With proper care and maintenance, most sofas will last longer than everything from your children’s latest craze to the microwave, and even the family car.
It is believed that around 50% of consumers were looking to replace a sofa they had owned for 10 years or even more.
Is that the position you find yourself in right now? You may find the current sofa market an overwhelmingly intimidating place to navigate through if it has been a while since you last shopped for one.
There are so many different styles, sizes, shapes, materials and colours to choose from! From crushed velvet sofas to U-shaped leather sofas and everything in between.
To help you out, I have put together a list of great things you need to consider when picking out a new sofa.
Assess the Exterior
As the sofa is a piece of furniture you are probably going to make your pride and joy in your living room, it is important that it makes the best (and right) visual impact.
You also need to ensure it fits in with the rest of your decor and furnishings.
To be sure it is going to stand the test of time, wear and tear, make sure of the following:
- The decking, that is the fabric beneath the cushions is deep and thick to make sure the only visible fabric is the main one.
- The welting does not have puckers and is straight.
- The skirts, if there are any, hang down smoothly and have crisp corners
- The patterns on the fabric on both the seat and cushion are matched and that they are matched with the back of the frame too
Understand the Interior
When it comes to the insides of a sofa, there are a number of aspects you need to consider to choose one that is not just aesthetically pleasing but durable.
There are a number of high-end standards that mean more than just good looks.
The quality of the down, is an effective way to tell how comfortable a sofa is and can tell you the overall quality of the sofa.
When the seat backs and pillows are down-proof, it gives a nice crinkle-like effect when you sit down.
For an even more enjoyable seating experience, it is recommended you look at investing in a sofa with down-blend cushions.
The addition of soft padding on the outside of the back and arms can increase the luxuriousness of the sofa.
Try Them First (If Possible)
Although you can buy most products and even many services online now, there are still some things you should make the effort to try out in person, if possible. A new sofa might be one of them.
First and foremost, particularly if you have a shortlist of models to choose from, actually trying to sit on them and use them is the best way to tell if they are going to be the right choice for you.
To really determine if a sofa is comfortable enough, you need to sit on it the way you would when you are at home.
If you can’t, it’s not the end of the world these days as a good sofa store will give you as much information as you need online, including videos so you can get a feel for how the sofa works.
You also have the benefit of online reviews from customers like yourself.
Consider the Warranty and What it Covers
Remember to read through the warranty carefully, paying close attention to the fine print. Make sure you know what it covers and how long that coverage lasts for.
Especially if you’re buying the sofa for somebody as a gift. You want to be sure it lasts and you aren’t left embarrassed.
Don’t Be Afraid to Go Bold
If you really want your sofa to last long and not look tired or dull after a few years, you need to be brave enough to choose something bold that matches your own personal and unique style.
Don’t go overboard, but invest in the traditional, tried and tested frame design and then add to it with finishing touches.
Summary
If you really want to get a sofa that stands the test of time, you want a combination of everything including:
- Solid external build
- High-quality internal build
- A company that offers a good warranty
- A sofa that you love the look of and won’t go out of style
