Comfy & Stylish: Tips on Choosing the Right Sofa

Since the sofa is usually the biggest piece in your living room, getting the right one is critical. As this may end up being the most used piece of furniture in your home, you’ll want something durable. Finally, you’ll need something comfortable that will also be sturdy enough to tolerate use by your entire household.

Orientation

Before you go shopping, measure out where you want the sofa to sit. While you’re shopping for length from armrest to armrest, be sure to check the amount of depth you have available. Often, plush sofas are very deep and can wind up eating up a lot of floor space. If you need something a bit shorter from hip to knee, consider something a little smaller and more upright or high-backed. Varieties in seating depth can actually suit people of all sizes, but anything less than 22 inches probably won’t be a place to relax and linger.

Use

Will this be your primary television-viewing seat, or do you plan to nap on this sofa? If you have a large family or are very tall, you’re going to need a big sofa to have room for everyone. For those with a separate family room space, you can choose something a bit more casual for TV and movie viewing. No matter what, choose something you love. Jamie Fielden from SW James suggests choosing a sofa that is sturdy and beautiful, as well as extremely comfortable. The use of vintage leathers provides users with a comfortable, inviting sofa. Feather stuffing the back support and springy, soft foam cushions on the seats invite family and friends to relax.

Color

A dark sofa will hide stains but may overpower the room if the tone is too deep. A light sofa may brighten the area, but be hard to keep clean. A simple way to make sure that cleanup will be easy is to purchase a leather or durable vinyl sofa. This fabric may feel cold when you first sit down, so consider investing in plush throws to make a warmer seat available if needed. Be aware that pets may scratch leather and ruin or scar the finish. If the back of your leather sofa is very plush, the cushions may show wear at the edges where the cushion is compressed by the person sitting against the back.

Fabric

As noted above, a leather sofa is simple to clean but may be expensive. Many families with small children go ahead and purchase a sofa with dark fabric to hide stains until their children are a bit bigger so they can then invest in something a bit more to their tastes. Another option is to go ahead and choose a hearty woven fabric such as twill. This fabric holds up well over time and can be cleaned.

Plush fabrics such as velvet and velour look gorgeous and if properly maintained can last for years. However, if you have pets or small children, be aware that your velvet furniture fabric may not stand the test of time.

Multipurpose

Do you need the sofa to also serve as a guest bed? Daybeds are a good option if you need seating, but need sleeping places as well. This is also a helpful choice if you like to change up the colors in a space as your new couch color is as simple as adding a new blanket and changing up the pillows. Finally, daybeds offer plenty of storage underneath.

Cushions

Feather cushions are deliciously comfy but will need to be plumped. Foam seating is more durable, but once squashed, it’s hard to get back in shape and may look shabby. To make sure your sofa holds its shape, check the firmness of the set cushions to make sure that the foam inside them is dense and sturdy. Some foam cushions offer a plush top glued on top of a firm foam cushion.

Shape

Do you have space for a sectional? An L-shaped sectional offers space for sitting, lounging or laying. A curved sectional is a great spot for conversation or cuddling. While these units can be extremely comfortable, be aware that they can be quite heavy and hard to clean under. Unfortunately, if one portion of your sectional is damaged or stained, you may have to change out a lot of fabric to get it recovered.

Your sofa decisions are highly dependent on the members of the household who will use it, the space you have and your desired level of comfort. Cool, modern sofas aren’t very comfy, and sprawling, extra-cushy sofas aren’t exactly sleek. However, your decision will be simpler if you remember to choose a piece with a great frame in a fabric and color that blends well and lets the eye pass over the piece onto more interesting areas of the room.