A living room with a leather chair

6 Vital Points to consider before purchasing your couch

May 12, 2017

Looking to buy a new couch?

Then there are a number of things you need to consider:  

Space versus size

First and foremost consider the space you have available for your new couch and take measurements to inform your search. Also, give thought to how you will get your chosen coach into your home, so measure your front door and hallway too. You don’t want to be taking your windows out to facilitate getting your new couch in.

Height

Another key consideration when choosing your couch is the height of both the seat and the back. Consider the needs and preferences of those who’ll be using your couch. A low seat can be particularly difficult for anyone with mobility issues. Many couches have low backs,  if you want or need neck support choose a higher back so you can lie back and relax.

A living room with a leather chair

Depth

Consider the depth of the seat too – is it comfortable to get up and down from or do you need additional support in the shape of cushions. If the latter is the case, you might want to reconsider your choice.

Frame & joinery

When looking for a well-crafted couch be sure to give thought to the frame and joinery methods employed. Often the frames of modern couches are hidden, and it’s difficult to ascertain their quality. So ask a few pertinent questions about the wood and construction methods used. Choose a couch with the wooden frame showing and you’ll be able to see the craftsmanship – look at the joins as these are particularly indicative of quality.

As Good Housekeeping highlights, couches constructed using wooden dowels and corner blocks are better than those which solely use nails, staples or glue. What’s more, you’ll also have a stylish new addition to your home – with wooden-framed seating long being a favourite with interior designers. You’ll find designs aplenty that echo the clean lines of the Art deco style or the attractive French country look.

Wooden furniture often has a smaller footprint than a modern couch, so if space is an issue consider alternatives. Dining chairs, carver chairs, benches and pew-style seating can offer you a lot of seating in a small space – so you might want to consider alternatives to the traditional sofa. What’s more, you’ll be far more likely to receive well-crafted furniture that will last for years to come. If you need inspiration, look to the homepage of Direct Furniture Land for stylish solutions to your furniture dilemmas.

Fabric

Give a thought to the overall look you’re trying to achieve when choosing the fabric for your couch. Also, consider practical issues, like whether you can wash the covers or whether you want a colour or pattern that will hide spills. (Removable sofa covers are a particularly handy way to keep your sofa free from these sorts of messes. They’re machine washable, so any stains can be dealt with easily, keeping your sofa looking pristine.) 

Then there’s style to consider. Do you want a piece of statement furniture that will become the focal point of your room or a couch that will merge seamlessly into your existing interior design scheme?

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Filling

Another key consideration is the filling used in your couch. High resilient foam is more long-lasting but will cost more than the polyurethane alternative. If you’re buying a second-hand option, check the filling and fabric meet current fire safety regulations – on a new piece of furniture this should be clearly denoted.

So there you have a checklist of things to consider when choosing a new couch, from size to height, fabric to construction, we hope you’ve found it helpful.

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