Shopping for a sofa is probably the most important furniture decisions you’ll find yourself having to make for your home. After all, it’s the focus piece of your living room and it’s the place where your family and friends will gather over and spend the most time at. And because sofas are a long-term investment, here are some factors to consider before you make the purchase.
Determine how the sofa will be used
It might be a weird thing to make a list of, but understanding the kind of usage your sofa will get can help you determine most of the other features you’ll need. For example, if it’s just going to be you and your partner most of the time, then a loveseat will most probably be enough. Also, if you really want your sofa to be a good fit, then you should pay attention to who will be using it the most. If your main user has a bad back, then you might need to prioritise a sofa with a firm support instead of deep seating.
Figure out which sofa style is right for you
Once you’ve determined how the sofa’s going to be used, pick a shape that best serves that purpose. A Lawson sofa is perfect for pure relaxation, where the back is comprised of loose pillows that are separate from the frame, in turn creating a softer and more cushioned seating. But if you have a large family or simply love entertaining, consider getting sectionals. They can be arranged in a number of configurations and provide an ample amount of seating in one cohesive look.
Consider how the sofa will fit into your room’s layout
Before you choose the size of your sofa, make sure you measure the entire room, especially the wall against which you will place the sofa. As you wouldn’t want your sofa to look out of place, it’s also important that you consider how the scale and proportion of the set that you’re buying will look against the rest of the furnishings in your room. Additionally, the placement of your sofa shouldn’t impede the flow of traffic in the space.
Always test before making a purchase
As with most home furnishings, it’s important to put your desired sofa through a trial run before buying. While each person has their own preferences for their sofa experience, there are a few general rules that apply to everyone. For example, when you take a sit, the cushion should retain its shape and not curve up. It’s also important that you shouldn’t be able to feel the frame through the padding or that the back doesn’t feel hollow as those are signs of inferior construction.
Make sure the sofa fabric suits your lifestyle
Whether leather or fabric, choosing the material to top your sofa with can be a tough choice to make. But as the sofa is something you and your family will most likely use on a daily basis, it is more important to prioritise practicality over aesthetics. For example, fabric sofas are more comfortable and are generally cheaper, but they can be more difficult to clean and maintain. And while leather sofas are easy to clean, its vulnerability to scratches might not make it a good fit for families with young children or pets. As such, it’s always important to bear in mind that you should be a sofa material that matches your lifestyle.
