A quality sofa will last you many, many years so it’s important to get it right. To help you out on your sofa buying journey, our furniture experts have put together everything you need to know.
First things first, always measure! The size of your room should always be taken into consideration when choosing a new sofa. A sofa should not overwhelm a space, nor should it look lost in the middle. Measure before you buy and check that the sofa not only fits the space well but is also big enough for your seating requirements. A good tip is to lay down newspaper to visualise the space the sofa will take up. Don’t forget about side tables and other pieces of furniture.
In smaller spaces you can create the illusion of more space by choosing a sofa that sits off the ground on legs. Your eye will naturally follow under it so these types of sofas are great for apartment living. Sofas that sit on the ground on the other hand such as the Furninova Paso Doble are perfect for big relaxed family rooms, offering a bigger presence in the space.
You will also need to make sure you take into consideration how you will get your sofa into your room and if it will fit through entrance ways. This is particularly important for upstairs living rooms and apartments. Modular sofas that can be taken apart are a great choice for tricky entrance ways such as this.
Once you have a handle of your measurements the next step is to decide on the type of sofa you want and its arrangement. While a two-seater paired with a three-seater has long been the norm, in recent years this has expanded to a plethora of options including modular, corner sofas and the inclusion of armchairs in the mix.
Families often love modular and corner sofas as they offer lots of room for lounging but if you move home a lot then consider the flexibility of your modules. A sofa such as the Ethnicraft Studio does not have arms so it’s easy to change which size the corner is on should you move. For a formal setting you can try two sofas facing each or for a more dynamic look pair a sofa with an expansive armchair.
Do you like modern thin arms or big comfy feather filled cushions? Perhaps you love the look of a low and a deep seat or even a classic silhouette, whatever your style spend some time narrowing down the features you like in a sofa. A sofa is often the dominate feature in a space and can set the tone for your entire interior.
With that being said don’t forget to balance practicality with style. For example, if you have pets a flat weave fabric would be better over a loose weave they can get their claws into or if you have children its best to avoid scatter cushions.
The choice between fabric and leather largely comes down to personal preference with them both having their own benefits and different care requirements. Some leather sofas such as the Belle Interiors Collection Liaison can be a little more forgiving for busy families, while fabric sofas can give you lots of versatility in terms of colour and style options. Whatever you decide, always look for quality to give you the best longevity.
At the end of the day a sofa should always be about comfort. Always test out a sofa in the showroom and try sitting on it as you would at home to feel the support. There are many different styles available, and a sofa should be chosen based on your individual preferences and requirements. For example, if someone is in your household is tall a deep sofa such as the McW Collection Silo Sofa will give your great comfort while something like the Kovacs Jed Sofa is a nice on trend sofa that is not too deep for those of average height.
