There are some mistakes that people often make when buying a sofa. These are small things in themselves, and so are easily overlooked. But all 5 sofa buying mistakes featured here do end up having a big impact on your satisfaction with your sofa purchase.
1. Buying a Sofa that is Too Big – or Small: Photo (c) Craftmaster
A sofa might look deceptively small in a showroom, but could end up being too big for your room. Not measuring your space or your sofa can create many problems. When you don’t measure your space you can end up with a sofa that is too big or too small for your room.
Your sofa should be the same scale as your other furniture so it doesn’t seem too big or too small placed alongside the rest of it.
2. Buying a Sofa Without Trying it Out
Photo (c) Ralph LaurenJust as your sofa shouldn’t be too big or too small for your space, it shouldn’t be too big or too small for you. If you are tall, make sure that the seat is deep enough to let you sit in comfort. If you are not very tall, or have bad knees, look for a shallow seat that lets you rise out of it easily.
Never buy a sofa without first trying it out. Sit on it, lie on it, try it outthe way you would use it at home. If you like napping on your sofa, make sure the arms are positioned just right. Make sure the cushions and the back are as soft or firm as you want them to be.
3. Buying the Wrong Style Sofa
Photo (c) NorwalkYour sofa should coordinate with the style of the rest of your furniture.It should be a style that you are comfortable with, not in just looking at it, but how that style functions for you. The way it functions can be determined by trying it out, but make sure that you don’t buy a sofa that is in a style that is completely out of place in your home.
Each home has a predominant style, and if you buy a sofa that doesn’t go along with it, it could be a major irritant unless you are especially skilled in merging different styles together. Otherwise, pay close attention to the style, and how your sofa would look lined up with the rest of your furnishings.
4. Selecting the Wrong Fabric for Your Sofa
Photo (c) Calico CornersSelecting the wrong fabric for your sofa can be an expensive mistake. Make your fabric selection based on how the sofa will be used, and where you will be placing it. If you are buying your sofa for an area of your home that is heavily used, a delicate fabric or color would be destroyed even before you’ve had a chance to enjoy it.
Selecting the wrong color for your fabric can be just as bad a mistake. It is always a good idea to bring a swatch home to look at it in relation to all your other furnishings, wall color and light.
Always choose a color you like and can live with. Don't pick colors based on trends or just a whim. You will have to live with that color choice for years.
5. Buying a Poor Quality Sofa
Image (c) Abe AbbasThere are always budget considerations to be sure, but buying a good quality sofa ensures that you don’t have to replace it within a couple of years.
Buying a good quality sofa saves you money in the long run. Buy the best quality you can afford as buying a poor quality sofa means that it will lose its shape, looks and comfort factor pretty quickly, sometimes within a matter of months. A poor quality frame can also cause it to break, and you will have arms that jiggle and legs that aren't steady.
