A sofa is the focal point of a living room. For that reason, buying a new sofa can be intimidating, as it is like buying a new car. You have to review many aspects, such as brand, type, comfort, and style, before buying the right one that is the best for your space.
How to Get the Right Sofa for your Space
We have created this special sofa buying guide that will assist in narrowing down your options.
1. Measure Your Space
If you are buying a sofa without measuring the space first, you are inviting trouble. Since if you have a small room but buying a sofa with large dimensions, your room won’t swallow it. The sofa will take up the entire space and won’t leave enough room for other furniture.
Get out your measuring tape and measure the size of your room.
Without perceiving the measurement of your room, it would be utterly difficult to comprehend which sofa measurement is right for you.
Once you have room measurement, measure the space where you are planning to keep your new sofa. Keep the depth and length in mind.
Furthermore, make sure it can pass the living room door, as some sofas are so spacious that they can’t pass through the smaller doors. Having all these measurements on a notepad can facilitate you in choosing the right size sofa for your living room.
2. Choose The Design
Opting for the design is the next important step.
Every shape of the sofa has its own grace. Choosing the right shape highly depends on the décor and size of your room. For example, if you have a classical touch in your room and if you are using carpets, a u-shaped sofa is probably the best option. It not only complements the traditional, classic décor but also serves a huge crowd.
We also have chaise sofas that are great for small rooms. Though, most chaise sofas come with extended ottoman; their ottomans can be attached to one of their sides.
Next, we have L-shaped. Calling them innovative sofas of the 21st century would be utterly correct. Due to their clear form and innovative design, they are the choice of millions of people. It is easy to place them in the corner of your room. The great thing about L-shaped sofas is they often don’t take much space. They fit in both large and small rooms.
Other than that, recently, sleeper sofas are gaining popularity as well.
People use them for sitting and for getting good sleep too. They are functioned with chaise-style sectionals and they can be fit in a small space easily.
3. Couch vs. Sofa
Chances are, you don’t know the key differences between sofa and couch.
Historically speaking, yes, the couch and sofa are very different, but these days, both of their features have combined. It is tough to differentiate them. But there are still some indications that can facilitate you in understanding whether you are buying a sofa or a couch.
A sofa is an upholstered bench with cushions. Its name describes a wooden bench that is covered in cushions. It is only for sitting, not for curling up on or sleeping.
In addition, a sofa can have two arms and a place for several people to sit. For instance, they allow four or more people compared to the couches which allow only 1-3 people to sit. Other than that, the interior designers mostly use the sofa for formal settings.
On the other hand, a couch is like a small, casual sofa with some special features; you can lie down on it. Most couches don’t have armrests, besides, compared to sofas, they are a more fluffy and overstuffed piece of furniture.
It is something on which you can crash for a nap or allow your children to have fun on it while watching movies.
4. Check The Upholstery
In simple words, upholstery is a soft padded textile covering on your couch and cushions.
It is known as leather or fabric cover also. Companies use upholstery to protect the actual material and construction of their sofas.
Upholstery comes in different types.
We have a leather blend and faux leather upholstery which is quite popular used in most homes. It is often on those furniture pieces that are not immensely expensive and also considered man-made material. If you have a standard sofa, faux leather upholstery can make it look exclusive and also maintain it in the long run.
The fabric upholstery is also quite popular. It often gives a stylish and decent look. When we compare it with faux leather, it is softer and has a silky nature.
The genuine leather and linen upholstery are for wealthy families. If you see a sofa with genuine leather upholstery, and if you can afford it too, get it at once. It means it is a luxurious piece and its quality is a million times better than other sofas.
For that reason, sofas with genuine leather and linen upholstery have a separate demand base.
5. Frame Material
The frame material of the sofa can be a game-changing factor.
Most sofa frames are made out of hardwood; it is more solid than a practical board. The hardwood material is usually oak, cherry, walnut, and beech.
If you see a sofa in hardwood material, it means it can be a lifelong friend.
In case you look for the cheapest option, you will companies promoting particle board as the frame material. It is made of composite wood materials, however, it is lightweight and fragile. It can’t be used for heavy use, that’s why it is better to avoid any sofa with particle board material.
Metal frames are also a good option.
The only downside of the metal frames is they can bend over time if they are not sturdy. But if they are heavy and have a good assembly, you won’t deal with this issue.
Conclusion
On the whole, ponder all these factors and pick out a sofa that works well with your overall design. You can apply all these factors to modern, traditional, and contemporary sofas. Also, consider the cushions and think whether you want to sit on a soft or firm cushion.
