Are you thinking of a sofa? Why not buy a great sofa using these tips? Take this checklist along when you go sofa shopping.
Before you leave the house, think about your own personal style and what would be a good match for your home. Consider size and never forget to measure. Color and fabric selection matter a lot, but the unit must fit in the space you have available.
Don’t forget doors openings and access to the room. How tights are the corners? Is there a closet in the way? Stair and stairwell clearance?
These sofa buying tips have less to do with fabric selection, and focus more on another aspect of sofa buying, namely, the quality of a sofa.
- The frame should not wobble or creak, it should be sturdy and sit squarely on the floor. Wobbly or creaky frames mean less sturdy joints, while a strong frame means your sofa will last you longer.
- The frame and all the corners should be well padded. Run your hand over them firmly to see. A padded frame will not stick out through the upholstery, it also means less friction for the fabric that is covering the frame.
- If you are buying a reclining sofa all mechanisms should work smoothly. Reclining, or motion furniture is generally more expensive, and you are paying for a functioning, smoothly running mechanism. It makes sense to check those features out at the store.
- Ease of opening and closing, some mechanisms require considerable leg strength, the power option may be something to consider.
- Seat cushions should be fit snugly within the sofa frame. Additionally, the cushions should regain their shape after you press down and let go.
- Seating comfort is a combination of foam density and the guage and spacing of the deck springs.
- Seats should be comfortable, and for reclining furniture, be comfortable in all different positions. Select deep or shallow seats depending on your height. A taller person will need deeper seats.
- If there are any buttons, check to see that they are sewn on securely. Loose buttons will come off and end up getting lost in no time.
- Don’t forget, when you are done looking at it, test drive your sofa. Lounge, recline, lie down, see if it feels like a good fit, because more than anything else, that is the sign of a truly great sofa.
