A Guide to Choosing the Perfect Sofa

 
Sofa
 

The sofa is the centerpiece of your living room, so it’s only natural to want something that fits in with your style and offers the perfect level of comfort. But how do you know which sofa sizes, features, and fabrics will work best for your home and lifestyle? It's time to get out there and explore the wonderful world of sofas so you can choose the perfect option for your home.

Size

There’s no set rule for how large or small a sofa should be, but, in general, you want to maximize seating without blocking important walkways and doors. It’s best to measure before shopping so you can be sure a sofa you like will fit. If you have access to the room you want to furnish, do this simple exercise to determine whether a sofa you’re considering is the right size:

Usable Space not available space!

Use a tape measure to measure the dimensions of the sofa on the floor. Create an imaginary sofa according to those dimensions with string or masking tape on the floor.

Walk around the marked sofa dimensions to see whether you have enough room to get around comfortably. Don’t forget to factor in other furniture, such as end tables or whether you’ll need to get to windows, shelves etc.

If you don’t have access to the room, use room dimension measurements to decide if the sofa’s length and width seem appropriate. If you can’t get room measurements, focus on looking for a sofa that feels like a standard size and not overly large. If you decide to rent instead of buy, you have a chance to test out a size without committing to a purchase.

Features

There are many different sofa styles and types, and the differences between them extend beyond mere aesthetics. The features that characterize different styles can actually have an impact on the overall atmosphere of your living room based on varying levels of comfort.

Linear, sectional classic or modern?

Linear sofas look lovely, but they can take up quite a bit of space. But they do make a great social seating area and can break up and zone off a large open plan room.

If you’re tight on space, look for a sofa with compact arms. Slim and taller sofa legs can also give the illusion of space.

Materials

The upholstery material you choose for your sofa can have a big impact on the overall style and feel of the room. Color plays a big part in which side of the spectrum your sofa falls under, but the texture of the upholstery is also part of the equation.

These popular sofa upholstery options all have their own strengths and weaknesses. Think about your lifestyle and how you like to use your furniture before deciding which type of material might be right for you.

Velvet: Velvet works best in rooms that have a stylish, glamorous feel. Due to the deep pile of the fabric, velvet can hold onto things like spills and pet hair and dust more easily than other fabric types.

Leather: As one of the tougher upholstery fabrics, leather has a classic aesthetic that can go with a variety of different decor styles. Synthetic leather can be a good alternative with a similar look and feel at a lower cost.

Cotton: Cotton upholstery fabric is typically thick and durable, and it has a versatile look that’s ideal for formal or casual rooms of all styles. This is a great choice if you aren’t sure about texture.

This may seem like a lot of information to consider but knowing what works for you in each of these categories can make it a lot easier to pick out the right sofa. Check out our selection of sofas here.