When investing in a new piece of furniture, particularly a sofa or couch, make sure it's worth your money. There’s nothing more absurd than buying a sofa that does not suit your space and clashes with your home decor. To make a visually satisfying purchase that's worth the price, here are some crucial factors to keep in mind.
Your first step to securing a perfect sofa depends on your space and needs. Why are you purchasing this piece? Why do you need a new sofa? Where are you going to place it? All these questions should be taken into account before you start shopping for a sofa.
Before you enter the furniture outlet, identify why you need this new purchase. Do you need more seating space in your lounge, or do you want a comfortable two-seater for your bedroom? Are you buying a couch for a casual purpose like spending time with your family, lounging, and watching TV, or do you need something more formal for accommodating guests? All these things need to be taken into account so you can make an informed decision.
A key consideration when buying a sofa is which room you are buying it for. Are you buying it for your bedroom or your living area? Usually, options for living rooms are unlimited whereas bedroom sofa range is pretty exclusive. One more thing to take into account is how spacious or compact the room is. Choosing ill-fitting furniture is a complete waste of space and money.
When buying an upholstery furniture item like a sofa or a seat, think about the room layout. Are you going for a traditional against-the-wall technique or do you have different placement plans such as in front of the fireplace or the middle of the room. If you prefer changing your room layout from time to time, look for pieces that are modular and look timeless.
Before you go to the furniture showroom take some time to scale the space and proportions of the area where you will be placing the seat. This will help you in selecting the right sofa size that suits your room. Additionally, you also want to measure the sofa before finalizing the deal.
You don't want a sofa that is too high or too low as it can easily affect the proportions of your room. Make sure to measure all the proportions like seat height ( from the bottom of the sofa to its seat), inside height ( from the top of the sofa to its seat), and arm height ( from the arm of the sofa to the bottom).
Just like the height, width of the sofa can make or break the aesthetics of your space. Get the tape and measure the width of your sofa from both front and sideways. Measure from the front going from right leg to the left leg and then measure from the side going from one leg to another.
Generally, the depth of the sofa is manufactured on a standard measurement. However, if you are buying for a small room you may want to pay attention to the depth of your sofa. Measure the depth both vertically and horizontally to find a sofa that will fit and most importantly suit your place.
Once you have decided on which sofa type you need to buy, it's time to check the durability of your selected pieces. Carry multiple tests to analyze the quality of both the inner structure and outer structure of the piece.
Frame and joinery are the foundation of every sofa seat. A good frame should last at least a decade without any reparations or touch-ups. Check with your salesman to inspect whether your sofa is built on softwood or hardwood. Hardwood frames are usually more sturdy and long-lasting compared to softwood which can easily tear out if the pressure is applied over time.
The quality of sofa pads significantly affects their durability. A cheaply filled and poorly constructed padding will flatten and become inconsistent over time. However, a good quality sofa can last years without any padding replacement. To test the padding durability, press the seat firmly for several seconds and see how quickly it regains the original shape.
When looking for upholstery fabric, choose materials that are high-quality and durable. Opt for fabrics that feel good to touch but have thick and tightly woven fibers. Also ensure if the fabric you are choosing is easily washable and stain-resistant to avoid that worn-out look after a few years.
With so many sofa styles and sizes, it's important that you buy the one that complements your home. Whether you are buying for a small space or a large area, minimal theme or maximal style, pick pieces that are worth each penny.
First things first, decide which size of sofa you need or want. If you need a large seating arrangement for an open living area go for sectionals or L-shaped sofas accompanied by single-seaters. If you are looking for something to put in your bedroom, options like a comfy loveseat or a pair of armchairs are an ideal fit.
When purchasing a sofa, keep in mind the aesthetic you are going for or the mood you want to curate. Do you want your space to look timeless and chic or are you interested in glamorous and maximal spaces or perhaps you are looking for something in between? Nevertheless, choose pieces that look coordinated with your room.
Choosing a perfect sofa really comes down to how you are going to style it. You might have bought an impeccable leather couch or a matching settled sofa but it can still end up looking disoriented and unpleasing. To avoid this, coordinate your sofa space with furniture items like a proportionate coffee table or a matching side table.
The upholstery fabric can affect your room's aesthetic as well. From texture to color and even breathability, all these things play a vital role in your purchase. To simplify this search, I have gathered some key points that will guide you in choosing the right sofa material.
When choosing your upholstery fabric you can either pick natural fibers or synthetic materials both of which have their pros and cons. Natural fabrics such as cotton, wool, or linen are highly breathable and sustainable but they aren't as durable as synthetic fibers. Similarly, synthetic fabrics have long longevity and stain resistance but they lack natural airiness.
Coming to the texture of upholstery, choose something that looks compatible but has a comfortable feeling. Both natural and synthetic fabric options like cotton, chenille, and microfiber offer smooth texture and a soft-to-touch feel. Not to mention, the texture of your couch reflects your room’s mood. Natural textures like cotton or wool can give off a casual and cozy vibe whereas materials like velvet or leather look more formal and luxurious.
The color of your sofa also helps in curating your desired aesthetic. Now, neutral hues like grays, whites, and beige are always safe options to go with. However, solid colors like muted tones of blues and greens can bring out liveliness in your space. If your vibe is not minimalist or classic, choose options like give your room a pop of color.
Another important factor that affects your sofa purchase is how you are going to style it with accessories such as cushions. When looking for the right cushion type things like texture, color, and filling need to be considered.
It's not necessary to pick the same upholstery fabric for your cushions as your sofa seat. While this can help in creating a cohesive look, you can also mix and match different textured materials that work with each other.
There are no predetermined rules when it comes to choosing the right color for your cushions. You can either go fully monochromatic or curate color combinations that either complement each other or give an appealing contrast.
Just like your sofa, you want your cushions to last years without flattening out or becoming compressed. For this, it's essential to choose fillings that are durable yet comfortable. Avoid materials like feather or low-density foams and pick options like high-density foam or a combination of feathers and foam.