When choosing the furniture pieces for your living space you, of course, want to make sure they’re durable and of high-quality, because it’s not highly likely that you’ll be replacing them very often. This is especially true when choosing a sofa for your living room.
If you manage to find the perfect sofa, chances are that it will become your favorite furniture piece you’ll likely spend a lot of time lounging on. In order to make that possible, you will first need to know what to focus your attention on before you go shopping so that you have certain parameters in mind according to which you can make your selection.
Invest in a good frame
A well-made frame is what defines a good sofa. Simply put, if the frame is made of poor materials or if its original design is flawed in any other way, no matter how beautiful the sofa looks, it simply won’t cut it. Therefore, make sure that the frame of the sofa is made of high-quality, durable materials and even ask if the manufacturers offer a guarantee. The majority of them usually does, so the lack of guarantee should definitely be considered a red flag. Simply put, if the frame of your sofa is sturdy and well-made, the sofa will last you for a very long time.
Choose the right material
The next parameter you should consider is the material the sofa is made of. While the colour and pattern of the upholstery fabric definitely matter a lot, so does the material they’re made of. For instance, upholstery fabrics made of natural materials do tend to fade in direct sunlight over time, so that’s definitely something to keep in mind. Additionally, leather and faux leather upholstery – and especially in light colours – is definitely not a good choice if you have small children or pets as it can easily get damaged. So, the best choice is to go with something that’s easy to spot clean. Also, look into loose covers, as they are super-easy to replace and the majority of them can even be machine-washed.
Measure everything properly
The next thing you need to pay attention to are the measurements. Getting the correct measurements of both the space where you want to place the sofa and of the sofa itself is extremely important because you definitely want to avoid the scenario where you fell in love – or even worse, bought – the sofa that simply can’t fit into your space. That’s why it’s advisable that you get all the measurements right beforehand so that you know what to focus your efforts on when searching. Alternatively, you can check out modular sofas that allow you to arrange and rearrange them as you see fit, so you won’t have to worry too much about the measurements.
Make sure it is comfortable
Furthermore, it’s always a good idea to go and check out the sofa you’re considering buying in person so that you can make sure that its comfort level is up to your liking. Unless you really know your way around sofas, characteristics like the first-rate suspension, coiled spring units, serpentine springs and so on won’t mean too much to you. Therefore, if at all possible, make sure you go and check out the sofa in person, sit on it and test it out. Never go for something that is too firm because it won’t be too comfortable to sit on for too long. Also, avoid sofas that are too soft and have too much give right off the bat as they are quicker to lose shape and become uncomfortable. So, medium-to-high firmness is what you should be aiming at, as it offers maximum comfort, holds the shape well and promises longevity.
Check the cushions
Even though the cushions are not too too important as they can easily be replaced, it’s still advisable to check them out before you make a purchase. Remember that, while what’s inside the sofa is important, what goes onto the sofa matters as well. For instance, feather-filled cushions – while undoubtedly super comfortable – will require regular plumping because they tend to lose shape fairly quickly. Not only that, but they can even cause allergic reactions, so foam-filled cushions are usually a better choice. Even though they tend to flatten and lose shape quicker than the feather-filled ones, at least they won’t compromise anyone’s health.
So, when choosing a sofa for your living room, make sure you consider all of these factors to ensure that you’ve made the right choice and bought a high-quality piece that you’ll be able to enjoy for a very long time. Additionally, if you find yourself having any doubts regarding the design of the sofa, do know that you can always boost it with some interesting loose covers and colorful throw pillows.
