How to Choose a Sofa

When it comes to buying a sofa, comfort might not be everything. There are plenty of sizes and shapes to choose from. You might even want one that turns into a bed, in case you ever need to host someone. With that in mind, we at 5-Minute Crafts have prepared a guide to help you pick the right one quickly.

1. Consider it’s use

If you’re planning on throwing parties, or if you have any pets — chances are your sofa isn’t going to survive in one piece. However, if you buy one with a pattern, it might help camouflage a mess or two.

2. Take measurements

You might find the perfect sofa for your living room, but it may not fit through your door. Because of this, measuring everything from your doorways to hallways is important. This includes length, width, and height. Then, check the measurements of your soon-to-be sofa; if everything matches, you’re good to go.

3. Pick the fabric

Again, it’s essential to keep in mind who will use the sofa. Leather ones are easier to clean, but their comfort also depends on the seasons. They become cold in the winter and warm in the summer. Fabric sofas are softer than their counterparts and also cushier. However, they might be harder to keep clean.

You can also go with a slipcover sofa, but these can also be hard to maintain. Lastly, there are synthetic sofas, which usually replicate the feel of leather at a lower cost.

4. Choose a sofa type

Traditional sofas are what you often find in most living rooms. They can sit up to 3 people and are usually around 6 to 8 ft wide.

These are called petite sofas. They’re about the same size as the traditional ones, but smaller in width.

Grande sofas are bigger. They range from 7.5 to 9 ft long and can sit 4 to 5 people comfortably.

Love seat sofas might be the perfect pick if you’re only planning on sitting 2 people. They’re also called apartment sofas, as they often save space due to their reduced width.

If none of the above fit your needs, consider picking a sectional sofa. You can set them up in whatever shape or form best fits your needs. They can become a chaise lounge configuration or an L or U-shaped design.

Sofa beds are a great choice if you often host people. They either have a bed inside them or transform into one without much effort, making them the perfect addition if you don’t have an extra guest room.

5. Pick a style

You might find sofas in all sorts of styles, rather than just the traditional ones. Between the most popular, is a camelback couch. It has humps and exposed legs. However, it doesn’t have any cushions with it, but you can always add them yourself. Its arms are often squared, or rolled.

The tuxedo couch is a bit different. Its arms and back all sit at the same height, and you can probably identify it by the tufting on the back. As for the English rolled arm sofa, it has lower arms, which makes it extra comfortable for lying on. The legs are exposed, and the backs is often tight.

Lastly, the bridgewater sofa. Its characteristics include lower arms, a high back, and a tailored skirt which hides its legs. Whichever sofa you might prefer, they’re all unique in one way or another.

Bonus: Get an armchair

You can always go with an armchair. They’re comfortable, and enough to seat one person. Additionally, you could use it to compliment the rest of your house’s decor.