Room Concepts

You might think you don’t need a sofa buying guide – you pick out one that looks pretty and is comfortable, right? Well that’s only a part of it. When buying a sofa, you’ll want to think through the type of fabric, the size of the sofa, the size of your space and much more. We’ve created an ultimate sofa buying guide to help you do just that. Let’s dive in! 

What to Consider Before Buying a Sofa

There are many things to consider before buying a sofa, and our sofa buying guide is here to help you end up with just the right one. For most people, the number one thing to consider when buying a sofa is its comfort level. And while that’s important, there are other things to consider as well, such as the type and style of sofa and how the sofa will fit into your lifestyle.

1. Type of Sofa

Did you know there are four common types of sofas? There’s the traditional sofa, which is the most common type and sits three people, the sectional, which can be arranged to fit your home, and the sleeper, which pulls out into a bed. And then we have the loveseat, which fits two people (hence the name). 

Measuring your space will help you get an idea of what can comfortably fit into your home. Add this to what you need your couch to function as (i.e., a family gathering area, an extra bed, etc.) and you’ll be able to narrow down the types of sofas that will best fit your home.

2. Your Lifestyle

Figuring out the type of sofa to fit your lifestyle is another thing that should be taken into consideration when determining the type of sofa you want. Once you can identify how you’re going to use the sofa, you’ll have a better idea of what exactly you need to look for. 

Do you have kids or pets that might be a bit rough on your sofa? Do you want a statement piece or somewhere comfortable to spend lots of time on? These are just a couple of the questions to ask yourself when determining the type of sofa that fits into your lifestyle.

3. Your Space

If you’re going to spend valuable time and money choosing a sofa, you want to make sure it fits your space. This means taking the time to measure your home to make sure the sofa you choose fits where you want it, but also so you can get it in your house. (Trust us, we’ve learned this the hard way!)

Here are the key areas to measure before buying a sofa: 

• The width and height of any doors you’ll have to maneuver through (inside and outside)
• The staircase width
• Ceiling height (including fixtures!)
• If you live in an apartment, the elevator
• The clearance between walls. 

You don’t want to be stuck trying to turn a corner in the middle of moving in your new sofa!

4. Your Budget

Sofas range in price based on the style, fabric, and size. So creating a budget before shopping can ensure you find the perfect sofa within your price range. No matter your budget, focus on shopping for quality. A quality sofa will save you money over time. 

One way to stretch your budget without sacrificing quality is shopping beyond big-name furniture chains. Local stores, like Room Concepts Furniture, work with you to find the perfect sofa for your home and provide financing to bring your dream sofa home in no time.

What Else Should I Know Before Buying a Sofa?

Before buying a sofa, you should know the different types of sofas and fabrics available. 

Common Sofa Styles

There are eight popular sofa styles (more than you thought, right?). There’s the Mid-Century Modern (think 60s), the English Roll Arm (which is all about comfort), and the Settee (which often is confused with loveseats). 

Then of course, you have sectionals. The most common are the Chaise Sectional (common in smaller homes), the L-Shaped Sectional (often found in open concept homes), and the Reclining Sectional (considered the luxury choice of sectionals). Whether you’re in the market for a sofa or a sectional, at Room Concepts you have the option to create a customizable sofa or customizable sectional to fit your needs and style.

Common Sofa Fabrics

Before you dive into creating a customizable sofa or sectional, let’s talk about the different fabrics available for sofas. There’s performance, wool blend, linen, leather, velvet, natural fibers, and synthetics. Some of the most popular include performance, leather, and velvet. 

Performance fabric is popular in homes with pets, kids, and accident-prone loved ones. This fabric is water and oil resistant to help prevent stains. Leather is durable and easy to clean, but certain types of leather are prone to scuffs and scratches. Velvet is synonymous with luxury when it comes to sofas, but polyester or rayon are more durable and affordable options for luxury seekers on a budget. 

You want to be hands-on when determining which fabric you want for your sofa, so if you’re looking at sofas online, request swatches of fabric. And make sure to consider the longevity of a piece of furniture like a sofa when determining a fabric. What might fit your lifestyle now, may not be the best option for a few years down the line.

What is the Average Lifespan of a Sofa?

Sofas often last between 7 and 15 years. Wear and tear will appear before it’s time to retire the sofa, but there are ways to spruce up your sofa over the years. But that’s a story for another blog. 

How can you tell when it’s time to replace your sofa? Knowing when to retire your sofa is all about the support of the couch. The biggest tells are when you begin to hear creaking noises or your cushions are flat and no amount of fluffing will save them. It also has to do with how your tastes and needs change over time. 

How Can You Tell a Sofa is Good Quality?

When you’re buying a sofa, you want to make sure you’re getting a quality piece of furniture. Here’s a few tips to make sure you’re picking out a quality sofa. In a quality sofa, the frame will be made of materials such as hardwood. If you have to choose a frame made of plywood, make sure there are many layers, at least 11 to 13. When it comes to the joints, the most supported and long lasting will have reinforcing blocks and are glued, screwed, or dowelled. 

The support is also a big factor in the quality of your sofa. Your sofa shouldn’t sag when you sit on it and should give you good support in the seat and in the back. One of the best spring systems found in sofas is the eight-way hand-tied springs. Another supportive spring system is the sinuous spring system. These are “s”-shaped and are supported by additional wires.

And of course we can’t talk about quality without talking about the cushions. The most common filling used is high-density polyurethane. The higher the density of the foam, the more firm the cushions. The foam used to create a supportive cushion can be wrapped in a softer material to make it more comfortable. Meaning, there’s no need to sacrifice comfort for longevity.

How Much Should I Expect to Pay for a Sofa?

High quality means a high price tag, right? Not always, and that depends on your budget. Shop around to see what styles of sofas fit your budget and needs. If you’re not quite ready to buy a sofa, keep an eye on sales around major holidays or clearance items at your favorite stores. Remember though, investing in a high quality sofa now will save you time and money in the future.

Whether you’re planning on buying a sofa or sectional, at Room Concepts you can customize and configure your own to fit your style, space, and needs. Contact us today with any questions, request more info about our living room furniture options online, or stop into our Pittsburgh area showrooms in Whitehall or Wexford to test out your perfect sofa or sectional yourself. 

Room Concepts provides high quality sofas and sectionals to fit your lifestyle and space, with many configurable options and customized designs to meet your needs. Our Furniture Design experts are happy to help you create the perfect piece to add value and comfort to your home.