Need a new sofa?
What to think about before you commit…..
A new sofa is a big investment and from a sustainability perspective it should also be a long term one, so what are the things you need to consider before making a decision and organising a delivery date. Below I've listed some of the major considerations and hopefully shared a little bit of knowledge to help you make the right choice.
How will you use it?
I know the obvious is to sit on, but there’s more to it than that. Is it just going to be used when entertaining friends and family, or will you use it most days to sit back and relax on? Is it going to be a spot to read, eat, watch TV or sleep? Some sofas can even offer you additional storage.
Globe West Aruba Block Modular Sofa, Distinctive Living #18
Where is it going?
Is it in a room that is only used occasionally in a formal setting, therefore can be more visually interesting than comfortable? For a sofa you will use every day for relaxation, comfort will be a major consideration. Is it in an open plan living area where you need to be conscious of sight lines, for example you don’t want a really high-backed sofa if it’s going to block your view of the feature fireplace? Is it going in the rumpus room for the children, where they will have friends over and eat/drink on it? Is it in a spare room and needs to double as a guest bed?
What style should you go for?
Coco Republic, Ashley Large Sofa
Ensure the style of the sofa suits the room / house. Does it work with the other elements in the room, for example the rug, artwork, colours etc? Think about how you want to feel in the room, do you want the space to feel calm and muted (a neutral sofa), fun and exciting (something more colourful), or do you have a specific style you’re working with like Mid-Century, Country or Traditional. If you want to go for a traditional, formal feel stick with a high or rounded arm. A contemporary look can be achieved through a strong shape and modular configuration. Choose straight or no arms and clean lines to achieve a minimalist aesthetic. Also take in consideration the legs of your sofa, as they can have a big impact on the overall style.
Who will be using it most?
Consider how many people in the house, will they all use the sofa at the same time? Pay attention to making your sofa fit your family. For instance, a taller person will appreciate a higher back and deeper seating, on the flip side, shorter people will appreciate a narrower seat that enables their feet to touch the floor. Households with pets or small children may prefer a sofa with a seat that's low to the floor (40cm); little ones can climb onto it with relative ease. If your household includes older people, a higher seat (60cm) will be easier to get up and down from. If you have pets, you may prefer a sofa that goes all the way to the ground so pet toys can’t get lost underneath, or you might like it high enough off the ground so your furry friend can get their own toys if they happen to roll under the sofa. If you often have overnight guests, a sofa bed might be a good option, especially if you don't have a separate guest bedroom.
How do you like to lounge?
If there are two of you and you both like to sit with your legs up, check that the sofa is deep enough to accommodate you both. Or consider a modular, chaise end or recliner sofa if you have the space to accommodate one. (Recliners have come a long way, have a look at the King Living Reo II Recliner to the right). If you prefer to lie down on your sofa, make sure that it's long enough for you to stretch out.
Do you prefer a soft, medium, or firm cushion?
There are typically three different types of cushions that all give different comfort levels.
1. Feather-Filled Cushions
This type of sofa cushion is usually filled with duck feather and is the softest option you can buy. While feather fill is lovely and soft and comfortable, the cushions will sag over time and can make your sofa look a little lumpy. You’ll also need to regularly plump up the cushions, ideally every week, so they retain their shape.
2. Foam-Filled Cushions
These are the firmest option, so if you don’t want the maintenance of feather fill cushions, foam could be your preferred choice. A foam-fill cushion will bounce back to its original shape right away and will maintain firmness quite well over time. Foam is very low maintenance, but the downside is that you won’t sink into them. They don’t feel as soft as feather, it’s not a cushion type ideal for kicking back and watching TV for hours in. More suited for rooms where the look is more important than comfort, such as a formal living room.
3. Foam Wrapped with Feather
This is the best of both worlds, the cushion core is made of foam, so you get that sense of support and a little firmness. But then you have the bonus of that foam core being wrapped in a layer of duck feathers. This means there is some light maintenance in terms of plumping or flipping, but not much. The sagging over time is minimal and you can lay on them for hours in comfort.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance Considerations
Whether you go for a bold colour, pattern or a neutral, the type of upholstery fabric you choose will have an impact on your sofa’s longevity. Natural materials may fade in strong sunlight, so go for a synthetic fabric if the sofa will be near a window.
West Elm, Haven Loft Leather Sofa
It's particularly important in a busy family home, and if you have young children, a dog or cat, to choose a sofa that’s easy to care for. Textured weaves are hard-wearing and more forgiving of stains and there are even some fabrics that have been specifically designed to be stain resistant such as FibreGuard's performance fabric that claim they are able to stand up to accidental household stains, no matter whether they're coffee or ketchup, ballpoint pen or red wine.
Leather can also be a good option if you are looking for longevity, it is easier to clean than a fabric sofa, however, with some pets such as cats, leather will show up holes from claws more easily. Another downside to leather is that it can be cold in winter and warm in summer. To keep leather in top condition regular application of a protective creme is required.
Another alternative is a loose, completely removable cover, not just removable cushion covers. Some people swear by these, and some even purchase a second cover at the same time as making the original sofa purchase. Once removed, the covers can be dry cleaned or, depending on the fabric, can be washed at home.
Globe West, Vittoria Slip Cover 3 Seater Sofa
Do the cushions flip over? This is something that is often not thought about when choosing a sofa. Some cushions on sofas can flip, but the underside is not the same as the top side. Some sofa cushions are identical on both sides (this is preferred), and some sofa cushions don’t flip at all and are fully attached to the base of the sofa which can make cleaning spills and messes rather difficult. Also, when sofa cushions are fixed, you’re not able to flip the cushion to hide a stain or able to take the cushion cover off to wash it.
What size is right?
Apart from being the right size for the people that are going to use it, it obviously also needs to fit in the space appropriately, and with all the other items that might be occupying the room such as a coffee table, side tables, floor lamp and TV unit. For visual harmony, each item in the room needs its own breathing space. For practically, you don’t want all the furniture so wedged in that you’re knocking your legs or feet against pieces every time you try to sit down. Ideally you should have about 50 to 60cm from the front of the sofa to your coffee table and the coffee table height needs to be considered in relation to the sofa’s seat height. The coffee table/s shouldn’t be higher than the seat height, ideally the same height or lower.
Image courtesy of Porter Davis Homes
A Sectional Sofa, or 2 x Two-Seaters? When people are figuring out how to choose a sofa, they often debate whether to get two sofas or one sectional sofa. Often, the initial preference is to go for a sectional over 2 x two-seater sofas, but a lot of the time nobody sits in the corner anyway. So, consider if you actually need this over getting 2 x two-seater sofas and putting them in an L-configuration. Also, sectional sofas are best in larger rooms, so if your living room isn’t big, you’re better off going for 2 x two-seater sofas instead and from a functional point of view, you can place a side table between your sofas and have somewhere for drinks to sit, or a table lamp to live.
Installation
Finally, check the dimensions of any doors, lifts or stairways the sofa will have to pass through on delivery. If access is limited, you may need to opt for a low-back style, one with removable legs or a modular sofa that can be delivered in sections. You might have your dream sofa in sight, but you have to be practical too. Measure the height, width, and diagonal opening of all doorways in your house/apartment.
Interesting Fact
couch and sofa mean precisely the same thing—a long, upholstered piece of furniture for sitting. Historically, the two were distinctively different. "Couch" comes from the French "couche," meaning furniture with no armrests for sitting, much like a chaise lounge today. Meanwhile, "sofa" comes from the Arabic "soffah," meaning a raised part of the floor, covered with rich carpets and cushions, used for sitting.
Types of Sofas (thanks to Brosa.com.au)
As well as the multitude of sofa styles available, sofas come in various configurations and sizes.
Loveseats
The smallest of the bunch, the aptly-named loveseat provides a cosy fit for two people with a compact, generally light frame.
2-seater sofa
While they technically seat the same number of people as loveseats, 2-seater sofas offer a little more breathing room with defined space for each occupant.
3-seater sofa
One of the most common choices out there, the traditional 3-seater sofa is found in homes worldwide and provides a roomy fit for three people to sit with their feet on the floor – or one to two people to stretch out!
Modular sofas
The modular sofa is popular amongst big families and anyone with lots of space. Ultra flexible and easy to adapt to your tastes and requirements, modular sofas usually feature a chaise element, and can be configured to seat any number of people by adding and moving the ‘modules’.
Chaise sofas
A chaise sofa is one that features an extended portion conducive to max relaxing and lounging around in total comfort. You’ll see the chaise element at one end of the sofa while the rest of the piece looks like your average 3-seater.
Corner sofas
Perfect for a large, sprawling living room, the corner sofa says family-friendly luxury like no other. They nestle into the corner of a room comfortably, providing between six and 10 seats depending on size.
Sofa beds
If you’re an avid multitasker, then a sofa bed might be the right fit for you. A comfy sofa by day, these versatile pieces can be transformed into double, queen or even king-sized beds come night-time.
Sofa dimensions guide
Not sure which sofa size is right for you? Let’s break it down by the numbers – here’s a handy guide featuring approximate sofa sizes that you can refer to if you get stuck.
Sofa type | Seats | Average measurements (cm)
Loveseat | 1-2 people | L 135 x W 80 x H 80
2-seater sofa | 2 people | L 160 x W 100 x H 80
3-seater sofa | 3 people | L 220 x W 100 x H 80
3-seater with chaise | 3-4 people | L 260 x W 160 x H 80
4-seater sofa | 4 people | L 370 x W 110 x H 80