How To Buy A Sofa

Many people don't know exactly how to buy a sofa. It seems like it would be an easy task, but that isn't always the case. The difficulties that can arise when buying a sofa often include the need to coordinate with the decor in your home. Also, they can be expensive and that can make it hard if you are on a tight budget. Before you begin the process of buying a sofa, figure out the exact size and style that you will need. For example, if your home is traditional, a modern couch with sleek lines will not fit into the look of your home.

1. Examine the frame of the sofa. Avoid couches with frames that are pine, plastic, or particle board. They are less expensive, but will not last as long. Look at the legs on the sofa and make sure that they are actually part of the frame or held on with screws. Don't buy a sofa that has legs that are held on with glue only.
2. Sit on the sofa to test the springs. The best way to do this is to sit down on one corner of the sofa. If you hear any creaks or squeaks, that shows that the springs are not as they should be.
3. Examine the fabric of the sofa. This is one of the most important elements of buying a sofa. Consider your lifestyle and fabric needs. If you have kids or pets, you may want to stick with a micro-fiber sofa, versus something more high-maintenance. Cotton and linen are other options, but it's harder to remove stains from those fabrics.

Tip:

Ask the store for a small sample of the fabric on the sofa so that you can examine it out in natural light.

Reference:

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/decor/sofa-buying-may07