A Comprehensive Guide to Buying a Sofa (Part 2)
- Get the right sofa fit
After a long day, most of us want nothing more than to curl up on a cosy sofa and relax. But it takes some careful consideration to buy the right sofa that would afford us years of peak comfort.
The most important thing is not to dive in headfirst into an impulsive buy, given that your sofa will be one of the most-used pieces of furniture in your home. The next time you shop for your ideal sofa, you want to factor both form and function into your decision-making. A high degree of workmanship that offers unparalleled comfort and support is imperative. But sofa design and form, upholstery type and durability and how well the sofa fits into your home and lifestyle requires just as much consideration.
Whether you are buying a sofa online or in a retail store, knowing what to look for is important. A sofa is a major investment so you want to explore your options carefully to ensure a piece of furniture that will last you and your family for a long time.
If you are unsure about where to begin in your search for the perfect sofa, this handy buying guide lists the most essential points that will steer you in the right direction towards purchasing a new sofa that will provide you with years of exceptional comfort.
- Size
Size is perhaps the most important factor to purchasing the right sofa. People often make the common mistake of purchasing an ill-fitting sofa that makes the room appear either too empty or too cramped and uncomfortable. Just picture how a gangly sofa with broad arms will look like in a tiny living room.
A good way to begin is by applying the rule of thirds. Allocate two thirds the size of the entire room for the sofa then plan everything else around the centrepiece. If you decide to throw in a coffee table that would either occupy two thirds the size of the sofa, or one third to half the size of the sofa if the sofa comes with a chaise.
If you have a small living space, it is best to go with a 2-seater sofa. These sofas seat two people perfectly and three in a pinch, perfect for couples who occasionally entertain guests. Combine this setting with an elegant ottoman to rest your feet and you accomplish optimal comfort.
As a slightly larger alternative, the 3-seater sofa provides additional seating space with minimal impact on the usable living space.
For those who require additional seating but lack living space, for instance a family living in an apartment with multiple kids, a compact sectional such as a L-shaped sofa is the answer.
L-shaped sofas often also come with hidden functionality such as a fold out sofa or additional storage space underneath, perfect when you have extra guests over.
Do note that the stylistic features of a furniture can impact the perceived size of a sofa. For example, a smaller couch with one or two seat cushions can appear longer and sleeker compared to an exact same couch with three seat cushions. Hence, always measure your room to ensure there is sufficient space around your sofa in all directions instead of simply relying on your gut feeling.
Given that fit is perhaps the most important consideration, remember not to let your sofa overwhelm the room to the point where it is a hindrance to move around. Big is not always better!
- Shade
Colour is known to invoke certain moods and feelings so naturally the shade of the sofa is another significant consideration in purchasing a piece of furniture that can affect how we feel depending on the colour scheme.
If you are uncertain about what colour best complements your décor scheme or have yet to even decide on one, ask yourself what feelings you hope to derive from the room. Do you want it to feel relaxed? Nondescript? Or perhaps bold and passionate?
The practical approach is to first experiment with the primary colours and their different variants. The best starting point is to assess the most common colours and the emotions they tend to evoke. That includes blue, green and red.
Blue and green are known for their calming qualities, as both colours are said to promote concentration and induce serenity. While blue is perfect for more seaside-inspired homes with a laidback design style, green is ideal if you are a nature lover who fancies an outdoorsy vibe in your very own home. On the contrary, the passionate colour of red is an excellent choice for those who wish to express your bold personality. The intense shade means the sofa will stand out in your living room, which is especially useful if you are looking to make a bold statement.
A décor plan that mainly features warm hues is best complemented by a sofa with a brownish shade while a cool colour scheme serves as the perfect backdrop to a grayish-tinted or even white sofa. For a vibrant contrast to the monochromatic scheme, throw in a couple of decorative pillows or accent rugs. These can be easily switched out to make room for the next wave of colour trends, whereas you are forced to live with a striking sofa even when it goes out of style.
It is still possible to make colourful sofa work in your home but it has to be one in a block of colour to allow for easy styling according to changing trends.
Generally, it is recommended that you stick with a neutral sofa shade. They go a long way in ensuring that your sofa goes well with any colour combinations or patterns you might want to incorporate into your home décor at a later stage. At the end of the day, you need to factor in any pre-existing colours or patterns in the room before you can settle on a suitable sofa shade or fabric pattern.
- Material
Your choice in sofa also comes down to the sense and practicality of the furniture material. Consider the durability of the fabric and how enduring your sofa needs to be in order to accommodate your tastes and preferences. Leather and fabric are perhaps the two most common upholstery choices for sofas.
Leather sofas are a better investment when it comes to withstanding long-term wear and tear. They rarely absorb smell and liquid so you do not have to worry about odour. Additionally, a leather sofa lets you wipe away dirt or food spillages effortlessly, making them much easier to clean. They are certainly the more durable option if you want your sofa to last longer without having to replace the fabric every few years.
On an aesthetic front, sofas made of genuine leather also tend to exude warmth and luxury for an intimate vibe in your homes. That said, leather requires regular maintenance and is more prone to being ripped by sharp objects. Bear in mind that ongoing exposure to direct sunlight can also damage the material and result in a leather sofa drying out and cracking.
If this is a deal-breaker, you might want to consider going with something made of faux leather instead. This closely mimics the exquisite finish of leather without running the risk of sunlight damage.
Fabric on the contrary can be cosier and comes in a wider range of colours and patterns so if you consider leathered surfaces to be quite dull and uninviting, then you might prefer a fabric-base sofa for visual reasons. Fabric material generally evokes a certain softness that makes a room appear more rejuvenating. And as the material can be found in a much broader range of colours, you are more likely to find a fabric sofa that will complement your colour scheme.
Important things to consider include whether your fabric sofa has removable covers that you can wash, especially since fabric types like cotton and polyester blend or microfibre are prone to retaining marks and stains and therefore need to be cleaned regularly. As a protip, we recommend a textured fabric as general wear and tear remains less perceptible compared to smooth fabric.
In the end, each material has its own pros and cons, so your choice ultimately hinges on your living space and your lifestyle. That sleek leather sofa may look amazing in pictures, but will the material be able to withstand the sharp claws of your family cat? On the other hand, if you decide on a fabric sofa, ensure you have a bottle of upholstery cleaner handy to tackle those pesky stains that refuse to be wiped off with a cloth.
- Shape
When selecting a shape, consider the intended function of the sofa and how you want it to look in the home. Looking at the size and style of the room it belongs in can be the starting point. A huge sofa, for example, can clutter a narrow or small living space, leaving no room for anything else and while you have more options in a larger environment, there is still a need to ensure the scale matches the surroundings. Ideally, you want to introduce flexibility into your living room design so you have the ability to change things up in the future.
Modular sofas are a great way to experiment with different sofa arrangements as they usually combine assorted chaise pieces of various sizes into a single unit which allows them to be easily modified to suit any new home layout. Take a L-shaped sofa for instance. It occupies minimal room but offers extra space for putting your feet up or to entertain any unexpected guests. Their flexibility and adaptability also mean that modular sofas can be reconfigured into different combinations including your own formations.
Anything from a L-shaped two and three-seat sectional to a broader U-shaped modular piece that can be lengthened is definitely worth considering. Moreover, these are perfect if you wish to partition large open spaces, such as in situations where the living room and dining room are combined.
Even if you have ample space, you want to consider integrating modular solutions such as a 3 plus 2-seater sofa or pair your sofa with a reclining armchair or ottoman as additional options instead of purchasing a pair of identical 2 or 3-seater sofas.
This way, you construct an interesting juxtaposition with the living room space which can be very visually appealing. It also means you are taken care of regardless of whether you are relaxing alone in front of the television or hosting a gathering with a few friends in tow.
- Firmness
Firmness and softness also need to be considered when hunting for the right sofa. A firm sofa is able to offer ample back support. It is perfect for a formal setting where you essentially spend long hours engaging in friendly conversations with guests. But a sofa that is too tough can also mitigate any comfort that comes from sinking into it. The last thing you want after a hectic day at work is to plop your bum on a solid surface. Hence how hard or soft you want your sofa boils down to the purpose of your sofa.
If it is purchased strictly for entertaining guests, then stick with a firm sofa as guests usually do not linger in the same area in your home the whole time and would not be put off by a firmer sofa. A firmer sofa makes both sitting upright and standing up easier when needed. Conversely, if the purpose of your sofa is for everyday family use then a softer sofa is an appropriate fit.
A softer sofa sinks in whenever someone sits on it which creates a more intimate and casual vibe. It is the perfect spot for long hours of engrossing activities like movie marathons, board games or just a place for you to curl up comfortably with a good book in hand.
Where your sofa is placed too determines the firmness of your sofa. If the piece is meant for your bedroom then it can be however soft you want it to be. It is based entirely on your personal inclinations so do not worry whether others share your preferences in comfort.
An eager bookworm? You probably want a super comfy soft back recliner sofa to curl into while you get lost in the plot. On the other hand, a firm sofa in the study would be the perfect medical remedy to your spinal problems. You can stay glued to the computer screen for long hours without having to worry about developing a nasty hunch.
- Style
Because your sofa design is intrinsic to the overarching appeal of your living room, there is a need to carefully identify the right sofa for the aesthetic of the space. A few methods exist when it comes to approaching style.
The most common way is to make the sofa the highlight of your living room, where the sofa is the first piece that guests notice before diverting their attention to other furniture in the area. Another way is to inculcate the sofa into the central design scheme of the room, where guests are instantly taken by the overall style of the space instead of observing one piece at a time.
As the style of your sofa will be influenced by the existing decor of a room, pick something that is practical, stylish and in tune with the rest of the living room arrangement. A minimalistic, clean-line design sofa with a low-profile will suit a modern décor, while a slipcover sofa with rolled arms and a high-back works magic in a more classically-designed home. In fact, classical and contemporary-style sofas are probably the safest options when it comes to buying a sofa.
Classical furniture generally transcends era so they are likely to appeal to family and guests from every age group. A classical sofa exudes calm and confidence, and will never go out of style. Contemporary furniture on the other hand mainly utilises neutral tones like white and grey alongside rigid lines. This is ideal if you want a sofa that blends in seamlessly with a minimalistic setup, as part of a relaxed, neutral-coloured room.
The design and style of the sofa you pick can either establish the mood or ruin it, so contemplate carefully the type of furniture you want. It is not enough for your new sofa to fit into your living room, it also has to fit in with your living room.
Keep in mind that if you want your sofa to be more future-proof, you should opt for a style that is less eye-catching and more timeless. This provides additional flexibility to mix-and-match a wide variety of styles and colours, should you wish to revamp your home down the line.
- Sofa sizing options
When it comes to style, colour or upholstery fabric, each sofa can vary quite significantly from another, but what you may not realise is that most sofas are generally bounded by the same approximate dimensions. The same holds true for other pieces of living room furniture such as coffee tables and TV consoles as well. Having a rough idea of the furniture measurements helps you plan how many pieces to fit into the room and how they are arranged to create efficient flow in the room.
As one of the largest furniture purchases you will make, both in terms of size and cost when furnishing your home, there is a lot to think about when finding the ideal sofa fit.
To help you out, we are here to take you through the different sofa types and sizes available to get a better idea of what will work best for you.
- 2-seater sofa
A large range of 2-seater sofas are available on the market in sizes from the very small to the quite large.
Certain variants of 2-seaters are generously proportioned for two grown adults and will seat three smaller individuals with a squeeze so if you are short on space, they are ideal as these are designed with maximum seating in a small or limited space in mind. This means you need not worry about not finding a 2-seater that will fit into your home, however small it may be. In fact, smaller 2-seaters can be quite versatile whether being the perfect piece for a small living room or otherwise to maximise seating space for larger rooms.
Our 2-seaters typically have an overall width ranging from as narrow as about 112cm wide to sofas as wide as 185cm, although this can be chalked up to the chunkiness of the furniture arms. This size of sofa is also ideal if you require extra space to sit in a home office, breakfast nook or even a bedroom.
- 3-seater sofa
A 3-seater sofa is usually the popular option when buying a sofa and often regarded as the main seating centrepiece within a living room, which can be both versatile and elegant when styled in line with the overarching theme of the place. Most 3-seater sofas traditionally feature two wide base seats and a padded backrest which can compose of extra detachable cushions, or a single padded piece that is non-detachable. The other option is a 3-seater sofa with three small cushioned seats instead of two big ones.
But whether you decide on a 3-seater with three small seats or one with two wide seats, their sizes are generally similar so it comes down to which style you prefer. These sofas can usually comfortably accommodate three adults or even double as a bed for a guest sleeping over by removing any back cushions, depending on the individual’s height.
Generally our three seat sofas are around 200cm in width with a seating space of about 170cm, although you will find that certain styles tend to be larger compared to others.
- 4-seater sofa
Larger households, avid hosts or even those looking to fill up any awkward empty spaces in the room can benefit from a four-seater sofa which offers just the right dose of space and comfort for four people. The standard seating space on a 4-seater sofa is about 228cm, which seats four adults with ease. Depending on the style of the sofa, you might even be able to fit more people on the sofa. These sofas are built with individual tastes and lifestyles in mind and hence come complete with different specifications.
Some 4-seaters feature individual padding made of multiple cushions per seat although most come with a single extended padded seat while other common constructs for the sofa include varying armrests and even reclining mechanisms.
All these individual specifications can affect the size of a 4-seater sofa, which is why the approximate dimensions listed on websites can sometimes fluctuate depending on the manufacturer.
- L-shaped sofa
The L-shaped sofa is the laidback version of the extended sofa. It is characterised by a protruding chaise lounge positioned either on the left or right side depending on the living room layout and personal preferences. The adjacent padded section of the sofa is designed for ergonomics, allowing you to stretch out your legs and kick back in pure comfort.
Known for their practicality, the L-shaped sofa not only offers additional seating solutions, but can also serve as an understated partition to section off open areas like the dining room from the living space in smaller homes. Most L-shaped sofas are designed with three seats at the minimum. At times, they may spot optional features such as detachable headrests, ergonomic cushions and reclining backrests for optimal comfort.
Certain L-shaped variants even consist of a separate chaise piece that occupies minimal space whilst providing extra seats and legroom, which makes it ideal for a small room.
Where the sofa chaise is located can determine if it is a left-hand or right-hand facing sectional. If the piece has the chaise on the right when you are standing facing it, then it is a right corner sofa. But if the chaise is on left, then it is a left-facing sectional. Together with the placement of your décor and furniture, the chaise position will determine how the L-shaped sofa fits in the room.