HOW TO FIND A SOFA THAT'S SUITABLE FOR YOUR LIVING ROOM?
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Want to change your sofa? You've just moved and all you have to do is buy your new sofa? Don't panic, in this article, we're going to present the 9 essential criteria for finding your new sofa. Indeed, you'll certainly be surprised by all the elements that are essential to think about when choosing your sofa. Do you want to learn more about this subject? We'll tell you everything! From size to covering, including shape and without forgetting the budget, everything is included! So, let's go!
Choosing a sofa based on its use
As you probably know, choosing a sofa is essential. It is important to take into account the use you will have of this sofa. Thus, when you know exactly the different uses that your sofa could have , it will be easy for you to define other criteria such as comfort, for example.
You can perfectly choose a sofa that will be used to watch TV or play console games. Your sofa will therefore have to be comfortable since you will certainly spend several hours sitting on it. If it is rather an occasional sofa that you want, it is possible to opt for a convertible sofa, for example. The latter will then be less comfortable, but it will be perfectly useful if you have guests, for example.
Also note that if your children or your dog want to climb on this sofa, it is better to opt for a model that will not cost you too much . Indeed, a dog can quickly dirty a sofa, there is no point in paying a high price for it. As you can see, the use of your sofa is really important.
Should you rather opt for a sofa bed or a fixed sofa?
You don't know whether to opt for a sofa bed or a fixed sofa? The question to ask yourself is simply this: are you going to have relatives staying over to sleep at your place? If the answer is no , you can perfectly opt for a single sofa or a corner sofa .
On the other hand, if the answer is yes, you must ask yourself another question : Do you have space to accommodate them in a bed? If the second answer is no, choosing a sofa bed can be a good alternative. However, you must still be careful that it is comfortable for your seat, but also for the people who will sleep there.
Finding a sofa that perfectly suits your lifestyle
Another important criterion to consider is simply your lifestyle . Indeed, you really have to choose a sofa based on it.
Here are some examples that will help you better understand this selection criterion:
- If you have children , it is better to opt for a rectified leather sofa. Indeed, the sofas are made of 95% of this material: you will easily be able to find what you are looking for. It should also be noted that these are sofas that are not afraid of possible splashes . Indeed, to clean the latter, you just need a wipe with a sponge, which is rather simple!
- If you opt for a fabric sofa , you can easily save money on the material. It is therefore essential to waterproof it in order to avoid stains that could damage your sofa, for example. If you want to clean your current or future sofa, we have dedicated an article to this subject: 8 Techniques for Cleaning a Fabric Sofa
- Full grain leather or nubuck are also very popular materials for sofas. However, you have to be very careful if you want to opt for this type of sofa. If you are not the type to be careful, this is not a material that suits you.
- The last option available to you is to choose a sofa with removable covers. In addition to being able to wash your covers as you wish, you can easily choose one from our online store: a wide choice is available to you!
As you can see, it is very important to choose your sofa according to your daily life. Indeed, you can easily find a material or covering that suits you. Don't hesitate to really think about your purchase!
Choosing a sofa based on its shape
The next criterion that you can take into account is simply the shape of your sofa . Indeed, you can easily opt for different types of sofas:
- A single sofa : there is not a lot of space in terms of seating, but if there are only two of you enjoying this sofa, you can easily be comfortable. It should also be noted that there are some very beautiful single sofas available at the moment. IKEA, Conforama, Poltronesofa or Delamaison sofas have proven themselves and are widely acclaimed by households today.
- A corner sofa : if you want to have more space and your living room allows it, choosing a corner sofa can be a wise option. The only drawback is that you must have enough space in your living room to put this type of sofa, which is not necessarily easy. Also think about the fact that you will have to move around this sofa when it is installed in your room.
- A U-shaped sofa or panoramic sofa : the latter allows you to really have space to sit or lie down, but it also requires a large living room . In addition, U-shaped sofas are often expensive.
- The rounded sofa : Indeed, the latter is not considered a corner sofa, but it is not quite straight either. The rounded sofa really gives charm to your room , but it must be perfectly arranged to accommodate this type of sofa.
Don't hesitate to shop around at different sofa retailers to get an idea of the sizes and shapes that will suit you. This is the best way to know whether you can put a corner sofa in your home or not.
If you don't have time to look at all the existing sofa models, there are various rankings of the best sofas on the internet that might be useful to you.
Choosing a suitable size for your sofa
One criterion that remains important when you choose your sofa is simply its size . However, so that you can make your choice, we will give you some figures to remember:
- A 2-seater sofa measures approximately 1.65 meters . A 3-seater sofa will measure 2 meters , while a 4-seater sofa could measure 2.50 meters.
- The depth of a sofa varies between 90 centimeters and 1 meter .
- Real corner sofas measure around 3 metres with a return of around 2 metres .
- In interior decoration and practical life, we count approximately 45 centimeters between the sofa and the coffee table in front of it.
These figures should certainly help you adapt your choice according to the dimensions of your room, for example. There is no point in overloading your interior with a corner sofa, if you do not have the space to put one.
Choose a material that you like for your sofa
Moreover, one of the tips we can give you is simply to opt for a material that you like . Indeed, you are not obliged to choose leather as a material for your sofa: 75% of sofas sold are made of leather or imitation leather . Although it is a very noble material, the latter may not necessarily please everyone, which is not insignificant.
If you don't like leather , you can decide to buy a fabric or velvet sofa , which is a very soft material to the touch. Nubuck and suede , more resistant than velvet, are also materials that are appreciated for their softness. But these materials are still fragile, which does not necessarily suit everyone.
Finally, you can choose a sofa made of synthetic fabrics . These currently dominate the market thanks to their greater resistance to stains and wear . These materials can also be very soft to the touch, such as Alcantara or microfibre fabrics .
In addition, if you decide to go to physical stores to test the sofas, you will find that it is perfectly possible to discover many materials in specialized stores . You will be able to easily touch them and see which one would suit you best in everyday life.
It is also important to think about the maintenance of your sofa . If you are not the type to enjoy cleaning, it is not recommended to opt for a fragile material like nubuck, for example. In any case, really take your time when choosing the material and think about the future!
If you don't like cleaning and you're not very careful , there are solutions that allow you to protect your sofa . These methods will allow you to effectively protect your new sofa so that it is not damaged by stains or wear. We have dedicated an article to this subject: How to Protect a Leather or Fabric Sofa?
What is the best upholstery for your sofa?
The best covering for a sofa does not exist . Indeed, as we said above, everything will depend on your lifestyle. However, the simplest option is still to opt for a sofa cover . Why? Simply because you can wash or change the cover of your sofa as you wish, in order to remove possible stains for example . In addition, sofa covers are not expensive. They will therefore allow you to transform your interior decoration easily and regularly.
Also, if you don't really know which model of sofa cover you can buy, we offer you a wide choice in our online store . Indeed, you just have to go there to find a product that you like. In addition, we have designed a complete guide to help you determine the size of cover suitable for your sofa.
Choosing a sofa based on its comfort
The comfort of the sofa is a fundamental point that should not be overlooked. Indeed, if the sofa is an item that you will use every day to watch TV, it is very important that it is comfortable. The best solution is simply to go to the store and try out the different sofas that you will have in front of you. This way, you can easily try out the seats, but also the support provided by the backrests.
The comfort of the sofa is an essential element : you can find a beautiful sofa, but if the seat is not comfortable enough, you should not opt for this product. It should also be noted that if you choose to acquire a comfortable sofa, this will have a positive impact on the moments you will spend with your loved ones, at an aperitif or in front of the TV.
As for the ideal weight of a sofa for optimal comfort, it is advisable to choose a minimum weight greater than 35 kg/m3 density and to choose HR (High Resilience) foam in order to obtain a long-lasting comfortable seat.
Additionally, comfort may be a consideration if your sofa is intended to serve as an extra bed. Indeed, when you invite friends or family over, it is imperative that they can have a good night's sleep. Generally speaking, you really need to choose a comfortable sofa: both for you and for your guests.
How to choose a sofa that fits your budget?
The last criterion that you need to consider is simply the budget . Yes, buying a sofa can be really expensive. However, it is very important to set a budget before making this purchase. This way, you can already eliminate certain models and save time.
Also note that depending on the other criteria presented above, you can also eliminate certain sofas. However, if you do not find the sofa that suits you, 2 solutions are available to you:
- Lower your criteria : For example, you can choose a smaller sofa or a less noble material, which will instantly lower the price.
- Review your budget upwards : The average prices on the sofa market in 2021 are: €200 on average for the least expensive, and up to more than €3,500 for the most expensive sofas.
However, for a quality fabric sofa, we recommend that you budget between €600 and €1000. For a quality leather sofa, we recommend a minimum budget of €2000.
Our team's money-saving tip:
Once you have determined the model of sofa that suits you, note its reference . This reference will allow you to compare prices in order to find the sofa you want at the best price . Indeed, after a quick search on the internet you will realize that this model of sofa is not necessarily sold at the same price in all stores. Once you have determined the best price for your sofa , do not hesitate to negotiate with the seller who generally has room to maneuver to offer you an additional reduction.
Conclusion
As you can see, choosing a sofa is not necessarily easy. Indeed, you must take into account its size, its shape, its covering, the reason why you are going to use this sofa, but also your budget. Once you have determined everything, all you have to do is go around the stores and online stores to find your rare gem. However, it should still be noted that the sofa remains a key element of your living room: take the time to think about your choice!
We hope you enjoyed this article and that it will help you choose your future sofa.
Please feel free to leave a comment in the space below. We are always curious to hear from you and know what type or model of sofa you have.
See you soon !
The Housses-Tendances.com ™ Team.