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Sofa Shopping 101 Part II

by David Erwin

What size should you buy? First, think about the room where the sofa will dwell. Bigger is not always better. The scale of your sofa should be in keeping with the scale of the room. The sofa should not be overpowering - I'd say it shouldn't take up more than about a quarter of the room. Keep in mind, a sofa might look bigger in the home than in a showroom.

Shop prepared with dimensions of the room and an idea of where you would like the sofa to go. (More on sofa placement later.) Most sofas are between 72 and 98 inches wide. If you want to place your sofa along a wall, it should be small enough to accommodate an end table or two along the wall as well. But if you're planning to float the sofa in the room, pick a style that looks great all the way around. Think of it as a sculptural piece meant to be viewed from any angle. Rolled arms can add more length than you want for small rooms. A tight-back sofa can be space saving because it's not as deep as one with back cushions. If you go with a smaller sofa, consider distinguishing it with decorative trims so it stands out from other furnishings in the room.

Most of us have to watch our budget. I recommend that you buy the best quality you can afford, because you'll probably live with your purchase for a long time. On average, people tend to keep their sofa for around 10 years. If you buy with quality in mind, you’ll end up getting 15 years or more out of a good quality sofa. The better the quality, the more years of enjoyment you will have. You can easily feel and appreciate the quality of a well made sofa. This is going to be the largest and most visible object in the room, with the possible exception of an area rug. It’s going to be an anchor for the seating arrangement, a fulcrum for everything else in the room.

To know what you're getting for the money, ask about the guts of the sofa. We salespeople love to brag about our furniture! Some sofas on the market that cost as little as $500 can look very similar to ones that cost $2500. Why is that? Well, there are several reasons:

Roll Over the Chair to View it's Parts

Frame

Less expensive sofas are usually made from a combination of particleboard and plywood. If you try lifting a sofa, the better quality ones will feel heavier. Their frames will be made from solid or engineered, moisture-resistant, kiln-dried hardwoods like oak, ash, birch, and maple that are at least 1-1/4" thick. The better ones will also be doweled, screwed, glued, stapled, blocked, or otherwise reinforced.

Seat Cushions

This one, important area has a lot to do with the price of the sofa. Foam densities on cheaper sofas generally don't hold up as well as those on more expensive ones. Better cushions will be wrapped in polyester batting, which makes them softer, rounder, and more comfortable. More expensive sofas offer options in seat cushions, such as how soft or firm you want them. Down cushions are the softest and most luxurious, but they also require the most fluffing. I like a high-density foam core wrapped in a down envelope. This combination retains its crown and cushiness better than regular foam.

Legs

Plastic or metal legs screwed into the frame are typically found on less expensive models. More expensive sofas feature wooden legs integrated into the frame itself, rather than screwed on. This helps ensure stability.

Springs

You can really tell what you're getting for the money when it comes to springs. Entry level sofas are often made using sinuous wire springs which run from front to back (similar to what you see underneath car seats). The best sofas are often built using heavy gauge steel wire springs that are set into the frame and hand tied to it in eight places. Whichever version you decide to go with, the springs should give you plenty of support.

David says about his work, "My background of decorating sets in the film industry taught me about developing a character's personality through their environment. I like to partner with my clients to help them create a look that says who they are, what they're about, where they're going. Their interior decor should express a personal mythology. It should have meaning." He adds, "I'm enjoying a wonderful life. Over the years, I have worked with Hollywood celebrities, famous New Yorkers, and opinionated Parisians. But someone named Melba Jean living in a doublewide down a dirt road can be just as interesting - you never know." This inclusive approach to life comes through in his interior design. Whether it's a single room or an entire residence, his clients end up with a uniquely personal style. "I have my own preferences, which I try to fuse with my clients', but mainly I just want to show them how to get where they want to go."

To contact David, call 866.436.8056 ext. 2618 or email daviderwin@furniturelandsouth.com.