Flower Love
A sofa is an essential part of any home and needs to be chosen carefully. As you know, it takes up a lot of space and costs more than most pieces of furniture. Therefore, the choice of sofa should be based on several factors.
If you pay attention to its characteristics and your needs, you can easily define what works for you and what doesn’t. With some helpful tips for buying a sofa, that choice will be more than easy.
The size of the room
Image source: Kim E. Courtney Interiors & Design Inc.
Don’t be tempted by the look and design of a sofa that attracts you online or something suitable that you found on a sale. More than often, a sofa chosen without considering its dimensions is either too big or too small for the space.
Just because it fits doesn’t mean it should be there – you should have plenty of space for the other pieces of furniture, a fresh but not too empty look with a pleasant feel. Measure your room and also the sofa you want to get. Checking the window height is also helpful.
The purpose of the sofa
Image source: Jane Lockhart interior design
When choosing a sofa, keep in mind that the features you will appeal to will depend on what you intend to use the sofa for. It’s nice to know what you’re up to, for example:
- Does it require a formal event or gathering, or is it for everyday recreational use?
- Who are the target users? Is it for you your family Guests maybe? Remember that tall people prefer to sit deeply, as sitting flat is good and practical for someone with bad knees.
Get a sofa that’s worth it
Image source: Macral Design Corp.
The price is second in comparison to the quality of the sofa. This is the most important feature as replacement becomes a problem with a cheap, poor quality sofa. The best choice would be something that could last at least ten years – unless you are a person who wants to redesign and decorate frequently, which requires frequent furniture replacement.
Image source: WHEEL shape
How would you know if a sofa is quality? The material should be stable and heavy, the sofa itself should be solid. You can check how stable it is by lifting it from the side and shaking it. Oven-dried hardwood is the best material for the frame. So make sure that your sofa is made of alder, birch, oak, maple, or even good hardwood and marine plywood.
Springs also play a big role in quality and comfort – choose hand-tied eight-way springs for maximum experience; Choose drop-in spools if you want to spend less.
It is meant for relaxation
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A great aesthetic value is nothing without comfort; Use your senses and choose the most comfortable couch that will suit you well, both in terms of appearance and physical lightness. The depth is an important factor in comfort. Hence, choosing the right depth can be crucial.
Once you are comfortable, measure how far from the inside of your knee to the point where your lower back touches the sofa. Once you find these measurements, you can compare them when choosing something to be comfortable for you.
The number of people
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How many would you like to sit on the sofa? Of course, your sofa isn’t the only piece of furniture people can sit on, but consider how much seating your room will allow and bypass this. Sometimes a smaller sofa is a better option as there is a lot of free space where you can add more seating.
Is leather or fabric better for a home with children?
Image source: Twice as beautiful an interior
If removing stains from your light colored furniture is your priority, choosing leather is the best way to do it. Leather is easy to clean and great for lighter shades.
However, if you’re looking for something a little more comfortable then fabric is for you.
The choice is huge as it is combined in many patterns and in all possible colors. Cleaning can be a little trickier though, so you’ll need to look for removable covers if available. Check the legs too, as these can be metal or wood. Both leather and fabric have their own advantages. The selection should therefore correspond to your needs and priorities.
The shape of the sofa
Image Source: Designing Solutions
Having decided on the purpose, it’s time to choose the shape that best suits it:
- Deep and comfortable, combined with loose pillows, only screams for relaxation. If you want the design to be flexible and to be used in both a formal and informal setting, you can choose a Lawson sofa that has arms lower than the back and comes in many finishes. You can even use a roll-up sofa for this type of setting.
- If you’re looking for something decorative and formal, the curvilinear shaped camel back sofa with a flat seat and narrow back has a traditional and sophisticated feel.
- Sections, especially recumbent ones, come in many shapes and sizes so they can be adapted to any home and style. They are relaxed, comfortable and designed for leisure and entertainment. Hovement has a pretty good guide on choosing the best daybed that suits you!
Can the location be changed?
Image source: The Sofa & Chair Company
If you’re the type who likes to play around with the floor plan every now and then, choosing a longer or L-shaped sofa is not a good choice for you. Such a sofa limits the way you can arrange the space. If there isn’t too much space to work, styling can be limited to a few options.
The same does not apply to larger rooms, which can be achieved by choosing smaller furniture.
Complement your style
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No doubt your room has its own mood and style, so the sofa you choose should definitely match that. Whether it’s a beach look or something better, it’s important that everything stays in the same tone. Take a look at the sofa – is it traditional or contemporary?
Image source: WHEEL shape
Does it sit low and touch the floor, or does it have thin legs that create extra space underneath? It’s not just about making the sofa fit, it’s also about making it fit. The lines of the sofa must be compatible with the rest of the room and its design.
Rolled arms, contoured backs, and baseboards look best when exuding a traditional feel, as cleaner lines and subtle upholstery look a more contemporary one.
Visual height
Image source: VSP Interiors
Nowadays it has become popular to have a significant distance between the walls in the furniture to improve the flow of traffic in the room. While moving the furniture away from the walls and more towards the center of the room is a good option, the height should be considered.
If a sofa is too high, it can block the view, visually minimizing space despite the good traffic.
Colors and patterns
Image source: Kern & Co. – Susan Spath Interior Design
Choosing a color and even a pattern for your sofa is a process that requires you to think about the existing colors and patterns in your room because you don’t want to mismatch:
- Neutrals go well with anything. They are perfect for small spaces as they are subtle and relaxing. If you want to liven up the sofa, you can use bolder colors for the pillows.
- If space is being used heavily, use the design to hide stains by choosing a patterned fabric.
- Would you like to make a statement? Bold, bold colors are your thing. If you want to make the setting impactful but not overwhelming, consider combining the bold colors with softer lines.