I am frequently asked, “what is the most important piece to spend money on?” Hands down one of the most important pieces to budget for is the sofa. Your sofa sets the tone for the entire room. Buying a sofa can be extremely stressful as it is a costly purchase and an important piece. So many to choose from, how do you possibly narrow it down?
Deciding it was time for a significant change in our living room, we took the plunge and purchased a new sofa. After going through the process personally, I am excited to share our new sofa (I am OBSESSED!) along with some tips to help guide you as you shop for a sofa. Hopefully, these tips teach you how to choose the right sofa for your room.
Choosing the Right Style
Whether it is your first time buying a sofa or your twentieth, the first factor you need to consider is style (contemporary, transitional, modern, etc.) for your style. Our previous sofa had a high back with a curved silhouette. This time around I was looking to create a more contemporary vibe, wanting a sofa with clean lines without sacrificing comfort. I found the perfect match. The Salvador sofa in Nomad Snow at High Fashion Home. It is perfect for lounging with the down-blend *deep* seat and back cushions.
The Internet can be your best tool, allowing you to visit endless sites and view the sofa in a room setting. Unless you are getting all new furniture, be sure your new sofa style flows with your current furniture. I am all about intermingling styles (think transitional meets modern), but it all needs to flow together.
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Choosing the Right Size
Sizing can be very tricky! Do you want sofas facing each other? Or do you dream of an oversized sectional? These are both hard to fit into standard rooms but they sure are intriguing. Left to just the eye, we will often over/underestimate the space we have to work. Your sofa should encourage conversation and comfort, always keep this in mind. And no, furniture doesn’t need to sit flush against a wall; give it some room to breathe.
Without getting too technical, here are a few numbers to remember.
- Walkways require 24”-36” of space so the room doesn’t look cramped
- Furniture seating should allow for good conversation. Accomplish this by keeping furniture within 42”-120” of each other so that you aren’t too close to one another, but you can still hear each other talking
- Keep 18” in between your sofa and coffee table
Key questions to ask yourself:
- Will this sofa be for formal reasons or for stretching out?
- How often do you entertain and what size crowd?
Pro Tip: Use painters’ tape to map out the exact size, helping you to visualize the new piece.
Choosing the Right Material and Color
Finding the right material and color is critical! Keep in mind the overall style you are looking to achieve, but be realistic about your living situation (kids, *boys*, or animals?). Wanting a stark contrast to our gray velvet sofa, I was on the hunt for a white’ish sofa, but not a pure white. I was a bit hesitant to buy a white sofa (with all the boys in the house) afraid it would not stay white for long; then I found Crypton stain resistant fabric. Promising you can spill a cup of coffee on it and it will come right out. We had it for two days and put it to the test; it did not fail us! To add visual interest to the room, select a fabric with a texture that is durable. If you cannot see the material in person opt to have a fabric sample sent to you. Many companies offer this complimentary.
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I am pretty much in love and have been totally vegging out since we got this beauty in! Does this post make you feel like you know how to choose the right sofa for your room? Can’t wait to hear from you!
