Know Your Sofa

By Christopher Nelson, Brand Publishing Writer

Before purchasing that sofa, make sure you know what you want. Whether accommodating snowbirds or couch potatoes, a sofa is one of the most versatile and important pieces of furniture you'll buy. Do not downplay a sofa's significance.

If that makes buying a new sofa seem a bit daunting, don’t worry. Wendy Rossi, a design consultant with Baer’s Furniture, a retailer with 15 showrooms throughout Florida, says you won’t have any trouble finding what you’re looking for. There’s a larger and more diverse selection of sofas than ever before.

“In Florida, the need for a sleeper sofa has become necessary for most homeowners since we get so many out-of-town guests coming down to enjoy our weather,” Rossi says. “The latest in sleepers provide a great deal more comfort than their ‘bar in the back’ predecessors, and some even have memory foam mattresses now.”

In addition to sleepers, there are regular sofas, sectionals, sofas with chaises, love seats — the list is seemingly endless. Picture it in your mind, and it probably exists. Keep that picture in mind when finally you go to buy, but also keep in mind the people who will be enjoying the sofa, Rossi advises. Out-of-town guests like sleepers, kids and tall men like a deep sofa, and seniors and shorter people like an upright sofa.

Once you have an idea of the general type of sofa you’d like, there are still equally important questions to ask before buying. Is the sofa’s primary function to be comfortable or stylish? A family room sofa is all about comfort, and a living room sofa is all about the look. And how much space do you have? A room’s dimensions can have serious effects on what types of sofas are available to you.

“After you have determined what shape and size of sofa works best in your space, then you want to ask yourself what type of upholstery you would like,” says Rossi. “Leather is wonderful for family rooms where food and drink will be,” says Rossi. “It is great for families with children and pets, because high-performance leather is easy to clean.”

If leather isn’t your thing, then a heavy-use fabric is a good option. “Be sure to look for chenille or microfiber or any other fabric that has a high content of polyester, rayon, or olefin,” says Rossi. Try avoiding natural fibers, such as cotton or silk, as they tend to be less durable and wear out more quickly.

You should also be careful when choosing the color of your sofa’s upholstery. Colors and patterns fly in and out of style wickedly fast, so keep trendy fashion statements to the accents on and around your sofa. “You can have fun with color in the use of throw pillows, area rugs, artwork and accessories,” says Rossi. “Your sofa is an investment piece, so pick a color that can you can live with for years.”

It’s not hard to appreciate sofas. “It’s where we sit, cuddle and stretch out, and it’s what we offer to company when we entertain,” says Rossi. “Buying a brand-new sofa should be a lot of fun, but it’s also something that should be taken seriously. A sofa is one of the essential pieces of any living space, and its significance should most certainly not be downplayed.”