Sofa Buying Guide

Buying furniture, especially a sofa, can be a long term investment. Look for a couch and living room furniture that will offer you trouble-free comfort for many years. There are several things to consider - the style of the couch itself, the back, arms, skirt, and overall size. Also consider the material carefully, since some are more durable than others.

Sofa materials

Fabrics should be high on your list of things to look for in a couch. Sofas are generally made of natural fibers, which may be linen, cotton, or wool, and synthetic fibers such as rayon, acrylic, and nylon. Cotton and linen are very durable natural fabrics for furniture unless they are loosely woven. They are usually treated to make them resist stains, but can be more difficult to clean than synthetic sofa fabric. Synthetics such as microfiber and polyester can imitate many other fabrics, have exceptional stain resistance, and boast high durability. Fabrics blending natural threads with synthetic threads have the advantage of being both durable and beautiful, but blends of synthetic and natural fibers are sometimes not as durable as one or the other alone, which is important to consider if you have children in your home.

Leather sofas are extremely durable and make a handsome addition to your home. Tightly woven material and fibers with the most durability will last longest with active use. Fabrics which are more formal, such as damask and brocade, are not the most practical living room furniture for families with children, but if beauty is your main concern, these materials can't be surpassed. Look for a fabric's sensitivity to sunlight and if your sofa will be easy to keep clean. If you choose a printed couch, keep in mind that patterns which are woven into the fabric will last longer than those which are printed onto the material.

Sofa types

Sectional sofas are great for large areas. They also give you the choice of moving individual sections away from the main piece to expand your decorating choices. A loveseat is traditionally smaller than a couch and is often used as a companion to a larger sofa. Sofas & loveseats may be sold as sofa sets, which offer another choice for your decorating. Sleeper sofas or sofa beds provide that extra space for company, and the designs today cleverly disguise the bed which folds out from under the cushions. Recliner sofas make great places to curl up and relax with family, or enjoy a good book or your favorite movie.

Sofa styles

Traditional style

Traditional sofa sets are simple in design and highly adaptable to many decorating styles, even though they do not have the extra features that you may find in recliner sofas, a sleeper sofa, or sectional couch. If you are looking for a single sofa or couch and loveseat to complement other living room furniture you own, this style is an easy choice with long lasting beauty for your home.

Contemporary style

Sometimes called "modern" or "retro," contemporary sofas come in a wide range of designs and fabrics and are often wildly inventive, with unique and trendy shapes. Contemporary sofas are produced in an extensive range of fabrics, from leather, suede, and velvet to the most highly evolved synthetics, and many of these are produced in bold, bright colors.

Casual style

Casual style couches and sofa sets with living room chairs are known for their comfort and are usually easy to clean and maintain. This style is highly popular and inviting for family and guests, and comes in a broad range of materials and colors. Many come with ottomans or recliners for added comfort.

Period style

Period sofas are constructed using styles popular for decades, sometimes centuries. Modern technology has made the reproduction of these beautiful sofas, loveseats, chairs, and other furniture easier than the hand-carved versions of the past, yet the materials and execution of the pieces make them equally as beautiful and timeless as the more expensive antiques. Period furniture is often done in Queen Anne style, or Louis XIV, classic Italian, Greek Revival, Japanese, Chinese, Art Nouveau, Art Deco and many other styles.

Sofa colors and patterns

Neutral colors

Neutrals are toned down versions of the color scale, such as the many shades of golden tan (beige, camel, cream, pearl, etc.) Neutrals are a good choice if you want your sofa to blend with other pieces of furniture easily. Using neutrals allows you a wide choice of color in companion pieces. Neutrals are also restful and easy to accessorize.

Bright colors

Bright colors are often intense and include green, red, blue, purple, yellow, orange and other full-strength shades. Brights can be a bold, vibrant choice for you to make in living room furniture. Keep in mind that bright colors, or dark colors such as brown, black, indigo and deep purple, should be chosen carefully so they don't overwhelm a room and work against the pieces of furniture you already have in your home.

Pastel colors

Pastels are softer, lighter, muted versions of yellow, orange, red, purple, blue, and green. Correspondingly there are light yellows, peach tones, rose and pink, lavender, pale blues and greens. Pastels are a fresh trend in living room furniture due to the durability of new synthetic fabrics. Still, you may want to carefully consider using light colors if the room will be frequently used by children, because stains will be more obvious on light colored couches.

Prints

Prints are available in an endless selection of colors and lend a homey feeling to the room. The inspiration for printed materials has no boundaries, and printed couches offer something for everyone who prefers this style.

Plaid

Plaid sofa furniture lends itself well to a casual room or comfy office environment. Plaid sofa sets come in many colors and the pattern can be small or bold. Look in Overstock.com's furniture and wholesale furniture departments to find a wide selection of these colors.

Sofa frames

Frames are usually made of kiln-dried hardwood or metal. Oak and maple frames offer durable stability. A good heavy couch means that the wooden frame is dense and made of the finest material. Pine and plywood are softer woods but are sometimes used to save on the price. Rattan is sometimes used when a certain style is desired. Metal is most often used in modern contemporary sofas or those that have moving parts, such as a recliner sofa or a sleeper couch. Metal resists wear and tear in a way that a wooden frame would not, extending the life of your couch while still supplying excellent support.

Sofa backs

Tight back

Tight back sofas and sofa sets have the firmest backrests and do not have pillows. You will sit more straight in this type of sofa than in other kinds. They have a clean and neat appearance and are easy to maintain because they have no pillows to keep straight.

Attached pillow back

These sofas provide more softness to your seating, yet their appearance is still orderly since the pillows are sewn onto the back of the couch.

Loose pillow back

This kind of sofa has reversible pillows which often come with a zipper, making them easy to clean or re-stuff. If a plaid or striped couch is your choice, loose pillows are made to match the pattern of the seat. These sofas offer moderately firm comfort, varying with the quality of fill in the pillows.

Multi pillow back

These couches usually come with more back pillows than seat cushions. Pillows can be randomly placed if you prefer a casual look. The pillows are softer than other types and tend to be overstuffed. Arrangement is entirely optional. These sofas and sofa sets accommodate people of varying heights and weights. Overstock.com's Furniture store carries sofas featuring all these back types to help you make the best choice for your home. Look in our clearance furniture department for the best deals.

Sofa arms

Arms complement a couch's design. One type may be more comfortable for you than another, so when choosing your sofa, arms should always be considered. Arm styles include the traditional rolled arm, which has a rounded shape, is usually overstuffed, and adds to the comfort of a couch. A straight style called the Parsons arm is often used in contemporary sofas. A curved English arm, with a rounded shape and front pleating, lends a more informal look to a fine couch. A sofa may also be armless, a popular style for contemporary and modern couches. A sectional sofa set may have armless seats that, when distributed around your room as separate pieces, create a new look in the living room.

Sofa Skirts

Not all couches have skirting. It is the designer's choice to use it or not. When used, skirts are attached around the bottom edge of a sofa's upholstery and cover the space between the couch and the floor. Skirts complement the design, whether it is a basic style, a more casual style, or an elegant traditional couch. Box pleat skirting is usually a double pleat similar to kick pleats. Kick pleating doubles fabric over itself before being sewn to the sofa. Plinth style skirting is recessed slightly from the bottom edges of the sofa. Ruffled skirting lends a softer style to the overall look of a couch and is often used with printed styles.

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