The ultimate guide to buying your first sofa that doesn't suck

Apr 11 2019, 2:59 am

Buying a sofa is without a doubt one of the most important investments you’ll make for your living space. If you’re going to be binge-watching Friends on Netflix, you better be sure you’re getting one that will be comfortable after sitting down for two hours. Or three. Or five.

It’s a choice that you may live with for years, so it’s important to know how to make the right decision.

When it comes to picking a sofa, yes, you obviously want one that doesn’t completely suck, so we have a few objective criteria for you to use to make sure you’re making the right choice that you’ll be happy with for years to come.

Focus on fabric

Selecting the wrong fabric for your sofa can be a big mistake. Think about where you will be placing your sofa, and how you’ll be using it! And not just in terms of matching the colour to the rest of your living room, too.

Natural materials may fade in strong sunlight, so if it will be near a window, perhaps go for a synthetic material. Also, if you know the sofa will be used in a busy area of your home, for example by children or pets, perhaps opt for a fabric that is easy to spot clean.

Make sure you measure

It’s more common than you think for someone to purchase a sofa, only to have to return it to the store because it doesn’t fit through the doorway.

Make sure you measure both your living space where you want the sofa to go, as well as the doorway (height, width, and diagonal opening) before you purchase your sofa, so you have the numbers on hand!

Evaluate the frame

A sofa is going to be where you’ll spend a lot of your time on when you’re lounging at home, so make sure that you’re investing in a quality frame. A solid hardwood frame is a great choice, but be wary of a particleboard or metal construction.

The legs of the couch should be either integral parts of the frame or held on with screws. Avoid a couch if the legs are merely glued on!

Research the cushions

This could be just as important as how the sofa looks on the outside!

When it comes to cushions, feather-filled cushions are comfortable but will need regular plumping, while foam or fibre-filled cushions may flatten out and lose their shape over time. While it all boils down to personal preference, a combination of feather and foam could be appropriate — feather-filled back cushions and foam or fibre-filled seat cushions.

Canadian company Varkoa launched in late 2018 and offers handmade, made-to-order furniture tailored to each customer’s preference — so you can get exactly what you’re looking for shipped straight to your front door!

The company offers Scandinavian-inspired, North American-made designer furniture that is totally customizable so you can create the exact couch you’ve been searching for. From a selection of 42 designer couches, 29 fabrics, 24 widths, and five wood finishes, you can save on beautiful designer furniture by ordering directly from Varkoa.

The company also offers a range of home and living room furniture so you can revamp your entire living room, because while you’re at it, why not?

For more information or to browse Varkoa’s collection, visit Varkoa.ca.

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