Rolf Benz Nova Two-seater, Fabric Grey

Rolf Benz Nova – from high-back sofa to bed

Joachim Nees designed the Nova for Rolf Benz in 2013. A year later, it won the Red Dot Award and the ‘Best of Best’ distinction at the Interior Innovation Award. The idea: one sofa takes on the roles of high-back sofa, recliner, daybed and bed. This is made possible by a metal and wood inner frame with a built-in adjustment mechanism. The seat and back are made of layers of polyurethane foam in different densities and degrees of firmness. The seat is covered with a soft foam topper, and a continuous decorative seam frames the upholstery.

Nova two-seater in grey fabric

This Nova is a two-seater with a grey fabric cover and a sleep function. By day it offers two places to sit and lean back; when guests come, it becomes a bed. This makes it well suited to a study that occasionally serves as a guest room, or to a flat without a separate guest bed. The calm grey lets the clean lines and decorative seams stand out. It is one of a kind.

Seating comfort and space

The Nova offers a soft seat: Rolf Benz gives it relaxed upholstery, so you sink into the cushions a little. At 44 cm, the seat height is within the usual range. The sofa takes up around 1.9 m in width and 1.18 m in depth. When folded up, the backrest becomes around 45 cm higher, according to Rolf Benz. For the lying position, the manufacturer gives an overall depth of just under two metres for the lie-flat sofa – make sure you allow for this space.

Functions and additions

Here is how the Nova becomes a bed: pull the seat forwards, and the back can then be lowered to any angle, right down to the lying position. You can also set the headrest to the position you want. The series included lie-flat sofas, lie-flat add-on sofas and a longchair, along with piped back cushions and a side tray in saddle leather. The manufacturer offers a reupholstery service through specialist retailers.

Caring for the fabric cover

Vacuum the fabric cover regularly with the upholstery nozzle or brush it gently, so that dust does not settle into the weave. Dab fresh stains from the outside inwards with a damp, light-coloured cloth, without rubbing. According to Rolf Benz, small bobbles on the surface can be removed with a fabric shaver.

Why buy a pre-owned Rolf Benz Nova?

Rolf Benz was founded in Nagold in 1964 by the upholsterer Rolf Benz and has carried the ‘Furniture Made in Germany’ label since 2020. The Nova combines a sofa and a guest bed in one piece of furniture – an idea that does not date. The adjustment mechanism sits in the metal and wood inner frame, with the upholstery on top. A pre-owned Nova offers the same construction as a new one. This piece has been inspected in eight stations.