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How many sofas do you think you will purchase in your lifetime? Three? Five? Probably no more than 10, right? In reality, most of us will only purchase a sofa a handful of times in our lives, which means it can often be overwhelming. We are well practised at buying shoes…we buy them for ourselves at least once a season, we buy them for spouses and children, maybe even friends and family. But a sofa? Buying a sofa is a ‘once in a blue moon’ experience and it can be a significant investment in time and money.
Image source Rose & Grey
We want to make the whole process a little easier for you. Here are our top tips to set you up for sofa buying success:
Style and use
If you don’t already have a fixed idea of the style and colour you’re after, we would always recommend thinking about the room as a whole and pulling together a design concept. Peruse Instagram or Pinterest for rooms you love the look of and start saving images. If you have art or furniture that you will be keeping, use this as a jumping off point.
The next step is to think about how you use your space, and your sofa. Are we talking pets and parties? Quiet Netflix nights and family cinema afternoons? It may well be all of the above. Knowing how many bottoms you need on cushions, and if you’re lounging or perching will help you decide the style and shape. If you like to lounge, think modular or an L-shaped chaise, if you need somewhere for people to perch at a party look at shallower sofas, interesting shapes, single chairs or even backless styles.
Frame and cushion
While it’s important that your sofa looks the part on the outside, what’s on the inside is arguably more important. You want your sofa to be comfortable and withstand daily wear and tear.
A solid hardwood frame is the best option and will stand the test of time. Be sure to ask about the construction, you’re looking for solid joints – no glue and staples. Many sofas are built using particle board or metal which will do the job, but you may find yourself hunting for another sofa sooner than you’d like.
Your cushion choice will make or break the comfort of your sofa. Most sofas are made of feathers, foam or a combination of both. Feathers are supremely squishy, but need regular plumping and foam can lack the comfort factor and flatten over time. So why settle for one, when you can have two? We recommend a combination of foam for structure and support, and feather for that cosy squish.
Measure up – shape
Don’t make the costly mistake of assuming your desired sofa will fit into your space. Measure the width and depth of the sofa to ensure it will fit, but also measure the seat and backrest heights if they need to work with coffee, side and console tables, or appliances like heaters and dehumidifiers.
There are lots of free room planning apps available, but another great option is to mark out your sofa on the floor in masking tape. You can then check that you have enough room to open any doors, cupboards and windows and move around the sofa between furniture and appliances
Finally, check that your sofa will fit into your lift or stairwell and through any doors. If you’re working in a really tight space, consider modular designs which come in sections and don’t forget you may be able to remove the legs if it is down to a few centimetres.
Fabric and upholstery
With so many fabric options out there, there really is something for everyone. Choosing the right colour or pattern is really down to having a good design scheme, but here are a few helpful hints:
Neutrals give you flexibility to add colour and personality with rugs and cushions.
Choosing a colour from your artwork is a great way to make a space feel cohesive.
If you have children or pets take a look at patterns, they hide a multitude of sins.
Velvets and silks bounce light around so can work well in smaller spaces.
Woven fabrics and boucles add texture to a room.
Make sure you choose the right upholstery fabric for your lifestyle. When speaking with the manufacturer or retailer ask for fire safety and durability ratings. Not all fabrics have fire safety ratings, so be sure you fully understand the regulations where you live. Durability will be given to you as a Wyzenbeek or Martinadale ‘rub score’ and will reflect the intended use of the fabric. Look for over 9,000 in Wyzenbeek and over 15,000 in Martindale. You may also want to consider treating your fabric for mildew or stain resistance.
Leather and microfiber are incredibly durable and work well in most situations, especially for allergy sufferers
Quality synthetic mix fabrics mimic natural fabrics, but are great with children and pets as they can be spot cleaned.
Close weaves are best if you have pets as they are more resitant to unsightly pulls and puckers, caused by little (or big) paws.
Woven patterns last longer than printed patterns which fade over time.
When speaking with the manufacturer or retailer, ensure the fabric you choose has been tested for durability and ask for the specifics. Usually this will be given to you in Wyzenbeek or Martinadale ‘rubs, which are industry standard. You may also want to consider mildew resistant, fade resistant, stain resistant or non-allergenic fabrics.
So there you have it. Choosing a sofa doesn’t have to be a daunting task, but it should be a considered one. Let us know what you think!
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