Sofa buying guide
Sure, a couch or sofa is quintessential to every living room but that is
not the only reason why it is such an integral part of home furnishing. Sofa
has a certain chameleon like quality that enables it to be used in varied ways
by different people.While some like utilizing the comfort of the soft fabric
padded with foam and laden with cushions for napping; others stick to the more
formal use of sofa for socializing and entertaining the guests. Any dog lovers
out there, you know how your dog loves nestling against you on the sofa. Hence,
there is no one perfect couch for everyone. Yet, there are things that you must
look for in a sofa before buying one that fits your needs.
Frame
If you are looking for a
durable and long lasting couch, begin by looking for a robust and firm frame. Frame
is the skeleton, the very backbone of the sofa, to which all the other
upholstery elements are attached. A frame made of solid seasoned hardwood
timber provides better support than unseasoned hardwood. Seasoning the wood
removes the moisture from the wood; thereby increasing its tensile strength and
making it less prone to distortion.
Webbing
If frame is the skeleton then
suspension or webbing is the system of cartilages and muscles that run under
the skin. It is called webbing because it comprises the fabric woven like a
mesh to provide a strong and steady base to support the next layer of the
upholstery components. While selecting the webbing, ensure that it provides
elasticity and reinforces the areas that are prone to flex. Most commonly used
webbing's are Black & White English, Jute, and Pirelli webbing.
Black and White English webbing
derives strength from its cotton herringbone weave; therefore, recommended for
seating. Jute webbing is done with jute and is used for arm and back webbing
but is not recommended for seating. Pirelli webbing is done with rubber and is
usually used for the seating base.
Foam
Now that the basic layout of
the sofa is complete, we move to the element of the sofa that personifies
comfort. Foam is a popular choice for stuffing and padding the sofa. Choose the
foam that is robust, malleable and can be easily molded into complex designs.
Reflex foam is widely used for
filling the sofa. It is available in soft, medium, and firm densities. The soft
density is used for cushion backs because it gives the soft feel while
retaining its shape unlike the fiber or feather cushions. The medium and firm
density foam is a popular choice for seat cushions as it maintains its original
shape after years of use and provides profound comfort.
Fabric
The importance of the fabric
cannot be stressed enough. It is the part of the sofa that is most visible,
comes in constant contact with you, and is subject to abrasion. While choosing
a fabric according to your taste and preferences, also be mindful of other
aspects like durability, feel of the fabric, and number of rubs it can sustain.
You might also want to know which fabrics are easier to clean and resistant to
dust or stains.
Design
While the appearance of the
sofa is crucial but the feel of the design that provides your body comfort gets
the foremost consideration. Sofa is a place where you unwind and muse after a
long day at work. You do not want your reverie to be disturbed by an awkward
and cramped design of your furniture. Choose an ergonomically designed sofa
that relaxes your muscles, supports your back at right places and provides you
long term comfort. The best designed sofas are soft yet firm at the same time.
Now that you
know the basics of shopping for that cozy giant in your living room, make a
list of things you want in your sofa and we at customfurnish.com will deliver
you the one that will best fit your needs.
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