Have you noticed that the sofas undergo a lot of wear and tear – in fact, more than the bed at times?
That’s because the sofa set is used more frequently and by more people. You may not invite visitors to the kitchen or the bedroom but you surely let them rest on the sofa.
A sofa that can really last you long and be worth the money you pay for it has to be chosen with several criteria in mind.
Look at the 9 things you must consider before buying a sofa.
1. Requirement
Everyone has some basic requirements in terms of numbers. For example:
- How many people live in the house?
- How frequently do you have guests and visitors come over?
The answers to these questions will determine the material and the type of sofa you will purchase.
2. Location
Again, ask yourself questions to get a clear sense of where you’ll keep the sofa. For example:
- Where do you intend to keep the sofa?
- Do you need it in the drawing-room or the bedroom or the hallway?
3. Floor space
Once you decide the location, measure the area around your space you desire to position your sofa. Many things can influence your decision. For example:
- the length of the wall
- the positions of
- door and windows
- entertainment unit
- lighting and
- AC.
You’ll find yourself shifting your sofa frequently because of the discomfort, especially to adjust to the entertainment unity and AC. Think beforehand.
4. Your personal situation
How long your sofa will last depends on your requirements based on your age and priorities. For example:
- Age: Some might find it difficult to sit down and get up on certain kinds of sofa. Some may want a long sofa to get converted to a single-seater. For the differently-abled or the elderly, this kind of arrangement makes sense.
- Hygiene: Others may not have any health-related challenges but may want a sofa that can be easily cleaned or does not require heavy maintenance. For example, some people might want to be able to clean the floor underneath easily.
5. Material: You need to know the material of a sofa before deciding whether you should go ahead to purchase it. There are two factors here:
- Frame and cushioning: You’ll be able to understand that a particular sofa has a good frame and adequate cushioning if you sit on it and get up with a jerk. The lesser the effect of the jerk, the greater the life span of the sofa.
- Upholstery: The upholstery of the sofa you choose should be spill-proof and stain-proof. Good looking and comfortable leather is generally the best choice.
6. Customisation: Ask if certain sofas you like can be customised in terms of the seat. For example:
- You may want the seat to be made deeper.
- You may want armrest in a sample sofa that does not have one.
7. Type and style: After you’ve convinced yourself about the details of location and material, you can think about the looks. Two main factors will play a role here:
- your existing interior décor, and
- the colour of the upholstery.
Compare and contrast the two. Choose your sofa accordingly.
8. Other factors: By now, you may have shortlisted a few pieces. You can now compare all the pieces for other factors like:
- price
- style
- durability or guarantee
- extended warranty
- quality of material
- mechanicals
- innovations
- customisation
- maintenance requirements
- terms of delivery and installation
- periodical one-stop service of mechanical parts
- promptness of after-sales service and
- obviously, the brand.
You might be required to spend a little extra to avoid intermittent expenses in future. You can decide after comparing the pros and cons of each shortlisted item.
A short cut to making such decisions, especially of investing in a sofa that lasts really long, is to choose a trusted brand. Such a brand is less likely to cheat you. Its sales staff is likely to be much more eager and transparent in answering all your questions too.
Tell us about your sofas and your experience in looking for one that you really like.
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