What type of sofa to buy

My sofa at home is upholstered in Ziggurat by China Seas and that still looks fantastic after many years. Keep in mind that the higher the thread count, the tighter the weave, and the better it will wear. If you are buying a new sofa online, which to be honest is by far the easiest option these days, then just check the returns policy first. When you get to the store, conduct these simple tests: To test the strength of the frame, lift one corner of the sofa off the ground the nearest corner should lift along with it.

Then, perch on one edge and listen for creaking noises this indicates the springs are poorly installed. Lastly, sit on the sofa and lean back to test the comfort and durability of the cushions, and make sure the dimensions work with your body. That way it should be with you for many years to come. You can spread the cost this way.

Search for:. Home Maintenance. Country Living Shop. Shopping Guides. United States. Type keyword s to search. Today's Top Stories. Makeover Takeover: Colonial Comeback. Treat Your Family to Homemade Cupcakes. Slipcovered Sofa. Leather Sofa. Modern Chippendale Sofa. Bridgewater Sofa. Camelback Sofa. Chesterfield Sofa. Rattan Sofa. Tuxedo Sofa. Upholstered Settee. French Cabriole Sofa. English Roll Arm Sofa. Midcentury Sofa. Cane Sofa. Sectional Sofa. Deconstructed Sofa.

The frame and all the corners of the couch should be well padded. Run your hand over all corners to make sure you can't feel the edges of the frame through the upholstery. If you can, the upholstery may wear through quite quickly, and your couch will not be very comfortable to use.

Seat cushions should be firm and resilient and fit snugly within the sofa frame. The cushions should regain their shape after you press down and let go. A cushion that stays put when you press down will be flattened in no time, end up looking unsightly, and feel uncomfortable when you sit on it. Cushions that do not fit snugly will also lose their shape quickly and the edges will start looking unsightly.

Test the Operating Mechanisms. If your couch is a recliner or sleeper , make sure to operate the mechanism repeatedly and aggressively to make sure it operates smoothly and easily.

Reclining, or motion furniture is generally more expensive, and you are paying for a functioning, smoothly-running mechanism. Don't overlook any mechanical glitches or rough operation you notice—these will only become more pronounced after repeated use in your home. Evaluate the Upholstery. If there are any buttons, check to see that they are sewn on securely.

Loose buttons will come off and quickly get lost. For fire safety reasons, look for the gold UFAC tag, indicating that the sofa manufacturer certifies that it has been made in accordance with UFAC methods. UFAC—the Upholstered Furniture Action Council— was founded in with the purpose of making upholstered furniture more resistant to ignition from smoldering cigarettes. UFAC claims that the number of household fires has gone down considerably since these standards were put in place.

If you are buying a couch online, do your research. Read reviews, read all the product information you can find, and take advantage of any virtual assistant or question and answer features the site may offer.

If you can, try to find a nearby showroom with the type of couch you're considering—you can go try the sofa there. Once you've made your decision, pay attention to the return policy and delivery options. Some companies offer white glove delivery where the deliver brings the item into your home and sets it up for you—and sometimes even removes the old one—while others will simply ship the couch to your door, and the rest is up to you.

Select the best delivery option for you and your space, and always make sure that you have the option to return the couch if it's not what you hoped for. Most large furniture retailers sell couches. A number of newer companies also sell couches online, and you can often find sofas at yard sales, estate sales, and other secondhand shopping opportunities.

You have plenty of options: The key is to find that perfect balance of style, function, comfort, and price. While couches—especially well-made ones—can be repaired to extend their lifespans, most are not made to last forever.

If your couch is sagging, looking worn, uncomfortable to sit on, or damaged and you don't want to put the time and effort into fixing it up or it's beyond repair, it's time to purchase a new one.

As the terms are used today, there's no difference between a couch and a sofa: The words are used interchangeably today. Traditionally, a couch meant a low piece of furniture meant for lying on—similar to what we might consider a chaise lounge today—while a sofa had arms, backs, and cushions.

Used or old couches can be resold, donated, or hauled to a landfill, depending on their condition and quality. Take care to dispose of your old couch responsibly and try, if at all possible, to reuse or recycle before tossing it. Couches should be cleaned regularly, and according to their material.

Couches with fabric upholstery should be cleaned differently than leather couches. If you are purchasing a used couch, be sure to clean it thoroughly before enjoying it. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads.

Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Natural materials may fade in strong sunlight so go for a synthetic fabric if the sofa will be near a window. It's particularly important in a busy family home, and if you have a dog or cat, opt for a fabric that's easy to spot clean.

In this case, loose covers are worth investigating, as they can be removed for cleaning and some are washable too. Get out the tape measure and make sure you're certain of the maximum sofa dimensions that will fit, and suit, your space.

One tip for making sure that your sofa will fit in your space is to cut out the shape of your sofa from newspaper and place it on the floor in the room. Finally, check the dimensions of any doors and stairways the sofa will have to pass through on delivery — your unscuffed walls will thank you.

If access is limited, you may need to opt for a low-back style, one with removable legs or even a modular design that can be delivered in sections. Or if you have a small room, consider a two-seater or a snuggler. You might have your dream sofa in sights but you have to be practical too. The good news is that it's never been easier to customise a sofa to make it really work for you and your space.

Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. This plush velvet fabric loveseat, from the House Beautiful collection at DFS, is perfect for contemporary homes. Available in 10 colours and shown here in Mauve, the Darcy cuddler sofa is chic, sophisticated and oh-so Instagrammable.

For the perfect finishing touch, customise the feet with either Brushed Brass or Brushed Nickel. Set in a solid hardwood frame with beech legs and upholstered in Varese cotton velvet fabric from Designers Guild, this gorgeous loveseat from Oliver Bonas is a contemporary take on a classic style. With a super soft filling and purposeful recline, the Edes cuddle chair is ideal for relaxing in comfort. Sink into this with a good book! Boasting a classic pea-arm-shaped frame, this brushed cotton loveseat from The White Company is a timeless design.

The low-back scatter cushions provide extra comfort. With soft upholstery, a comfy fabric design and foam-filled seat cushions, it will be a chic addition to your living space. We love the classic deep buttoned detail to the back and arms of this chesterfield-style loveseat. And it's a glorious colour too.