Correct sofa scaling, as well as the shape and color of the sofa, are essential for a successful interior design. The sofa is the focal point of most social areas; therefore living room seating selections are important.
Consider how much of your home life revolves around a sofa. Relaxing after work or on the weekend, watching TV, entertaining friends and family as well as napping are all done on the sofa. So, before you buy this important piece of furniture, read on for our expert advice on how to select the ideal sofa for your house.
How to Choose the Right Sofa for Your Space!
Think About Your Lifestyle
Take a minute to analyze your lifestyle and what you might need from a sofa in day-to-day living before plunging into different sofa styles. A sectional sofa can be the appropriate choice for you if you have a large family. You can consider stain-resistant performance fabric upholstery if you have dogs or children. This may be a suitable choice since cleaning will be easy to do. If you’re looking for a way to relax and unwind, you might want to consider reclined motion sofas. Before you go shopping, make a list of a few essential “must-haves.” This will save you a lot of time and work.
ProTip Takeaway: If a room is mostly used for entertaining people, two sofas facing each other can be more sociable than one huge version. A huge sofa is not ideal for such a room as it forces visitors to sit in a line. To be able to have enough space between and around the sofas, they will need to be downsized.
Determine the Sofa’s Position in the Room
Another important thing to think about before you go shopping for a sofa is how you want to position it in your room. Will the sofa be leaning against a wall or be placed in the middle of the room with its back exposed? Where do you want the corner piece of a sectional sofa to be if you’re looking for one? Considering these details will assist you in eliminating any selections that do not meet your needs.
Measure Your Space
It is very important to know how big or little of a sofa your area can support, including length, height, and width. Measure the area as much as you can to avoid any errors. Take measurements of your doors and hallways as well. A sofa may be ideal for your living room but it may not fit through your front door or through narrow stairwell landing spaces.
Choose a Sectional Sofa
The sectional sofa has an L-shape that requires the consideration of an additional calculation. If the sectional has a chaise, make sure it doesn’t take up more than half of the length of the wall it’s parallel to.
A sectional sofa can also be used as a room divider. A huge L-shaped sofa is ideal for an open plan area since it helps to separate the sitting area from the eating or kitchen areas. A sectional sofa might also be a fantastic choice for a small area because it takes up less space than a sofa and armchair combination.
The Shape of the Sofa
The sofa’s shape is also an important aspect to consider. For a room that has a low ceiling, choose a sofa with a low back to maintain the design proportional to the height of the room. A low-back sofa design can also give the impression of more space below standard ceiling heights.
It’s also crucial to consider how the living room is used. You could want to choose a taller sofa for a room that serves as a library or den. The sofa with the higher back gives the impression of being in a gentleman’s club.
The lines of a sofa might be curved or angular. Depending on the other furniture choices in the room, the latter may be preferred.
Pick Your Upholstery Fabric/Leather Type Carefully
It’s necessary to choose the right upholstery fabric or type of leather for your lifestyle. If you have dogs or small children, you should choose resistant performance fabric upholstery, as earlier said. Be sure to look at the quality of the upholstery fabric or leather type for any sofa you’re interested in. Also, look and ask about the cleaning guidelines and upkeep recommendations.
Color That Complements Your Surroundings
You can go in so many directions here, from a bold statement to an intricate pattern to a reliable neutral. There is no right or wrong method to selecting a palette as long as you are certain you will love it. If you’re wary of bright colors, use neutral tones as the room’s base. There are a variety of grays and browns with unique weaving and warm tones that add dimension to the room.
Consider the Sofas Arm
Concentrate on the sofa’s arms as well as the general design or contour of the sofa. For side tables, consider the height of the arms and the reach to the side. Bulky arms can often obstruct a room’s movement. Pay special attention to how the sofa’s arms will impact the space’s sightlines. The sofa arms should not block the view of a window or another element of the room.
Select Your Style
There’s also the existing furniture in your living room that you need to consider. You will need to keep your sofa in the same design as the existing furniture. For example, if your side chairs, console, and cocktail table all have a more traditional feel, you can maintain the same style. A modern home, on the other hand, typically needs a modern sofa to have a matching interior design style.
ProTip Takeaway: This does not limit you to picking the furniture you desire; depending on your level of design comfort, you can still mix and match designs as long as the overall result is cohesive and appealing.
There Is No Need to Rush
As you go about looking for a sofa, keep in mind that there is no need to rush your decision. You, as the buyer, have the majority of the power in the buyer/seller relationship, so make use of it. Don’t be scared to walk out, even if the salesperson is enraged.
When you’re in the store, try to imagine yourself in the same scenario as you would at home. Make sure you put any critical features, such as heated seats, fold-down storage consoles, and recliners, to the test.
ProTip Takeaway: Fabric samples are available at certain stores, which you can take home and compare to the rest of your home. Take some time to feel and see how the fabric feels and looks to you. You’ll want to make sure it goes with the rest of your living room decor.
Try Out Your Seat Cushions
Cushions come in a wide range of styles and sizes. If you’re looking for a practical comfort piece, go for one with a more comfortable “sinking” feel. For a formal sitting area, a firmly structured cushion that holds its shape is a good choice. A sofa is a significant investment, and long-lasting sofas are not always easy to find. When looking for this type of furniture, go for sofas that are both comfy and well-made. The best-quality couch manufacturers have qualities that are easy to detect once you know what to look for. Sofas that last for many years do not always have to be expensive.
FAQ
- Which is the best place to get a couch?
Sofas and couches can be purchased in retail stores, warehouse stores, and online. Although many people are put off by the concept of ordering a couch without first putting it on, it is becoming more and more frequent. To help you select some styles, it's generally a good idea to look at several in person first.
- Which sofa can I use if I have a smaller room?
A loveseat is ideal for someone who has a small place. It has many of the same qualities as many sofas; however, it isn't as long as a standard sofa.
- Which sofa shape can I choose for a living room?
The most common sofa shape is rectangular, though L-shaped sofas are also popular. Depending on the size and orientation of the sofa, it could form a semi-circle or even a circle around the coffee table.
- What is the best material type for a sofa?
Leather is the best sofa material type. When it comes to durability, leather takes the lead over other sofa materials. It's a significant investment, but it stands the test of time and performs admirably in adverse conditions.
- Which sofa wood is the most long-lasting?
The most durable couches have a dense hardwood structure such as maple, walnut, or teak. These last longer than lower-cost woods such as Douglas fir and pine.
