Sofas are a big commitment – both literally and figuratively. On the figurative side, they’re expensive, and they need to last for a long time. And literally, well, they’re big. They take up a lot of space in a room and often anchor a decorating scheme.
As a result, choosing the right sofa for your home and your lifestyle is a serious matter. Here are few essential tips to choosing and deciding the right type of sofa for your living room.
Size
It is important to select the length, width and height of the sofa as per the size of your living room. The sofa should be proportionate and not look too small or too bulky in the space.
Ergonomics and Comfort
Sofas have different ergonomics, and in order to find the right one, you should find out whether you would prefer something softer or stiffer. Whether you prefer a sofa with a deeper seating area to comfortably lie down or a narrow sofa with a more of an upright sitting position. Sofas with feather, springs or polyurethane foam have a very different feel. It can not be claimed that one is better than the other, you just have to try them out and find the most pleasant for yourself. Comfortable sofas usually have a slight inclination towards the backrest. The inclination is small, but the change in the feel of it is significant. Also, a great sofa has a decent support for the lower back.
Sofa Style
The different sofa styles that are available in the market include a standard sofa, sectional, recliner, English rolled arm, chaise lounge, tuxedo and so on. Choose a sofa that complements other pieces of furniture and the interiors of the living room. Modern sofas have clean lines and come in neutral colours to give the space a fuss-free look.
Frame
A solid frame is an essential element of a good sofa. You don’t want it to crumple under you! Sit and move around on the sofa before buying it- you’ll get a feel for the construction and how well it will hold up.
Fabric vs Leather
Great furniture fabrics have high wear resistance, they repel dirt and are easily cleaned.Make sure that the selected upholstery is strong and durable if the sofa is going to be subjected to rough use.
Fabric upholstery is available in natural or synthetic fibres—these are comfortable, available in different materials, bold prints, patterns and need regular cleaning. Some fabrics like cotton and linen are most comfortable while synthetic fabrics are resistant to stains. Silk has an inherent sophisticated look. Note that tightly woven fabrics have a higher thread count and last longer. Keep in mind that if the sofa is close to a window then opt for a fabric that is highly resistant to UV rays and won’t fade in the presence of sunlight.
Leather upholstery gives a high-end modern look to the sofa, is easy to clean and is much firmer than fabric upholstery. Leather is expensive, and is available in minimum colour options; it can also get very sticky in summer. It is most suitable for homes with pets as it does not attract or accumulate dust mites or pet dander and is easy to maintain.
The sofa should be fabricated with high-resilient foam because it is strong, durable and holds the shape of the sofa better in comparison to low-density foam. The best springs that are used for the fabrication are eight-way, hand tied springs. These springs add to the firmness and determine the comfort level of the sofa.
