How to Choose a Sofa: Your Essential Couch Buying Guide — Furniture Bazaar
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How to Choose a Sofa: Your Essential Couch Buying Guide

How to Choose a Sofa: Your Essential Couch Buying Guide

A sofa is an important piece of furniture in the home. Not to mention, it’s a pretty big investment. Don’t let sofa or couch buying be difficult. Learn how to choose a sofa that suits your lifestyle, works in your space and fits your budget with our essential couch buying guide.

Key Takeaways

  • Choosing the right sofa requires you to balance style with functionality.
  • Consider how your couch will be used, as well as the size and layout of your room to ensure it works in the intended space.
  • The materials used in a couch’s frame and coverings affect its comfort, durability and style. This makes them particularly important to consider.
  • Think about long-term value and lifestyle changes. Look out for sales, understand warranties and follow aftercare guidelines to extend your sofa's lifespan.

Sofas have a significant effect on the overall aesthetic of a room. A mismatch between your sofa's style and the room can result in a lack of harmony. This can make even the nicest sofa seem out of place.

Timeless Design vs. Trending Sofa Styles

When thinking about the design of your couch, you might be torn between going for a timeless piece and keeping up with the latest trends. Determine which is more important to you and best suits your budget going into the future. Since they're likely to stay appealing for many years, timeless designs are a better investment. On the other hand, updating your living space according to the latest trends ensures your couch is always a talking point.

Colours for Every Room

With so many options out there, how do you choose a sofa colour? It's great to have choice, but sometimes more options can make it harder to figure out which is best.

Here are some tips for choosing the right sofa colour:

  • Consider the colour scheme of the room. Choose a sofa colour that complements the walls, floors and other furniture. Neutral colours like tan, grey and navy tend to work well with most colour schemes.
  • Work with the illusion of light and space. In smaller rooms, light-coloured couches that are beige, light grey or a pastel shade can create an illusion of space. They also make darker rooms feel brighter and more open. In large or well-lit spaces, dark-coloured couches, such as those in deep blue, dark grey or black, add depth and a more intimate feel.
  • Match the style of the room. Formal spaces often call for more sophisticated neutral tones, while casual family rooms can handle brighter, bolder colours.
  • Think about decorative elements. If you want to incorporate colour but a bright solid seems too loud, use decorative elements like sofa cushions to tie in accent hues.

 

There are a few different types of sofas out there. To find the right one for you, think about how it will be used in your daily activities. This may seem silly; is a couch not intended to be where you can sit back and relax? When you really think about it, everyone uses their couch slightly differently. If your living room is where friends gather, seaters facing each other will make chatting easier. Don’t have a guest room but often need an extra bed? Choose a sofa that facilitates this.

Modular Sofas & Chaise Lounges

Modular sofas offer the flexibility to redesign your living space with ease. They’re composed of individual pieces, or modules, that can be rearranged to suit different seating needs. Chaise lounges add a touch of luxury and extra comfort. Their added length allows you to extend your legs for complete relaxation.

Versatile Sofa Beds

Sofa beds offer a world of versatility, especially for smaller homes that still host overnight guests. They provide both seating and sleeping arrangements in the one piece of furniture. This makes them the ideal solution for homes without a guest bedroom. There are fold-down models, as well as pull-out sofa beds.

Sofas that are multifunctional optimise not only style and comfort, but also functionality. They’re ideal for modern living. Whether it’s the addition of storage, customisable elements or other features, there are various options out there to suit your needs.

Additional Features

When you buy a sofa, look out for extra features and benefits. Adjustable headrests and armrests provide added comfort, while cup holders reduce the need for a coffee table. Other additions like USB ports cater to more advanced needs, with the ability to charge your device by your side.

Storage Solutions

For small spaces, sofas with storage can be game changers. Storage sofas reduce clutter while keeping items within easy reach. Store blankets, pillows, games and more in hidden compartments that leave your room neat and tidy.

Customisable Options

The ability to customise your couch means you can make it truly yours. Removable seat cushions and cushion covers add practical value with easy cleaning. Ottomans can provide extra seating, a footrest and storage. You can even use an ottoman as a coffee table by placing a tray on it, which will provide a surface for cups.

A sofa’s comfort largely depends on its materials. The materials used in both its frame and coverings affect a sofa’s durability too. Most people will consider covering materials when buying a sofa, but not many will think about its frame.

Sofa Frames

The durability of a couch is determined by its construction. A solid hardwood frame is generally more durable than particle board or metal. It also offers more stability. Investing in quality materials for a sofa frame ensures greater durability and many years of use post-purchase.

Covering Materials

The covering material of a sofa contributes to its comfort and longevity, as well as its style. For example, leather is durable and easy to clean. Fabric allows for greater design choices but is harder to clean and maintain. Take your lifestyle into account here, including whether you have especially playful kids or pets. Discover  pet-friendly lounges here, and see our blog on solving a common issue with dogs and couches!

Time to get out the tape measure. Taking accurate measurements is crucial to couch buying. Measure the whole room where your new sofa will be placed. This will make sure you maintain the desired flow and functionality of the space. When looking at the dimensions of your sofa, keep other pieces of furniture in mind too. You want everything to fit with enough breathing room.

Size & Room Layout

Your room layout plays a significant role in determining the size and placement of your couch. The ideal sofa size should be about 2/3 the length of the wall it goes up against. Keep at least 45cm of space on each side to avoid overcrowding the room. In smaller living rooms, it may be beneficial to consider two 2-seater sofas. These will allow for visual breaks and side tables. If you have an open floor plan, low-back sectional sofas will help define and separate living areas without disrupting sight lines.

Access Points

A critical piece of information to remember when buying a sofa is the size of your doorways and access points for delivery. No-one wants to wait for their couch to be delivered only to find they can't even get it in the house! Checking the dimensions of doorways and stairways before delivery ensures your new sofa can pass through without issue. In cases where access points are very tight, some couches have long legs that can be unscrewed and removed to facilitate delivery. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. If all else fails, doors can be taken off their hinges to make more room.

As an investment, buying a sofa requires an understanding of price and value. Couch prices vary widely, from $300 to $5,000 and more. The type of sofa, size, materials and features all impact price. While cost may be a significant factor in your buying decision, considering the long-term value of your couch is just as important.

Long-Term Considerations

High-quality materials and construction directly contribute to the longevity of sofas. While higher-quality sofas may have a greater initial cost, investing in durable, large staple items can lead to better long-term value compared to spending less.

Something you may not consider that's equally important is future life changes. Are you likely to grow your family or move house? This will influence the long-term suitability and value of your sofa.

Once you've got a better idea of the type, size and design of your sofa, it's time to navigate furniture stores. Whether you choose to shop online or in-store, a retailer's warranties, delivery options and customer support all contribute to your couch buying journey.

Securing the Best Deal

To secure the best sofa deal, take advantage of sales events and discounts. Some major sales events and clearance periods to look out for include:

  • Black Friday
  • Cyber Monday
  • End-of-season sales
  • Holiday sales

These events often present opportunities to purchase sofas at significantly reduced prices.

Snag exclusive deals by subscribing to a retailer's newsletter. Become a member with them too.

Furniture Bazaar

We have a wide range of lounges at Furniture Bazaar, from modular sofas to sofa beds. As one of Western Australia's leading furniture stores, you can rely on our quality products to provide comfort, function and style for years to come. We stand out among other retailers with our:

Start sofa buying with Furniture Bazaar today!

Once your dream sofa is home, proper care and maintenance will prolong its lifespan and keep it looking its best. Clean your sofa by vacuuming it regularly with an upholstery attachment. Do this to remove dirt, debris and pet hair. Spot clean spills and stains straight away using a mild soap and water solution. This will prevent the upholstery fabric from becoming permanently marked. Before anything, follow the care instructions that come with the couch. It's a good idea to consider furniture care cover too. This is especially important if you have young kids who may accidentally make a bit of a mess on your lounge!

Summary

Buying a sofa involves more than just picking a piece that looks good. It's about finding a balance between comfort, function and style. From assessing usage and measuring your entire space to understanding materials, every step in the process plays an important role in your final choice. After reading this sofa buying guide, you're now ready to navigate the world of sofas. Find the perfect piece that not only suits your needs, but also elevates your décor and provides lasting value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a reasonable price to pay for a sofa?

On the lower end, sofas will generally range from $300 to $800 for a basic 2- or 3-seater. Mid-range sofas cost around $800 to $2,000. Premium, high-end sofas come in at $2,000 and go up to over $10,000.

For a quality, medium-sized fabric sofa, $1,200 to $1,600 is a reasonable price.

Is it worth investing in a good sofa?

Absolutely. Investing in a good sofa promises style, comfort and longevity. It will enhance your home’s aesthetics and provide quality seating for years to come. While the investment is big initially, quality pays off in the long run.

Is it better to have a light or dark sofa?

Light sofas make a room feel more open and spacious. They're also more versatile, pairing well with many colour schemes and décor styles. However, light sofas require more frequent cleaning, show wear and tear easier and make pet hair more visible.

Dark sofas, meanwhile, are good at hiding dirt, pet hair and minor damage. Though, they can make your room feel smaller.

Ultimately, it comes down to what's most important to you.

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