Every home needs a sofa and if you are in the market to buy a new one, it is important to choose wisely.
If you buy a good quality one, you could have a piece of furniture that not only looks great and is comfortable to sit on but one that is a great investment for your family for many years.
This doesn't necessarily mean pay for a more expensive one. Cheap sofas can be great value if you follow some simple tips before buying.
To help you make the best decision when choosing a sofa, therefore, we have put together some great tips.
Take Accurate Measurements
The first thing you want to do before getting your heart set on a sofa is to ensure it will fit properly.
As well as measuring the space where you are going to place the sofa, you need to also ensure that it will accommodate the number of people who will be using it.
Pay close attention to how shallow or deep the seats are and if the back offers enough support for the tallest members of your household or family.
Check the Frame
While it’s true that all the upholstery elements of a sofa can be replaced if they get tattered, torn and show signs of ageing, there is less you can do to save a sofa with a less than sturdy frame.
Therefore, make sure the frame is made from strong and robust materials.
This is the problem you will have with many cheaper models, as they are made from metal, plastic and particleboard or MDF-style material.
While these are lightweight and “good enough” in the short term, they are unlikely to provide you with many years of service.
It is better to spend a little more on a hardwood frame made from ash, beach or oak. You also need to consider how the legs are added to the frame.
If they are simply glued on, we’d recommend you avoid those and look more for a model with legs that are attached to the frame by dowels or screws or that are an integral part of the frame itself.
Find Out More About The Joinery
Following nicely from the above tip, it’s important to ask the vendor or manufacturer about the joinery involved in the construction of the sofa.
Ask about how the different components of the sofa are held together. Look out for models that use brackets, metal screws wooden corner blocks, double wooden dowels and wooden dowels.
Think About the Springs
Springs are the component in a sofa that hold the cushions up and generally come in 3 different level qualities.
The springs that are least durable and lowest quality are also the cheapest are not even considered springs really and are actually meshing or webbing.
They are also the type of springs you need to avoid.
A good option to look out for is sofas that have serpentine springs, these are curved pieces of wire that stretch between the gaps of frame members.
Although they tend to offer a decent amount of support, they tend to sag in time.
The best is those referred to as 8-way hand tied springs that are incredibly comfortable and the highest quality.
