Choosing the Perfect Sofa: Expert Designer Tips for Your Home Decor
Buying a new sofa can be a nerve-wracking experience, but with the right guidance, it doesn't have to be. Here's what our team of design experts suggest you consider before clicking 'buy'.
- Pick the Perfect Depth: According to Jason Saft, a home stager at Staged to Sell, the depth of your sofa matters. If you plan to do some reading or lounging, opt for a depth of 33-36 inches. If you're more of a sprawler, go for 40 inches or more.
- Embrace Durability: Bold and luxurious designs can also be durable, says Alvin Wayne, an interior designer based in NYC. A performance fabric like Sunbrella will be your best bet, offering stain-resistance, easy cleaning, and a friendly terrific for both kids and pets. Surprisingly, velvet is also tough!
- Customize Your Cover: If you're unsure about your color choice, Toronto-based designer Alexandra Gater recommends getting custom covers from Bemz. This way, you can easily change it without making a long-term commitment.
- Size Matters: You don't want a sofa that consumes your entire space. So, use a digital floor planning tool like Floor Planner to see how the sofa will fit in 3D in your space, or tape out its size on your floor using painter's tape.
Top Places to Buy a Sofa
Prioritize Measurements
Especially important for apartment dwellers, make sure your potential sofa will fit through all the door frames, hallway spaces, and elevators you may have. Unfortunately, many people have ended up with new sofas they can't even get inside their front door! Opting for a modular design can help you avoid this issue.
- For a hassle-free buying experience, consider the depth of your sofa, as suggested by Jason Saft, a home stager at Staged to Sell – 33-36 inches for reading or lounging, and 40 inches or more for those who like to sprawl.
- Durability is key, and bold designs can still be durable, as mentioned by Alvin Wayne, an interior designer based in NYC. Look for performance fabrics like Sunbrella, which offers stain-resistance, easy cleaning, and is pet-friendly, or be surprised by the toughness of velvet.
- Customizing your sofa cover is a great idea, especially if you're unsure about your color choice. Toronto-based designer Alexandra Gater recommends getting custom covers from Bemz for easy color changes.
- The size of your sofa is crucial – it should not consume your entire space. Use a digital floor planning tool like Floor Planner to visualize how the sofa will fit in your space, or tape out its size on your floor using painter's tape.
- The Top Places to Buy a Sofa should prioritize measurements, especially for apartment dwellers. Make sure your potential sofa will fit through all door frames, hallway spaces, and elevators to avoid the disappointment of a sofa you can't get inside your front door.
- Modular designs can help you avoid issues with fitting your sofa into tight spaces, making them a great choice when considering where to buy your new sofa. In the realm of interior-design, lifestyle, home-and-garden, and even creditline, these tips and techniques can contribute to a realsimple and decorating success for your home.
