5 Things To Help You Select a Sofa and Our Top Ten Home Staging Sofa Lust List

SPEAK INTERIOR DESIGN, HOME STAGING, MANCHESTER, HOW TO SELECT A SOFA OUR TOP TEN TIPS BLOG www.speakthestudio.com

Hello and welcome to SPEAK professional home-staging and interior design.

When it comes to making a sofa purchase it is a costly expense that will need prior ground-work!

This blog will provide you with some professional guidance in what to look for when making this all-important decision and in addition our top ten home-staging sofa lust list!

THE HISTORY OF THE SOFA IN SECONDS

The word “sofa” dates back to 2000BC in Egypt, and is derived from the Arabic word “suffah” which roughly translates to “bench”. People have been perching on sofas for thousands of years, and although today’s sofas are infinitely comfier, sustainable, utilise rich materials, come in an array of designs and functional purposes, it is clear the role of the sofa within any interior is fundamental to the space.

Did you know in 2000BC, sofas were only used by the very, very rich - pharaohs and royalty, think of Cleopatra depicted within Egyptology adorned on a regal sofa-type carriage being carried around!

The Romans enjoyed all of the benefits of the sofa, although they were much happier lounging on something resembling a chaise longue, usually while nibbling an abundance of grapes and being fanned by scantily clad slaves!

The Lower-class Romans, literally known as ‘plebs’, tended to recline on stone benches instead. Probably not very comfortable, really! How the sofa and it’s role have rightly so advanced into modern times!

In the 1800s, it was furniture pioneers like Thomas Chippendale who started to circulate pattern books displaying and recording the designs of the age. The birth of the Industrial Revolution brought mass market textiles and the reduction in production costs making the sofa easily accessible to the population.

5 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU PURCHASE A SOFA

  • 1. Try before you buy!: It may be very tempting to make an ad-hoc purchase online and did you know one of the main mistakes purchasers make is to not check the measurements of the sofa to check it will fit in through the front door! Make sure if you have the opportunity you can visit the sofa in a showroom to test it for: durability, comfort, functionality, colour swatch and match.

  • The average sofa has a seat depth of at least 60cm, which gives plenty of room to stretch and manoeuvre!

  • When it comes to seat height if you require back support it is worth noting, most designs are between 45cm and 50cm high!

    Sarah Humphreys, Senior Buyer at DFS, says:

“For example, if there are two of you and you both like to sit with your legs up, then check that the sofa is deep enough to accommodate you both. Or consider a chaise end or recliner sofa, if you have the space to accommodate one.”
— Sarah Humpries / Senior Buyer at DFS

2. Invest in a good frame: I still have in my own home an inherited sofa (in desperate need before the year is out of recovering) from my husband’s Grandparent, we will not part with it due to the solid Oak frame. It has been the most functional sofa we have ever had and has really stood the test of time! A solid hardwood frame is probably your best option, try to steer clear of particleboard or a metal construction. Our top tip would be to take note of the guarantee before you purchase and do not be afraid to ask the store if they consider adding any additional items such as a free cushion, insurance for a limited time, a cleaning product – if you do not ask, you do not get!. 15 years plus guarantee is a good deal!

3. Check the additions: Does your potential purchase come with free cushions or other accessories? If so check these for durability and functionality! Foam and Fibre fillings can be quite hard, but will last the test of time! Again: remember how you like to lounge!

4. Fabric Fantastic: Whether you go for a bright or dark colour, pattern or a neutral, your choice of fabric will have an immediate impact on the room! Be careful as natural materials and darker colours may be susceptible to fading and sunlight!. I always think of the plastic covers on the sofa in the popular American TV series ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’! If you have a dog or cat, opt for a fabric that's easy to spot clean

5. Measure!: According to Sarah Humphreys at DFS, it’s important to note both the width (the measurement across the back of the sofa) and the depth (the measurement from the back of the sofa, to the front). 'Pay attention to the depth of the sofa if you’re buying for a smaller room, as the depth of the seat rarely changes from the larger to smaller size sofas,' she says. 'And consider the height of the sofa, particularly if your room has radiators or shelving.'

Those famous plastic sofa covers from the popular American TV series ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’

Those famous plastic sofa covers from the popular American TV series ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’

OUR TOP TEN HOME STAGING SOFA LUST LIST

Are you thinking about upgrading your sofa?

We have together a top ten sofa lust list, these are the best of best in terms of value, design aesthetic, functionality, price point and colour. A sofa should last more than a few generations. Sprung, horsehair seats are a more expensive choice but will last longer than foam, so if you want to splash out, then try to keep an eye out for that all important composition.

Take a browse through our carefully curated selection:

  1. SOHO HOME VIVIENNE SOFA

  2. WEST ELM NEWPORT SOFA

  3. THE CONRAN SHOP Lievore Altherr Molina for Arper

  4. FEARNSBY BY MADE.COM

  5. DION BY MADE.COM

  6. DAXTON BY MADE.COM

  7. DFS DWELL KONI

  8. THE SOFA AND CHAIR COMPANY CIRCA

  9. THE SOFA AND CHAIR COMPANY ROCHESTER

  10. DARLINGS OF CHELSEA BERKLEY RANGE

SPEAK Interior Design, Interior Designer Manchester, UK, a collection of interior design furniture and accessories

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Contact us to SPEAK about your virtual or in-person interior design project’s. We would love to hear from you and explore the rich possibilities. What can we accomplish together?

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