Time for New Furniture: Buying a Sofa

• A great deal of thought needs to be put into buying a sofa. It will probably be one of the largest pieces of furniture in your home as well as one of your most expensive purchases. Because of this, it is important to choose wisely.

If you love a particular store but have seen a sofa you like at a lower price in a different store, many times the store of your choice will match the lower price. The best furniture store in the USA writes “We guarantee every day low prices. If you find a lower price at an authorized dealer, please call and speak to a sales representative and we will match or beat a bonafide quote. For fair comparison, competitor’s price must also include relevant taxes and delivery charges.” 

There are certain things to keep in mind.  The first thing you need to do is to measure your space. You don’t want your sofa taking up an entire room nor having the vastness of the room swallow your sofa. Make sure you keep the sofa length and the seat depth in mind. Check to see if you have enough room to lie down on your sofa. Consider your personal style as well as what would match well in your home. Consider the size and scale as well as the color and fabric you want. Choosing the right pattern, texture, and color before you look for your sofa is extremely helpful.

Upholstery

Some sofa selections are based on fabric only so it may want to research your fabric selection. The following links will help you find the fabric you want:

• Selecting the Best Upholstery for Cat and dog Owners
• Guide to Upholstery Fibers
• Choosing Upholstery Fabrics

Make sure to get a durable fabric. Cotton and linens are popular but do not get loose weaves as they can snag.  Synthetic microfibers are stain resistant. According to KathleenHuddy, the GH Research Institute’s textiles, paper, and plastics director, “Cotton and linen can be treated for stain resistance, but even then they aren’t as easy to clean, or as durable.”Fabrics with woven in patterns wear better than those with printed patterns. Wool and leather look good and are strong, but are very expensive. Silk is sleek but can tear easily. Blends of synthetic and natural fibers usually pill within the year. Get a large swatch of fabric, place it where the sofa will go, and then look at it in both artificial and natural light. You will then be able to see how much you still like the fabric after a few days.

Frame

If the frame on the sofa is sturdy it will last a long time. Avoid frames made of metal, plastic, or particleboard because they may warp and crack. Hardwood beech, ash, or oak is very durable but it will be more expensive. Soft wood, such as pine, is less expensive but it may wobble after five years. The legs should be held on with screws or pegs and not with glue alone. In order to test the frame, lift up a leg of the sofa off of the floor. The other leg should have risen as well by the time you’ve raised it about six inches. If it is still touching the floor, it means that the frame is too weak. Never buy a sofa that is only held together by glue, staples, or nails. The best materials to use for connection are wooden dowels, wooden corner blocks, or metal screws and brackets.

Fillings

Polyurethane foam is durable and easy to take care of. Choose the foam carefully. Foam that is too soft can deteriorate too quickly and foam that is dense may feel too hard. The best choice is firm foam wrapped in polyester batting. This is not only economical but  it is comfortable. A comfortable but more expensive choice wouldbe high-resilient foam wrapped in a down and feather combination.

Springs

Most sofas have sinuous springs with preassembled units of snaking wire. Although they are highly supportive, if the metal isn’t heavy enough they can press on the frame or sag within a few years. Make sure to feel the springs through the upholstery. They should be firm and close together. If there is webbing or meshinstead of springs, the sofa will be flimsy and very uncomfortable. A good way to check this is to firmly sit down on an outside edge or a corner of the sofa. Creaks and squeaks mean that the springs are not placed correctly or that they may be hitting the frame.

Furniture Store

If you love a particular store but have seen a sofa you like at a lower price in a different store, many times the store of your choice will match the lower price.

The best furniture store in the USA writes,   “We guarantee every day low prices. If you find a lower price at an authorized dealer, please call and speak to a sales representative and we will match or beat a bonafide quote. For fair comparison, competitor’s price must also include relevant taxes and delivery charges.”

Final Test

Never buy a sofa without trying it out. Lie down, sit on it, and use it the way you would use it at home. Make sure that the arms are the right height if you will be napping on your sofa. Check to make sure the cushions and the back are as firm or as soft as you would like them to be. Do this a few times, maybe even on different days. If you follow all these suggestions, you can be sure that you will enjoy your couch for many years.

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