A sofa, settee, divan, davenport for your drawing room is a major investment. It’s the space where you will host your guests for scintillating conversations. To make life easier follow these 5 simple steps to choose from the plethora of choices available in the market.
Remember, quality rides over looks, so two identical sofa designs can vary in price points. The secret is what lies inside. Read on to make the best choice:
1. Know About the Frame
How long a sofa will last, and retain its shape depends largely on the frame, and a high quality sofa will always have a strong, sturdy one. Look for a frame made from a kiln-dried hardwood such as mango-wood, sheesham, maple oak, alder, birch or alternatively, high-quality hardwood plywood or marine plywood. If you have to choose a sofa with a plywood frame, make sure it has 11- 13 layers of plywood and not fewer.
2. Jostle with the Joints
How the joints on the frame are done should be your next immediate question for the seller. In a good quality frame, special attention is paid to the joints, which are glued, dowelled and screwed to make the sofa a solid piece of furniture. The corners are further strengthened by the addition of reinforcing blocks. These provide extra support.
3. Spring Time
The best seating support is the eight-way hand tied springs system. Almost all high-end sofas come with “eight-way hand-tied springs.” They’re comfy but expensive. Another method is sinuous spring construction. Sinuous springs are “S” shaped and run from the front of the seat to the back. These springs are supported by additional wires that cross from side to side. This also makes for a strong seat, and it might be the preferred option in a sleeker style as it requires less space.
Whatever the seller says, sofas with no springs with just webbing or mesh, are uncomfortable and flimsy.
4. Cushions Come Next
Most cushions have a core of polyurethane foam; the denser the foam, the heavier it is and the longer it will last. High-resilient (HR) foam is slightly more expensive but more comfortable and long-lasting. Polyester fiber is also inexpensive, but it flattens quickly. Goose- and duck-feather fillings are comfy, but they can clump.
5. Fabric
Make your fabric selection based on how the sofa will be used, and where you will be placing it. If you are buying your sofa for an area of your home that is heavily used, a delicate fabric or color should be a strict no-no! Also, always choose a color you like and can live with. Keep from picking colors based on trends or just a whim.
Size, dimensions, arm or no arm are some of the other things you should be asking about. The rule of thumb remains – choose a sofa that is easy on your pocket and complements the style of your decor.
Ready to start sofa shopping? Check out our delectable sofa-set range here.
