Buying the Perfect Sofa
If there is one place in your home that you want to relax after a long day, where would it be? If you answered your sofa, you’re not alone. A sofa is probably one of the first things you are thinking about when you are designing your home. Sofas play a central role in your living room, it’s where the family will gather, where your friends will sit during a party and where you will rest after a long day. Picking the perfect can be hard, what shape do you want? What color? How high? What type of cushioning? All these questions run through your head, so here are some tips to consider when you are buying or customizing a sofa.
It’s all about the frame!
When buying a sofa you want to make sure that it has a sturdy frame that can last you a lifetime. By investing in a quality frame you are ensuring yourself years of lounging without having to buy a new sofa. We find that a solid hardwood frame is your best option, if you can, avoid particleboard, plastic, or metal frames. One easy test for solid frame construction is to lift one front corner or leg of the sofa off the floor to a height of 6 inches or so. If the other front leg doesn’t quickly rise off the floor, too, it’s a sign the frame is twisting, and is therefore weak. Any sofa that visibly twists or creaks under this test is one you should avoid. Oh! And also pay attention to the base of a sofa, this is one of the most important parts of the frame, you want a base or legs that are screwed or doweled into the couch. Watch out for manufacturers who just glue the leg to the couch.
Check that cushion!
A sofa is no good if you’re not comfortable sitting in it! So when you go out to buy your sofa make sure you take it for a test ride. Can you imagine yourself sitting on it comfortably for prolonged periods of time? Will your guests enjoy it? And most importantly can you see yourself accidentally (or purposefully) falling asleep on it for the night? Cushions come in all different forms; feather-filled cushions are high on the comfort level, however they will need a regular plumping and foam or fibre-fillings tend to flatten out and lose their shape over time. So you may be wondering which one to choose, well how about a combination of the two? Think of it as feathers giving you the squishy comforty feeling while the foam provides you with some structure. The best way to have the best of both worlds is to opt for feather back cushions and foam or fibre seat cushions. Remember that what’s inside a sofa is just as important as what’s used on the outside.
Focus in on the Fabric
Whether you decide to go with a bold color or neutral color, it is important to evaluate the upholstery. Think of the fabric or upholstery as the face of the sofa. It’s what people are gonna be talking about, so you want to make sure you pick one that is indicative of your personality and one you can look at day in and day out. Just like a well tailored piece of clothing a sofa is no different. Patterns should be centered, and all seams and welts should run straight. Uneven welting and seams that are pulled to one side or another mean that the cover was badly tailored. With fabric upholstery, higher thread counts indicate a denser weave and more durable fabric. Something people forget is the type of fabric on the sofa, remember that natural material will fade in strong sunlight so you may consider going for a synthetic fabric, especially if you know the sofa will be near a window. If you have a lot of people in your family or a pet it is important to consider how to clean the fabric. You may want a loose cover so that you can easily take it off and wash it when needed.
Always Customize
If the store you’re looking at doesn’t have everything on your checklist of a perfect sofa, it’s time to consider customizing. Many stores have the option for you to customize certain sofa brands. Customization can allow your vision to come through with everything from color to height to arm style. Here at Home Interior Warehouse we offer a diverse selection of customization options. Choose from our array of brands, such as Bassett, Bernhardt, and Huntington House that allow you to pick the size of your sofa, it’s fabric, back depth, leg/base type and even the arm style. By choosing a “make it your own” design you can have fun and let your imagination flow. Choosing your own details to the sofa will make sure every part of the sofa compliment each other the way you want it, it also allows you to design something that is unique and perfect for your living room. We also think it’s cool that if you like a sofa, but the fabric or leg does not match your color scheme, you can just easily customize it. So customize away!
At our Walled Lake location we have over 15 sofas on display at any time, many of which can be customized to suite your needs. Stop in, have a seat and let one of our interior designers help you customize the perfect sofa.
