Comfort will be top of the list when you’re buying a new sofa, but there are other things to think about too. Read on for some practical tips on how to choose the perfect sofa. We know it’s a big decision so if you have any questions at all, just ask us in store. We'd love to help.
Think about the space
Your sofa needs to balance the size of the room, the seating combination and your other furniture. A larger room might need two sofas and a chair. In a smaller space, sometimes sections of a modular might fit better than a single sofa. Often people buy the combination that is shown in store. At Freedom we have many other combinations that may suit your needs better than the one on display.
We believe the best configurations are:
- 2 sofas of the same size. Either 2, 3 or 4 seaters. This suits square or squarish rooms.
- 1 long sofa and 2 armchairs. Remember the armchairs don't have to match but should be complementary to the shape of the sofa. This configuration suits longer narrower rooms.
How will you use your sofa?
Will it be for curling up and reading your favourite book or watching movies? If so, you probably just need a two seater. If there’ll be more than a couple of people watching TV, you may prefer a long sofa so that everyone has a perfect viewing angle, perhaps with a chaise or ottoman to stretch out.
Our big hint is make sure you can see the TV from the majority of the sofa seats but don't face all the chairs towards it.
Regularly entertaining a number of guests means you may need at least one three seater or a combination of two sofas. You can also think about day beds, sofa beds, ottomans and stools to give you more seating options.
Remember to measure up
Once you've decided how many sofas you need, be sure to measure your room and home entryways carefully and take the measurements with you when you shop. You need to make sure your new sofa can be delivered through all entryways, lifts and stairways and around any tight corners. You’ll find height, width and depth measurements for all our furniture in our catalogue and directories, and on the product tickets in store.
Sit on all our sofas
Sofas are all about comfort and there are 3 key elements to comfort. These are:
The pitch or more simply the angle between the seat and the back of the sofa. It can be judged by a very simple "sit on it" test. If it feels good then it is right for you.
Then there is the undercover support. This is simply the network of springs or webbing that provide the support. The important thing to look at here is the density of springs or webbing. On cheaper sofas costs are often cut by reducing the amount of undercover support. This can't be felt by an initial "feel" of a sofa, but you will tell over time.
Finally there is the over cover support or the foam, fibre or feathers that provide the cushioning. It all starts with the foam which can vary from very firm to very soft. You choose what suits you. What you do need to be sure of is how long the foam will last. Always look for a foam with at least a 5 year warranty. Or better really good quality foam will have a 10 year warranty.
What’s your style?
Basic sofa types?
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Roll arm for a more tradional look
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Square arms for a more contemporary look
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If space is tight, a low back style will usually create a greater sense of space. If you need to fill space, a higher back style will help.
What about colour?
Colours bring your sofa to life and add character and interest to your room. We have loads of colours to choose from, so it simply comes down to your individual taste.
If you’re after something a bit different, ask in store about our Custom Fabric studio. With hundreds of different fabrics to mix, match and co-ordinate, you'll be amazed at the different looks you can achieve by picking your favourite sofa shape and wrapping it in your choice of colours, pattern or texture.
Practical tip 1: Whilst heavily patterned and vibrant colours can be effective in creating drama in interiors, we believe that it is sometimes best to take a more classic approach. A single neutral colour, or simple pattern, such as stripes or checks, won't date as quickly as the latest fashion colour or distinctive pattern and so you can enjoy your sofa for longer. Add accent colours and designs with cushions, throws and a rug. These can be changed whenever you feel like updating your look.
Practical tip 2: When selecting a fabric for your sofa make sure colour fast to light and durability of use. Ask for a fabric with a colourfastness against exposure to light and to rubbing of at least 4 out of 5 for each. It is also a good idea to have your upholstery treated with a fabric protection ti increase its' longevity and resistance to staining.
Fabric or leather?
Choosing fabric is often the toughest part of buying a new sofa. And there's no rule to help you choose. Do you go for easy care or are you tempted by texture and feel? Here's an overview of what’s available:
- Microfibre has a resilient suede-like texture with a luxurious feel. It’s low maintenance and stain resistant.
- Chenille is soft and is great for adding texture and warmth to your room. It’s low maintenance and stain resistant.
- Cotton and cotton blends are perfect for people who want a natural fabric. They need a higher level of maintenance.
- Leather features variations in grain, colour and markings to make each sofa unique. It's also highly durable and softens naturally but needs to be maintained regularly with care products for it to age well.
- Pigmented leather may be a good choice if you have small children, as you can wipe it clean. But watch out for accidental scratches; light scuffs can usually be buffed out with your thumb but some marks may become permanent.
How's it made?
What you can't see is so important in judging the quality of a sofa and therefore how long it will be with you. We have seen some great looking sofas made from cardboard underneath...we don't recommend this!
What is important is that the frame is well constructed from quality wood and that the sections are joined with adequate glue and metal fastening as well as corner blocks for additional strength. Particle board should only be used in non weight bearing areas of the frame.
Good support for the seating should be offered by quality springs or webbing. More tightly spaced springs or webbing naturally provides greater support.
To be sure you get a sofa that will last look for at least a 10 year frame warranty.
What to ask when buying a sofa
4 key questions to ask when buying a sofa:
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How is the frame constructed and how many years does the warranty for the frame last?
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What type of undercover support is used and what is the distance used between each spring or webbing?
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What is the density of the foam in the cushion and how years does the warranty for the foam last?
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What is the colour fastness rating of the fabric?