Buying a sofa or armchair is not a small investment. Since this piece of furniture will stay with you for decades, be sure to consider a few important factors before purchasing one. Although everyone has their own style preferences, some factors should be considered no matter who buys this item. Below are some important things to consider before making this purchase.
1. Consider the fit
If a sofa does not fit you, it will be useless. Make sure the seats are comfortable enough for your entire family. The depth of the seat is the main consideration. Choose shallow or deep seats depending on your height. If you’re in the habit of sleeping on your couch, just make sure it’s comfortable enough to help you sleep soundly for hours.
2. Feel the frame
Although you can replace the cushions and upholstery, the inner frame cannot be easily replaced. Therefore, the unit you are going to buy must have a strong inner frame. In cheaper units, the frame is made of metal, plastic or chipboard. However, high-quality units are made from ash, beach or oak. Although pine frames are cost effective, they tend to wobble or warp within a few years.
3. Check the Woodwork
Ideally, you may want to consider frames that are connected to each other with metal screws, wooden blocks, or wooden dowels. It’s not a good idea to go for a unit assembled with just glue, nails, or staples. However, if they’re used for extra reinforcement, that’s a good thing.
4. Try the arms
Don’t forget to check the arms of the unit to make sure they are strong enough. If you have children in your house, the strength of the arms is of the utmost importance. It is easy to run this test. All you need to do is push hard and feel signs of wobble. In other words, the arms must be rock solid.
5. Check the springs
The quality of the springs also matters a lot. Again, you should feel the springs to get a better idea of their quality. High-quality springs are firm and provide great support.
6. Check the filling
Make sure the frame and corners of the sofa are properly padded. All you need to do is run your hands over each corner of the sofa. If you can feel the edges of the frame through the unit, know that it won’t take long for the upholstery to wear down. Similarly, your sofa will not be comfortable enough.
7. Check the upholstery
Although the quality of the upholstery does not affect the comfort level of the product, it does matter from an aesthetic point of view. There should be no streaks or mismatched patterns. In fact, matching strips can give your sofa a great finish. Patterns must be centered correctly and seams must run straight.
So, these are just a few important things to consider before you pay for the couch or sofa you want. Keeping these things in mind is essential if you want your investment to stand the test of time.