Buyer's guide to sofas

Your choice in sofa will set the tone of the room - here's a guide to help you make the right one.

Before you buy
- budget: invest in a good sofa and it will last
- size: tape newspaper in the size of the sofa to the floor to see how much space it will take up
- space: make sure there's enough space to get around the sofa as well as get the sofa through doors and up stairs if need be
- colour: create a moodboard incorporating floor and wall colour then add fabric swatches to determine what works

Filling good?
- foam gives a firm, springy seat but cheaper varieties may flatten over time
- thermo-sensitive foam retains it shape
- fibre is softer than foam giving a more casual look but needs plumping
- foam and feather offers comfort and support
- down is the filling chart topper but also requires plumping

Family room
If your sofa is going to see a lot of action from children of all ages, it needs to be indestructible so choose a sturdy frame. Ideally choose loose washable covers, and a cotton-linen mix will improve with age. Plus crumbs and pet hairs will brush off more easily. Darker colours will hide marks but if you are set on a light colour, textured materials won't show marks as readily as they diffuse light. Hardwearing is also key!

Child-free zones
If you have the luxury of a sophisticated living space then a design-led sofa in more precious fabrics is a viable option. Scandinavian influence is big right now as are classics from the 60s and 70s. Fabrics offer a myriad of colour choices, each depicting a mood. Understated soft greys, pale greens and blues create a classic look. Wild colours pop. Rich reds and aubergine tones create warmth and have depth. Hit the top of the sophistication charts with velvets. If you entertain frequently, removable, washable covers may be a good idea.

Small spaces
Versatile, multi-purpose sofas are the best choice for compact homes. You may even be able to benefit from a sofa bed. Compact shapes with slim arms and straight lines work well as well as those with legs as it gives the illusion of space. Think outside the box like using a footstool for further seating which can also double as a coffee table. Lighter shades appear bigger and accessorize with bolder colours. Darker colours turn a small space into a cozy one. Choose a sofa that contrasts in colour with the walls and floors so it stands out.

Open-plan areas
With so many opting for an open plan space, it is important that the back of the sofa looks as good as the front. Modular sofas work well as they define areas of the room and create a congenial atmosphere. Two sofas facing each other create a more formal mood. Lower backed sofas are modern and suit loft-style spaces. Curvier styles add softness and warmth whereas more cubic modular sofas can be playful and flexible. Place sofas away from walls.

Credit: Livingetc, July 2011 issue

Comments

[Slipcovered Sofas]

The slipcovered sofas are often the showpiece of a living room. Its design to structure and cloth color and can hold up or control a room's overall exterior.

[Slipcovered Sofas]

It looks so beautiful that I can not help wnat to buy one.