Guidelines to Follow When You Are Buying a Sofa

Has your old couch been through the war of family life?  Is it time to finally bite the bullet and buy a new sofa?  This a big commitment because it’s expensive and should last a long time. Here are some guidelines to consider when you are buying a sofa.

1. Color – A sofa is a great place to make a statement with color which will add some excitement to the room. For those not so brave – consider a neutral hue and pop your color with pillows and other room accessories. You could even consider a color which matches your walls or drapery.
2. Size – Your sofa needs to fit into your room and not overwhelm or underwhelm the space. It should be in scale to the room. Generally, if you have a low ceiling, you ‘ll want a low-backed sofa. Conversely, a high-backed sofa will look better in a room with high ceilings. Loveseats are usually anywhere from 60” to 78” long. Regular sofas mostly range from 79′-84” in length. Consider whether you are placing end tables on either side of it and factor those into the size of your sofa. You might cut a template out of brown paper in the size of your couch and place it on the floor where the couch will rest to see how it will look in your room.
3. Cushions – Overstuffed sofa cushions give a more casual appearance while tailored cushions look more formal or sophisticated. Don’t purchase a sofa with two cushions. If you have three people visiting your home, they probably won’t sit on that couch. If your sofa is 7’ long or more, opt for three cushions; 6’ or less, use one cushion.
4. Pattern– Generally, patterned upholstery hides the dirt better than solids. Patterns can give your room a busier look.
5. Legs – The style and material of the legs creates the overall look of the piece. Steel legs give a more modern look while wood tends to create a more traditional look. Straight legs on a sofa create a more modern look as opposed to legs with more curves which favor a more traditional look.
6. Arm Style – The arm style of your sofa strongly influences its look. Rolled arms tend to look more feminine while straight arms give a more modern or masculine look.
7. Frame– Buy a sofa with a solid frame so it will withstand use. Sit and move around on it before buying to gain more insight into its construction and how it will last
8. Fabric – What kind of lifestyle activities happen in the room? If the room won’t be used much because it’s more formal, you can select silk or velvet fabrics. Opt for a stain-guarded twill fabric or easy-to-clean leather for rooms with kids.

Following these guidelines will make it an easier experience when you are buying a sofa.  You will purchase a couch that is functional, will last for years, and blends in with the style of your room.

Interiors Revitalized is a full-service home staging, model home merchandising, and interior design firm located in Jacksonville Florida.  In addition to Jacksonville, we serve the St. Johns, St. Augustine, Orange Park, Fleming Island, and Fernandina Beach areas. Contact us today at 904.625.2214 to discuss your home staging or interior design project.  We’ll make that first offer your best offer!

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