grey sofa in contemporary living room setup, complete with coffee table and chair

Not all pieces of furniture are created equally. Some will get significantly more attention and use than others, such as your sofa. Because sofas are a staple furnishing in any home and will likely be used every day year after year, it’s worth taking your time when shopping for a new one. If you’re ready to buy a new piece of furniture that will serve your family well for years to come, the trusted designers at Star Furniture can help you navigate the many options while keeping the process simple and fun. 

The first step in your journey to the perfect sofa is deciding whether you’d like to purchase one that’s ready-made or custom-made. Both options come with their own benefits and disadvantages. Ready-made sofas are the kind that you can find on the furniture showroom floor. Custom-made sofas are available in a variety of different options, but are not usually available to be seen in person before purchasing.

When it comes to choosing between a ready-made or customized sofa, there’s no one right or wrong choice. Only you can determine which option would be the best fit for your individual needs and when you choose a trusted retailer like Star Furniture, you can’t go wrong with either choice. If you’re unsure about whether a ready-made or custom sofa is right for you, ask yourself these questions before stopping by Star Furniture to get your shopping experience off to a great start.

Can I truly envision what my custom sofa will look like?

One of the biggest concerns that should be carefully considered when deciding whether or not to purchase a custom sofa is whether you can truly envision what the sofa will look like. Remember, you won’t be seeing the custom sofa in person before making a purchase decision.There are many factors that go into building a sofa from the ground up that many people take for granted when looking at ready-made options, such as arms, legs, fabric, etc. If you’re leaning toward going with a custom sofa, here are some options that can impact the way your sofa looks and feels:

  • Length: How big will it be? Be sure to keep the size and scale of the room where it will be in mind.
  • Arms & Legs: What shape would you like the arms to be? What style and material would you prefer the legs to have?
  • Fabric: Does the fabric complement the style you have in mind while being a practical option for your lifestyle?
  • Cushion Configuration: Will the cushions be removable or fixed? How many cushions will the sofa have? Some sofas have one single bench-style cushion, others will have 2-4.

The answers to these questions can vary from brand to brand in terms of what options are available. Fortunately, some brands have visualization tools that can make getting an idea of what your custom sofa will look like easier. Still, it’s important to remember that you won’t be seeing (or sitting on) the exact sofa you’re going to buy until it’s been made.

Should I put my hand up and get help from a design pro?

Working with an experienced designer is a wise decision when making any significant furniture purchase, especially when you’re considering what type of custom sofa is right for you. Interior designers have years of knowledge and training in navigating the endless options of upholstery, styling, materials, and more. This is sure to be an invaluable resource when it’s time for you to decide what type of sofa you need.

Along with guiding you in the direction of sofas that will mesh with your current home decor style, design experts can make recommendations about how to create a sofa that will be durable, comfortable, and practical for your family’s unique lifestyle. Additionally, they’ll be able to assist you in areas where you may be a bit confused, such as which type of material to use in the frame of the sofa or which cushion filling is best for you. Bottom line? You don’t have to figure out how to order a custom sofa alone. Working with a Star Furniture designer will take the guesswork out of decorating.

Am I willing to wait?

Every home decor project has a timeline. While some are less expeditious, others must be accomplished as quickly as possible. Of course, your particular timeline could have an impact on whether you’re able to order a custom-made sofa or if you should stick with one that’s ready to take home immediately or in a short time frame. Because custom pieces are made just for you, they take a while to fabricate. Lead times can vary anywhere from 8-20 weeks. If you’re not in a hurry to bring home the sofa of your dreams, a custom-made one could be a wonderful option. However, if you’re in need of a new sofa right away or are trying to redecorate an area of your home as quickly as possible, a ready-made sofa is probably a better choice for your needs.

At Star Furniture, we’re proud to provide a curated selection of customized sofas as well as ones that are ready-made, many that are in stock and ready to ship out right away. If you think that you have to compromise style or quality when purchasing a ready-made sofa instead of a custom one, think again. The quality of our ready-made sofas is excellent, often on par with custom sofas. You truly can’t go wrong either way.

Can I budget a bit more to get exactly what I want?

We all know there’s great value to getting exactly what you want. That’s the biggest benefit of a custom sofa. Because custom sofas are one-of-a-kind and made just for you, they are generally more expensive than their ready-made cousins. While prices vary across brands and will change depending on the specific features that you’d like, you can expect to pay a bit more for a custom sofa than one that’s ready-made. Having an idea of how much money you’re willing to spend on a new sofa before you begin looking will keep your furniture shopping experience smooth and simple. 

If you’re working with a budget, choosing a ready-made sofa may be the best option to ensure that you go home with a quality piece at just the right price. If pricing isn’t an important factor for you, a custom-made sofa can help you get your ideal sofa in terms of appearance, functionality, and comfort. Remember, your sofa will have a tremendous impact on the overall style and comfort of your home. Treat it as an investment and you’ll be thankful you did!

Should I consider additional custom upholstery pieces?

Once you’ve decided to purchase a custom-made sofa, you may be eager to invest in other custom pieces. Brilliant idea! Pairing your new sofa with other pieces that are tailored to your liking, such as armchairs, a loveseat, or an ottoman, is a great way to complete the look of any space in your home. While ready-made pieces can help give your living spaces a much-needed upgrade, it’s hard to beat the thoughtful style that comes with customizing individual pieces of furniture for a particular area of your home. Best of all, you can use these custom pieces to reflect your unique style. Upholstery isn’t the only thing that can be customized. Stop by Star Furniture to speak with our design team about our other living room furniture available for custom order. You won’t believe how beautiful, cozy, and uniquely “you”  your home can be with personalized home decor.

off white rolled arm sofa in traditional living room setup

Keep This in Mind Before Ordering Your Custom-Made Sofa

If you’ve decided to go with a custom-made sofa, congratulations! There’s something special about buying a piece of furniture that has been made exclusively for you. Before you schedule an appointment with a designer at Star Furniture to get the process started, be sure to keep these factors in mind:

  • How will your sofa be used? Will it be in an area of your home that’s used occasionally, such as a home office or a space with lots of activity, such as a family room? This will help you determine whether or not you should choose an upholstery that prioritizes style over usability as well as comfort level. 
  • Who will be using it? If your family members are tall, it may be wise to select a sofa that has deeper cushions. Likewise, if you have young children or pets in your home, you’ll want a sofa that’s low enough to the ground for them to get on and, of course, that’s easy to care for.
  • What’s your home decor style? While you may love the tailored look of a tufted leather sofa, it may not be the best option for a living room that’s designed in a coastal contemporary style. To ensure that your sofa doesn’t look out of place when you bring it home, keep in mind the surrounding decor of your home that it will be paired with.
  • Do you need special features? Sofas are used for more than just sitting. Would you like your sofa to have additional features, such as a built-in bed or the ability to recline?
  • Are you planning to move? Quality sofas are built to last. This is a good thing, but it means that your sofa will be ready to go with you if you’re planning to move in the near future. With this in mind, be sure to choose a sofa that can easily transition from one home to the other.
  • Have you measured the space? While you may think you know the size of the sofa you need, you can never be certain until you break out the tape measure. Before you step foot in a furniture store, you should know how much space you have to work with so that your sofa doesn’t overwhelm or get lost in the room.

Star Furniture: The Best Place to Order Your Custom Sofa

Buying a new sofa is one of the most important decorating decisions you can make. A good sofa can make all the difference in designing a home that feels stylish, comfortable, and inviting. With this in mind, it’s best to take the necessary steps to choose the right one for you rather than rushing to buy the first one that catches your eye. This is where shopping at a trusted furniture store is essential.

At Star Furniture, our buyers have curated the best assortment of ready-made and custom sofa resources in a variety of options and styles. No matter what your price point, timeline, decorating style, or functional needs may be, we’ve got you covered. Our trusted design experts are ready to show you how simple finding or creating the perfect sofa for any room in your home can be.

Visit us online or check out our social media sites today to browse our large selection of beautiful living room furniture sets, sofas, sectionals, loveseats, and more. Then stop by a convenient showroom location to bring home your dream sofa. Whether you choose a ready-made one right off the floor or order one that’s customized to your preferences, at the end of the day you’ll be sitting pretty.