When we look for and buy a sofa online or from physical shops, it can be easy to get swayed by the endless array of beautiful options we have. From fabric style to softness to super functionality, choosing what we want can be an overwhelming task, even more so if we don’t have a plan to use the furniture.
Buying sofas will be one of the most important investments you’d make for your home. Since the sitting room is an area where a lot of traffic is to be expected, you can’t simply pick the cheapest one out of the lot, because its quality may not be the best. However, picking the most expensive one isn’t a very practical approach, either.
To know how to choose the right sofa for your sitting room, refer to this guide.
1. Consider the Purposes of Your Sitting Room
You can have a formal sitting room and a family room. The former is where you’d welcome and entertain guests, while the latter is where you’d likely spend most of your movie nights with your family or friends. But if you only have one sitting room in your home, for example, where all entertaining and movie nights will take place, then make functionality your top priority as you shop for a sofa.
As to whether a standalone or a sectional would be better, think again about the purpose of your sitting room. For a mainly formal space, a standalone sofa is more appropriate, while a sectional is surely ideal for cozy and casual spaces.
2. Assess Materials
Make sure to pick a sofa that’s made of durable materials. Soft, feather-filled cushions are great for comfort but will require regular plumping. Foam or fiber fillings, meanwhile, may lose their shape over time after heavy usage. Your best option would be a sofa with a combination of feathers and foam. For the frame, one made of solid hardwood is recommended for supreme durability.
3. Choose Low-Maintenance Fabrics
Not just low-maintenance, but one that has superb longevity as well. The texture of the fabric has to feel comfortable and should be easy to clean and maintain. If pets will use your sofa as well, pick a fabric with patterns so some of the mess they make can be camouflaged. Durable fabrics are also important if you’d use the sofas for parties because they need to be strong against wear and tear.
An example of a high-quality sofa fabric is cotton velvet. It’s elegant, able to mask mess, and just plain lovely.
4. Go For the Right Size
Before buying any sofa, make sure to get the dimensions of your space, and bring your tape measure to the shop as well. If have a limited space that can make choosing a sofa difficult, try getting one customized. That way, you’d end up with a one-of-a-kind piece that’s 100% certain to fit in your home.
5. Consider Seat Depth
Seat depth plays a huge role in providing comfort. You don’t want to watch a movie sitting completely upright because that’s all your sofa allows you to do. You also don’t want to entertain guests while almost lying down because your seat’s depth is too large. Here’s a cheat-sheet to know what the ideal seat depth should be:
- 18 inches – too shallow, but might be good for an accent
- 22 inches – minimum depth for comfortable sitting
- 24 inches – deep enough to lie down by yourself
- 33 inches – very cozy, can make you sleep comfortably
These simple hacks should make your sofa shopping journey easier. Make a checklist out of this guide, so you won’t forget the essential details as you browse through your options.
