- What to Look for When Buying a Couch?
- Sofa Size
- Functionality
- Sofa Upholstery
- Comfort
- Sofa Shape
- Sofa Style
- Modern Sofas
- Traditional Sofas
- Transitional Sofas
In the market for a new sofa? At Star Furniture & Mattress, we understand that choosing the right couch is about more than just furniture, it’s about creating a space where your family can come together to spend quality time together. Whether it’s watching your favorite sports team, telling stories around the fireplace, or curling up with a good book, the right sofa can make all the difference. That’s why we’ve put together this sofa guide: to help you find the perfect sofa for your lifestyle, budget, and interior design style. Take a look and let us help you find the loveseat, sofa, or sectional of your dreams.
What to Look for When Buying A Couch?
There’s so much to consider when buying a couch. From size and upholstery to style and shape, many factors will influence your decision about which couch to choose. Here’s what to consider when buying a couch, so you’ll know you’re making an informed decision that will keep paying off for years to come.
Sofa Size
Sofa sizes vary. If you’re furnishing a small space, it might make more sense to choose a loveseat or smaller sofa. If you like to entertain, you might consider choosing an L-shaped large sectional. Here are some different types of sofas you may want to consider, depending on your size needs.
Loveseats
(Pictured Above: Leland Brown Leather Loveseat)
A loveseat is a small sofa that will comfortably seat two people. While loveseats vary in size, they generally tend to be around 35 inches deep by 60 inches wide. Loveseats can come in a variety of shapes, styles, and upholsteries, so you won’t have to sacrifice style or comfort. In fact, Star Furniture even carries power reclining loveseats!
Sofas
(Pictured Above: Omni 3-Piece Sofa)
While standard sofas vary in size, they tend to be between loveseats and sectionals in size. 3-seat sofas are most common, and sofas tend to range from 2-4 seats. Because conventional sofas are the most popular couch type, you’ll find a wide selection of shapes, styles, and upholsteries for every budget.
Sectionals
(Pictured Above: Belle 2-Piece Sectional Sofa)
Sectional sofas, otherwise known as modular sofas, are composed of multiple sections that can be arranged in a number of different positions. Many people arrange their sectionals in an L-shape, which facilitates conversation and allows interior designers to take advantage of room corners. Chaise sectionals are also becoming increasingly popular, especially with families, as the chaise section allows people to spread out and lay down for maximum comfort.
Functionality
You might think that sofas are almost exclusively used for meeting basic seating needs, but there are additional functionalities that can be beneficial in a sofa.
Power Motion Sofas
Power motion sofas are sometimes called power reclining sofas. These sofas are plugged into a wall, and people can press a button to recline the sofa to various positions. In fact, many power motion sofas feature extra perks, like the ability to adjust headrests and foot rests, massage capabilities, and charging ports for charging your cell phone or plugging in a heating pad. As technology advances and demand increases, you’ll now find a selection of power motion loveseats, sofas, and sectionals, which means you can take advantage of power motion, regardless of what size sofa you’re looking for.
Sleeper Sofas
Whether you’re furnishing a home office guest bedroom combo or simply wanting to create some space room in your living room for guests to sleep, sleeper sofas provides a comfortable sofa by day and a pull-out bed by night. Because of their dual functionality, some people find sleeper sofas a less comfortable alternative to both sofas and traditional mattresses, but sleeper sofas are more comfortable than ever, and the space saving really pays off.
Sofa Upholstery
People have different upholstery wants and needs for their sofas. While some people prefer the durability and elegance of leather, others prefer the look and feel of fabric sofas or the unique style of velvet. Just be sure you understand the strengths and weaknesses of each kind of upholstery before you choose, especially if you’re looking for cat- and dog-friendly sofas.
Fabric Sofas
(Pictured Above: Carmen Fabric Sofa)
This blanket term covers a variety of different types of fabrics, including everything from microfiber and wool to linen and polyester. With fabric sofas, you’ll have a wider range of color options, and depending on which fabric is used, there will be different pros and cons. Cotton, for example, is great for preventing wear, fading, and pilling, however, it can be easily stained and wrinkled. Synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, and vinyl are generally made to be wrinkle-, fade-, and stain-resistant, so while they have a less natural feel, they do provide a great deal of durability. Especially if you have pets, microfiber might be a good option, as it doesn’t rip or scratch easily, and pet hair can be quickly removed with a lint roller. In general, choosing a fabric with a tighter weave can also be helpful with pets.
Leather Sofas
(Pictured Above: Stockton Leather Sofa)
Star Furniture is the leather leader in Texas, which means we have the biggest selection of leather sofas in the state. Not only do leather sofas have that classic, elegant look and feel, but modern processes make it more resistant to cracking, peeling, and sagging, making them more durable than ever. In fact, experts say that a leather sofa can last up to four times longer than a fabric couch. That’s because leather is tough but flexible, resisting punctures and tears, while also being resistant to spills and dirt. In fact, leather furniture can usually be cleaned with a quick wipe with a damp cloth. If you’re looking for pet-friendly options, leather sofas repel animal fur, but they can be scratched easily, which can alter the way your sofa looks.
Velvet Sofas
(Pictured Above: O’Neal Blue Velvet Sofa)
Velvet furniture is one of the hottest interior design trends of the year and choosing a velvet sofa is a great way to show off your unique style. Not only can a velvet sofa serve as a bold conversation piece, but velvet looks great on a wide range of silhouettes, so you’re not stuck with limited options for sofa shape and size. Whether you decide to go with bold colors like a blue velvet sofa, or something a little more understated, velvet sofas can take your interior design to the next level.
Comfort
Unlike some of the other considerations, comfort is fairly objective. Consider your own person tastes. Do you like deep cushions that envelop you into the couch? Do you hate to sit on leather sofas in shorts? Do you prefer sofa arms to be tall or short? Take a moment to think about the most comfortable couch you’ve ever sat on. What characteristics did it have? What bothers you most about the couch you have now?
Because comfort is so subjective, it’s best to come into the furniture store to test out different couches. Don’t just sit down quickly and stand immediately back up. Try sitting in different positions for a few minutes at a time. Weather-permitting, wear shorts so you can feel the upholstery against your skin. Try sitting on every cushion and see how it feels to sit between cushions. Try resting your arm on the arm rests. It’s hard to know how you’ll feel about a sofa long-term, so be sure to be thorough when testing a sofa for comfort.
Sofa Shapes
Sofas come in a wide range of shapes and styles, and while many have their own unique flair, they often fit into popular categories. From chesterfield and tuxedo sofas to more classic English rolled arm sofas, understanding some of the most popular sofa shapes can help you determine your tastes.
Lawson Sofa
(Pictured Above: Madison Mist Lawson Sofa)
Perhaps the most standard of the couch shapes, Lawson sofas tend to be designed with comfort in mind. Characterized by their three back cushions and square or slightly rolled low arms, you’ll find a wide variety of Lawson sofas with their own unique flair.
English Rolled Arm Sofa
(Pictured Above: Cabot Leather Sofa)
If coziness is what you’re after, look no further than the English rolled arm sofa. They tend to have soft, oversized cushions, a tight back, and low turned legs on casters.
Chesterfield Sofa
(Pictured Above: Dalton Leather Chesterfield Sofa)
Popularized in the 18th century, chesterfield sofas have withstood the test of time. Once a symbol of noble sophistication, chesterfields still have an elegant appeal defined by their use of leather, rolled arms, tufting, lack of back cushions, and a back that’s the same height as the arms.
Tuxedo Sofa
(Pictured Above: Josie Tuxedo Sofa)
Like the chesterfield sofa, the tuxedo sofa also features arms that are the same height as the back of the couch. Unlike the chesterfield, the tuxedo couch is clean-lined and geometric, with a distinguished boxy shape. These sofas gained popularity in the 1920s and are now part of the modern furniture movement.
Bridgewater Sofa
(Pictured Above: Lily Bridgewater Sofa)
The Bridgewater sofa has a low profile and low arms that are oftentimes set back from the front of the sofa. More traditional Bridgewater sofas feature a skirt, which hides the legs of the couch, and they often have a rolled back.
Mid-Century Modern Sofa
(Pictured Above: Malone Mid-Century Modern Sofa)
The mid-century modern sofa has been popularized in part by the show Mad Men. While the details can differ, mid-century modern sofas tend to have sleek lines, a rectangular shape, a tufted back, individual seat cushions, and solid, wood legs.
Sofa Style
Whether your interior design style is more modern, traditional, or transitional, Star Furniture & Mattress has a large selection of sofas in every style. Here’s what to look for in modern, traditional, and transitional sofas.
Modern Sofas
(Pictured Above: Jordan Leather Sofa)
Love modern and contemporary style? Modern furniture has a wide-range of characteristics, including minimalism, straight lines, geometric shapes, and bold accent colors. Modern sofas tend to have square-edges, clean lines, natural materials and textures, and a focus on negative space.
Traditional Sofas
(Pictured Above: Topton Traditional Sofa)
Decorating your home in the traditional style? In general, traditional furniture decorating favors orderly furniture, which comes together to create a warm, homey living space. The furniture itself tends to feature rich wood tones, ornate detailing, lustrous accents, and symmetry. Traditional couches tend to feature plush fabrics, soft edges, and patterned upholstery.
Transitional Sofas
(Pictured Above: Madison Mist Sofa)
Not set on a fully modern or traditional decorating style? Why not choose transitional furniture, which allows you to take advantage of the best of both worlds. Transitional furniture borrows elements from both traditional and modern contemporary design. Typically, you’ll see some combination of these characteristics: tone-on-tone palettes, complementary textures, a mixture of curvy and straight lines, and symmetry. Transitional sofas tend to have a medium scale, a warm and inviting look, and simple silhouettes.
Shopping for a new couch? The interior design experts at Star Furniture & Mattress can help. Not only do we have a huge selection of sofas in every style for every budget, but we even offer complimentary design services at our furniture stores, as well as our free room planning tool, which allows you to preview different furniture arrangements without all the heavy lifting. Start shopping today!