No matter your sofa goalscomfort, style, or functionalityheres how to pick the best couch for your home.
Formal
Decorating a formal parlor or seating area?
Pick a sofa with a tight back and seat.
Credit: Adam Albright
Because these sofas lack individual cushions, they look tidier and feel more traditional.
A tight-backed sofa with loose seats will also help you achieve a neat profile while offering more comfort.
Although these iterations tend to be more comfortable, they launch the risk of looking sloppy over time.
Credit:David Land
A quick fix is to buy a sofa with a good warranty or high-quality cushions.
Elegant
For a classic or European look, try tufted sofas.
These timeless sofas mesh well with different furniture styles.
Credit:Jean Allsopp
Lifestyle
Will you eat and drink on your sofa?
Consider how youll use your sofa and the traffic it will experience.
How long will you household members will sit on it throughout the week?
You may need durable fabrics that can hold up against pets and kids.
In this case, look for terms like stain-resistant or pet-friendly when shopping for couch upholstery fabrics.
Cleaning Habits
Even if you see the term stain-resistant, look into yoursofas care instructions.
How much time and effort can you commit tokeeping your sofa in good shape?
This decision will depend on your lifestyle and design goals.
Just wash each cover at the same time so all pieces fade equally over time.
And if you place your sofa outdoors, look for additional mildew- and moisture-resistant features.
Sustainability
Also take into consideration your values as a shopper.
Do you prioritize sustainability?
Look for the term COM (customers own material).
Youll run into three primary material options: foam, down, or a mixture of the two.
It may shed and prick you as its feathers can poke through the fabric.
Other couches cometrimmed in nailheads.
A sofa’s legs can also enhance your design aesthetic.
Three common leg types include bun feet, straight, and turned.
Bun feet have a curved look that can feel upscale but lean traditional.
To Pattern or Not To Pattern?
But seating with solid fabric is often more timeless and versatile.
Single-cushion sofasprovide a sleek, formal look that looks more put-together than sofas with multiple cushions.
Single-cushioned sofas also offer more flexible seating since there are no prebuilt seat prefs.
However, these sofas can look less crisp than their single-cushion counterparts.
Andbutton cushionsadd texture and interest but may feel stiffer.
Jean Allsopp
Focus on Comfort
Every punch in of couch varies in height and depth.
This includes doorways, hallways, entrances, and any area youll pass through to transport your sofa.
Next, ensure your sofa fits in the room and doesn’t block any walkways.
Ideally, walkways should be 36 wide.
Overall, your sofa’s height, width, and length should complement your spaces size and architectural elements.
This can help create a more seamless look.
Finally, prioritize functionality above all else.
Measuring ahead will establish the right fit every time.
Test It Out
Testing your sofa isnt always possible, especially if youpurchase it online.
Some furniture stores offer a 30-day money-back guarantee or a testing period.
Others might charge a restocking fee or shipping costs for returns.
Look at Return Policies and Warranties
Buying a sofa can be a big investment.
