Finding the right sofa for your living space is easier said than done. Unlike many other purchases, furniture purchases generally occur few and far between. This shouldn’t come as a surprise: most furniture is long lasting, and even for those who move often, it isn’t a guarantee their furniture won’t come with them. The sofa is no exception. However, as fate would have it, you need to buy a new sofa. Where should you start? What should you look for? Here are the answers.
Size and Shape
One of the most important aspects of choosing a sofa is the size and shape. Are you looking for a small two seater? A bulky three seater plus love seat? Maybe you want an L-shaped couch or a sofa bed. These configurations vary in size, as do individual sofas of a particular type. For instance, different three seater sofas can vary in length by a foot or more. All your sofa purchasing decisions should start here.
Remember to consider the dimensions of your living space. You will want to always err on the side of too small over too big. If you aren’t certain your house or apartment can fit the design you want, use a tape measure and figure it out. Be sure to always give your self extra space. You may have forgotten to account for that floor lamp you picked up the other day. Or even if you did, it can be very annoying to maneuver a couch that takes up too much of the room should you need to move it.
Design
Going for a modern look? A flash back to the 1980s? Or perhaps a tribute to the prohibition era? Picking the right design can really make the room come together, while picking the wrong design will be an eyesore you’ll be faced with every day.
Modern couches typically have firmer cushions, thin arms, and clean designs with very pronounced rectangular features. On the other end of the spectrum are traditional couches which usually feature significant detail, embroidery, prominent wooden legs, and more rounded edges.
A balanced design based on dark colors is usually a safe bet for most homes but most shades of gray and brown can fit other typical furnishings and floor types. Bright colors such as Reds and Yellows are decidedly riskier choices, as are overly detailed traditional cushions.
Upholstery
The upholstery is an essential component of a sofa. It will play a factor in appearance, comfort, and durability. A key sub-component is the type of fabric. The most common materials used in sofa upholstery are:
Leather — Perhaps the most common sofa material. Leathers’ smooth appearance make it a staple of many modern and contemporary sofa designs. It’s easy to clean and generally long lasting. However, leather is prone to scratches (from a pet for example) which can be unsightly, especially on dark colored couches.
Artificial Leather — Artificial leather is a synthetic material meant to mimic the look and feel of leather. Some added benefits over real leather is increased durability and lower cost. It doesn’t look or feel exactly like the real thing and lesser quality sofas made with artificial leather have a “cheap” look.
Microfiber — Another very common synthetic material mostly seen in lower cost sofas. The couches that look like they are “woven” are often microfiber. The material itself is quite durable but its look leaves something to be desired.
Cotton — For those who don’t like the leather look, cotton is a viable alternative impression and comfort wise. Unfortunately, cotton is significantly less durable than leather or synthetic fibers. A cotton sofa is definitely not recommended if you have pets.
Cushions
Along with upholstery, cushions are a crucial driver of comfort and convenience. Choice of cushions is a very personal decision: some people like cushions on the firmer side, others like a fluffy feel. For the former, look for sofas with high density foam filling. If you like nice and fluffy, down is the premium choice, but its shape can become uneven over time. Polyester filling is also a common choice and offers a variety of firmness levels at a fair price. It is best to try out different cushion types as you would use them in your home. If you like to lie on the couch while watching TV, see how the sofa feels while lying on it.
Another important consideration is whether the cushions are detachable or not. Usually seat cushions are detachable, but back cushions aren’t always such. This is an important consideration for convenience, especially when moving or cleaning.
Price
Many buying decisions are easy if money is no object. Unfortunately, that is rarely the case. The key to finding a great value on a sofa is focusing on the factors you think are most important and being willing to compromise on others. For example, don’t be immediately turned off by synthetic filled cushions or artificial leather if the sofa looks and feels great. Similarly, if real leather and down filled cushions are a must, maybe compromise on size or seek out a value brand.
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