How to Buy a Quality Sofa

Sofas, also called couches, are usually one of the most expensive items in a living room. Because it is such an expensive purchase, buying a quality sofa that will last for many years is important. This article will list what to look for when purchasing a quality sofa.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
    

   Comfort is the most important aspect of a quality sofa. You should never purchase a sofa without sitting in it first. Keep in mind that the exact same sofa that has a sleeper option will sit differently than the sofa without. If you plan on laying on your sofa, make sure you lay on the one in the showroom to make sure it is comfortable in that position also.

2. 
    

   Look at the details of the upholstery or leather. Are the seams sewn well? Are the cushions upholstered on all sides? Does the pattern align at the seams? Does the back of the sofa look nice or does it seem like an afterthought? Are there a lot of loose threads hanging around? Is the "leather" sofa all leather or just leather in some parts? Is the fabric stain protected? Textured solid fabrics tend to show less stains than a non-textured solid.

3. 
    

   How is the frame constructed? It should be made with hardwood, not softwood. It should not make a creaking sound when you sit or move from side to side. Make sure the corners are braced with corner blocks. Lift the sofa by the arm to make sure it is not too light The heavier it is, the more wood framing it has.

4. 
    

   What type of springs are used? 8 way hand tied springs have been the industry standard of quality for many years, however other metal supports are now becoming high quality. Sit on the sofa and bounce a bit. You should feel the sofa push back a bit. With the cushions remove, press against the supports. You should not feel the metal (the metal should be covered in fabric and padding).

5. 
    

   What are the cushions made of? You can usually unzip the cushions to see for yourself. Are they just foam, or down wrapped foam? Down wrapped foam is considered higher quality. Usually a 3 cushion sofa is better than a 1 or 2 cushion sofa because the pillows will not sag in the middle as much. Also, when you want to seat 3 people on your sofa, nobody wants to sit in the cushion crack in the middle.

6. 
    

   Does the sofa come with a warranty? Is the warranty from the furniture store or the manufacturer? What does the warranty cover? Will they replace or fix your sofa if there is a problem? Will you get all of your money back including delivery if there is a problem?

Tips & Warnings

• Before you even start to shop for a sofa, you need to take measurements in your room to determine what size sofa works best.

Resources

• More Interior Design Articles

[Vanillatte]

on 12/15/2008 excellent article on how to buy a quality sofa! Nice pic too!

[georgelarson]

on 12/15/2008 This is good information for purchasing a sofa. Thanks.

[TheGlamSquad]

on 12/15/2008 This is great advice. We are thinking about changing the furniture in the house. It was paased down from my parents. This is great information for us. Thanks for sharing!

[bar10dr98]

on 12/15/2008 Great advice on buying a quality sofa!