Choosing a sofa for the living room that is perfectly suitable for the surrounding environment is very important and at the same time requires some attention. In light of this consideration, choosing the ideal sofa best suited to our needs can be quite challenging, if only because of the fear of regretting our choice.
However, knowing well the peculiar aspects of this important furniture component and following a few simple tips will make it much easier to decide on which model to focus on and what may be the most appropriate materials according to its intended use; all while respecting our taste and the style of the room in which it is to be placed.
Therefore, in this article we will see which ones models of sofas on the market we can rely on, how to evaluate the quality and design of the sofa, as well as the materials and colors best suited to our needs.
Size and shape
Certainly before thinking of any possible solution to adopt (use, comfort or design), it is appropriate to assess the space we have available, how many individuals will have to use the sofa at the same time, as well as whether we plan to associate one or more armchairs.
First, before focusing on the design of the sofa, let’s evaluate the scenario, the use to which it will be put, and the environment in which it will be placed.
For example, in a work setting (a waiting room, public place, etc.), where comfort is not a key issue, we can also go for a slim, two- or three-seater sofa. While, if we have to put it in the living room of the house, it is better to consider wider and softer shapes, capable of welcoming and pampering us in our moments of relaxation.
SOFA SIZE
As we said, another key factor is the number of people who will use it at the same time.
In the case of a family environment, it is most likely that there are times when all members are in the living room to spend a few hours together (e.g., in the evening in front of the TV).
Therefore, in addition to considering the purchase of a comfortable and cozy sofa, we will also need to take into account the size of the sofa. How many people (or 4-legged friends) will use it at the same time? The goal is to choose the model that best accommodates all members of the household.
SOFA SHAPES
If we anticipate some crowding, a good solution may be a corner sofa, or a sofa with a peninsula or chaise longue sofa. There are a number of solutions on the market, including modular solutions, that allow you to make use of the available space by creating a rest area within the living room.
You can also opt for a two-sofa solution, or a sofa with armchair (s), always with an eye on comfort.
Comfort, design and upholstery
COMFORTABLE SOFAS
As we said, a sofa to be placed in the living room, whether it is for mainly personal or family use, must first and foremost be a comfortable and cozy sofa.
So, watch out for the style and materials used, especially for sofa upholstery.
For comfort, soft, rounded shapes are preferred to a square, rigid style. In addition, it is good practice to check the softness and pressure resistance of the padding. The structure of the net should also be checked, since it will have to support our weight for several hours. Ultimately, a soft sofa is fine, but not too soft; the padding should evenly withstand our weight, and the thickness of the seat should not cancel out when we sit down.
Sofa seating also plays an important role in comfort. Based on our needs, we need to choose the most comfortable backrest and seat to ensure correct posture. In short, even after a long stay, we should have no difficulty getting back on our feet or, worse yet, feeling sore muscles from the position we have assumed.
DESIGN SOFAS
Another important aspect that needs to be evaluated concerns the context in which the sofa will be placed. Both design and color should be in tone with the surroundings. A rustic sofa in a modern decor, for example, would be a rather unfortunate choice, at least in terms of taste.
SOFA COVERINGS
When it comes to sofa upholstery, in addition to choosing the color best suited to the environment in which it will be placed, we need to carefully consider its use. For example, if we have children (but also 4-legged friends), it is good to take into account that the sofa will get dirty much more easily. In that case, a washable fabric is recommended, perhaps water-repellent and not too light.
A separate discussion must be made with leather, a much more valuable and elegant material. However, if we opt for a leather sofa, we must also take into account that it needs special maintenance, which requires the use of specific products. Also, in the warm months the contact between our skin and that of the sofa is not very pleasant. Leather sof as are strongly discouraged as a choice for a beach house (in this case the same applies to faux leather sofas).
The relaxing sofa
By now, technology is being applied in various areas, and even furniture items are no different, including sofas.
In this case, we talk about relaxing sofas when we refer to all those solutions adopted to make sitting and our rest more comfortable.
There are various solutions on the market, such as sofas with adjustable back and seat, with removable footrests, adjustable headrests according to the user’s height, and other solutions. In fact, it is a series of manually activated or remote-controlled options that allow us to customize the seat according to the situation of the moment (reading, watching TV, talking, resting, etc.), as well as to adapt it to our physical needs (resting our head, lifting our feet, etc.).
The most advanced models of this type of contemporary sofa allow each mechanism to be adjusted separately. Much more practical and useful solution.
Sofa bed
Having extra sleeping space can always come in handy, as it allows us to host friends and family on a wide variety of occasions. In addition, the sofa bed can be an excellent alternative to lack of space, such as in the case of a small studio apartment.
However, sofa beds are often complicated to open and uncomfortable for those who have to sleep on them, as well as cluttering a lot once opened. Therefore, when evaluating, it is a good idea to make sure that the bed base and mattress inside the sofa bed are of sufficient quality to ensure a good rest. In addition, we must take into account not only the size “when closed,” but also the area it will occupy when opened and the ability to easily access it to go to sleep (and vice versa).
Tips on choosing a sofa
We were saying that choosing a sofa is not exactly a simple matter and cannot be dismissed by buying the first one that comes along.
Recall that, according to studies conducted on the habitual behavior of humans, it was found that we spend as much as 15 years of our lives on the couch. It is in fact, the most exploited piece of furniture along with the bed.
Therefore, in order not to make a mistake and have to regret the purchase, when we go to choose a sofa we will just need to follow some practical tips.
- Take a good look at the space in which it will be placed: the area it will occupy and the arrangement together with the other furniture components. For example, in small rooms it is good to prefer linear sofas with essential shapes and shallow seating.
- Evaluate the use to which it will be put. How many people will benefit from this element on a daily basis? Is use by children or pets expected? Based on the function it will have you will have to choose the model(2-seater sofa or more) and the materials it will be made of. Or, if you have the need to opt for a sofa bed, single or double.
- Style and design. In addition to your personal taste, also consider the context in which the sofa will be placed, so that it is consistent and in harmony with the other elements that make up the living room.
- Comfort. As we have seen, this is one of the most important aspects that characterize a sofa. Therefore, when choosing, we need to consider how comfortable and able to provide us with a pleasant stay, even a long one.
Hoping to have provided you with useful insights on how to choose a sofa for your living room, all that’s left is to start your search for the one that’s right for you.
Visit this page to see a complete overview of designer sofas.
