A sofa is one of the biggest furniture investments you'll make — and one
of the most permanent. Even if you're just buying one for a temporary fix,
it'll eventually get demoted from the living room to the family room to the
basement and, finally, the dorm. Before you know it, a decade or more has
passed, and that impulse purchase has become part of your life. So give some
thought to it before you buy.
Quality sofas should feel solid and heavy. Flop around on one to test
its sturdiness, then lift it up by the corner and shake it a bit. If it feels
light or wobbly, take a pass. Look for a frame made from a kiln-dried hardwood
such as oak, alder, birch, maple or, alternatively, high-quality hardwood
plywood or marine plywood. Eight-way, hand-tied springs are a hallmark of fine
furniture, but sinuous S-shaped springs can provide nearly as much comfort.
Drop-in coil springs are a less costly alternative.
Most cushions have a core of polyurethane foam; the denser the foam, the
heavier it is and the longer it will last. In the cheapest furniture, the
cushion is filled with just the polyurethane foam core. In better furniture the
core is wrapped with Dacron batting. Higher-quality options include poly-down
cushions, which have down mixed with the batting; spring-down cushions, which
feature a core of springs surrounded by foam and feathers; and all down, which
is all feathers (and all work, so avoid this unless you have servants).
The best sofas have joints that are double doweled and fitted with
corner blocks that are both glued and screwed (not stapled) into place. Quality
pieces have legs that are part of the frame, not just attached to it (although
removable feet do make it easier to get items through doorways).
Buy the best-quality sofa that you can afford. Your purchase will be
amortized over many years. Plus, it's usually cheaper to reupholster a good
sofa than to buy a new one of comparable quality.
Choose a sofa that complements the style of your decor.
If your interior is traditional, look for a sofa with rolled arms, a
contoured back, skirting or tufted cushions.
Contemporary sofas tend to have cleaner lines, fewer flourishes and
understated upholstery.
Consider the proportions of the room and determine what height, length
and depth of sofa would look best in the space. If you're uncertain, mock up a
footprint on the floor using masking tape or blue painter's tape. Or consider
"building" a sofa out of empty boxes — then live with it for a few
days to see how it feels.
If you plan to spend a lot of time lying on the sofa for reading or
naps, make sure it has enough space between the arms. Don't rely on overall
length alone, as the width of the arms will affect the space between.
How many people do you want to seat? That might sound like a silly
question, but the truth is, nobody likes sitting on the crack. So if you get a
sofa with two cushions, expect just two people to use it. To accommodate more
people, get a sofa with three cushions or a single long cushion, called a bench
cushion.
Sofas generally come with one of two types of backs: a pillow back,
which has removable cushions or pillows along the rear; or a tight back, in
which the upholstery is tailored to the contours of the sofa’s back.
Pillow-back sofas are generally considered more comfortable and
inviting, but there’s a downside: Unless you’re diligent with your fluffing,
the cushions will usually look slightly askew. If you’re the kind of person who
is driven to distraction by something like that, you might want to consider a
tight back.
When it comes to sofas, one size does not fit all. The depth of the seat
and the angle of the back will influence how comfortable you feel.
How do you know what depth is right for you? Let experience be your
guide. If there’s a sofa or chair that you find particularly comfortable,
measure the distance from the inside of your knee to the spot where your lower
back hits the back of the sofa, then buy a sofa that has similar dimensions.
Since sofas are such a big investment, you'll want yours to stay in
fashion as long as possible. Given that, it's best to stick with a neutral
fabric. You can always add color and pattern with throw pillows. Plus, pillows
are easy and inexpensive to change if you decide to redecorate.
If you have kids and a neutral sofa sounds like an invitation to
disaster, consider a darker color or a sofa with a subtle overall pattern.
As a rule, synthetic fabrics are more durable, colorfast and cleanable.
Tightly woven fabrics and fabrics that are heavy will stand up to wear and tear
better, as will leather. Avoid satins, brocades and damasks unless the sofa
won't get much use.
Whatever fabric you choose, ask the store for a sample or cutting that
you can take home on approval before you buy. (If no sample is available, ask
for a cushion.) That way you can see the material under the light in your room
and with other pieces of furniture. When you're spending this kind of money,
the last thing you want is a surprise.