Sofa Buying Guide

Sofas are one of the major furniture investments that you’ll make. Think of your sofa like the centerpiece of a living space: It can be so impactful in a certain environment that many homeowners and designers actually choose a sofa first and design the room second! These comfy, welcoming seating staples are always the most popular piece of furniture in the room, so you’ve got to make sure you pick the right one.

It’s easy to choose a sofa based on looks alone, and the color and style of the sofa are important as they can have a great design impact on your room! However, there are several other factors to consider, including recline options, construction and durability of the sofa, upholstery preferences, and the size and shape of the sofa. Read on to learn more about the different couch options, and how to choose one that will fit well in your room—and call out for you and your friends to relax and put their feet up!

Sofa Styles 101: From Traditional to Modern

Like any piece of furniture, couches run the gamut when it comes to design. There are many traditional styles with classic shapes and ornate detailing; sleek and streamlined modern styles are available in a range of colors and fabrics; and casual contemporary looks are ideal for many of today’s most popular design aesthetics.

The term sofa is often used to refer to any piece of upholstered seating with more than one cushion or spot. This may sometimes include large sectional sofas, as well as smaller loveseats, chaise lounges and daybeds. In this buying guide, we’ll be detailing classic sofa options only, which include three cushions, an upholstered back and arms.

Get to know some of the most iconic couch styles and design terms that are still widely popular today:

• Chesterfield – The Chesterfield sofa has a royal history. Some believe that this sofa style got its name from the fourth earl of Chesterfield, who commissioned a piece of furniture with deep, buttoned upholstery, rolled arms, nail head trim and an equal-height back and arm. This distinctive sofa style is popular in traditional spaces.
• Camel Back – Perfect for the lover of traditional, Victorian and transitional design, the camel back sofa gets its name due to its curved back, which mimics the humps of a camel. These classic sofas may be finished with rolled arms and tufting.
• Cabriole – Another classic style, cabriole sofas are easily distinguished by their exposed wood frames and legs that are carved in a more formal design. Arms and backs typically rest at equal heights, with arms curved in. These sofas range from ornate antique designs to more casual contemporary looks. They are well suited to traditional French country or Victorian style rooms.
• Rolled Arms – Furniture with rolled arms has round, circular arm rests rather than square ones. While rolled arm sofas were once reserved for formal styles—especially the Chesterfield and the English sofa—they’re now a staple of transitional design, too.
• Sloped Arms – A popular choice for effortless style, sloped arm sofas typically feature a high back and, of course, the namesake arms. They range in style from classic to contemporary, and suit many of today’s casual living or family room styles.
• Mid-Century Modern – Sofas from this design style come with a range of features and style options, however, they are typically minimalistic. Look for an exposed chrome base or tapered wood legs, followed by geometric, low-profile frames and angular arms. Tufted cushions are popular in mid-century modern couches.
• Lawson – This classic sofa features a simple silhouette and a three-cushion design. Loose back pillows and rolled or squared arms typically make up the casual style. It’s an approachable option that invites relaxation and easy conversation.
• Tufted – Sofa tufting refers to buttons or other fasteners applied to the back and arms of a sofa to create a unique, quilted or textured look. Tufted sofas are another example of once-traditional pieces that are now super-trendy, especially when done in rich upholstery and unusual colors.

Sit Back and Recline

Chairs aren’t the only reclining option you have for living rooms! Many sofas are available in either mechanical or power reclining options. Mechanical reclining sofas are generally more affordable and can offer long life expectancy. The advantage of power reclining sofas is the ease and amount of control they allow. Today’s power reclining sofas offer personalized support, from head rests to lumbar support and, of course, footrests—and all at the touch of a couple of buttons. Choose from sofas that offer one, two or three separate reclining seats.

Many reclining sofas are built for function and comfort, and that isn’t limited to the recline. Look for options like built-in USB ports, consoles with beverage holders and storage, and more.

If reclining sofas bring big clunky styles to mind that are only well suited to a home theater room. There are many style options available, including contemporary looks.

Which Fabric Is Best? Leather Vs. Upholstery

When shopping for a sofa, you’ll discover that the two most common fabric categories are leather and upholstery. Both provide a durable, comfortable covering for your sofa, but each one has its pros and cons.

• Leather – This natural material is synonymous with luxury and sophistication, and there are some design styles that simply demand it! Leather sofas have many advantages. With proper care, these sofas can have a very long life, as leather is a very strong material, and wear over time can just add to the unique, beautiful appearance of the leather. Leather also offers high natural stain resistance.

• Upholstery – Fabric upholstered sofas are always classic, especially performance fabrics that offer advanced stain resistance. These sofas come in a myriad of unique colors and patterns to match your specific décor style and are generally considered ideal for high-traffic and kid-friendly spaces since they’re easy to clean. The life expectancy of a fabric sofa depends on the type of fabric selected, as well as the level of use and wear.

Sofa Construction

The average lifespan of a sofa is 7 – 15 years. However, this can vary greatly according to the sofa construction, as well as how it’s used. Saggy cushions, squeaking and cracking can be signs that it’s time for a new sofa. Some sofas can last many years, and may be prime candidates to be reupholstered for a new look and continue to be comfortably used. Generally, you’re going to get what you pay for in a sofa. Here are some signs of a well-made sofa and options that should last on the longer side.

• Hardwood frames, particularly dense hardwoods like maple, are typically going to last longer.
• Mortise and tenon joinery (connecting wood into holes) is going to come with a higher price tag and longer expected life.
• Good craftsmanship should result in a sturdy sofa that doesn’t wiggle significantly if you try to shake it.
• Heavy-duty suspension systems will more evenly distribute weight and should last longer.
• Leather is considered the most durable fabric and can last the longest when taken care of properly.

Let’s Talk About Color

A good sofa should last you years and years, and it’s likely one of the bigger investment pieces in your home. Due to this, it’s important to opt for a color that will not only look good with the other furnishings and décor in your room, but one that you won’t get tired of in a year or two. To this end, many people opt for neutral color sofas, and add some pizazz through colorful throw pillows and blankets that are easy and affordable to update, as desired.

Here are some of the most popular sofa color picks, starting with neutrals and moving to bold color statements.

• Black sofas are classic options that can look great with traditional rooms, as well as sleek modern rooms. A black leather sofa is an iconic design choice that will never go out of style.
• Gray sofas have been extremely popular over the last decade. Popular styles include streamlined mid-century modern gray sofas, and casual gray upholstered looks.
• White sofas are exceedingly prevalent with many of today’s hottest looks, such as modern farmhouse style. Performance fabric makes white couches are more practical option for many people, leading to an increase in popularity.
• Beige sofas are another bright and airy look that suits many of today’s popular design aesthetics. While cool colors have been more popular in recent years, colors are now trending to neutrals with warmer undertones, such as creams and beiges.
• Brown sofas are also popular as earthy, natural tones are trending. Brown sofas are highly versatile, and range from rich chocolate shades to light brown tones.
• Blue sofas are a great choice if you want to add some color to your space but still want to stick with a calming and somewhat neutral palette. Navy blue can blend into the background, while brighter blues and blue-green shades can pop while still being extremely versatile.
• Green sofas are similar to their cool companions, blues, in that they add a pop of color into the room, while still being a relatively “safe” color choice. Consider a green velvet sofa or green leather sofa for different but equally stunning style statements.
• Red sofas and similar warm colors, like orange, pink and yellow, are perfect for people that want to make a bold color choice. Red leather sofas are iconic and work especially well in modern rooms.

How to Choose the Right Sofa Size and Shape

Sofas range in size from small apartment sized sofas to oversized couches. So how do you know which size is best for your space? A general rule of thumb is to leave an 18-inch allowance between the sofa and the coffee table, and at least 3.5 feet of space between seating so that everyone in the room can comfortably converse. You always want to make sure that you’re choosing furniture that complements the other pieces in the room and has a similar size and scale.

Here are typical sofa lengths that may fit in your small, medium or large living space:

• 70 – 87 inches – Small length sofas are ideal for many apartments, condos and small living spaces. They can provide ample seating without making your space look cramped.
• 88 – 93 inches – Standard three-seat sofas fit in this range, with the most common length measuring around 90 inches.
• 94 – 100+ inches – These large sofas are best for spacious living rooms, family rooms and open concept homes.

In addition to the length of the sofa, you should consider the overall scale including the height. Tall sofas can have a more substantial feel in your space, while low-profile sofas can work well visually in smaller rooms.

Most sofas have straight backs, but curved or conversation sofas are currently trending. Curved sofas offer a soft and inviting look, and they can make a stylish statement that also feels cozy and comforting.

By considering the right sofa size, color, fabric and style, as well as to recline or not to recline, you can narrow down the mountain of sofa possibilities and choose an ideal sofa for your home. It should not only call to you in looks, but also be functional to your space, fulfil your durability expectations and, of course, be comfortable as well!