SOFA, SO GOOD

Before stamping your style in your living area, bear in mind these useful tips

- Catherine Steel

The hallmark of our homes, sofas are where we go for plush comfort, watching the telly and meaningful chats. Here's how to ensure longevity and style in your next sofa.

Types of sofas

Sofas are traditionally defined as a long-upholstered seat with a back and arms for more than two people.

While today's compact home suits a typical two-seater, modern offerings go far and beyond, towards large four-seaters, sectional modular designs (sections combined to customise seating) and sofa beds, says Michelle Klopper, head of furniture at Freedom. "These can be stationary or motion (such as swivel, rock or glide), or a combination of both. There is also tight back, pillow back, loose back, track arm, rolled arm, pillow arm or armless."

CONSIDERATIONS

Space Plan well to avoid any unpleasant surprises down the line such as measuring your door frame and floor space, noting the door size the sofa needs to fit through. Jayne Tolley, from Trinity Interior Design, suggests mapping "out with newspaper the area your sofa will cover to get a good sense of its size in the space".

Not only will these measurements help determine how it feels to walk around your sofa, they'll be handy to take with you when visiting furniture stores. Consider also who your sofa will cater for - a large family or a couple? How tall are you; will deep seats be easy for you to get up out of?

Use

Will you use your sofa occasionally to entertain guests in a formal situation or casually curl up with the family every night? The former may be best suited to a structured sofa style while the latter would work best in a loose aesthetic with soft, deep cushions. Will you sit on the sofa with your feet off the floor or curl up with your feet tucked underneath?