As far as furniture purchases go, sofas are usually up there as some of the biggest investments you’re likely to make while furnishing your family home. So, you’re probably going to want to know that whatever you ultimately choose is going to tick ALL your boxes . . . right?
Before you start trekking around showrooms, getting totally inspired (and kind of overwhelmed at the same time) by the thousands of options available to you, we recommend sitting down and clarifying exactly what kind of sofa you’re looking for.
Sure, most people know to note down the dimensions of your space and bring along a tape measure. But what about everything else!?
To make things easy for you, we’ve compiled a list of the most useful questions we believe people can ask themselves before setting foot in-store or even browsing for sofas online. That way, when it comes time to hand over your credit card, you’ll feel confident that you’re making the right choice for you and your family.
HOW DO YOU LIKE TO SIT?
This may seem like a strange question at first, but you’d be surprised at how different people are when it comes to how they like to sit on their sofa!
For instance:
- Do you tend to perch on the edge and sit up fairly straight?
- Do you like to lie down?
- Do you use an ottoman?
- Do you sit sideways, reclined against the arm of the sofa?
- Do you sit with your feet tucked underneath you?
- Are you tall (and would love a deeper seat cushion) or short (and hate deep sofas because you can’t sit back and keep your feet on the floor)?
However you sit, the point is to answer these questions for yourself as well as each member of your household.
Thinking about something as seemingly mundane as how you like to sit can (and should) influence important choices down the line when you’re out shopping. For example, someone who likes to swing their feet up and lean their back (or head and neck) against the arm of their sofa will quickly regret a square arm and should look for something more rounded. Similarly, if you like to be able to lay down, a sofa with a chaise might be the right choice for you.
Considering your sitting preferences is a great way to narrow down what you’re looking for in a sofa and will help ensure you remain pleased with your purchase for years to come.
HOW DO YOU USE YOUR SOFA?
Again, this might seem like a weird question, but the way you and your family use your sofa can be a big factor in helping you identify what’s going to best meet your needs -- as well as what to avoid with a ten-foot pole!
Here are some things to think about:
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Does anyone in your household nap on the sofa?
If so, you might want to look at options that are both deep and more on the plush side.
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Do you mostly sit and chat on the sofa?
If this is the case, something firmer and more upright might be a more suitable option.
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Are you (or is someone in your household) prone to spills?
If so, fabric protection is a must and you might also want to consider going for something with a slipcover in a washable fabric that you can easily chuck in the wash when needed.
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Do you have cats or dogs?
If pet hair is a reality of your home environment, opt for fabrics that aren’t total fur-magnets and consider choosing a colour that doesn’t contrast too much with the colour of your pet’s hair (so that it doesn’t stand out).
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How many people do you need to seat (usually)?
If Friday family movie nights are a thing in your household and you therefore regularly need to fit two adults, three kids, and the dog . . . then you’ll want to make sure that your lounge setting accommodates everyone comfortably.
By going through the process of answering these questions BEFORE beginning the hunt for the perfect sofa for your household, you’ll save yourself a whole heap of time. Plus, with the confidence that comes with knowing exactly what you’re looking for, you’ll be able to simply enjoy the process of choosing the comfiest new addition to your family home.
Happy shopping!