Decorating your home for the maximum space you can get out of the rooms that you have could include the use of a sectional sofa in the living room or in the family room. A sectional sofa is one that will be a long couch, a long joining sitting area. A sectional sofa will be delivered to your home in pieces, and then bolted together when it arrives at your home. A sectional sofa will include the use of ten foot, or even up to sixteen foot in length. The longer the sectional sofa, the more immobile that sofa is going to be.

If you have child, you know that you need more seats and more space in your living areas. The sectional sofa is going that is going to give you at least three seats at one time without feeling you are crowded at all. if you have an even larger family you could invest in a matching loveseat to go along with your sectional sofa, so you will create two more seats in the living room. The sectional sofa can include up to eight seats if you arrange it properly. One of the best things about the sectional sofa is that you are not going to have mismatched patterns, as the material over the sofa is going to be the same.

Sectional sofas are created for living spaces that you can enjoy. A sectional sofa can include an ice chest between seats, or it can include an armrest that will be a beverage holder. Some types of sectional sofas now include two or three reclining chairs all in the same sofa. This is a great way to relax, enjoy your home, and without having to have four different recliners in the same room.

A regular sofa does not seem to give you the same big cushions or space that a sectional sofa does. The sectional sofa is going to give you seating areas, without taking up more than the space along the wall. If you have two regular sofas, you find you need space or an end table between them, but with a sectional sofa you can have the corner connected, and it will also be another seating area for those in your home.

A sectional sofa can be created from any type of material that you want. From the corduroy to the soft fuzzy feeling of velour, your sectional sofa is one that will complete your home while giving you a feeling of comfort and relaxation in your home.

A lot of retailers will try to convince you to buy a sofa based on price, on appearance or promises of style, comfort or prestige. The fact is a sofa is a big investment, not so much in terms of cost, but in terms of longevity. A quality sofa is going to be with you a long time.

Other major purchases such as diamond rings, Persian carpets and original works of art have their finer points on display for all the world to see all the time. But with sofas, the quality lies far below the surface, down in the padding, the springs and the frame. The external appearance only tells a small part of the story.

To help you make the right choice, we’ve assembled a few questions to ask, along with some things to think for each one.

Who’s the sofa for?

If you have children, stain resistant fabrics should be top of mind. If you have toddlers, you may want to stay away from loose cushions because they’ll end up in a pile in front of the television or as fodder for a fight between siblings. Teens like to stretch out. So do adults with children as they call asleep watching TV or reading a bedtime story. If you’re a single adult, you want to think about the friends you entertain and how you entertain them. If you have an elderly person in the home, you may want to sacrifice some comfort for ease of egress. Firmer cushions can help an older person get in and out of the sofa without assistance. Defining your needs will not only determine the type of sofa you want, but the size and arrangement. How will it be used?

If you’re going to be watching your favorite shows on the boob tube you want the minimum length to be 5 ½ to 6 feet so you can stretch out. If you don’t have small kids who will take the pillows to the four corners of the world, you may want to consider pillow back sofas. They come in handy when you want to lie down. If you’re doing a lot of entertaining, you want a sofa that has a more tailored, formal look to it. When it comes to choosing the right arms, squares are more contemporary or modern and discourage people from sitting on them at parties, which reduces wear and tear. If you plan on lying on the sofa, you’ll want rounder corners. Even with a pillow, the squared edges can get uncomfortable.

Where is the sofa going?

Living room furnishings tend to be more formal looking than those in a family room or home theater. As such, they have a tighter look to them, the have a more luxurious feel to them and they can have imposing style. They are meant to be the centerpiece of the room. You may even want to consider a sectional for the living room. For the family room or home theater, comfort is more important than style. You can go with something that is more overstuffed and casual. You want the piece in these rooms to be welcoming, since long hours are often spent on them.

When are you using the sofa?

This seems like a strange question. But the time of day helps determine what kind of fabric you want to use. If the sofa is for use during the daytime, consider buying a sofa that has brighter, easy to maintain fabric. If you’re going to be entertaining primarily in the evening, you can go with something a little more exotic, such as mohair velvet, silk or damask. If you have guests who occasionally stay the night, you may want to consider buying a sofa that can accommodate an adult sleeper.

It’s what’s on the inside, really!

1. The frame Think of the frame as being the bones of the sofa. Like your own bones, you want the frame to be strong. Kiln dried hardwood that is free of knots is the sign of mid- to high-end furniture. Lower end sofas. are usually constructed with laminates, metal and plastic. Glued dowels are preferable to nails or screws, which become loose over time.

2. Under the hood on higher quality sofas, upholsterers attach the heavy-duty seat springs individually to the jute webbing using clips. They then hand tie them to one another using an eight-way tie. Lower quality sofas use pre-fab coils, which can still be good. Avoid zigzag springs entirely. They won’t hold up over time.

3. The stuffing down wrapped, high-density foam is the best out there. Make sure you ask for the down-to-foam ratio though before you buy a sofa. The government allows for a 15% margin of error on this, so factor that into your calculations of how much is really foam and how much is down. And 80/20 mix may only be 5% wrapped down.

4. The little things that make a difference Quality cushions are lined. If yours aren’t you may not be getting what you’re paying for. Open a cushion and see if it’s lined. This helps keep the feathers from poking through and reduces stress on the exterior fabric.

5. It’s a match now, the final indicator. Look at the fabric. If it has a pattern on it and is high quality, the patterns will match from one place to another. If they don’t you may be buying a less expensive sofa with a more expensive price tag.

Finally, sit on the sofa, lie on it, relax, lean forward, and sink back. Does it feel comfortable to you? Once you sofa has passed the top five tests and is comfortable to boot, you’re ready to buy your sofa in complete confidence.

Sofas are used as recliners frequently and so look for ones that are comfortable. You can try to sit on it to check if it suits your height and weight. You should also check whether the arms of the sofa are at the correct height for you. Decide upon the style of cushions for the sofa. Loose cushions can be removed and placed as you want them while attached ones will not give you the trouble of rearranging.

Look for the uniformity of pattern throughout the sofa. Many inexpensive ones have difference in pattern between the back of the sofa and the cushions. A well made sofa will have good construction and uniform pattern. Always ask the salesperson about the type of material used for construction of the sofa. Also, look for fabrics that last long. Velvets may look glossy but lose their sheen soon. Leather sofas last much longer and look attractive.

Always try to buy neutral hued sofa sets as eye-popping colors might look good in magazines, but can look outrageous in normal home decor. You could buy interesting cushions and other trimmings for your sofa instead of opting for loud colors. Lovely cushions in attractive shapes are available at reasonable prices in most stores and they help you change the look of your sofa seasonally. Buying slip covers for the sofa is a practical option if you have kids. Accidental spills on a sofa are very common and the sofa may get visibly stained. If you cover the sofa with an easily washable slip, you will save yourself a lot of trouble.

Also, pay attention to the type of arms and legs of the sofa. For modern living room furniture, you could opt for the sofas that have straight arms. There are other options like curved arms, straight styles or you could even think of going armless. Legs too vary greatly and you can choose among heavy square legs, more delicate ones, curved formal ones and or skirted sofas.

Finally, decide upon the type of sofa you like based on the size of the living room. A large sofa might leave little room for walking and cleaning if you have small rooms. Again, a tiny sofa set might look out of place in a large room. Also, consider if you have place for sectional sofas in your house. Most importantly, never compromise the comfort and durability for attractiveness of the sofa. No matter how pretty the design of the fabric or how interesting the make of the sofa, you should never consider buying it if you do not feel comfortable sitting on it.

]]> http://www.jarretttcamp.com/factors-to-consider-while-selecting-sofas/feed/ 0 http://www.jarretttcamp.com/how-to-decipher-sofa-styles-for-your-home/ http://www.jarretttcamp.com/how-to-decipher-sofa-styles-for-your-home/#comments Sun, 01 Aug 2010 13:52:57 +0000 admin http://www.jarretttcamp.com/how-to-decipher-sofa-styles-for-your-home/ Sofas are one of the most important pieces of furniture in the home. Whether you use your sofa for watching television or for hanging out, you will find that the different sofa styles can have a big impact upon the comfort and style of your room. By learning more about the sofa styles selections, you can find the one that will work best for your particular style and comfort level to make your room into that relaxing place that you have been looking for.

Sofa styles can be broken into two major categories – traditional and contemporary. These two categories can be separated into many more styles with different styles of arms, backs, legs, and more. This is what separates sofa styles in both how they look and how they feel to your body.

Traditional sofa styles include English arm styles, tufted back, tight back, barrel back, tuxedo, and more. The traditional styled sofa can include many different elements that are common to traditional sofas and these elements may be mixed and matched to create a sofa that is both visually appealing and comfortable.

A contemporary styled sofa can include channel back, sectional, sock arm, and other clean, straight lines to help enhance your contemporary styled room. Contemporary styled sofas many include metal and other contemporary materials to help enhance the contemporary style of the sofa to give it great beauty and flair.

Both traditional and contemporary sofa styles can include cushions that are removable or attached. Fabrics help to enhance the style of the sofa and the room to give the sofa added design style. Manufacturers normally have many choices in fabrics and materials to allow you to find just the right look for your sofa style. More muted tones and designs are normally used on more traditional sofas, while bold and bright colors and patterns can be found on contemporary sofas, but this is not a strict policy.

Other sofa styles include the sleeper sofa or convertible sofa. This type of sofa is great for homes where you want the flexibility of being able to use your living or family room as additional sleeping space. These sofas are available in a wide range of fabrics to allow you to find one that will work with your design style.

The sofa style that you choose should meet both your design needs and the needs of your family. For example, if you are using the sofa in your family room where your family will be watching television and playing games, you want to be sure that you choose a sofa style that is comfortable and easy to take care of. If it is in a more formal and lesser-used space, then comfort may not be as much of a concern as the look. By evaluating your needs and desires, you can find the right sofa style for you and your family’s needs.

Whether you choose a traditional or contemporary sofa, make sure that it fits your family and your room. This will ensure that you make a choice that will stand the test of time.

There are many reasons that a family might be in the market for a new sofa to lounge on.  Perhaps the family is moving into a new home and wish that the new sofa to lounge on reflect the design of the new residence.  Or perhaps the old sofa to lounge on has served the family well, but, because of age has lost it ability to provide comfort.

Style

Generally, when you walk into a furniture showroom, the first feature that catches your eye is the style of the sofa to lounge on.  These styles can range from Mediterranean, to town and country, to contemporary, to French provincial, etc.

Other considerations include the size of the armrests.  These armrests can be large and rolling in appearance or they can be simple and straightforward without any embellishments.  In addition, the styles of the sofa to lounge on include the length of this particular piece of furniture.  These lengths can vary in size anywhere from a love seat, which is smaller, to a full-size sofa to lounge on.  In addition the sofa to lounge on may be part of a sectional set.

When considering the style of the sofa to lounge on it is important to keep in mind whether the sofa will be a fully functional part of the family’s lifestyle or mainly for show.  Also, it is important to choose a sofa to lounge on that does not overwhelm the room but complements the room.  For example, if the dimensions of the living room are modest and you select a large sofa with rolling arms, this may give the appearance of being too crowded which in turn may lose the sense of warmth and invitation that you are trying to create.

Fabric

Not only do you want to purchase a sofa to lounge on that looks good, but you want that piece of furniture to be durable as well.  Therefore, it is important to choose the right fabric.

The choice of fabric not only includes the color or pattern that matches your taste, style and look you are trying to achieve, but should also be durable.  Considerations that take into account the fabric and its durability include whether it is stain, tear or wear resistant.  Other factors in choosing the right fabric include its ease of cleaning, guarantees, etc. 

Often the sales representative will be able to assist you with the selection of your fabric.  Most furniture stores will make available to the customer swatches which are simply samples of the colors, patterns and materials that are available for your selection of that particular sofa to lounge on. 

Comfort

Another important method of choosing the right sofa to lounge on is by simply sitting on the sofa.  Depending upon your taste and what you are looking for you want to note the comfortableness of the sofa to lounge on.  This can be ascertained by assessing the firmness or softness of the sofa.  In addition, it is important to take into account the needs of sitting down and standing up after being seated. 

Also, there can be varying depths of the seat cushion in relationship to the back of the sofa.  Therefore, when sitting on the sofa evaluate whether there is adequate back support or to determine if the seat cushions are deep enough or not deep enough to meet your comfort level.

The best thing about leather sofas is their versatility. By nature of the appeal that leather sofas have they can be incorporated into any kind of interior. Whether you live in a studio apartment or a mansion a leather sofa can work wonders for your interior.

When it comes to leather sofas the choices are literally unlimited. There is a wide variety of extremely classy choices that can very well make the decision of choosing a leather sofa set an overwhelming deal. The color spectrum for leather sofas is however generally limited. Black is perhaps the most popular and versatile variety that can go with all interiors. Then you have other classy colors like cream, brown, white, fawn, beige and the like. Generally the color range consists of sober toned down colors.

With regards to the styles you can go with a contemporary or even a designer sofa that looks more like a work of art. Then you have the Euro contemporary style or the old school traditional leather sofa.

Leather sofas have a lot of fringe benefits along with the sense of style that they bring in your home. Once bought they are extremely easy to maintain and will give you years of comfort. Cleaning leather sofas is extremely easy as compared to the cleaning of other fabric sofas. You will be able to find special leather sofa cleaning solutions in the market that make the job even easier. One brush of the solution on your leather sofa will get them looking as good as new.

The comfort level that leather sofas have to offer just cannot be argued. This is especially true if you go for ergonomically designed well manufactured leather sofas. Another appreciated aspect of leather sofas is the unique scent that they give off. This is something unique to leather sofas only.

The best of leather sofas will feature exquisite hand stitching that guarantees style along with quality. Although leather sofas with hand stitching are likely to be expensive they are also far more durable. Hence the return on investment will pay off in the long run as the sofa will last you for years to come.

Depending on the availability of space and your requirements you can go for a single leather sofa which can be a single or two-seater. Such sofas tend to work well with other furniture be it wooden or wrought iron. You will also be able to find longer leather sofas that have the capacity to seat four people in a row. Then you have leather sofa sets incorporating a multiple seater with a single seater or double seater. The varieties are endless with regards to the number of pieces you can have in your leather sofa sets. Hence you can rest assured you will be able to find leather sofas that meet your requirements.

If you already have a small space, the last thing you probably want is a large sofa that makes the room appear even smaller. After a hard day at work or school, you want to relax in your home, not feel confined and claustrophobic in a small living area due to a bulky piece of furniture.

The difficulties inherent in a small living room are not insurmountable. There are various options to choose from in small-scale sofas. You do not have to forego style and comfort to save on space!

What to Look for in a Small Sofa

There is more to space saving design when it comes to seating in a small living or family room than choosing a loveseat. You might be asking yourself what other options are available. Surely, a sofa’s dimensions are not the only avenues that need to be investigated, right?

Correct! There is more to choosing a small sofa than just its size. Along with size, there are different sofa features that are available that make a sofa appear sleeker and less bulky.

It is important to have a sofa that would not overpower the space in your small living area.

What Makes a Sofa Appear “Small Scale”?

Besides size, there are different sofa features that make it appear sleeker and trimmer. In other words, perfect for a small space. These features include:

* Few curves with clean, straight, and simple lines

* Straight or no arms

* Legs remaining visible underneath the sofa, that is, they are not covered by upholstered flaps

Futons also have features that give this sofa a small-scale appearance. They have simple, straight lines, narrow arms, with no upholstered flaps. Although many are wider than what would be considered small-scale, their simplicity makes them a natural for small spaces.

By simply changing the cover of a futon, you have the ability to change its overall look. You can go with a more traditional feel by having a design of large flowers and leaves on a subdued color palate of dark brown and beige. Or, if your style leans toward contemporary, you could choose plain beige, black or any other neutral color.

With their sleek, simple lines, most futons naturally have a modern contemporary look. However, this can be curtailed into a more traditional look with the use of different designs in coverings.

The other wonderful feature of a futon is its ability to be changed into a bed. Once the cover begins to wear, it is easy to replace with a new one.

Taking Size into Account

Most sofas for small spaces range in size from 72 inches or smaller. It should be noted that if you go too small, you might end up with seating for two instead of three. That is, you’ll end up with a loveseat instead of a sofa.

If you wanted something smaller than a loveseat, you could purchase a settee or Chair and a Half. Chair and a Halfs usually range around 49″ or smaller and settees range between 40 to 50 inches in length.

Below is a list of measurements to help you remember approximate sizes of small-scale sofas as compared to loveseats and settees. Make certain to take measurements of the space you need to obtain seating for before making a purchase. This will alleviate any unnecessary headaches and hassles from purchasing the wrong size seating for your room.

* Small Scale Sofas: 72″ or smaller

* Loveseats: 63″ or smaller

* Chair and a Halfs: 59″ or smaller

* Settees: 49″ or smaller

Use the above list as a guide, not as a hard-and-fast rule. There are sofas, loveseats, Chair and a Halfs and settees that do not meet this criteria. However, the above measurements are the norm.

Also, it is possible to find a sofa that is over 72″ that would still afford your room a spacious feel. For example, if you discover a sofa that is over 72″ with a sleek appearance and no upholstered flaps, it may work perfectly in your room if space allows.

It basically comes down to your individual taste.

Another option for a sofa in a space that would normally fit only a loveseat would be to look for sofas without arms. This would allow seating for three instead of two. Sofas usually have large arms that take up a fair amount of unnecessary space. By eliminating arms, you would increase your seating area!

This may not be for everyone, as you may not find an armless sofa comfortable enough for you. However, due to its space saving potential, it is worth investigating.

A Word to Those Lovers of Traditional Furnishings

Small-scale sofas tend to appeal more to lovers of modern or contemporary furnishings than those who prefer traditional. This can be disappointing if you prefer traditional furnishings, but you need a space saving sofa!

If your taste leans toward traditional, the sleek, straight lines of contemporary furnishings may appear cold and sterile and would not lend to the homey warm feel that you enjoy.

You should keep in mind that it is not necessary to purchase a sofa with all the features noted previously. For example, you could purchase a sofa with arms and legs that have curves instead of the contemporary straight lines. If the curves are not too thick, then this may satisfy your desire for a traditional look while still saving on space.

Summing Up

Having a small living room, family room, dorm room or living room has its disadvantages when it comes to seating. You want to get the most “bang for your buck”, by having as much seating as possible while still giving your room a spacious feel. Not always an easy feat in a small space!

There are particular features in a sofa that would give it a small-scale look such as straight lines, small arms and legs that raise the sofa. You could even maximize your seating by purchasing an armless sofa. This would allow seating for three instead of two.

Even if you do not appreciate all the features listed above in a sofa, you can pick one feature and look for other features that you love. For example, if you have a traditional lean in furnishings, you could purchase a sofa with curved arms and legs, but have it raised off the floor by legs uncovered by upholstered flaps. This way, you achieve a spacious look (by the negative space left underneath the sofa) but retain your unique sense of style and taste in the sofa.

Bottom line, you don’t have to sacrifice your style in home décor to achieve a spacious feel in a small space.

The size of the sofa is not just a consideration relative to the space, but also to the style of the sofa and the impact that it has on the room as a whole. Measure your room before shopping for a sofa – Roomful Express offers measurements for all of the sofas in the store online for you to make sure that they fit before you visit the store to choose between them. Look at the selection online and make sure that your favorites fit your room before printing them out and bringing them to the store. Consider using our online virtual room planner tool to help with in laying out your room.

Don’t forget to measure the door frames and staircases that your sofa will have to pass through to get into your home.

“Size can mean many things when it comes to sofas – height, width and depth. If you’re someone who loves to snuggle, a deep sofa can make a big difference to your comfort. If your room is an informal room, a short sofa can fit better with the style of the room. A wide or long sofa can seat many people.”

Style

Sofas come in many styles. There are sofas that are formal, sofas that are comfortable, sofas that are plush, sofas that are modern and edgy. Think about the style of your overall room. If your room is filled with antiques a modern-styled sofa is unlikely to fit with the style of the room. As the largest piece of furniture in the room the sofa will often set the style for the entire space.

Covering

The choice of covering for a sofa can depend on the function of the piece, as well as the color and style of the room it will be in.

Leather Sofas

Leather sofas are hardwearing and durable and can be a good choice for families with small children as they are wipe-clean. They are also known for being a premium fabric which gives them an expensive feel and makes them suitable for formal rooms. Modern leather processing abilities have given leather more softness than ever before and there is a wide range of leather sofas that are every bit as soft and cozy as any other material. There are many synthetic leather-like materials that compare well to real leather and can often be washable, such as micro-suede.

Fabric Sofas

Fabric can have a major impact on the comfort of the sofa as well as the style. A soft fabric, like a chenille or plush, will be pleasant to touch and will add to the comfort of the piece. Crisp, smooth fabrics can help to make the whole room look neat and tidy. Removable covers that can be put into the washing machine are worth considering if your sofa often doubles as a snack area.

Color

Sofas come in many colors and patterns, and making the choice between them can seem overwhelming. Before leaving home to look at the sofa in-store, take a good look at the room in which the sofa will live. Look at the surrounding colors and materials and look for colors that will work with those materials. Materials don’t have to match but they should coordinate. If you look in a Roomful Express store you will find lots of inspiration as we have designers put together rooms that work harmoniously so that you can take inspiration from them. Walk through the entire store and look for roomfuls and furniture that is similar to what is already in your room and see what our designers put together in those rooms. Often you can find elements from different roomfuls that will work with your own home. Take your time and look around until you are comfortable with your choice.

Comfort

A comfortable sofa for one person may be too soft for someone else, which is why we carry such a large variety of sofa textures. When you find a style of sofa that you like spend some time sitting on it to ensure that it is perfect for you. If you are someone who loves to put their feet up and snuggle on the couch then try that for a while in the store. If you are someone who sits upright to read often, you might find a stiffer cushion more suitable to your personal style.

Durability

Some fabrics and materials are more durable than others, so consider the treatment the sofa is going to get in your home before making your choice. Wooden arms and trim are beautiful, but if you have small children or pets they may end up getting scratched in a way that fabric arms would not. Removable cushions can be rearranged to ensure even wear (and are great for building forts!) Cushions that are fixed to the sofa frame can get additional support if they are going to be well-used.

All Roomful Express sofas are made with real living in mind. We use durable materials and quality construction so your new sofa can stand up to the life you live.

Modern sofa beds can be manufactured from a selection of materials including ones with cotton or synthetic covers, faux or natural leather, like Manhattan Sectional sofa and are also available in several varieties to look good on in your living room. As well as the conventional two or three pillow sofa beds, modern sectional sofas or L-shape sofa beds are also very popular and available in stores. L-shape sofas may help to utilize your living room space best way. Such kind of Manhattan-style sofas have a main seat base, when unfolded it creates a big sleeping area.

The plain sofa beds have foam-filled mattress and as a rule is less expensive. Usually it is a small sofa bed and by taking off the movable pillows, the seating area extends down to create a full or queen size mattress. This kind of beds is typically designed for irregular use as they are not prepared for regular wear and tear on them. These are great for a guest room or in a kid’s bedroom for when buddies stay overnight.

Another kind of sofa beds is Clic-clac bed that has sprung backs which easily click down towards the back to make another half of the sofa bed next to the seating area. These are more hard-wearing than foam sofas and are more appropriate for regular use as a sofa or a bed.

Instead of Manhattan sofa, a futon is one more alternative to think about. These are comparable to clic-clac sofa beds but give made of wood or tubular steel constructions which are noticeable. Futons are very good for bedrooms, but don’t go well with living rooms. It is hard to get a matching set because you would not be able to get other living room furniture to match. For small modern apartment however, a futon could be the great way as they have a contemporary look and give wonderful solutions to your seating and sleeping needs and even some of them have storage drawers under seat.

So, the bottom line, if you need a sofa bed that you are going to use on a regular basis – as a sofa and a bed on the same time, then a sofa bed with durable metal frame should be your main choice. This kind of sofa bed is frequently available as an substitute to normal sofas and chairs in many furniture depots, so are a reliable selection if you prefer a sofa bed as a furniture for your living room. They work the same way of unfolding down the seating area, but their mattress made of metal frame and is not straight lying on the floor. It is keep up by the metal sections at the same level as the sofa seats, so it will look and feel more like a normal bed than the sofa beds with foam-filled mattress.

You have to consider how frequently your sofa bed will be used, how you will use it the mainly and which room it is expected to be placed in before making a verdict on which sofa bed to take on board. My choice is Manhattan sectional sofa, which is very popular on US furniture market.

Paul Grindsey made a short review of different sofa styles that are popular on US market and was very pleased with Manhattan sectional sofa as affordable solution for his living room.