To me, buying a new sofa is one of the most difficult furniture purchases to make. You really don't get to see what's benea th the pretty fabric, so you can't be sure that you're getting a quality piece unless you do some research ahead of time.
The first rule of thumb is to check out all your options. We all see the ads from big-box stores touting huge savings on items like sofas. These stores satisfy many, but don't be afraid to go further afield and check out furniture that's a little more exclusive. Sometimes one size does not fit all, so look around before you purchase.
Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping for a new sofa:
Don't get stuck
Larger sectional sofas are popular these days, but be careful that you measure your space before you buy. Larger sectionals are sometimes locked into one configuration. Although they come to you in two or three sections, once they're put together you don't have much room to make changes. A piece like this might work in your current space, but if you move or even just want to rearrange the furniture you may not have the luxury of choice.
If this is a concern, then opt for smaller pieces like love seats, armchairs and upholstered ottomans that can be moved around to suit your changing needs and tastes. If you want a sofa to lie on, then consider buying a chaise or recliner to go along with the smaller love seat rather than buy a humungous sectional with an attached chaise, for example. Purchase an upholstered ottoman in place of a coffee table if you need additional seating for parties. Make it a storage ottoman and you'll have less clutter in your space.
Make note of other obstructions in your room, like heating registers or vents, that would impede furniture placement. If you have large picture windows in the living room, measure the height of the window sill as well. You don't want to purchase a high-backed sofa if it's going to block the view when set in front of the window. Remember, furniture looks smaller in cavernous showrooms, so measure to be sure.
Size does matter
When you're checking the potential new sofa for comfort, make sure that it also fits your body size. Can your feet touch the floor? Is the seat cushion so deep that you must have toss cushions behind you just to get comfy? I find that many new sofa styles are very large, visually and literally. If you are petite, then try to find an appropriate sofa design that will suit you, and vice versa.
Fabric
If you have a choice in the fabric covering, try to purchase fabric that will suit your specific lifestyle. Pets and kids are tough on furniture and a performance fabric like microfibre is a better option than printed cotton, for instance. Your salesperson should be able to discuss these needs with you.
Large patterns can get tiresome very fast when used on larger pieces. Opt for solids or small patterns for your larger items and put a fun pattern on an accent chair or ottoman. Just like with wallpaper, patterns have to be matched up when upholstering furniture, and there will be wastage. If you're trying to keep your budget in check, opt for fabric that doesn't have a large repeat pattern.
Is it leather?
Leather is a big conundrum in North America, the only place where fabric can be called leather, even if it's not actually 100-per-cent leather. A common fabric used on "leather" furniture is actually a leather base fused to a faux-leather top layer -- sort of like a veneer, if you will. It doesn't last as long as real leather, and that's why the prices seem so reasonable.
This blended-leather fabric is fine for items that don't get continuous use, like ottomans. For the sofa, though, look for "top grain" leather, which is the top, outermost and strongest part of the hide. "Split grain", which is still considered genuine leather, is derived from the lower layer of the hide and not as strong, so prone to splitting and cracking.
Do your homework when buying leather furniture. Quality leather is expensive, but durable and beautiful.
The inner truth
The real value of a good sofa is in how it's made. A lot of what separates the good from the best in a sofa is happening inside. High-resiliency foam for cushions and backs is going to last for decades. Less-expensive furniture can be made with lesser-grade foam, which will lose its support in no time. If your new sofa is sagging after a year or so, it's probably the foam breaking down.
The two primary spring systems used in upholstered furniture are eight-way hand-tied and sinuous, with the former being more desirable (and expensive). Sinuous springs are sometimes used in lower, contemporary designs. Although this spring system is less costly to produce, it is not necessarily inferior if the quality and quantity of springs are sufficient for good support.
The frame plays a huge factor in the life and comfort of your sofa. Kiln-dried hardwood will outlast sofas made with softer woods like pine. Many of the newer sofas use soft pine for the frame and layer a thin piece of hardwood on the pine in order to be able to screw the frame together so that soft pine can hold a screw. You may see a "made with hardwoods" indication, but it may not be 100-per-cent hardwood. Ask for details about the construction before you buy.
In general, if the arm of the sofa has some give when you try to wiggle it, then walk away. That's a piece that's not going to last. See if the back legs are part of the frame. If they are, this is a good sign because the back legs are integral to the overall strength. Other phrases you should be seeing in reference to the joinery are "double dowel" and "corner blocked". The first ensures that the frame is square and the corner blocks will prevent the frame from twisting.
Try custom
If the larger stores don't have what you need, consider a custom sofa. A piece that is customized to your size, needs and tastes is a good investment when it's well-made. Custom pieces are usually made with much more attention to detail, strength and quality fabrics and foam. They will last years longer than some of the mass-produced items if made by a reputable company.
Elan Designs Ltd. has been in business in Winnipeg for some 25 years. For most of those years they catered to the higher-end client with respect to custom furniture and reupholstering of fine furniture. They recently launched a new line of custom sofas called Metroline, geared toward the younger generation with respect to style and cost. A custom sofa is no longer out of reach. Check out their website at www.elansofas.com.
I know that I mention Blue Moon Evolution often in this column, but they provide such an array of great stuff and services that it's hard to overlook them. Owner Sylvia Bach launched her custom Cocoon Sofa recently to rave reviews. This lovely, organic sofa was designed specifically for Blue Moon, with high-quality construction and components and based on Bach's years of design knowledge and experience with customer needs. Clients can choose from an array of fabrics and leather, and even the size of their sofa.
"The Cocoon 2 is available in a choice of three sizes -- eight-foot, 10-foot or 12-foot" Bach says. "If you think of it as a right-angled sectional, you can have eight, 10 or 12 feet on either side. You can also just order the one, two or all three pieces, because each end is separate and the centre is its own piece," she says.
Because of the many size options and configurations, this is a sectional that won't leave you stuck. I think this sofa will be a huge hit. Blue Moon Evolution can also provide custom pieces to suit your needs, so it's worth a trip to check out your options. Their design service is invaluable if you're on the fence about what you want.
Choosing fabrics
When choosing fabric for your custom piece, you may be overwhelmed at first by the array of options. Keep in mind that tightly woven fabrics will outlast fabrics that are printed. As with quality linens, the higher the thread count, the longer the fabric will last.
My husband and I purchased our (then) newly re-upholstered antique sofa and chair more than 20 years ago. The lovely turquoise brocade fabric has endured pets, parties, sleepovers and daily life. Not one thread or seam of the fabric has split or snagged. That's one durable fabric! If you find any piece of upholstered furniture that will last more than 10 years, you've done well.
