Design Dilemma: Choosing a Sofa

Yesterday I wrote about a particular style of sofa I see all too often. Please understand that this is my personal opinion (professional as it may be), but there is nothing good about this style.

Winner of Design Hole’s prize for ugliest sofa in the world

These are always found at your less-expensive furniture stores, which I’m sure is part of the reason why they’re appealing. However, they’re cheap for a reason - the quality is non-existent. They’re priced to sell, not to live with. As for quality, these are made with staple-guns and glue. The fabrics are thin and not designed to last. Same thing with the foam cushioning. So, you’re saving money in the short run for something that will need replacing in two years.

A classic style allows you to design around it.
Mix it with antiques or contemporary elements.

Worse, these are so large in scale and puffy that it’s very difficult to find anything to pair with it. You’re kind of stuck with the puffy look. This is why they’re almost always sold as a set.

How do you choose a sofa that will stand the test of time and offer a sense of style and proper proportion? And let’s assume the budget is limited. Here are some resources and suggestions.

• Choose a classic style and build around it. A rolled-arm, two or three cushion sofa is a great option. It will never go out of style and is a perfect choice for anyone who wants a basic look they can build around.

Crate & Barrel’s Huntley Sofa

• Choose a solid color fabric. You can give it a punch of style by adding some patterned toss pillows or a throw blanket.
• Pay attention to scale. This is so important. If your room is small, look for a sofa with a smaller scale. Crate and Barrel’s Potomac Collection is designed for apartment living and smaller rooms. An over-stuffed model will look great in a larger room.
• Ask who manufactures the sofa you’re considering. Vanguard and Lee Industries make a lot of sofas for other brands, like Pottery Barn. Vanguard is solid and sells furniture under its own name. Lee does the same and is a more budget-oriented brand.

A style from Vanguard (not such great fabric) in a classic style.

• Ask about how the sofa is constructed. And don’t be afraid to kick the tires. Look underneath. If there are clumps of dried glue, move on. A lot of people talk about 8-way hand tied springs. No doubt those are great. But you won’t find them in a budget model. That’s okay. You can still find a nice sofa without them.

A classic style from Lee

• Finally, you should expect to pay about $1,500 - $2,000 for a sofa that will hold up through the years. If that sounds like a lot of money, consider that it will last longer than the puffy $500 model that’s perpetually on sale.

Do you have a favorite sofa resource? Why not share it with everyone?

• Posted by Jennifer at 4:35 pm
• Tagged: Design Dilemma, Furniture