Sofas and armchairs are the biggest furniture in most living rooms and are around which the room is decorated. Sofas are used for sleeping, lounging, and if you have young ones, as a base for forts and other forms of play. Because of this, choosing a sofa purely on design and looks alone would be a mistake. When buying a second hand sofa, consider the size, structure and material as well as the overall look. You're looking to make this piece of furniture last for many years to come.
Size and type
The first thing to take into consideration when purchasing a new sofa is the size of the room you’re going to use it in. You will also need to have a sofa that adequately seats everyone in the family, including any pets that might want to snuggle up. You might find it’s better to include a large sofa and additional seating such a matching armchair, or perhaps two small size sofas would provide enough seating. Read More ▼
Make sure the size of your seating arrangement provides enough room for everyone while not dwarfing the other furniture in the room. Once you’ve decided on the size, what type of sofa would be best for the room? You can choose from traditional sofas, loveseats, sectional sofas, sofa beds and futons.
Structure
While some people have the luxury of changing sofas as frequently as painting a new room, most people will have the same sofa for many years. This makes it incredibly important to have a structurally sound sofa that can withstand years of use and abuse. Well-made sofas usually include 8-way, hand-tied coils while other sofas may use pre-assembled coil units or sinuous wire that is stapled or nailed to the sofa's frame. Generally, hand-tied coils will last longer and keep your sofa comfortable for years. Also take a look at the frame – metal is used often for frames and can withstand more abuse than wood. For wooden frames, oak and maple offer durable stability while pine and spruce are softer woods and are sometimes used to save on the price.
Material
For the material of your sofa or armchair, durability should be an important factor, but don’t forget about the look and feel. If you have kids and pets, you should consider a material that is durable and easy to clean like micro-fibre. Leather is also very easy to take care of, but leather sofas are often much more expensive. As a general rule, tightly woven blends and fabrics tend have a longer life than other fabrics, like velvet, which can wear out over time.
When looking for a sofa or armchair, remember that it should feel cosy and comfortable for up to ten years. So set aside time, consideration and savings to get that perfect sofa set for your living room.
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