Buying Sofas | A Simple Guide to Choosing The Right Sofa!

A Guide to Buying Sofas

The sofa is the most important piece of furniture in the living room, and arguably, in the whole house, it is the place where you relax and unwind and as a family it is the place where you come together. Buying a sofa can often be overwhelming with so many different sizes, styles and fabrics to consider from competing companies. Before you buy a sofa or enter the showroom think carefully about what kind of sofa you are looking for and what would suit your living space.

How should I choose the size and shape of my sofa?

Choosing the right sized sofa is crucial to ensuring it meets your needs without dominating a room. Make sure you take full measurements of the room before you start shopping for a sofa. Also measure the entrance to the room and the hallway, to see whether or not the sofa will fit through whole or have to be dismantled. The size of your sofa will be determined by the space you have available and the size of your family, also consider how often you entertain and whether or not the size of the sofa will fulfil those needs. High-backed sofas should only be placed in a room with high ceilings as they may appear too large in smaller rooms, similarly sofas with smaller arms work better in smaller rooms. To make the most of your space consider different shapes, for example an L shaped sofa can make the most of space in a smaller room or consider two smaller pieces rather than one large sofa. Modular sofas are also becoming more popular that allow you to take apart and fit together each unit, this is great if you want to get creative as it offers choice and versatility beyond the initial purchase.

Should I choose a leather sofa or a fabric sofa?

Leather sofas are becoming increasingly popular, available in both contemporary and traditional styles, they are hard-wearing and easy to clean. If you are looking for a high-end sofa the Italian leather sofa offer the very best in luxury and quality, but if you are on a budget you could still enjoy the look and feel of leather with a man-made, leather effect sofa that offers a considerably cheaper alternative to real leather.

Fabric sofas offer more choice in terms of colour and patterns, so may be preferable if you are looking for a sofa to make a statement in the room. For a busy family choose a fabric sofa with removable covers for easy cleaning and to prolong the life of your sofa. When choosing a fabric sofa consider the wearability and cleanability of the sofa and if possible take fabric swatches home before you buy to see the fabric colour and pattern in the context of the room.

How do I know if the sofa I’m buying is good quality?

Once you’ve chosen a sofa that fits your size and style requirements you should make sure that the sofa you are buying is good quality. A good quality frame is usually heavy, so lift up one corner of the sofa to check that the frame feels heavy which is usually an indicator that is it well-built. Ask the retailer how the sofa is sprung, coil-sprung sofas are a sign of quality, zigzag sprung is usually used in medium price pieces and the cheapest sofas are web-sprung. While there is nothing wrong with any of these methods you want to ensure that you are getting a fair price for the quality of sofa you are buying. When you are buying a sofa ask the retailer what standards the sofa adheres to and whether or not any durability tests have been done to it.

How can I prolong the life of my sofa?

A good quality sofa is an investment that will last and wear well as one of the most used items in the house. To prolong the life of your sofa you should turn cushions over regularly and rotate them, this helps them keep their shape for longer and makes sure all cushions are getting equal usage. Regularly brush and vacuum your sofa if fabric and if leather dirt can be gently removed with make-up remover and a damp cloth. Position your sofa away from direct sunlight in order to reduce fading.

Choose a sofa that makes the most of the space available in your living room whilst meeting the needs of you and your family. Make a statement with a bold colour choice or combine luxury and practicality with a high end leather sofa. Think carefully about the space you have and the needs of your family before you buy to ensure that the fabric and upkeep required is suited to your lifestyle. Once you have made your decision continue to enjoy your sofa and prolong its life with some simple care-steps and regular cleaning.