So, you’re ready for a new sofa. There are several benefits that come with buying new furniture for the home, such as quality you can count on, durability/longevity, and making a great first impression on guests. Not all sofas are created equal, so you know. Purchase an investment piece for the interior that will look just as good in fifty years’ time. The sofa should last you a lifetime and more. Finding quality furniture can be challenging, especially with all the companies advertising high-quality furniture. If you want to make a comfortable, lasting investment, here are some crucial factors to bear in mind.
Make Sure the Frame Is Sturdy
At times, underneath the upholstery, manufacturers deploy chipboard frames, which aren’t strong or sturdy. The frame should be a hundred percent hardwood – kiln-dried oak, beech, or ash. A robust frame offers an anchor for good seating support. It withstands everyday use without compromising on comfort. A good way to measure the quality of the frame is to lift one leg off the floor. If the other leg is still touching the floor, the frame is weak. You’re not purchasing something designed to last but furniture that will fall apart in a year or two.
Purchase an investment luxury piece for the interior that will look just as good in fifty years’ time. The sofa should last you a lifetime and more. It’s recommended to avoid frames made of plastic or metal, as they can warp and crack. Only consider buying a sofa made with kiln-dried hardwood or engineered hardwood. Engineered hardwood represents a broad category of materials, so it’s not easy to determine quality. Steer clear of engineered woods that are listed as MDF or standard plywood. The legs should be held on with screws and dowels, not just glue. They require a bit more support. Glue can and should be used, yet it should never be used alone.
Test The Springs
Springs tend to be an out of sight, out of mind feature of a sofa, but they tend to be extremely important. The springs enhance the durability of the sofa and improve comfort. They cope with structural stress and prevent the cushions from flattening. Generally speaking, high-end sofas feature eight-way hand-tied springs, which ward off sagging and squeaking. Sofas with eight-way hand-tied springs are more labour-intensive, so they’re more costly. Technology has helped manufacturers create furniture pieces at lower costs, but the price is still high. Some argue that eight-way hand-tied springs are overrated, unfashionable, not to mention expensive to repair.
There are other types of sofa suspension, such as webbing and sinuous springs. Sofa webbing leverages polypropylene webbing straps to set up the support platform for the cushions. In sinuous-spring suspension, the pieces of metal, placed a couple of inches apart, zig-zag perpendicular to the front of the sofa. When sitting on the sofa, pay attention to squeaks and creaks. This indicates improperly installed or loose springs. Make sure there aren’t any bigger issues, such as broken springs, as they warrant a trip to a furniture re-upholstery business.
The Sofa’s Filling Is Just as Important
Upholstery filling provides firm support and maintains its shape, even following extended use. There are many options to choose from, such as high-density cushion foam, feather, hollow fibre filling, and so on. Most sofas are filled with a combination of foam, feather, and fibre to provide alternative levels of support and comfort. When selecting a filling, think about how often you’re going to use the sofa and how much upkeep you’re willing to put in. Top tip; A high-density filling is a perfect choice for people with limited mobility. In many countries, the UK included, you can tell densities apart by their corresponding colours – pink, white, and blue.
Be Smart While Selecting the Fabric
To withstand the rigours of daily life, upholstery fabric is heavyweight. You can tell the durability of a fabric by checking the double rub rating. Any fabric with a score above 15,000 double rub or 30,000 double rub is regarded as highly abrasion-resistant. Examples of good upholstery fabrics include cotton, linen, wool, polyester, silk, and duck cloth. Does the fabric need to be stain resistant? Why, yes! With a wealth of technologies available today, it’s easy to make upholstery fabric stain resistant. The technologies used in the manufacturing process allow the fibre to repel dirt and prevent the absorption of liquid and thicker stains.
Furniture is one of the biggest investments you make while embellishing a home, so pay special attention while choosing upholstery fabric. If maintained with care, certain fabrics can last for a lifetime. Stain resistant fabrics are easy to clean. More exactly, the stains come out with a little bit of water. The hi-tech textiles don’t absorb stains and spills, so there’s no reason to worry in case of accidental spillages. There are many fabric brands that take into account busy lifestyles, offering you kid- and pet-proof fabrics. You can keep your furniture clean and intact.
More Advice for Sofa Shoppers
Like other pieces of furniture, sofas can be procured in retail outlets, warehouse stores, and online stores. If the thought of buying a sofa online sounds intimidating, here’s a piece of advice for you. Reviews are your best friends. They’ll provide you with a full understanding of what the product is all about. Read as many reviews as you can during the sofa buying process. Most importantly, look for customer images. Find photos of the furnishings in real life and analyse them intensely. Before buying a sofa and having it delivered, make sure it will fit your space. Also, you shouldn’t order without a discount.
If you want the sofa to last for a long time, make sure you can afford it. Even cheap furniture pieces can cost a lot of money, so it’s worth spending a little bit more and going for quality. The market is full of brands selling sofas in all shapes and sizes, in a wide range of colours, fabrics, and finishes. Don’t take shortcuts or purchase a sofa that doesn’t offer comfort. When buying furniture, it’s a good idea to look beyond the price tag. You’re likely to find identical sofas, with a significant difference in price.
Images from FURNITURE: TIMELESS MID-CENTURY INSPIRED DESIGN SOFAS – See the full story on archiscene
love those sofas!