How To Choose The Right Sofa For Your Home (Updated)

A sofa is one of the most important and expensive furniture purchases for your home so you want to make sure you get get one that suits your needs. There are many sofas to choose from so which is right for you? Before you get your sofa home and to ensure you are happy with your sofa for many years to come, follow our handy guide below.

Placement
Firstly, look at the size and style of the room. If your room is small you may need to choose a more compact design or a design with a leg to give an illusion of space. On the other hand, if your room is larger you can be more flexible however need to be aware of the scale of your surroundings, e.g. a smaller sofa may feel ‘lost’ in a big space. One handy tip is to mark out the floor with masking tape the depth and width of your sofa. This will help you come to decisions such as:- ‘Is there enough space for foot traffic to flow freely around the sofa?’ and ‘Will this piece work cohesively with other furniture pieces/objects in my room?’
Think about your own and your family’s personal style and what would be a good match for your home. Traditional decors suit contoured, rolled back or tufted style sofas best whereas contemporary decors suit cleaner streamlined styles. Eclectic decors suit… well anything goes. You might want something more durable for your family room that gets used every day than for your formal living or lounge room that doesn’t get used as often.

Internal Structure

Seat cushions should be firm and fit snugly within the sofa frame. Additionally, the cushions should regain their shape after you press down and let go. A cushion that stays put when you press down will be flattened in no time, end up looking unsightly and feel uncomfortable when you sit on it. The denser the foam, the heavier it is and the longer it will last.
Pocket springs offer more support and comfort than older style coil springs. The individual springs that make up the seat are housed in their own little pockets and work independently of each other. This will ensure weight is evenly distributed across the sofa seat and that your sofa will last longer.

Fabric

Ask for swatches so you can look at these in the comfort of your own home and check that your sofa will match in with your existing décor and colour scheme. For upholstery longevity synthetic fabrics are the most durable, colourfast and cleanable. Tightly woven fabrics and fabrics that are heavy will stand up to wear and tear better, as will leather. If you are opting for fabric upholstery in a high use area we recommend you use a fabric treatment such as ScotchGuard.

Some other tips you may find handy!

When buying matching end tables, try make sure the top of the end table is level or close to level with the top of the arms of your sofa. That way it is easier to reach drinks, books etc. from your end table.
Buy the best quality sofa you can afford. This will pay off down the track.
Don’t forget to measure doorways and hallways in your home to make sure your sofa will fit through!