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Whether you call it a sofa or a couch, when it comes to choosing one, it is a major furniture investment and one you will probably live with for years. It is a piece of furniture where you will share many memories with those you love. From watching movies with family, laughing with friends or just snuggling up to those hard-to-put-down novels you love so much. So choosing the right one is a very personal decision which must be carefully considered. But just what should you look out for before taking that decision?

1. Function of a sofa

The first and perhaps most obvious decision is what type of sofa you are after. From elegant chaises longues to practical sofa beds, sofas come in a variety of shapes and sizes and there are many one can choose from including:

• Sofas including 2/3 seater sofas, chaises longues, corner/L-shaped sofas
• Modular sofas
• Sofa beds
• Recliner sofas
• Armchairs
• Compact sofas/love seats

This decision depends on what you would like to use the sofa for, as well as the space available in the room you will be placing it in.

2. Measure your space and doorways

The second step is to measure up. Firstly you need to measure the area where your sofa is going to be placed. If you buy a sofa that is too small for the room it will look off. Also, if you buy one that is too big for the room it will make it look claustrophobic.

The second important and perhaps least obvious thing to measure before placing an order is your door frames. Measure the frame of the doors in the room as well as your front door or balcony door (depending where you can get it in from). You will also need to measure any passageways and tight corners you may need to navigate to get it in place. Unfortunately many people fall in love with their dream sofas only to have it delivered and not manage to get it through the door.

3. Check the seating

There is no sense in considering a sofa if it doesn’t fit you well. Seats should be comfortable for all members of your family. If you’re buying a recliner sofa, make sure it is comfortable in all the different positions.

The primary fit consideration is the depth of the seats which depends on your height. The sofa back should support your back adequately with your feet flat on the floor and the backs of your knees just slightly forward of the lower seat cushion.

If however, you would prefer to add some accent cushions to your sofa to create some contrasting colours or patterns, which is quite in vogue right now, then keep this in mind as it would reduce the depth required.  If the sofa is also where you like to nap, make sure to lay out on the sofa and see if it is long enough for comfortable snoozing.

4. Test the operating mechanisms

If your sofa is a recliner or sleeper, make sure to operate the mechanism repeatedly and aggressively to make sure it operates smoothly and easily. Reclining, or motion furniture is generally more expensive, and you are paying for a functioning, smoothly-running mechanism. Don’t overlook any mechanical glitches or rough operation you notice—these will only become more pronounced after repeated use in your home.

5. Choosing a sofa fabric

Whether you go for soft leather or a relaxed-look linen, the fabric your sofa is upholstered in will set the tone for your living room. For everyday seating in a room you use a lot, you might prefer a hard-wearing man-made fabric with stain protection treatment. Good-quality leather is also a durable choice. Man-made fibres tend to be the most durable – textured flat weaves in particular are among the most hard-wearing and family friendly, as they’re more forgiving of stains and less likely to snag.  

The 3 main sofa fabrics available are:

• Leather
• Fabric
• Microfiber

6. Consider the filling of the sofa

It’s easy to get carried away with the beauty and aesthetics of a sofa, but ultimately you want something that is comfortable to sit down on for many hours, days, years. So choosing the correct filling is also vital. The main three sofa fillings are:

• Fibre
• Foam
• Feather

7. Choosing the colour of the sofa

When it comes to choosing the colour of your sofa, you must consider your lifestyle. If you enjoy giving new life to your living room every so often, then go for a neutral colour and which gives you the freedom to change it up using colourful accent pillows, rugs and curtains. If on the other hand your sofa tends to get quite a good workout then go for a pattern or colour that’s more forgiving.

Once you have decided on all these factors, or still have some further questions, you are welcome to pop over to visit our well stocked Natuzzi Italia and Natuzzi Editions showroom in Valley Road, Msida where one of our sales team will be more than happy to assist you.