AVOID BUYER’S REMORSE
Page 1
Top 10 Tips for Buying a Sofa
AVOID BUYERS REMORSE:
Top 10 Tips for Buying a Sofa
By
Remya Warrior
©2015 Remya Warrior Designs
Page 2
AVOID BUYER’S REMORSE
©2015 Remya Warrior Designs
Disclaimer
If you incorporate what I’m teaching you, I’m not responsible for you never wanting
to leave your comfortable couch again. I am not responsible for you never wanting to
leave the house due to the awesomeness of your new space... oh, yes I am, I will take
full ownership of the fact that you will now invite people to your house vs. going to
theirs. You friends and family might want to hang out in your space more than their
own.
Page 3
Top 10 Tips for Buying a Sofa
Don’t get stuck with a sofa you hate!
You decide it’s time to purchase a new sofa. Seems simple enough. So you make a
trip to your local furniture store.
As soon as you walk in, the sales person starts asking you questions:





What style of sofa are you looking for?
Any particular brand you like?
What material do you prefer?
Is there a certain color you want?
Will it be used every day or only occasionally?
And this is before they even start showing you around. After you’ve looked at a few
dozen or so, your head starts to spin. Suddenly you feel overwhelmed. There are
thousands of products out there. How do you choose the right one for your family?
In my line of business, I’ve seen too many people settle on something because they
only focused on one aspect of the sofa. Then later, they discover they’ve made a
terrible mistake.
The easiest way to avoid this is to go in with a game plan!
The first step is to decide what’s most important to you. Is it comfort? Quality?
Looks? Price?
Then before you start spending your money, make sure you know what you want
your room to feel like. Of course, that’s easier said than done.
That’s why I’m giving you my Top 10 Tips for Buying a Sofa.
Once you go through this list, you should have a better idea of what you want in a
sofa and what will work best for your lifestyle.
Page 4
AVOID BUYER’S REMORSE
1) Function
You know that old saying, “form follows function”? That is very true when it comes
to buying a sofa. Purchasing a piece that looks good but doesn’t serve its primary
purpose will quickly lead to buyer’s remorse. Think about all the possible functions
in your room. Do you need a sleeper, a recliner, a sectional or a sofa? Do you have
guest rooms or would you need to accommodate guests sleeping on your couch?
Are you buying for a formal living room or an informal family room? Are you using
it combination with a loveseat or a couple of chairs? Figure that out first and then go
from there.
Page 5
Top 10 Tips for Buying a Sofa
2) Construction
The frame of a sofa is like its skeleton, and it needs to be strong. The best, high-end
sofa frames are made of solid, kiln-dried hardwood (like oak or maple) and are put
together with screws, glue, and wood blocks or metal corner braces to strengthen the
places where the frame joins together. Sofas with this type of construction can be
expected, with normal use, to last nearly a lifetime, and can be reupholstered several
times as needed.
In the least expensive sofas, the entire frame is probably pine. While this is not the
best, this type of sofa can last for years if it has good bracing where it is needed, and
will not be moved around frequently, jumped on, or dropped. However, with these
softer woods, when the time comes to reupholster, the wood may be too soft to hold
staples once the old staples have been pulled out. In addition, the screws in the corner
blocks may loosen, causing arms to wiggle. These frames can be a money-saving
purchase, but just be aware that reupholstering later may not be worth the cost.
At the very bottom end, I have seen sofas built entirely of plywood under the cover,
or pine frames joined with only staples at the corners. These are likely to crack just
with everyday use.
The frame is not the only thing to consider. The springs are just as important. Eightway, hand-tied springs are a hallmark of fine furniture, and still considered to be the
best. While typically more expensive, these sofas are usually more comfortable and
will last longer. However, sinuous S-shaped springs can provide nearly as much
comfort. Drop-in coil springs are a less costly alternative.
Page 6
AVOID BUYER’S REMORSE
Eight way hand tied
Sinous spring construction
Page 7
Top 10 Tips for Buying a Sofa
3) Size
The length and width of the sofa should be based on the size of the room. A sofa
that’s too large or too small will look awkward and the room will look out of balance.
This is where having a simple floor plan comes in handy! It’s always easier to move
your sofa around on a piece of paper than in real life after you’ve already bought it.
So grab a pencil and start sketching. Trust me, you will thank me for doing this.
Once you’ve drawn out the floor plan, take a look at the size of the room on paper,
and draw out different sofa sizes. Apartment-sized sofas are around 72” while regular
sofas run about 84”. You can even find sofas as long as 91” for larger rooms. Settees
are generally smaller than a loveseat and are great for adding extra seating in a small
room.
Also, be sure to take into consideration where you are placing the sofa. Is it against a
wall or are you floating it in the room? That will make a difference in the size you
select as well.
Page 8
AVOID BUYER’S REMORSE
4) Depth
The depth of the sofa really helps determine how comfortable you are while sitting
on it. Think about your height and the height of your family members. Then decide if
you want your feet to touch the floor while you sit or if you’re okay with your legs
dangling. Are you planning on using throw pillows? If so, you will need a deeper
couch. Otherwise, you will have to move the cushions each time you want to sit to be
comfortable. Also look at the space; if it’s a smaller apartment, a more simple and
streamlined sofa will fit better than a large overstuffed one.
Page 9
Top 10 Tips for Buying a Sofa
5) Material
When it comes to sofa material, the first question I ask my clients is whether they
have pets or young kids. This is a big consideration, believe me! I have a golden
retriever and leather works best for us since it’s easier to clean when she sheds. If
you have young kids, I suggest that you don’t get an expensive sofa covered with
light-colored fabric, since your kids may end up jumping on it or even drawing on it.
Microfiber has always been a popular choice for people with pets and kids as it’s
easier to keep clean. There are people who either swear by Microfiber or hate it. It
doesn’t stain like the other fabrics, that’s for sure. Microfiber can look cheap, though,
and it is a hair magnet.
Another material that is growing in popularity is crypton fabric which is called “the
indestructible fabric.” Earlier, this fabric was used only in the hospital industry. Now
we see beautiful fabrics which are made for the home as well. This means that
whether you have pets or small kids, you can have a nice stylish sofa from a durable
fabric.
Page 10
AVOID BUYER’S REMORSE
6) Style
Your sofa should always reflect your own taste and personality. Take a look at your
furnishings and accents. What is the overarching theme of the room? Is it elegant and
refined? Or is it comfy and casual?
Once you’ve established your personal style, select the sofa-type from those below
that would best represent you.
Traditional style
Mid Century modern
Contemporary
Page 11
Top 10 Tips for Buying a Sofa
Transitional
Country/Manly/Log Cabin
Traditional tufted sofa with nailheads
Page 12
AVOID BUYER’S REMORSE
7) Arms
Often, people often get caught up in the style, color or size of a sofa and never stop to
consider the arms. Once again, how you will be using the sofa makes a difference in
the type of arms you choose (e.g. will you be lying on it to watch TV or is it for a
formal living room?).
There are almost as many styles of arms as there are sofas! Check out the diagram
below to get a better idea of what you have to choose from.
Page 13
Top 10 Tips for Buying a Sofa
8) Seat Back
Sofas come with many types of seat backs, from tufted to camel back to layered
pillows. Once again, ask yourself where and how the sofa is being used. Do you want
to sink into it or want more rigid support? Then look at the rest of your furnishings. If
you have a sleek, modern style, a sofa with a lower back and straight lines might
work best. A more traditional room might call for arching lines.
Here is a traditional style camel back tufted sofa in leather.
Page 14
AVOID BUYER’S REMORSE
9) Filling Material
When choosing your sofa, you have a few options for the material it will be filled
with. The most common filling these days is high-density polyurethane foam. The
higher the density, the firmer the cushion will be. Foam can be wrapped in cotton or
another material to make it softer. Dacron-wrapped foam is the cheapest option, but it
won’t last as long as other options.
If you want a really soft seat, consider down cushions. These are considered to be the
premium choice and, as you might imagine, they are also among the most expensive.
If you want down but also want to ensure your sofa doesn’t lose its shape easily,
down used in combination with other materials is a good option. High-density foam
surrounds the springs that are then wrapped in down pads. The result is a soft surface
with a strong, resilient support inside.
Page 15
Top 10 Tips for Buying a Sofa
10) Number of cushions
The answer to this depends on how many people will typically be sitting on your
sofa. If you are only expecting two people to sit on the sofa most of the time, then
you can get a sofa with two cushions. If you are expecting to usually seat three
people, make sure you invest in a three-cushion sofa. If you like to lie down on the
sofa and watch TV, then the most comfortable one for you will be one long cushion.
Traditional Camel back 3 seater sofa
Contemporary tufted single seat sofa
Transitional 2 seater sofa
Page 16
AVOID BUYER’S REMORSE
A Word about Quality
Many times, it can be tempting to purchase a sofa that looks okay and is relatively
inexpensive. But I encourage you to think about the overall quality of the piece.
Quality doesn’t come cheap, that’s true. But a good quality sofa will stay more
comfortable and retain its looks for a much longer time. So consider buying the best
quality that you can afford.
Wrapping It Up
Who knew there was so much to buying a simple little sofa? But when you think
about it, the sofa is the centrepiece to your room, where your family gathers, where
friends are welcomed. Giving some extra thought to your purchase before you head
out to the store will ensure that you end up with a piece of furniture that you’ll love
for years to come.
Page 17
Top 10 Tips for Buying a Sofa
About Remya Warrior
I’m Remya Warrior, a residential Interior Designer who has helped
homeowners for more than a decade to create the space they've always
dreamed of.
I started my career in retail, working for companies like Storehouse, Domain
and Direct Buy. I also owned a faux finishing business after being certified as
a one-stroke decorative painter by Donna Dewberry.
I can help you create a space that allows you to:
•
Showcase your unique personality and values
•
Comfortably store all your belongings
•
Entertain family and friends during the holidays.
•
Feel relaxed after a long day at work.
•
Enjoy quality time with your children and loved ones.
I help families create a place with heart and soul they love coming home to.
I'm a professional women trying to balance between being a wife, a mother, a
friend and a community leader.
I'm a soccer mom who used to spend lots of hours driving my teenage son to
his activities and helping with homework. I'm also a maid and a chef. I make
a mean chicken curry.
As a member of American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and Window
Covering Association of America (WCAA) we are expected to keep current
with our industry.
Page 18
AVOID BUYER’S REMORSE
I’m also the president of Business Networking International (BNI) Capital
Gains in Freehold, N.J. and served as a local director with BNI in Monmouth
and Middlesex counties for a year. I have access to a lot of local businesses
which can help you.
Maybe I can inspire your group or organization, like I've inspired many
others as a heroic public speaker. Having been trained by New York Times #1
Best Seller Michael Port and Amy Mead, I can bring creativity and
inspiration to your meeting or event.
I’m the founder and creator of Koffee Break, a Webinar/Interview series.
The webinar series gives tips on Interior design & the interview series is to introduce
the
people
who
have
inspired
me
&
what
they
stand
for.
If you need help bringing your design dreams to life, contact Remya Warrior at
[email protected]
Page 19