How to buy a Sofa in a nutshell

In September many of us begin to think about starting new interior design projects. The weather is quickly turning cold and we're moving to the indoors, cocooning once again.

Now may be the perfect time to purchase new, comfortable upholstered furniture. If that's in the plan for you, here's a quick how-to.

On the inside:
1. Wood Type. The best wood for frame construction is hardwood maple. It's more durable than plywood or particle board.

2. Connecting pieces. Dowel joints and inserts are by far the best connectors. Staples are an inferior way of joining the arms, legs and body pieces to the frame.

3. Legs. For a good quality sofa, the legs will always be connected to the frame or bolted on. Whenever a sofa has screwed on legs, the quality isn't as high.

4. Springing. The finest manufacturers use web and coil springing, hand tying the coils together with strong string.


On the outside:
Determine what colour upholstery and wood will be as satisfying several years down the road as it is today. Choosing a neutral hue, will give your furniture long lasting appeal. The dusty rose of the 80's was short-lived, but sand, white, black, and grey tones will have longevity and will satisfy. If your space needs colour, you can always bring it into the room with pillows, throws and accessories.

Determine the texture of the couch, whether leather, or fabric depending on your taste and lifestyle. A solid colour will show dirt more quickly than a small pattern. Treating a sofa with Fiberseal to protect against stains and spills will extend the life of the furniture surface.

Classic furniture styles don't follow short term trends and usually include features such as moderate arm size, crisp, tailored lines and classic arms.

Fabric will eventually wear and tear with use, and re-upholstering the furniture later will make the investment in the furniture pay off. A well-made quality sofa will cost $4000 - $6000, but the frame will last for life.

Enjoy looking at several retail stores for your furniture. Don't be afraid to sit and lie on the couches. Test them for comfort, and for length if you are tall and hope to be napping on them! New furniture adds new, updated visual appeal to your room.

My bet is that you'll end up being very satisfied if you take the time to plan and purchase these important elements to your space.