How do you begin to select a new sofa for your home? What are the most important things to bear in mind before making your final decision? It is always a good idea, where possible, to check which are the most comfortable, ensure your measurements for the available space are correct, and also that colour schemes or patterns do not clash with existing furniture or décor.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT MATERIALS
The right material for your sofa will depend on its intended use and the requirements of your family. Will it be in constant use, for example? Will you allow food or drink near it? Are young children or pets likely to be sharing it, or will it also be used for sleeping purposes? These are all factors to consider when choosing the right sofa.
To begin with, think about how often you’ll need to clean your new sofa. Leather, and in particular, black leather is an ideal fabric. Not only is it easy to wipe over or polish, but it doesn’t stain and does not require excessive maintenance.
Apart from leather, sofas are available in a wide range of fabrics and designs. It may be a good idea to avoid anything white in colour as your sofa will be difficult to clean and will need doing so far more regularly. Stains may also be awkward to remove from certain stripy or floral designs.
An easy to clean, hard wearing fabric which may be suitable is cotton. On the other hand, vinyl and silk despite being pleasant to look at, are not as long lasting. Vinyl can easily be torn or ripped and silk is extremely difficult to keep looking pristine.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT COLOURS AND PATTERNS
Retailers such as are able to tailor make a sofa to your individual choice. This makes it so much easier to purchase a sofa which contrasts well with other furniture you may have or acquire a particular fabric or colour scheme.
Take into account all other furnishings and decorations located with your room. A plain sofa would be most suited to a bright, vibrant atmosphere and conversely a neutral coloured room, perhaps white or beige, would benefit from brightening up with a printed, floral or deeper coloured sofa. When purchasing your sofa it is therefore wise to plan the room with a comfortable, welcoming theme in mind.
