Hunting for a new sofa can be a daunting experience. With so many options available when it comes to quality, style, fabrics, and size… how do you even begin to narrow it down?

Well, you’re in luck – we’ve compiled this list of four basic things you need to consider before making a new sofa purchase.

1. Practicality

How will you be using the sofa? Who will be using the space?

A sofa meant for lounging with the kids on movie night is going to look a lot different than seating you’d want for hosting cocktails. For a cozy lounging experience, you’ll want a generous seat depth (23-25”), and likely a stain resistant performance fabric for worry free relaxation. This is where you might also consider a sectional, chaise lounge, or cocktail ottoman for foot elevation. 

However, if you will be using the room a little more formally and want to be able to sit upright, consider a seat depth ranging from 21-22” with a firmer seat and more upright back. 

Other factors to consider are the age, height, and mobility of those living in (or frequently visiting) the home.

Generally speaking, a younger family will be more comfortable with a deeper seat, softer cushion and more angled back (this is also known as the “pitch” of a sofa or chair.) 

As we age, our bodies usually need better support to promote proper posture and reduce aches and pains. This is where a slightly firmer and shallower seat, as well as an upright back are beneficial. This also applies if there is anyone in the home (or perhaps a frequent visitor) with back issues or limited mobility as they need to be able to get in and out of the seat with ease. 

In regards to the different types of performance fabrics, you can read our in depth blog post HERE to better understand which variety is best suited for your home.

2. Scale

Before purchasing a sofa (or any large piece of furniture), you need to consider scale.

This includes both the overall size of the piece as it relates to the space and surrounding furniture, but also the visual weight – how “light/airy” or “heavy/dense” of a presence it has.

Both oversized and undersized furniture will make the proportions of a room and other furniture pieces feel off, disrupting the harmony of your space. 

When choosing the right sized sofa for your space, you need to primarily look at the overall length and depth. The length of your sofa should roughly be two thirds of the wall segment it will sit against, leaving ample room for end tables. 

Choosing the appropriate depth can be a little more tricky, as generally there is often not a measuring post to refer to unless there is a restriction like a doorway. We usually recommend an outside depth of 36-38” for most homes, reserving the 40”+ models for generous rooms. 

Arm and leg size/style will also play a role in how large or small a sofa feels in your space. A “small” sofa with wide arms and short legs can feel bulky or imposing, just like an “oversized” sofa with sleek arms and high legs can actually feel quite airy and delicate. 

It’s all about proportions! Both the size of the space you’re working with and surrounding furniture will dictate the correct size of sofa.  

Lastly, you will want to consider how long you plan on being in your current home. If a move is on the horizon within the next 5 or so years, it would be wise to stick with a sofa that is moderate in size/scale, which will give you more versatility in a new space.

3. Construction

Your sofa should be an investment piece that stands the test of time. Longevity of seating is determined by three main factors: frame, suspension system, cushion composition. 

To get best value for your money, look for a kiln-dried hardwood frame as opposed to plywood or particle board. 

While 8-way-hand-tied web and coil is widely considered the gold standard in upholstery suspension systems, lower cost alternatives such as sinuous springs have come a long way (it is also important to note that some smaller and sleeker frame styles must be made with sinuous springs or drop in coils due to space within the deck.) 

Unfortunately, there are some manufacturers that attempt to pass off a drop in coil system as 8-way-hand tied, adding cost without value – so, be sure to ask questions and do your own research. 

As far as cushions are concerned, we generally recommend staying away from 100% down/feather filled (especially seats), as they tend to lose their shape very quickly, causing your sofa to look sloppy and lack support and comfort over time. If you do decide to go this route, be aware that regular fluffing and maintenance will be required. 

On the opposite end of the spectrum, cushions made of a solid foam block will retain their shape, but not offer that luxurious plush look or feel. 

We tend to lean towards seats made of a high density foam core with either a down/feather or Dacron (polyester fibre) wrap – the best of both worlds. 

Another thing to consider is density of foam, which is measured in lbs per square foot. For residential upholstery, this ranges from 1.5-2.5 on average. Generally, we recommend going for 2.5lbs for the best longevity.

4. Style

Looks do matter. When it comes to the aesthetics of your sofa, you’ll want to take into consideration these main factors: your personal style, your existing furniture and decor, and future you. 

Most folks have a general awareness of their design preferences at a high level (traditional, contemporary, mid-century, etc.), but if you’re unsure, browsing Pinterest is a good place to begin to get a feel for the overall style you’re drawn to. This is also a great way to see how certain sofa styles interact with other pieces of furniture and decor. For example, you might see a room in which the designer has paired a traditional sofa with contemporary furniture or artwork and determine that you like this juxtaposition. Or, you might decide this visual tension is not for you, and you prefer a space that more or less sticks to a single design style. 

Whatever your personal style may be, it’s important to figure this piece of the puzzle out before you waste money on what turns out to be a buyer’s remorse purchase. 

Seeing as how a sofa is an important investment piece that you will have for a long time, you want to love it for just as long. This means If you are someone who knows they like to change up their decor or colour palette every few years (or even every season), it would be wise to stick with a neutral fabric or leather. This is not to discourage you from going with a bold colour choice – it’s about knowing yourself. If you are confident in your love of green, go for that sumptuous moss coloured velvet sofa! We absolutely love working with colour, but we also know that committing to a single colour or palette for the long haul is not for everyone. 

In this same vein, we recommend against choosing an overly trendy style/fabric/colour for your sofa (there are many other, less expensive ways to incorporate trends into your decor if you wish to.) Generally speaking, to avoid your sofa dating quickly, choose a maximum of one fashion forward element (arm/leg style, colour, fabric, etc.) and pare back the rest. 

In the past several years there has a been a noticeable shift in the design world toward warmer tones and softer, curvier lines and away from all grey dominance and very square lines. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t incorporate any of these elements, just be aware that too many together may look dated sooner rather than later. 

Taking time to consider the longevity of your choices are a favour to the future you – ensuring that your investment stands the test of time. 

Personal style aside, your new sofa must of course relate to your existing furniture, even if you are in a period of transition. This is where we see many folks get tripped up – they decorated 15-20 years prior and are now looking to slowly start updating, but aren’t ready to replace everything just yet (or maybe only want to replace a handful of pieces.) So, let’s say your current decor is quite traditional, and you are looking to modernize a bit. The answer is not dropping a super contemporary sofa into the space and hoping it updates your look. However, this doesn’t mean you are locked into an uber traditional style forever. 

The best solution here would be to look for a sofa in a transitional style (perhaps with an elegant sloped arm in a current fabric), and consider updating a few other elements of the room at the same time, such as lighting, artwork (even just having an existing piece re-framed and matted works wonders!), and coffee table or rug.

Of course, if you love the traditional look (that has come back with a vengeance!), there’s no need to feel pressure to go modern – you can still update white retaining a traditional, classic aesthetic simply by updating your colour palette.

All of these decisions you make regarding the style of your sofa will benefit the present and future you in regards to the enjoyment of your space for years to come.