll-out section, since the seat and back in such models are combined into a single block. 

Accordion Sofa Disassembly Guide

This type of sofa got its name due to the design features, reminiscent of an accordion mechanism. The frame of a sofa with an accordion mechanism usually consists of three sections that are connected to each other. When you pull the seat forward, the backrest drops and transforms into a sleeping place. Such sofas are equipped with a metal frame, which is supported by wooden slats.

Required set of tools:

• Open-end wrenches for 10 and 12-14
• Flat head screwdriver

Instructions:

• Start by removing the back plate fasteners that hold the sides of the structure in place. Remove the sides and set them aside.
• Remove the headboard and triple frame. The frame slides out of the box, so you need to remove the box first.
• To remove the box, lift the seat and unscrew the bolts that secure it.

After disassembling the accordion sofa, you will have three main parts:

• Linen box
• Transformation mechanism
• Side panels

These steps will help you prepare your sofa for transport without much difficulty. Remember to carefully pack all parts to protect them during the move.

Corner Sofa Disassembly Guide

A corner sofa is a large and bulky piece of furniture, the disassembly of which may take some time. The time required for this process depends on the experience of the performer, the availability of the necessary tools and the convenience of the work.

Tools you will need:

• Furniture stapler
• Open-end wrenches (10, 12-14) 
• Flat head screwdriver

Instructions:

1. Start by removing the pillows and covers (if any).
2. Move the sofa away from the wall for ease of work.
3. Evaluate the types of fasteners. This will help you determine what tools you may need for removal. If the fasteners are in hard-to-reach places under the upholstery, it is better to contact a professional to avoid damaging the upholstery and additional costs for its repair. If you decide to do everything yourself, make sure you have a furniture stapler to carefully remove the staples, remove the upholstery, perform the necessary manipulations and put everything back in place.
4. Remove the sides. On some models, you will first need to remove the strip that attaches the sides to the back of the sofa.
5. Detach the seat pieces or both corner pieces.
6. Disassemble the short section. If the frame is connected to the seat with fasteners, unscrew the nuts and remove the soft section. If the short section has a backrest, dismantle it as well. 
7. Leave the corner piece intact.
8. Disassembling the main part depends on the type of transformation mechanism of your sofa. In most modern models, the linen box is the only part that can be disassembled. The back and seat are usually a single unit, the disassembly of which requires professional help. Do this only in case of emergency.
9. Finish the process by packing all disassembled parts. Make sure all components are securely packed to avoid damage during transportation.

Tips for packing a disassembled sofa:

1. Packing the side parts. These elements can be packed together, as their structure allows them to avoid damage from each other during transportation.
2. Packing the remaining parts. Wrap all remaining parts in stretch film or cardboard for reliable protection. This will help prevent possible damage.
3. Packing the seat and backrest. If these parts are not separable, carefully press them together to save space and ensure safety.
4. Organize your fasteners. Place all your fasteners in a separate bag and be sure to label it. This will simplify the assembly process and eliminate confusion.

How to assemble a sofa correctly?

Now let's look at the process of disassembling a sofa. In most cases, modern sofas are delivered to customers partially disassembled: the main parts are already connected, and your task is to fix the additional elements.

Quality manufacturers and sellers provide their customers with the following set:

•  The sofa is partially disassembled
•  All necessary tools for assembly
•  Detailed assembly instructions

If you have all of the above, you can start disassembling. Proceed sequentially, following each step.

• Preparation

Carefully remove all components of the sofa from the packaging, avoiding damage and loss, especially fastening parts. Check the presence of all elements with the assembly instructions. If any parts are missing, immediately contact the seller to obtain the missing elements or replacement. If everything is in order, you can proceed to the next stage of assembly.

• Installing sofa legs

If your sofa includes decorative legs, install them first. If legs are not included in the design, installing them may be difficult and require additional effort.

• Assembling the sofa

This stage is the most important and requires attention. Regardless of the type of sofa transformation mechanism, its basic design usually includes the following parts:

• Main frame;
• Large additional elements (armrests, backrest, ottoman);
• Small details (fittings and decorative elements).

The assembly of modern sofas is often similar due to standard designs. In general, the process includes several key steps:

• Installing the fasteners. Align the fastener holes and carefully screw in the furniture bolts or screws according to the assembly instructions. Work carefully so as not to damage the threads.
• Attaching the backrest and seat. If these elements are not connected in advance, connect them in the same way as the fasteners in the first step.
• Installing the armrests. Read the instructions and install the armrests alternately on both sides of the sofa.
• Installing additional elements. If the design includes additional parts, such as a false back or a linen box, install them in the appropriate places.

Here is a general guide to assembling a sofa. However, due to the wide variety of models on the market, each of them may have its own unique features. Let's look at the main types of sofas that are most popular today:

• Straight sofa
• Corner sofa 
• Modular sofa

If your sofa has a storage section, start by installing the armrests on that section and then attaching it to the back of the sofa.

For a corner sofa, it is important to check which side the corner is intended to be attached to according to the manufacturer's instructions. If you have chosen a model with a universal corner, evaluate the layout of the room and decide on which side it is better to install the corner.

Modular sofas usually come in separate elements (modules) that you can combine as you wish. Depending on the complexity of the design, assembling the modules may require special attention. In this case, it is important to follow the instructions to assemble the sofa correctly.

• Checking the quality and functioning of the mechanism

Your sofa is almost ready to use, and now it is important to make sure that the assembly is done correctly. 

Start by checking the mechanism: try to unfold and fold the sofa again. If it functions smoothly, without unnecessary sounds and effort, and also easily turns into a bed, then the assembly was successful.

If something is wrong, go back to the instructions and carefully repeat all the steps. 

Assembling a sofa requires care: although the process is not complicated, poor quality workmanship can shorten the life of the furniture and cause discomfort to users.