Choosing a sofa sounds straightforward but getting the right one is not as easy as it seems, and mistakes happen often. Sofas tend to be the most expensive piece of furniture in a home, so it is important to know you are making the right investment. Before buying a sofa, take these points into consideration:
Size
Three things need to be taken into account when the size is in question: the dimensions of the room, the size of the sofa in relation to the room (i.e. will it fit?), and the number of people you need to accommodate. Before you begin to shop, take measurements of the room, and think about layout. If you only need to accommodate two or three people, your options are flexible. But if more people need to be accounted for, consider an L-shaped sofa – it will offer extra seating without taking up too much space.
Manufacturing Quality
Sofas vary in price from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. The better-quality pieces will always be on the more expensive side of the spectrum, but keep in mind, quality has a huge impact on the durability and resilience of your sofa. So, while it may seem like a big investment in the present, you are saving yourself from having to replace that piece down the line, saving yourself energy and trouble in the future.
Cost and quality tend to go hand-in-hand, but you can also identify an excellent sofa by:
Asking the manufacturer if it has an eight-way hand-tied construction - a sign of excellent quality, most high-end furniture is made this way.
Running your hand across the back of the sofa - if it feels hollow, it is an indicator of lower quality.
If you want to learn more about how sofas are made, take a look at our post on Manufacturing a Good Sofa. Keep in mind, regardless of its quality, your sofa will only endure the test of time if you properly maintain it.
Aesthetic
Size and quality are very important, but perhaps nothing will have a bigger impact on your home than the style of the sofa.
Because sofas are expensive and difficult to replace, it may be wise to play it safe and stick with more neutral colors and patterns. Bold colors and trendy patterns can be fun for a while, but they quickly go out of style and limit your ability to redecorate the rest of the room when you want to. Financially, it makes more sense to go minimal with the sofa and dress it up with colorful pillows and throws.
Besides color and pattern, consider the shape of your sofa – do you like traditional sofas, midcentury sofas, contemporary sofas or modern sofas? If you are unsure, think of the existing style of the room and the overall look and atmosphere you want for your home. In general, traditional sofas do not click in modern homes, but there are exceptions! Think about the shape of the arms, the thickness of the cushions, the width of the back, and the style of the base. Find inspiration in photos and determine what you like best.
Comfort
At the end of the day, sofas are meant to be sat in, which means comfort is essential. A sofa may look good, fit perfectly, and be within budget, but if it isn’t comfortable, it’s no good. Buying a sofa you don’t enjoy sitting it will ultimately affect your dynamic with the room you add it to. It will affect the time you spend and the things you do there. Test your sofa before completing your purchase, sit in it, lie down in it, and spend a few minutes getting comfy. If it does not feel right, move on!
Buying a sofa may be tricky but following these principles should get you a step closer to a perfect match!