A First-Time Buyer’s Guide to Picking the Right Sofa

1. Measure Your Space, Size Matters

The first step towards choosing the right sofa actually begins at your home. It starts with measuring the length and width of your living room, and the space you want to decorate with furniture.

There are varieties of types and styles choose from. However, your apartment size determines which kind of sofa is right for you. The best sofa for small apartments may be two-seater sectional sofas, single recliners, or small sofa beds.

For larger apartments, three-piece sofa sets are recommended, with additional recliners, ottomans and other furnishings.

Pro tip: account for window, doorway and natural lighting, to determine the placement before taking measurements.

2. Choose the Right Style

Your furniture reflects your taste and personality. Simultaneously, it should harmonize with other furnishings you have at home.

You can choose minimalistic furniture with neutral colors that blend in with almost any living room décor. Alternatively, you could buy modern-style furniture that uses bold colors and exotic shapes to make a statement. From retro-vintage to dopamine décor, there are many styles to mix and match for your living space.

Mid-century recliners, sectional, sofa beds, button-tufted three-seaters, the choices are endless. You can also add ottomans, rugs, and throw pillows to refine your living room.

3. Fabric Fit for Your Needs

Choosing the right fabric for your sofa goes beyond style and home décor. It also concerns durability, maintenance, and comfort. Most consumers think it is a fabric vs leather debate. However, there are many choices of fabrics, each with its pros and cons.

Fabrics like leather look great and speak elegance. They are also durable but can be heavy on the budget. Additionally, they require some special maintenance to keep them soft, shiny, and without wear and tear.

Fabrics like Linen are best for cooler climates. Furniture with linen upholstery are also cheaper, and easy to maintain in most cases. However, they are easily susceptible to stains.

Synthetic fabrics like Microfibers are very popular for sofa buyers with small children and pets. Furniture made with microfiber upholstery is not only relatively more affordable, but they are strong against wear and tear. This kind of fabric is very resistant to stains, and occasional scratches by pets.

There are other fabrics like Wool, Velvet, Chenille, etc., but the three mentioned above fit almost any affordable sofa styles.

4. Sit Before You Buy

Your first sofa not only needs to look good, but it also needs to be comfortable for seating. For furniture, comfort is non-negotiable.

When picking your sofa, be sure to check if it follows an ergonomic design. This means that the sofa, with its seating area, backrest, and overall shape, accounts for the body’s comfort and well-being.

It is especially important to spend at least 5-10 minutes sitting on it to assess if it is a fit for your personal and family needs.

5. Durability is Key

Buying a sofa can be a significant investment to most people. Almost everyone uses their sofa for a few years at least, and many decades at best. Therefore, durability is one the key features to consider.

The sofa frame must be built with strong wood, like oak or teak. Alternatively, steel is also a very good choice for furniture material.

For cushioning area, high-density foams of 2.0-3.0 PCF are more durable. Typically, higher-density foams are more resistant to weighty usage.

As mentioned above, there are tons of choices for upholstery fabrics. However, leather is a reliable choice for more expensive furniture. Alternatively, Microfiber is the best choice for affordable, home-use furniture. Both fabrics offer durability, with easy maintenance.

Pro Tips for Sofa Shopping

Some simple actions can make choosing your first sofa an easier ordeal:

• Take pictures of your existing furniture and décor to match against when buying your first sofa. This will help you harmonize better.
• Be sure to check on the sofa warranty, and any available after-service, to make maintenance and replacements easier.
• Always consider the resale value of the furniture. Furniture made with certain types of wood, and leather usually pitch a higher resale value.
• If you are buying from a physical store, always sit, lean back, and maybe even lie down for a bit, on the sofa of your choosing before finalizing the purchase.

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