Sofas are for sure one of the most important pieces of furniture in anyone’s home design. The options are practically endless if you take in account all the sofa models, the customization options as far as size, configuration, upholstering as well as other finishes.
Given the wide choice available, it is important to know exactly how to select the best sofa for your home. The white linen sofa may look stunning at first glance, but you will soon regret this choice when your small children start using it as a canvas for their artwork.
It is therefore important to understand how to choose the best sofa for you; one that suits your home and your lifestyle. We have put together five tips that will guide you on your selection process:
1. Size and scale
How big is your living room? Is it small or large? Would you like to match it with a few coffee tables? Would you like to have a corner chaise sofa or multiple sofas and armchairs?
You must take in account that the size of your room is a major constraint to the size of your sofa. Although it seems obvious that a generous sized sofa should be the choice for a large living area, and a more compact option for a smaller room, this is often an overlooked criterion in the selection process.
The size and shape of your sofa has a tremendous impact in how spacious your living room is perceived, and the right option can make it feel bigger than it actually is.
Make sure you measure your room and carefully consider its layout allowing for circulation room as well as ample space for the remaining furniture.
If you have a small living room, you should go with a smaller more compact sofa design, and consider whether it should have built-in storage space, a critical aspect in small spaces.
A generous sized room will allow you to combine several sofas of different design and size, creating a décor full of character.
You must also consider the size of the remaining furniture. As a rule of thumb, you are going to want to keep to the right proportion and not match tiny armchairs with your large sofa. You must aim to achieve the right balance and proportion when combining your furniture so that the end-result of your overall décor is a success.
Fortunately, it is already possible to choose the sofa you fell in love with, and to custom adjust its size to fit in your space. If the standard witdth is 3metres, but you only have room for a 2.8 metre sofa to allow for better flow or so that it can fit in the corner of your living room, then we have great news for you! Nowadays it is possible to easily custom make exactly the size you need.
2. Your lifestyle
Your lifestyle is definitely one of the most important considerations when choosing your sofa. It is important to determine the best sofa design and layout so that it matches the space and use it will have, considering your lifestyle and that of your friends and family.
How do you intend to use your living room, and more specifically your sofa?
- Do you enjoy relaxing in front of your TV in the evening?
You should make sure that your sofa is positioned in a way to have an adequate angle and distance from your TV set. - Do you love stretching on your sofa with a good book or to play with your tablet?
A corner chaise sofa would be a good option for you. - Your family “camps out” in your living room whilst engaging in different activities?
The best bet is to combine several sofas, armchairs, ottomans and poufs to cater for everyone. - Your friends love to spend the weekend with you?
A good sofa-bed will solve this issue. - Do you want to use your sofa to define different areas in your living room?
An L-shaped sofá is an excellent choice to define room areas, clearly separating your living area from your dining area.
Now you know, your sofa is an integral part of your life, so make sure it fits with your lifestyle.
3. Material and finishes
The looks are important but let’s not forget the function when it comes to selecting the finishes for your sofa.
We can now choose from a seemingly endless range of upholstery materials with different levels of resistance and durability. Some of the new materials are easy to clean, do not require professional cleaning services nor expensive cleaning materials.
Choosing a beautiful light suede is not the best option if you have small children or pets, but there are reasonable alternatives that look similar but do not have the high maintenance price tag.
Leather is a classic option, ages beautifully and is easy to clean. But if real leather is out of your budget, there are pocket friendly mock leather options that are very similar in look but are not as pricey.
The current materials available have benefited from the new advances in technology which assure you the technical qualities without compromising its aesthetics, range and durability. When buying your sofa ask about the finishes and materials that would suit your taste and requirements.
4. Choose a style that matches your home décor
The design of your sofa should match your individual taste as well as the overall room décor. If your taste gravitates towards the contemporary clean lines design, you should choose a sofa that fits in with your preference.
If your home is and eclectic mix of colours and styles, you should go for a “vintage” style model in a bold colour and texture. Or alternatively, you can go for a contemporary and neutral coloured sofa and dress it with a mix of exuberant cushions.
Sofas are such a focal point in your living room, that you need to carefully consider its design and style so that it matches yours. After all, your home should reflect your personality!
5. Colour choice
Don’t be a slave to seasonal colours and to the latest trends. Although you can easily reupholster and completely change the look of your sofa, at a relatively affordable price, going through this process because you have gone off the colour might not be an option you are willing to consider.
Going for the season’s colour trends is probably not the best way to go as it conditions your entire room décor, and as we know, bold colours tend to go out of style very quickly.
Considering a pattern choice is also tricky for the same reasons, so you want to carefully ponder if you are willing to live with your choice for the next 5 years.
