Why a Sofa Makes a Room and How to Find the One for You
With TV and movie season ramping up and cozy weather coming, here’s what to consider as you pick your perfect couch
Find Your Look
Dibble suggests starting by saving photos of sofas that inspire you. Creating an ideabook of images that speak to you and seeing what they have in common will help identify preferences you didn’t know you had.
If particular colors or daring shapes keep appearing in your inspiration photos, Toromanoff recommends keeping an open mind. “Original, and even experimental, shapes or innovative materials do not necessarily need to limit the functionality,” she says.
Dibble suggests starting by saving photos of sofas that inspire you. Creating an ideabook of images that speak to you and seeing what they have in common will help identify preferences you didn’t know you had.
If particular colors or daring shapes keep appearing in your inspiration photos, Toromanoff recommends keeping an open mind. “Original, and even experimental, shapes or innovative materials do not necessarily need to limit the functionality,” she says.
As you look through your inspiration photos, do you find yourself gravitating toward cleaner lines, or do you like a more traditional sofa with rolled arms and tufting? Do you want to make a bold statement, or keep things neutral and add personality through pillows and other accents? Is your style more suited to an overstuffed sofa that looks ready to sink into, or to one that looks stiffer but very chic? What do your friends and family members love about their sofas? Answers to questions like these will help you zero in on your sofa style.
Plan Its Purpose
Even the most beautiful sofa could be the wrong decision if it doesn’t work for the way you and your family live. Before you fall in love with a sofa for its looks, consider its primary role in your room.
Comfort. If you’ll be binge-watching TV every night, you might want something with cushiness and room to sprawl out. If you want more of a showpiece for a formal living room, comfort and depth may be less of a priority.
A softer couch with features like a layer of down feathers may be cozier but will likely lose its shape and require more fluffing and maintenance. Is a lived-in look going to bother you? Will you have time for maintenance? Conversely, if you opt for a solid foam construction, which generally requires less upkeep, will you be comfortable with a stiffer seat?
Browse sofas and sectionals on Houzz
Even the most beautiful sofa could be the wrong decision if it doesn’t work for the way you and your family live. Before you fall in love with a sofa for its looks, consider its primary role in your room.
Comfort. If you’ll be binge-watching TV every night, you might want something with cushiness and room to sprawl out. If you want more of a showpiece for a formal living room, comfort and depth may be less of a priority.
A softer couch with features like a layer of down feathers may be cozier but will likely lose its shape and require more fluffing and maintenance. Is a lived-in look going to bother you? Will you have time for maintenance? Conversely, if you opt for a solid foam construction, which generally requires less upkeep, will you be comfortable with a stiffer seat?
Browse sofas and sectionals on Houzz
Entertaining. Do you love to host? A corner sectional or sofas and chairs that can face each other could create a comfortable conversation zone for cocktail party chatter. A deep or pullout sofa can double as a guest room for visitors who stay a little longer.
If your typical guests are family members or close friends, an intimate layout, like the one shown here, may make sense. If you host acquaintances or clients regularly, an arrangement that allows for more personal space might work better.
How many people will you need to seat? A lot of sofas can seat one person comfortably per cushion, though some have room for two. Remember: Nobody wants to sit in the crack between cushions. A bench cushion can fit more people comfortably on the same couch.
8 Reasons to Go for a Single-Cushion Sofa
If your typical guests are family members or close friends, an intimate layout, like the one shown here, may make sense. If you host acquaintances or clients regularly, an arrangement that allows for more personal space might work better.
How many people will you need to seat? A lot of sofas can seat one person comfortably per cushion, though some have room for two. Remember: Nobody wants to sit in the crack between cushions. A bench cushion can fit more people comfortably on the same couch.
8 Reasons to Go for a Single-Cushion Sofa
Practicality. A curated collection of throw pillows can add color and coziness but could also make a sofa feel busy. Are you up for keeping those accessories organized? Or would something like sewn-in pillows, which tend to look neater, make more sense for you?
If the couch will serve as a room divider, a thoughtfully configured sectional might be a smart pick.
And consider who will be using the sofa. “Obviously, individual clients have different statures,” Giles says. “Oftentimes in a couple you’ll have one really small and one really tall, and then you have to think about the depth [of the sofa] because maybe the wife will sit in it and her feet will stick straight out, but it fits the husband. So just think about the pillow configuration and how you’re going to make it work for everybody.”
If the couch will serve as a room divider, a thoughtfully configured sectional might be a smart pick.
And consider who will be using the sofa. “Obviously, individual clients have different statures,” Giles says. “Oftentimes in a couple you’ll have one really small and one really tall, and then you have to think about the depth [of the sofa] because maybe the wife will sit in it and her feet will stick straight out, but it fits the husband. So just think about the pillow configuration and how you’re going to make it work for everybody.”
Think Through Longevity Factors
Tough, stain-resistant and easy-to-clean fabrics can make all the difference in the longevity of your sofa, particularly if it’s in the path of kids, pets, food, excessive sunlight and other wear and tear.
Mess-proof options. Many furniture brands offer kid- and pet-friendly fabrics like polyester blends that are more fade- or wrinkle-resistant or velvets bolstered with nylon fibers. Look for rub counts of about 9,000 or more “double rubs” for medium and heavy-duty use (fabrics’ durability is measured by rubbing them repeatedly against a test fabric). Stain-resistant or outdoor fabrics such as Sunbrella are also extra sturdy. Even leathers can make a durable choice, as natural wear tends to give them a unique patina over the years.
Tough, stain-resistant and easy-to-clean fabrics can make all the difference in the longevity of your sofa, particularly if it’s in the path of kids, pets, food, excessive sunlight and other wear and tear.
Mess-proof options. Many furniture brands offer kid- and pet-friendly fabrics like polyester blends that are more fade- or wrinkle-resistant or velvets bolstered with nylon fibers. Look for rub counts of about 9,000 or more “double rubs” for medium and heavy-duty use (fabrics’ durability is measured by rubbing them repeatedly against a test fabric). Stain-resistant or outdoor fabrics such as Sunbrella are also extra sturdy. Even leathers can make a durable choice, as natural wear tends to give them a unique patina over the years.
Color considerations. White or light-colored sofas may not be your best bet if kids’ markers, muddy paws and pizza sauce are within staining distance. If you have shed-prone pets, a couch in a color similar to their coats can help camouflage fur.
Search stain-resistant sofas
Search stain-resistant sofas
Scope Out Your Space
The room you’re working with can help determine the size and shape of your ideal sofa, as well as the style.
“Really look at the flow of your space from one area to the next or one room to the next room because you don’t want to obstruct that natural flow. And you never want your space to be cramped,” Dibble says.
The wrong piece can overwhelm a space, limit other decor options or make it hard to get around the room.
The room you’re working with can help determine the size and shape of your ideal sofa, as well as the style.
“Really look at the flow of your space from one area to the next or one room to the next room because you don’t want to obstruct that natural flow. And you never want your space to be cramped,” Dibble says.
The wrong piece can overwhelm a space, limit other decor options or make it hard to get around the room.
That doesn’t necessarily mean a smaller space can’t accommodate something larger like a sectional. In fact, a thoughtfully configured sectional may be the most efficient solution for a compact area.
In a small space, a sofa is likely to become a focal point by default. In that scenario, you’ll want to carefully consider the style statement the sofa will be making.
Beyond figuring out whether the couch will fit comfortably in the room, you should measure to make sure there’s a way to get the piece into (or out of) the space in the first place. Dibble suggests measuring all doorways, hallways and elevators you will encounter and making sure there’s room to turn en route to the new couch’s permanent spot.
Find an interior designer to help with your space planning
In a small space, a sofa is likely to become a focal point by default. In that scenario, you’ll want to carefully consider the style statement the sofa will be making.
Beyond figuring out whether the couch will fit comfortably in the room, you should measure to make sure there’s a way to get the piece into (or out of) the space in the first place. Dibble suggests measuring all doorways, hallways and elevators you will encounter and making sure there’s room to turn en route to the new couch’s permanent spot.
Find an interior designer to help with your space planning
Know What You’re Paying For
Beware the fine print when it comes to delivery charges and other details. “What does that delivery entail?” Dibble encourages you to find out. “Is it a white-glove delivery, where they bring it into your house and set it up,” he says, “or do they just drop it off at your front door and you take care of it from that point on?”
Beware the fine print when it comes to delivery charges and other details. “What does that delivery entail?” Dibble encourages you to find out. “Is it a white-glove delivery, where they bring it into your house and set it up,” he says, “or do they just drop it off at your front door and you take care of it from that point on?”
The elements that set a couch apart are subjective, so sitting on the piece you intend to purchase is ideal. But if there are no showrooms nearby or you’re shopping online, trying it out is not always an option. Check resources like customer reviews; many brands also have product design specialists who can answer your questions via phone or email.
Talking with a customer service representative can also help you determine factors like whether a custom design would give the most bang for your buck, or if there are additional size, fabric or layout options not listed online or available in the showroom. Reps may also be able to show or send fabric swatches, or help you envision how the piece will fit in with your decor. Houzz’s View in My Room 3D tool can even show you how the couch would look in your home.
Understanding a brand’s return policy is also key, particularly if you aren’t able to test out the sofa in person.
“It is a big purchase for most everyone, so if you get it and it’s not what you expected, are you stuck with it?” Dibble says. “Do you have to pay for them to come back and pick it up? I think that’s important to know.”
Talking with a customer service representative can also help you determine factors like whether a custom design would give the most bang for your buck, or if there are additional size, fabric or layout options not listed online or available in the showroom. Reps may also be able to show or send fabric swatches, or help you envision how the piece will fit in with your decor. Houzz’s View in My Room 3D tool can even show you how the couch would look in your home.
Understanding a brand’s return policy is also key, particularly if you aren’t able to test out the sofa in person.
“It is a big purchase for most everyone, so if you get it and it’s not what you expected, are you stuck with it?” Dibble says. “Do you have to pay for them to come back and pick it up? I think that’s important to know.”
Getting It Right
Whatever couch ends up checking all your boxes, you can be confident that the new furniture anchor will get a lot of good use if you thought through your particular needs.
“Your life really does revolve around your sofa. You sit on it, you binge-wantch TV, you entertain with friends, you eat dinner on it, you work from it, you take a nap,” Dibble says. “All these aspects of everyday life can happen on a sofa, so the sofa’s the most thought-about purchase for the home because you spend so much time on it. You want it to work for you.”
Tell us: How would you describe your dream sofa? Share your wish list in the Comments.
More
How to Choose the Right Sofa Cushion
5 Daring Sofa Colors to Make Your Living Room Come to Life
Whatever couch ends up checking all your boxes, you can be confident that the new furniture anchor will get a lot of good use if you thought through your particular needs.
“Your life really does revolve around your sofa. You sit on it, you binge-wantch TV, you entertain with friends, you eat dinner on it, you work from it, you take a nap,” Dibble says. “All these aspects of everyday life can happen on a sofa, so the sofa’s the most thought-about purchase for the home because you spend so much time on it. You want it to work for you.”
Tell us: How would you describe your dream sofa? Share your wish list in the Comments.
More
How to Choose the Right Sofa Cushion
5 Daring Sofa Colors to Make Your Living Room Come to Life
“From the very beginning [the sofa] was a synonym of relaxation,” says Agata Toromanoff, author of the new book, Sofas: 340 Iconic Designs. “Just like the preceding piece of furniture, the daybed, sofas allowed positioning the body comfortably and obviously enjoying the company of others who could join you,” she says. “Today, due to our sitting lifestyle, the sofa is, in many homes, the center of family life.”
But when a piece of furniture plays such a vital role in your everyday life, choosing the right one can be daunting. There’s a lot to consider.
To break down the details that make a difference, we consulted with Toromanoff as well as Clayton Dibble, director of product development at custom-couch company Interior Define, and Amanda Giles, an interior designer at DesignFix.