7 Tips for finding the Perfect Sofa
- Leah Hallahan
- Mar 14, 2017
- 4 min read
If there is one thing I've learned from my time working in this business of interior design, it's the value of quality over quantity. I am a bargain hunter at heart. I buy my jeans from Old Navy, my shoes at Target, and rarely ever buy anything full price. However, with ordering so many products from so many different sources as an interior decorator, I am seeing the true value you receive from certain trusted companies even though their prices are significantly higher than good ole' IKEA.
When we moved into our first apartment, and the following year bought our first house, it essentially looked like an IKEA catalog with some hand-me-down pieces thrown into the mix. Thank God for companies like IKEA that can make a home look super awesome for like, next to no money. If I'm honest, our pockets aren't much deeper now than they were then.
But since our house is essentially livable and workable, I am moving away from buying the latest bargain buys that will make my house look slightly cuter, to taking my time and finding the more quality pieces that will last in our home forever, even if it means waiting and saving up the extra hundred dollars...or more. I consider this personal growth, wouldn't you??
Right now our living room, where we spend the majority of our time, is home to a set of camel-color leather furniture that was handed-down to us from my parents. It was barely used when we received it, and really, is not a bad looking set at all. It definitely has been a life savor with a baby who spills- easy clean-up all the way. Cons? I do NOT like leather sofas. It is placed right in front of a set of windows (really the only spot for it) and even in the summer I feel like I cannot sit on that couch without a blanket wrapped around me. IT'S COLD.
A new sofa is probably not in the cards for another 5 years for us, but hey, a girl can't dream right? I think it's important to know what you want and don't want in your furniture- especially something as important as the family sofa.
This is an item I will splurge on when the time comes. This is the place where we watch tv. This is where I want my husband (or me) to be able to take a nap and not freeze in the winter or stick to in the summer. This seat needs to hold up against our children and future children. This piece is crucial.
Today's sofas are all chosen from two trusted furniture stores (and where I will most likely be buying my future sofa from)- One Kings Lane and Basset Furniture.
Things to consider when purchasing a sofa:
1. Attached or Loose Back Pillows
This couch looks amazing right? Comfortable. Great color. Cozy. Here's the downside- all those loose pillows in the back. They would drive me crazy. Good for people who like to fluff or show the "chopped pillow" look. Bad for people like me who don't want to fall in the cracks or adjust my seat every time I sit down.
2. Number of Seat Cushions
I love this color sofa from Bassett Furniture. However, if you buy a sofa with 2 cushions, someone is getting stuck in the crack. I see myself watching a movie with my husband, wanting to be snuggle up next to him, and uh, hello? I'm cracked.
1 cushion- better for not falling in cracks but tough if you want to clean a small section of the cushion or want to fluff or rotate the cushions.
** 3 cushions- Personally, this is the ideal amount of cushions.
4. To sectional or not to sectional?
I personally, am not a fan of sectionals. I think most people that buy them do so because it just works for the layout of their room and gives them the most amount of seating for their space. Luckily, our living room is flexible enough that we are able to have a sofa, love seat, and accent chair option.
3. Color and Fabric
How fun is this couch from One Kings Lane? Super cute and trendy, but again, if I'm thinking long term and classic, I want something a bit more neutral than this. Also, I definitely don't want a fabric that will make me too hot or too cold. No leather (maybe on an accent chair), no chenille or itchy tweed. Something in a linen blend is more my style. I am aiming also for a white or gray sofa for my living room. And before you say it, yes, I will be having the fabric protected. This sofa actually comes in a Sunbrella fabric, which is an easy-to-clean, solution-dyed acrylic fabric that is colorfast, mold-resistant, and soil-resistant. This fabric in a toned-down color would be perfect. I can always dress up the color and pattern with pillows and throws.
5. Leg Style
These clean, narrow legs in the sofa above give off a more modern or retro feel for this sofa where as the rounded legs on the sofa below are more traditional. I think I'm somewhere in between- straighter legs, but lower to the ground.
6. Back Height
I have a sofa like the one above in my formal living room. Love the formal, tufted look but again- I'm looking for a nap and movie watching sofa. I need to me able to rest my head back at all times.
7. Arm Rest Style (Slideshow)
These four examples show four different arm rest styles. From straight, clean and modern, to traditional and rounded, to the high tuxedo style, and finally a clean sloped arm rest, there are plenty of styles to choose from. Surprising even myself, I think I lean more towards the traditional rounded arm rest for my dream sofa.
My Perfect Sofa
I'll be honest. I haven't found it just yet. But this Cindy Sofa from One Kings Lane below is pretty darn close. Comfortable, good back height, classic and clean-looking, but still nap-worthy. If I could get a different leg style, this cream Sunbrella fabric sofa might just be the sofa of my dreams. Good thing I have a few more years before we actually are ready for this purchase.
Have an opinion on your perfect couch? Or a great place to purchase one? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below! I'd love to hear from you!!
https://www.luluandgeorgia.com/dalmatian-pillow-black
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