The sofa is the centerpiece of the living room.It is where you can entertain friends, watch TV, and relax on weekends. However, there are markets with a wide range of sofas to choose from, leading to the fact that choosing a key piece of furniture can be a daunting task. The sofa you choose should take all factors into consideration - price, comfort, quality, color, and even some additional features such as stain-resistant fabrics. So how do you choose from the various types of sofas that will accentuate your home's style and enhance your comfort? The most important details you need to know when looking for your next sofa are outlined in this article.
1. Understanding Your Style
As the brightest jewel in your living room, the sofa will play a key role in decorating your living room. You need to think carefully about how you want the overall atmosphere of this space to be. For example, if you need to feel calm in this living room, we recommend that you choose a sofa with neutral colors; if you need to experience excitement in this space, you can choose a sofa that is more colorful; if you want to present a modern and minimalist style, we recommend that your sofa can choose beige or white. The sofa should complement each other and the overall ambiance of the environment.
2. Consider the Size and Shape of the Sofa
First of all, you need to confirm the layout setup of your living room which helps you to know the size size and facing range of the sofa you need. Regarding the size of the sofa, you need to know the width, height and depth of the sofa. You may also want to know its clearance from the floor, the width and height of the arms, and the depth and height of the seat cushions. Detailed information can go a long way in helping you find other suitable accessories such as coffee tables and the like.
3. Determine Your Budget
Your budget largely limits the types and styles of sofas available to you. Setting a price range that you can afford and that is reasonable will help you to quickly locate brands and retailers to choose from. You can save money by keeping an eye out for limited-time offers and various promo codes on various websites. As buying a sofa will be a big investment. To avoid all sorts of surprises, it is best for you to check the return and after-sales policies of the store or platform you are buying from.
4. Choosing the Type of Upholstery Fabric
The fabric of a sofa occupies an equally important place as the style and shape. Fabric is a key factor in determining its durability and longevity. For those with children or pets in the home, high-performance fabrics are the logical choice. These materials are manufactured or treated to resist stains and are often water and oil resistant.
- Wool Blends: Wool is extremely durable and great for hiding stains, but can be difficult to care for. Wool and synthetic blends are easier to clean and resistant to pilling.
- Linen: Linen upholstery is very aesthetically pleasing, so naturally, it's high maintenance (read: it needs to be professionally cleaned). Not only does it absorb stains, but it also wrinkles easily and doesn't wear well.
- Leather: durable and easy to clean (just wipe it down with a damp cloth), leather is a foolproof option for those with families and pets. But be aware of the type of leather: full-grain and head-grain leathers are the most durable and highest quality, while aniline leathers are untreated and prone to wear.
- Velvet: Synonymous with luxury, velvet comes in rich jewel tones and can be made from a wide range of materials, including smooth, lustrous, and sophisticated silk, as well as highly durable and less expensive synthetics such as polyester or rayon.
- Natural Fibers: Silk and cotton are common natural fibers used for upholstery. Silk is sensitive to daily wear and sunlight, making it unsuitable for everyday wear. Cotton is relatively more resilient and durable, especially when blended.
- Synthetic: Synthetic materials are often used in affordable or high-performance pieces to mimic natural fibers such as acetate (silk-like), chenille (cotton-like), faux leather, and microfiber (an extremely fine polyester fiber).
5. Choosing the type of sofa
- Sectional Sofas: Unlike traditional sofas, sectional sofas are versatile and have multiple individual pieces that you can arrange in a variety of ways. Sectionals are often configured in an "L" or "U" shape, creating a very comfortable, conversational environment. This type of sofa makes sense for people who entertain a lot or have larger families. For added comfort, you can also choose a reclining combination.
- Modular Sofas: Modular sofas are the newest shape in sofas, allowing buyers to choose a sofa style and add pieces to build the ideal sofa size and shape. These sofa building blocks can be added, removed and rearranged to make sofas of various sizes and shapes. These versatile sofas are perfect for growing families and frequent movers; they can be broken down into smaller pieces for easy mobility.
- Sofa Beds: Sofa beds are great for small spaces or frequent overnight guests. Sofa beds come with a built-in bed that folds out from the couch and usually come with a plush surface similar in width to a full-size mattress. Modern sofa beds were once notorious for being uncomfortable, but have evolved to provide a relatively comfortable sleeping surface.
- Reclining Sofas: Some sofas come with seats (usually located at either end of the sofa) and built-in recliners. These styles offer the same comfort and mechanism as a recliner but are the same width as a sofa. Recliners are designed for people who like to relax at the end of the day, saving you space on a footstool. Reclining sofas are also great for families with home theaters or people with circulation issues that can benefit from resting with their legs up.
- Outdoor Sofa: Buying a sofa that can be used both indoors and outdoors is perfect for high-traffic spaces and convertible indoor-outdoor spaces. Outdoor fabrics have improved to be as luxurious as indoor fabrics and are easy to clean and sturdy.
Futons: Technically a type of couch, futons are an affordable alternative to buying a sofa. You can purchase a futon for about $300. You can purchase the frame and cushions separately, giving you more customization options. A futon consists of convertible cushions and a frame that can be laid flat to form a bed-type surface or upright to form a sofa. These dual-purpose space savers help make small spaces practical. They often have thick, sturdy wooden frames. Many futons do not have arms; however, you can find some with arms. Cheaper futons can also be made of metal or steel.
Overall, purchasing a sofa is not just about adding a place to relax, there are many other factors involved. By taking the information listed above into consideration, you will be able to go about it a lot less. Hopefully, this article has answered some of your questions and provided you with effective assistance.