Sofa Shopping 101

To be a well-rounded and savvy shopping diva, one must eventually venture into the world of upholstery. You take all precautions when out shopping for those really serious purchases—digital cameras, computers, and even the latest make of your favorite cars. You gather the much needed, in depth data, from all resources, as any good consumer would or should. Then, you always inquire from all respected friends about their recommendations on brands, product designs, functions, features, and cost. You even skim over the consumer reports on specific top models.

So why is it that when it comes to purchasing a sofa, all sensibility goes right out the window? This being one of the largest, most expensive purchases for the home—and one that you’ll more than likely have for over five to ten years—should not be treated as an impulse buy.

The most common mistake people make when buying a sofa is their lack of preparation. There are many things to consider before purchasing—what is more than likely—the largest piece of furnishing in your home. I tell all my clients to start the sofa buying process by doing a little research. Doing your homework first will alleviate a lot of grief down the road.

I recommend starting a notebook of clippings from design magazines. Once you have a sense of what you like, draw up a quick floor plan of the room, and take measurements of all openings, and wall space. Map out the room: place the sofa and all other furniture pieces to scale in the floor plan. If you need help with this, there is a plethora of helpful online tools: Better Homes and Gardens’ Arrange-a Room or Raymour & Flanigan Furniture’s Room Planner.

Once you have the basics, a color palate needs to be created. Gather paint samples, fabric swatches of all upholstered furnishings, carpet, and wood samples, including drapery. Create a color board of all textiles to be used. Design the room as to how you want it to feel, rather than how it is currently. Like any good girl scout, be prepared to make that big purchase.

What should you look for when searching for upholstered pieces? You should always consider the inner construction. Ask the salesperson if the frame is kiln-dried. This is a process where the manufacturers take the wood and remove the majority of the moisture content in large kilns, to ensure little to no warping for lifespan of the piece. “There is no substitute for a top-notch frame if you plan to really live with your upholstered furniture,” says Susan Regan, executive director of the Hardwood Information Center.

The next thing is to find out how the joints are adjoined.