Perhaps we can all agree that the most important furniture in the living room is the sofa. Anyone can get by without a TV, but it’s hard to get by without a sofa because that’s where you and your family sit together during the day. It’s also where you lead your guests to sit every time you welcome them. A sofa has so many functions. Thus, every homeowner knows that it’s not a luxury but rather a necessity.
Since your sofa is an essential element in the living room, it also means it’s the first thing you must choose before you decorate the living room. Your sofa will serve as the anchor for the rest of the furniture. Being the most useful piece of furniture in the room, it makes sense to start with the sofa and create from there.
When buying a sofa, you don’t only consider the design or the color. Functionality comes first. So, to help you choose the right sofa for your living room, here are some tips to help you find a sofa that’s suitable for your family and your house.
- Consider Size First
The size of your sofa will depend on the size of your living room. If you have a more expansive living room, you’ll have to decide first on how much of the living area you’d like the sofa to fill. If you want a sofa that you can customize anytime, you can go for a fabric sectional sofa, which you can arrange in different ways and configurations. After all, your living room is wide enough to accommodate any size and arrangement.
However, if you have a smaller living room, chances are you’ll need a smaller sofa too. Since you have less space to work with, your sofa will be the focal point. Thus, it may be best to choose a functional, practical sofa, and at the same time, one with a strong design that will complement the rest of the area.
- Analyze Your Lifestyle
In organizing your home’s living space, you also need to analyze your lifestyle. Ask yourself questions like:
- What do you do most of the day?
- Do watch a lot of TV?
- Do you often host wine nights with family or friends?
- Do you spend a lot of time relaxing in the living area?
If you’re the type of person who spends a lot of time in front of the TV, you’ll need a sofa that faces in that direction. If you frequently host gatherings in the living room, it may be preferable to have a semi-circle or full-circle sofa around your central table. If you’re a reader who loves to lounge on the couch, you may need a sofa that has more cushions on it.
- Research Upholstery Materials
Aesthetic and style are important, but functionality is more important when choosing the material of your sofa. Many of you may love to invest in a plush or suede sofa because they’re elegant and beautiful for your living room. However, this choice can also be dangerous. If you have small, active children or pets in the house, suede might be a poor choice as it can easily get damaged once your pet decides to scratch it, or your kids may scratch it with sharp objects.
If you’re looking for a material that you can easily clean and work with, a leather sofa may be the best choice, particularly darker colors. Also, if you’re planning to put that sofa near a window, leaving it exposed to the sun, you may want an outdoor fabric that can resist sun fade.
- Pick The Style
Finally, it’s time to decide on your sofa’s color and style. The style you choose must either complement your home’s style or contrast against it. For instance, if your living room is sleek and modern, choose something with dramatic colors and clean lines. If your home is of Victorian era with tall ceilings and original moldings, a satiny sofa may fit like a piece of art. If your house feels like a contemporary space, extra curvy sofas may match best. If your home is a little more traditional, the classic, structured sofa in a neutral but durable fabric may work best with various colors and will stand the test of time.
- Test The Seat Cushions
For those who don’t know, your sofa’s seat depth shouldn’t be ignored. It can make a difference between lounging on a couch for a movie night or sitting upright with your friends and family while chatting over cocktails. If you’re looking for a comfortable piece, you may want to look for a “sink-right-in” feel of your sofa. But if you want a more formal sitting space, it may be best to choose the couch with a firm, structured cushion.
Wrap Up!
Your chosen sofa can make or break your comfort experience in the living room. Finding the right sofa for your home may not be that easy, but it’s doable as long as you keep these tips in mind. So, go ahead and start your hunt for your perfect sofa and ensure it’s worth the investment.
