Interior Design
How Do I… Find the Right Sofa?
We all want a stylish and comfy sofa but with so many choices out there, how do we choose the right one?
Style
There are almost as many different sofa shapes as there are people to sit on them. So how do you work out which is the right one for you? Think about the overall interior theme of your room.
There are almost as many different sofa shapes as there are people to sit on them. So how do you work out which is the right one for you? Think about the overall interior theme of your room.
If you have a small space or two sofas in the room, tall sofa legs are a good choice as that will give the illusion that the sofa is ‘floating’, and make the room look less cluttered.
Tip: You should test as many different sofas as you can before you buy. Sit on the sofa the same way you would at home; if you like to lie down, do it (ask first though!). If you tend to sit curled up in a corner, do that.
If the sofa doesn’t feel comfortable in your favoured sitting position, it might not be the right one for you, no matter how pretty it looks
If the sofa doesn’t feel comfortable in your favoured sitting position, it might not be the right one for you, no matter how pretty it looks
Size
In your living area, you should be able to ‘walk into the sofa’. You don’t want see the back of the couch when you enter the room. This will make the room feel larger too.
In your living area, you should be able to ‘walk into the sofa’. You don’t want see the back of the couch when you enter the room. This will make the room feel larger too.
Majestic | 3 seater sofa | Living room sofas
Size also refers to the depth of the seat and the height of the sofa back. Taller folk are better off with a deeper seat so that the back of their knees touch the edge of the seat cushions.
Shorter people need shallower seats. If you can’t easily get up from the sofa, then it’s just too deep.
Shorter people need shallower seats. If you can’t easily get up from the sofa, then it’s just too deep.
Oxford | 2 seater sofa | Living room sofas
Remember to check the height of the back and the arms too.
According to interior stylist Priscilla Tan, the average height of a sofa back is 90 centimetres, but more minimalist contemporary styles will be as low as 80 centimetres. If your room has high ceilings then a high-backed sofa against a wall will look great.
For compact spaces, low-slung sofas will reduce clutter at the eye-line and ‘open’ up the room.
For compact spaces, low-slung sofas will reduce clutter at the eye-line and ‘open’ up the room.
Benjamin Classical 3 Seater PU Leather Sofa in Cognac
Tip: Lay pieces of newspaper cut it into the shape of a sofa on the floor where you wish to place the sofa.
Remember to include the external measurements of the sofa – the arm width and any roll top on the back of the sofa – to make sure you have the total correct size of the sofa, not just the size of the base. Otherwise you may get a nasty surprise.
Remember to include the external measurements of the sofa – the arm width and any roll top on the back of the sofa – to make sure you have the total correct size of the sofa, not just the size of the base. Otherwise you may get a nasty surprise.
Sofa build
There are a few ways sofas are built. The traditional way starts with a wooden frame that’s then covered with springs, padding and finally the fabric. These sofas often have a fixed seat and back cushions and can be difficult to clean.
There are a few ways sofas are built. The traditional way starts with a wooden frame that’s then covered with springs, padding and finally the fabric. These sofas often have a fixed seat and back cushions and can be difficult to clean.
Modern sofa styles are built on box frames – often sitting flat on the floor – and then have padded foam seat and back cushions that can be easily removed for cleaning.
This is the style you will mostly see in contemporary or minimalist designs.
This is the style you will mostly see in contemporary or minimalist designs.
Carlton sofa- Modern 3 seater sofas
In both sofa styles, a quality frame will have joints that are both glued and screwed for added strength and longevity. Think about how long you expect the sofa to last. A strong hardwood or metal frame sofa is obviously going to last a long longer than a cheerful cheapie made of plywood.
Florentine Duomo 3-seater plus Sofa
As with the frame, you also need to look at the type and number of springs or webbing in the sofa seat, and the quality of the foam used for the seat, back and arm cushioning.
William | 3 seater sofa | Living room sofas
I’m a big fan of firm cushioning on my sofas – I like to be able to balance a laptop or a cup of coffee on the arms or back of my sofa, so I don’t want anything that’s too soft. You might prefer to have a sofa that’s like a comfy bed to sink into.
Deco | 3 seater sofa | Living room sofas
Tip: Remember that the sofas you test in showrooms have been sat on by many so they will have more ‘give’ in the cushioning.
Oslo 3 Seater Sofa - Steel
Fabrics for sofas
When choosing what type of upholstery fabric, think of how the material performs in terms of durability, cleanability, and resistance to soiling and fading.
When choosing what type of upholstery fabric, think of how the material performs in terms of durability, cleanability, and resistance to soiling and fading.
Gabriel Sofa, Rosa Red
Get the look: These days, most sofa are covered in synthetic fabric like microfibre and polypropylene, or a mix like polyester and wool, cotton or linen.
Rochester Sofa (Chesterfield)
Leather remains a popular choice for sofas says Tan, especially for more formal interior styles. However, synthetic or mixed fabrics are better choices for Singapore’s hot and humid weather. Leather needs a fair bit of upkeep and aren’t kid- or pet-friendly.
Leather furniture cleaning 101
Leather furniture cleaning 101
Colour
When it comes to colour, many people opt for a neutral shade, but these can show up dirt quickly and run the risk of looking boring unless styled with the right cushions.
When it comes to colour, many people opt for a neutral shade, but these can show up dirt quickly and run the risk of looking boring unless styled with the right cushions.
Try looking for a darker version of the central colour theme you’re going for. If light blue is a central colour, look for a navy sofa. If grey; then choose a charcoal or even black sofa.
Cost
Think about how long you expect the sofa to last for. Is this a forever sofa? Or a right-now sofa?
Think about how long you expect the sofa to last for. Is this a forever sofa? Or a right-now sofa?
If you have young children, then something that’s durable enough to endure their toddler years will be good enough for now – save your big spend for when they’re old enough to know not to scribble on your lovely white couch.
Get the look: In the photo you can see that the family has chosen a nice ‘grown-up’ sofa and combined it with cute, colourful individual mini-sofas for the kids. This is a great in-between option to try.
Get the look: In the photo you can see that the family has chosen a nice ‘grown-up’ sofa and combined it with cute, colourful individual mini-sofas for the kids. This is a great in-between option to try.
If you’re renting, you might be better off with two smaller couches or a modular sofa that can be re-configured easily for different spaces if you move often. These can likewise be more affordable options rather than a lifetime investment piece.
Tip: This stylish chaise lounge is a great piece if you only have one small sofa. This option comes with storage under the seat as well.
SOLD - Antique mahogany sofa
Tip: You can also look for second-hand – or pre-loved if you prefer – sofas from either secondhand stores or try platforms like Gumtree.
If you have a good quality sofa that you’d like to keep, you can have it reupholstered. Try Fabrio, Upholstery.sg or Kia Meng Trading. The cost of reupholstery can be as high as buying a brand new sofa.
If you have a good quality sofa that you’d like to keep, you can have it reupholstered. Try Fabrio, Upholstery.sg or Kia Meng Trading. The cost of reupholstery can be as high as buying a brand new sofa.
New England Mod 2-seater Sofa
TELL US
Have you had problems finding the right sofa? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Have you had problems finding the right sofa? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Here are some handy tips…