Things To Consider When Purchasing A Sofa

When first starting to think about purchasing a sofa, we are all looking for the “a-ha” moment. But there are many things to consider before you can get to that point. Typically we begin by deciding on a stationary or reclining sofa. Fabric is usually the next consideration, but most of the time, this is for color and texture.

Rather than think about color and texture, you should actually think about the fiber. Did you know 100% cotton fabric can fade if it is dark and placed in an extremely sunny area of your home? How about wool being extremely strong and durable? Did you know polyester has good abrasion resistance and requires minimum care and acrylic doesn't wrinkle easily? These are all important things to consider. When taken into consideration correctly, they can greatly extend the life of your sofa.

Cushions provide comfort, but not everyone desires the same comfort. An average sofa has poly-filled cushions as the standard. But many high-end sofas come with blendown cushions. The mid-end manufacturers will often offer it as an upgrade. Blend down cushions have high resiliency foams used as the core cushion. The core is then wrapped with a channeled envelope filled with blendown and enclosed with muslin ticking. The muslin ticking helps to keep the feathers from finding their way out of the fabric and onto your clothes! The blendown cushions allow for a slight sinking feeling as the cushion conforms to your body. Blendown cushions will require slight maintenance of fluffing and rotating to keep the look fresh and well kept. If you are a sofa sleeper who typically likes a soft, fluffy mattress, then this is the sofa for you!

Sofa backs can come in several options – tight back, semi-attached, or loose back. Tight back sofas offer good support for your back. These sofas would be ideal if you are a book reader and simply like the sofa to be used as a common area of socialization with company. Semi-attached cushions allow for the sofa back to retain its shape without much adjusting and fluffing from the owner. However, this may pose a problem if you like to cuddle with your loved ones on the sofa because they tend to make the depth of the sofa less accommodating for adjustments. Loose backs are great for those who like flexibility with their sofa area. But be aware that more adjusting will be required as the cushions tend to move around.

Sofas typically come with straight arms, rounded arms, or no arms. Straight arms are great if you like the modern look, but don't try to rest your head on the arm without a pillow! I guarantee you won't stay in the position very long. Rounded arms are great headrests if you do not have pillows and also provide the traditional style many people still enjoy. I do not recommend sofas without arms unless you always sit straight up or don't like your head propped up in any position. They look great in a room until you try to functionally use this piece of furniture.

Finally, you may be wondering if a two-cushion sofa or three-cushion sofa is right for you. Well, I believe that depends on how you like to sit on your sofa. If you like to prop your arm up on a back cushion, I recommend the three-cushion. Two cushions tend to be long and pop way up in the air when your arm is resting on it. If you like to sit with your legs bent up in front of you, then two cushions would be right for you! There is nothing worse than your feet falling in-between the cushions just as you start to get comfortable. Three seat cushions are great if you plan on entertaining large groups of people. In these instances three people might actually sit on the sofa because let's face it – no one likes to sit on the crack!

Good Luck Sofa Shopping! You will find you're “a-ha” moment, I promise, just keep looking and don't give up!  And if you have already found your ideal sofa, what drew you to it?  Do you prefer soft or more sturdy cushions?  Does it matter how many cushions you have?

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