6 Helpful Tips for Choosing the Best Sofa

Do you change your décor often? Do you flip-flop between farmhouse, eclectic and every style in between? Look at your all the furniture in your living room and decide which pieces you love and which ones just fill a space. Pay attention to the lines, shape and material of each piece and look for any patterns you see. If you’re still not sure, browse inspiration images and try to choose rooms that resemble your own living room. Figuring out your décor style is the first step in investing in pieces, like a couch, that you’ll love for years to come.

Incorporate your décor style in the couch you choose through features like a classic tufted back, slim wood legs for a mid-century modern vibe or a creamy upholstered fabric for a traditional style. A couch, especially a sectional, is one of the first pieces you’ll see when you walk in the room. Make sure it’s something you like looking at.

A house with a lot of movie nights needs a big sectional that can seat a ton of people. Choose one in a soft fabric finish, like linen or microfiber, for the ultimate comfort level. Add an ottoman that can act a coffee table to hold all your favorite snacks or a place to put your feet up. Movie night just got a major upgrade.

If you prefer your room be used for conversations with friends, a modern sofa paired with two armchairs might be the best arrangement because they’ll let you sit face-to-face with your guests. Opt for lightweight chairs that can be easily moved around the room to make room for more guests at a moment’s notice.

Defining how you intend to use a space will help you nail down the type of couch to suit your needs. This will help you choose a sofa that’s functional as well as attractive.

Decide what object you want your sofa to face. A fireplace or television are obvious features you’d want to look at when you lounge on the couch. The focal point you pick will help you determine the size and shape of the sofa you put in the space.

Planning the room arrangement helps you decide whether a loveseat with two chairs or a small leather sofa is the best option. If you want to stretch out on the couch but don’t have room for a sectional, look for a three-seater sofa with a chaise lounge for the best of both worlds.

Don’t cram a sectional with recliners in a small living room. In a small space, it’s all about the furniture arrangement. If you have an open floor plan, it’s easier to be flexible with your seating. You can move dining room chairs next to the loveseat when you have friends over to watch the game. Lightweight furniture like a slim wood coffee table or a small metal end table can be moved around to change the arrangement of the living room.

The layout of your room is fixed so you’ll need to choose a sofa to accommodate the space. If your room has an open floor plan with no walls, it can be tricky to figure out where to put your couch. Try putting the couch in the middle of the room to create separation. If the living room is closed in by walls, you can use a pair of matching sofas to get the look of a sectional without the visual bulk. Having a bit of space between the two couches will make your space look airier even though you have two big pieces of furniture in the middle of the room.

If you have a house full of kids and pets, a white sofa in the main living area isn’t for you. Opt for easy-to-clean surfaces like leather, faux-leather, linen or microfiber for furniture in high-traffic areas. If you’re shopping for a rarely used den or home office, you can venture into more daring choices like a velvet couch. Do you have frequent house guests but no guest room? Consider a sleeper sofa so you don’t have to keep dragging out the air mattress.

Having a sofa that’s practical and functional is more important than having a living room that looks like it jumped out of a high-end photoshoot. Choose comfort and functionality over everything else, and you’ll never regret your sofa purchase.