What to look for when choosing a sofa?
The sofa is a favorite place for all family members to spend their leisure time and should be taken seriously. An incredible number of models of various shapes, sizes and designs are presented on the modern market. In short, there is plenty to choose from. But, before running to a furniture store , let's talk about what to look out for when choosing a sofa.
External beauty is an important, but not the main advantage
The appearance of the sofa is, of course, determined by the taste of the buyer and the style of the room decoration. Oval, rectangular or angular, with soft or lacquered armrests - it's up to you. But it is important to keep in mind the following features.
The back of a good sofa should have the same fabric upholstery as the front. This will save you the trouble if you need to rearrange furniture in the central part of the room.
The material upholstered on the sofa must be practical and withstand regular cleaning. In general, all types of upholstery fabrics intended for upholstered furniture are designed to last for about ten years.
The most traditional of these are tapestry and jacquard. These are dense, textured fabrics with a complex multicolor weave. They are resistant to abrasion. Modern fabrics for upholstery - flock and chenille. These are blended cotton fabrics with viscose and polyester. They resemble velvet or corduroy in texture - soft and delicate, quite durable, easy to clean. The most luxurious options are leather upholstery or a modern synthetic counterpart called eco-leather. They require special care and are not practical for a home with small children.
The main criterion for choosing a sofa is its intended purpose
If you choose the option of furniture for the hallway, kitchen, then more often they choose non-folding models. But, if the sofa also serves as a sleeping place, then special attention must be paid to the strength of the base and the quality of the filler.
The type and strength of the frame-base
Wood is the most environmentally friendly material, but the quality of wood is the determining factor here: it must be solid, well dried, without knots and traces of deterioration. Many models of sofas are now made on the basis of a metal frame, the metal is stronger and more durable. However, you need to pay attention to the fact that the longitudinal elements are solid, and not welded from separate parts; they must be connected to each other by cross members so that the overall structure has the necessary rigidity. The most durable are models in which all parts are connected by bolts (and not by welding), this makes it easier to repair furniture if necessary.
Folding mechanism type
The main varieties are:
Sofa-book; a simple, reliable option, in the case of rare unfolding it is quite convenient.
Folding sofa; folding under the seat design with additional folding legs. It takes time to lay out, not all mechanisms are durable enough.
Sofa sofa with roll-out mechanism. More convenient to lay out than a clamshell, except that the floor can be damaged with frequent use.
Sofa filling
The usual option is to use foam rubber, but it should be solid and dense (not foam rubber or padding polyester). The filler should be secured with rigid vertical springs, in addition to a metal mesh lined with latex, wool or cotton.
In short, you can choose any sofa, as long as it is durable, comfortable to relax and practical to clean.