Choosing a new sofa involves a lot of careful thinking. Style, fabric, price, durability are all major things to be taken into consideration. One of the first things you need to ask yourself is how long you want your living room furniture to last.
When you consider this question, most people will want their living room sofa to last a good long time, after all it is costing you money! This is where considering cost over price comes in. Should you go for a cheaper sofa that won’t last long, or pay more for furniture that will last? Generally it makes sense to purchase the best you possibly can.
An exception to this might be if choosing a sofa bed for a child or teenagers room. These are a great idea both to give them a sitting area in the room and for friends who stay overnight.
So how do you tell what is quality? The price doesn’t necessarily reflect this. The number one thing you want to find out about a sofa or any other contemporary furniture is how it is constructed, and what materials have been used. Aim for a sofa made from plywood (it doesn’t warp), or a combination of plywood and solid timber. Metal fasteners should be used as well as glue, and ask how the wood has been cut to fit together.
Leather furniture is rapidly gaining popularity as the price has become almost as affordable as other fabrics. Leather is extremely comfortable and more durable than other fabrics. If you decide on a leather sofa you can choose between aniline or semi-aniline leather. Aniline is softer, finer and more comfortable but not as resistant to staining and fading as semi-aniline. For a busy family where the living room sofa will get a lot of use semi-aniline is probably the best choice. There are of course faux leathers to choose from too.
Whether you want the versatility of a sectional sofa, the convenience of a sleeper sofa or a more classical look there is a huge range available. If you choose fabric covered furniture and have pets or children it can be worthwhile getting sofa slip covers for protection. This is also an option to spruce up your current sofa if the padding is still in good condition. Go bright or go neutral but keep in mind the possibility of moving house in terms of your sofa fitting with décor. Last but not least make sure you choose a sofa that is comfortable!
