Unless you change your home theme every other year, you likely won’t be replacing your sofa for decades to come. Because of this, you want your sofa to be comfortable and stand the test of time. If you plan to buy a new sofa, let this guide you.
Here’s how to choose a comfortable sofa that will last you years:
Choose the Right Frame
When buying a sofa, don’t skimp on the frame’s quality.
Frames made of particleboard, plywood, and softwood are prone to warping, sagging, and cracking, significantly shortening the sofa’s lifespan. Avoid these materials at all costs.
Instead, opt for sofas made of 100% hardwood. Kiln-dried oak, beech, and ash hardwood are excellent choices due to their strength and durability. They’re expensive, but they’ll last you upwards of 15 years before they show any signs of instability.
Check the Joinery
The sofa’s joints should be held together with wooden corner blocks, wooden dowels, or metal brackets and screws. It can be reinforced with nails or staples but only as secondary support.
Ask the salesperson for written information about the joinery. Reputable furniture stores or manufacturers should be happy to share this information. You want terms like “dowel-jointed frame,” “corner block construction,” or “metal bracket reinforcement.”
The easiest way to determine the quality of the frame is to lift the sofa’s front leg about 10 to 15 centimetres off the ground. If the other front leg doesn’t lift at the same time, the frame is likely weak and crooked.
The arms should feel solid and secure when leaned into, with no noticeable give or movement.
Be Picky With the Springs
After testing the frame, move on to the sofa’s seating support—particularly the springs.
Sofas that use mesh or webbing instead of springs are cheap but flimsy. You want your couch to have springs because otherwise, the sofa will sag regularly.
To test the springs, sit on the sofa and gently bounce. If the sofa creaks, it indicates that the springs are badly placed. The surface should also feel even throughout, with no noticeable dips or bumps.
Most sofas feature sinuous, serpentine springs made with wavy, S-shaped coils.
Though comfortable and supportive, coils can sag over time.
Ideally, you want a sofa with eight-way hand-tied springs. These springs feel just as comfortable as serpentine springs but have double the strength because they’re made with individual helical coils.
Comfort Is In the Cushions
Sofas come with varying types of cushion filling.
Polyurethane foam is one of the most common because it’s cheap and easy to maintain. The downside of this material is that it deteriorates rapidly with frequent use. Polyurethane foam tends to lose its plumpness after three or so years, the same as polyester fibre.
High-resilient (HR) foam is polyurethane’s successful older brother. It’s more expensive but also more comfortable and longer-lasting.
Duck-feather and goose fillings feel like heaven to sit on, but they need re-fluffing more frequently than foam or synthetic fillings. They’re also more expensive than other options.
Opt for HR foam wrapped in a layer of down for the perfect balance of comfort, support, and longevity. It has the long-lasting support of foam and the cloud-like comfort of feathers.
Avoid sofas with loose fillings that bunch or create unevenness. The sofa should be even throughout.
Upholstery Type Matters
When choosing upholstery, consider its practicality, durability, and aesthetic value.
Leather, for example, is durable, easy to clean, and adds a luxurious touch to a room. However, it scratches easily and fades over time. It’s also quite expensive. If you have pets, leather is a no-go.
Cotton and linen are good all-round choices but require more frequent cleaning and can be prone to snags. Opting for tighter weaves with higher thread counts can alleviate this issue.
Performance fabrics, known as Sunbrella, are stain-resistant, antimicrobial, and withstand daily wear and tear. They’re costly but worth the investment, especially if you have a big family with many pets and kids.
Microfiber is a cheaper alternative to performance fabrics. Although it isn’t as durable, it is equally stain-resistant and easy to clean, making it an excellent choice for busy households.
As for the colour, it’s always better to go for neutrals like beige, cream, grey, or tan. Printed designs quickly go out of style and restrict your freedom to change your home theme as often as you like.
If you’re struggling to choose a colour, ask the seller for a swatch of fabric and bring it home. Place the swatch next to your existing furniture and decor and see how well it blends or contrasts.
How to Keep Your Sofa Looking Its Best
No matter how high-quality a sofa is, it wouldn’t last long without proper care and maintenance. Here’s how to extend the lifespan and beauty of your sofa:
- Vacuum your sofa at least once every other week. Use the upholstery attachment to remove dirt, dust, and crumbs from the crevices, arms, and cushions.
- Don’t let spills dry. Blot the liquid immediately with a clean, absorbent cloth when a spill happens. Then, use an appropriate cleaning solution to treat the stain. If you don’t have a stain remover, a mixture of vinegar, water, and liquid dish soap usually works.
- Keep the sofa away from direct sunlight. Sunlight causes upholstery to fade, making it appear aged. If you can’t keep it away from sunlight, invest in UV-protectant curtains and regularly rotate the cushions to avoid uneven fading.
- Regularly plump and fluff the cushions to prevent them from going flat. This is especially crucial for sofas with down or feather fillings.
- Flip and rotate the cushions once a month to prevent them from becoming lumpy or misshapen over time.
Closing Thoughts
High-quality sofas can get expensive, especially if you’re buying a set. However, the benefits of owning a high-quality sofa far outweigh the initial expense.
High-quality sofas last a lifetime, saving you money in the long run. You won’t have to worry about frequent replacements and repairs because they hold up to daily use much better than cheaper alternatives.
