Guide to Choosing the Perfect Sofa for Your Home

Purchasing a sofa is often a significant decision in home furnishing, requiring careful consideration and planning. It’s important to make a choice that aligns with both your aesthetic preferences and practical needs. Here are important factors to consider before making that click to buy.

1. Sofa Depth Matters

“Think about how you’ll use it,” advises Jason Saft, founder of Staged to Sell, a home-staging enterprise in New York City. The depth of the sofa influences comfort and functionality:

• If you favor an upright position for activities like reading, aim for a depth between 33 and 36 inches.
• For those who enjoy lounging, opt for a depth of 40 inches or more for a more relaxed experience.

2. Prioritize Durability

Luxurious design doesn’t have to sacrifice durability. According to New York City interior designer Alvin Wayne, “A performance fabric, like Sunbrella, is your best bet—it’s stain-resistant, easy to clean, and kid- and pet-friendly.” Surprisingly, velvet can also exhibit remarkable durability.

3. Consider Custom Covers

If you are drawn to a specific color or fabric yet are uncertain about its longevity in your space, consider the advice of Toronto-based designer Alexandra Gater: “If you’re unsure how you’ll feel about it in a few years, I recommend getting custom covers from Bemz.” This approach provides flexibility without a long-term commitment.

4. Scale is Crucial

It is essential that your sofa doesn’t dominate your space. Gater notes, “You don’t want a sofa that overtakes your entire space and leaves no room for necessities.” Tools like digital floor planning applications, such as Floor Planner, can be beneficial in visualizing how the sofa will fit into your environment. An old-fashioned method is to use painter’s tape to mark the dimensions of the prospective purchase directly on your floor.

5. Comprehensive Measurements

For apartment residents, careful measurements are vital. Saft emphasizes, “Will it fit through all the door frames, hallway spaces, and elevators you may have?” Unfortunately, many have found themselves attempting to sell a brand new sofa that simply won’t fit through their front door. To mitigate risks, consider selecting modular sofas that can be disassembled for easier transport.