The sheer number of options when it comes to choosing a new sofa can make it seem like an impossible task.
To help with this process, we have worked with the experts at Robinson of England, who specialise in handmade Chesterfield sofas and Chesterfield chairs, to give you some advice on what to look out for and remember when making the big decision on a new sofa.
Here are their top 5 tips:
1. Always remember your budget
This may sound simple, but the number of people who fail to keep their budget in mind when looking for new sofas means it worth saying again. Your budget is your budget. This is the case if you’re paying for it then and there, a deposit and then the balance before delivery, or putting it on finance and paying over several years. Before you start looking, work out how much you can afford to spend and stick to this. By looking at just the sofas available within your budget, this will help to narrow the choices down and make looking more manageable. If you can’t find anything you like within your budget, you either need to change your expectations and goals or wait until you have more budget to get what you want. Remember this is a sofa and it’s not worth putting yourself in a difficult financial situation over it.
2. Know what requirements you have for the material
Choosing the right material for your sofa is vital. This is hopefully going to be a piece of furniture you will keep and love for years to come so you want to be sure the material you choose will be something you’re going to like and can live with every day. Keep in mind that if you have young children you might want a fabric that’s hardwearing and easy to clean, although you could always get sofa covers in non slip material to protect more delicate fabrics. Leather and fabric sofas have some significant differences in how they wear and how they should be maintained. It’s always worth researching these differences, especially if you’re thinking about changing from one to the other.
3. See the sofa in person if you can
While online shopping for furniture has become increasingly popular over the past five years, for something as big as a sofa, it’s still advisable to see it in person if possible. Even if you can’t see the exact sofa in the colour or size you’re thinking about, seeing a version in person is always useful, and you will learn new things about that sofa. Not only does going to see the sofa give you a chance to sit on it and feel the cushion density and compare it to others, but you can discuss the sofa with a trained salesperson who should be able to give you expert advice about the sofa. Smaller detailed like the feat or stitching can also be seen up close compared to online.
4. Understand the size limitations of your room
One of the other key benefits of going and looking at a sofa in person is you can physically see how big it is. You should take measurements of the space available in your living room before going to see a sofa, or when looking for one online, to eliminate options that are too big. Once you have seen a sofa you like, take its measurements and see if it would fit in your available space at home. You should never place an order for a sofa without checking the measurements. Often, sofa orders are unique to you and can’t be cancelled once started, so you must check the sizing before placing an order. Also, you need to think about how the sofa will be delivered into your home. If it doesn’t go in smoothly, you may be charged by the shop you ordered it from or the manufacturer if they need to hire a contractor to deliver the sofa. Again, you should always check the delivery information before ordering.
5. Keep in mind the style of the room
There is a wide range of sofa styles which means you should always be to find something you like. If you’re intent on keeping a central design theme to your living room, it’s worth keeping this in mind when choosing a new sofa. Colour is also important to remember. While it can be great to have a sofa that stands out and is a statement piece of furniture, some colours can be too much and clash with other furniture or your call colours. You don’t want to get the sofa home and realise it doesn’t go with any of your furniture and looks totally out of place.
Disclosure: this is a collaborative post