Finding the Right Sofa for You | Open Room Furniture

28 Jan Finding the Right Sofa for You

Posted at 23:40h in Uncategorized by OpenRoom

Consider Function, Style, Fabric, Color, Cushions, Comfort and Price. Finding the perfect sofa is not always easy. Here are some things to consider when you are making your choice. Need help? Our team at The Open Room would be happy to assist!

Style

Sofas and love seats vs. sectionals.

Function often dictates style. Are you looking for a more formal sofa arrangement — such as for a living room — or a relaxed arrangement for a family room? A tailored style with two sofas facing each other (or a combination of sofa and loveseat) is more formal, whereas sectionals with several comfortable cushions tend to be more relaxed and family-oriented. Sectionals can also maximize seating in both larger and smaller spaces. Many sectionals, such as the Groundpiece by Flexform, and the Lean by Camerich, are modular and therefore offer great flexibility in creating the configuration that works best for you. Love seats are perfect for small spaces and can create a more intimate setting, such as in a niche or in a bedroom in front of a fireplace. Sleeper sofas can kill two birds with one stone, and we have found the Dellarobbia sofa beds to be both comfortable and practical.

Fabric

Type, quality and durability

If your sofa is in a high-use area, or you have a large family and/or pets, the quality and durability of the fabric is important. Woven and textured fabrics and chenilles tend to be more durable than linens and cottons. Some fabrics, such as the micro-fiber (ultra-suede) grey shown below, feel great, are durable and easy to care for. Generally though, the more durable fabrics tend to be more expensive. Scotch-guarding of fabrics may be a good option to protect your sofa, but we recommend that it be done only by a professional. Lastly, given the advances that have been made in outdoor fabrics, high quality solution-died acrylics are now being used frequently on indoor upholstered pieces, as these fabrics are both stain- and UV-resistant.

Colors

Lighter vs. Darker Tone

The color of your sofa is one of the most important decisions you will make, as the sofa is typically the anchor piece of a room, and because the color is the first thing you notice! It is generally safer to pick a neutral color for a sofa or sectional; then you can add color and texture to the room with accessories like rugs, pillows and artwork. A sofa in darker tones may give you a more dramatic impact within a space and is less likely to show wear and tear. However, in a smaller room, a dark sofa might look too bulky unless your sofa is a color and tone similar to the carpet or the flooring. In contrast, lighter tones will give an airier feel to a room and are more likely to show off accessory pillows. Any kind of texture, even on lighter fabrics, will help to keep the look of the fabric fresher. Geometric designs and small textures might lend themselves to a more modern interior, whereas florals can go either way depending on scale of the pattern and colors within the fabric.

Cushions and Comfort

Firm or soft? Down or not?

Comfort means different things to different people. Generally speaking, the higher the down content, the softer and more comfortable the seat, and the more expensive the sofa. Down cushions usually give a more relaxed look, but will require more maintenance. Very soft sofas may also be harder to get in and out of, which may be an issue for some people. The advantage of a firmer sofa seat is that it typically holds its shape longer and requires less maintenance – plus it’s usually less expensive.

Some of the best sofa manufacturers, such as Flexform, use a poly Dacron core surrounded by down for the seat, and 100% down for the loose back cushions. However, adding comfy toss cushions and throws can soften any sofa, no matter how firm the seat is.