Your couch is going to be one of the most used furniture pieces in your home. In many ways, a sofa sets the tone for the design aesthetic of the entire living room. This makes buying a couch a pretty serious decision and one that should be taken after some adequate research.

Key Things To Consider

Where do you begin? Get your measuring tape out and note down the dimensions of your room. Using the 2:3 rule, your sofa should be about two-thirds the length of your space. Armed with your measurements, you can now start to consider the look and feel of your couch.

Cheap Is Expensive

Unfortunately, there is no substitute for quality in the world of good seating. Cheaper options might appear attractive until you find yourself having to replace them every two years. 

The difference between a £400 couch and a £2000 one will primarily be in the frame. Hardwood frames will last upwards of 20 years while plywood options will hold for 5 years at best.

Purchasing a luxury couch such as an FCI sofa helps you avoid that all too annoying feeling of buyer’s remorse. 

So it’s worth repeating – invest in quality!

Classic or Trendy?

Are you open to redecorating every so often or are the purchases you are making today meant to be timeless? That is the difference between buying a stylish couch and a classic one.

Trends come and go, and this is not a bad thing as long as you can keep up with them. 

Neutral colours, gentle sloping curves, and traditional rolled arms will never go out of fashion.

However, if you are looking for fashionable sofas, earthy tones, greys and greens are some of the 2022 favourites. Bolsters and multi-directional sofas are also current must-haves.  

Function vs Fashion

Ever seen an uber-artistic couch, but it didn’t look like it could get you through hours of TV binge-watching? 

There is a considerable difference between couches in a transition space and those in a reception area or pyjama lounge.

The intended use of your sofa plays a big role in informing seat depth, fabric choice and style. The more time you plan to spend on it, the more seating space, comfort and back support you will need.

Fabric and Treatments

Leather, velvet, linen, cotton, wool – which upholstery fabric is the best? There are pros and cons for each.

Genuine leather gives an elegant luxe look, but it requires conditioning to prevent cracks. Velvet is stylish and on-trend but it doesn’t rank high on durability. Wools will feel soft to the touch whilst cottons are great for a natural aesthetic but crease easily.

Regardless of your fabric choice, avoid using harsh chemicals when cleaning your couch. Use a fabric protector to prevent staining and liquid sipping through the fabric.

Don’t Forget Your Heart

When you have figured out what size, colour and style of couch works best for you, go out shopping and don’t stop until you find a couch that you fall in love with. There is going to be that one that calls out to you and you won’t be able to ignore it.