Toronto Mike

What to Look for When Buying a Sofa

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Want the best sofa for your home? Choosing a new sofa for your living room can be challenging. After all, a sofa must fit your interior and your budget. It should also be a place to chill and unwind.

Even to the most active among us, we still spend lots of time on our sofas. This is especially if you are in Toronto where winter nights can grow longer and darker.

So, you have to know what to look for before finally buying one. And, we will help you with that. Below, we will discuss the things to consider when purchasing a sofa.

Check the Size

Before you go shopping, measure the area where the couch will go. It’s painful to adore a piece of furniture only to discover that it won't fit in your home space. So, you need to figure out a comfortable range of dimensions. Also, consider the sofa's details. Some have deep seats, which take up more room.

Don’t forget to measure the room's doorways and any stairwells. Make sure there is enough room to fit the entire sofa’s entry into your home.

Look Into the Types You Prefer

Standard sofas come in one straight line that is 72 to 84 inches long. These will seat three or four people and come in various materials, styles, and prices. You will also find smaller sofas that are 48 to 72 inches long. These are great for smaller spaces, and they seat two people.

Some people prefer matching sofas for a more cohesive look.

Sectionals are now a popular sofa style. These multi-piece modular sofas are L or U-shaped. Also, their partitions provide extra seating for large families or spaces.

Also, there are sleeper sofas and reclining sofas. While these sofas limit your stylistic options, they nonetheless provide a high price.

Determine What Style You Want

Figuring a style you like can be difficult when buying a couch. While there are modern sofas in Toronto, there are hundreds of other styles available. You might want to check out some of the most popular ones listed below:

  • Mid-century: contains simple lines, simplistic legs, and a compact design.
  • Chesterfield: includes Rolled arms, a tufted back, and made of leather.
  • Lawson: comfort is given top priority in this piece. It has a boxy shape and detachable cushions.
  • Bridgewater: has low components that tilt outward and is comfortable.
  • Tuxedo: boxy in shape and with arms that are the same height as the chair's back.
  • Contemporary: unique, modern, and often distinctive.
  • Camelback: high arms and a curved back with a "hump" in the middle.
  • Scandinavian: have clean lines and a minimalistic design.
  • Settee: With its shallow depth and high back, this sofa is unique.
  • Chaise: a layout with only one arm that is asymmetrical.

Look Into the Materials’ Worth

What your sofa is made of will affect its appearance, longevity, cleaning ease, and more. So, one of the first things to consider is its frame material. A solid frame will ensure years of use. Avoid materials that can distort or break. Pine is a cheap frame material, but it won't endure as long as ash, oak, or beech. To check the frame, lift one corner of a sofa six inches above the ground. If you find a couch with a solid frame, the other leg will follow. If it doesn't, the frame is loose and susceptible to warping.

Consider a sofa's cushion filling as well. High-resilient foam is the most comfortable and long-lasting choice, but it is costly. Polyurethane foam is an excellent choice for its low cost and ease of care, but it must be dense enough to last. For temporary furniture, use polyester fiber. It is cheaper but flattens quite quickly. There's also elevated goose-down filling, which is luxurious but costly to maintain.

Mind Your Comfort

When buying a sofa, comfort is another essential factor to consider. Unfortunately, it's not easy to tell how comfortable a couch would be online. So, it is always best to see a sofa in person.

Test a couch's comfort by sitting and lying on it. Then, examine the comfort and ease of getting up. You may wish to opt for a sofa with a shallower depth or the opposite.

There are sofas with unique features. For example, some variants include manual or automatic recliners. Also, there are sofas with built-in beverage holders, USB ports, and hidden controllers.

Learn How to Take Care Of It

Consider how much care you're willing to provide your sofa. Some materials are simple to clean, while some require the touch of professionals. It is critical to look into this if you have pets, children, or both.

Look at leather, fake leather, or polyester for a low-maintenance sofa. These types are easy to clean with a damp cloth. Some cotton fabrics can also withstand stains. If you have pets, choose a material that won't catch on their claws and is easier to vacuum.

So, when you are planning to buy a sofa, consider the things mentioned above. This way, you won’t regret your decision and can be sure that you have the sofa of your dreams. Remember that a good sofa should last you a long time, so you'd better make the right choice.

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