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The Sofa Buying Guide that Helps You Find the Perfect Fit

By September 9, 2020March 29th, 2024Interior Design Tips

When it comes to sofas, the options are endless. How do you find a quality sofa in a sea of endless choices? The interior design experts at San Francisco Design put together the perfect quality sofa buying guide for homeowners like you.

It seems like everywhere you turn, there is a different sofa for you to buy—newly popular designs, vintage sofas, sectionals, sleepers, leather couches, and fabric. Where you turn when choosing a sofa will largely determine whether you get a sofa you love or buyer’s remorse.You might think you know exactly what you want, but there might be a few factors you forget. On the other hand, you could be researching how to buy a good leather sofa. Whatever the case may be, following our sofa buying guide will save you the time and frustration many homeowners experience on their quest to find the perfect couch.

It is time for you to stop pinning images of your favorite sofas on your Pinterest dream home board and browse these tips for buying a quality sofa. This guide includes best fabrics, sofa colors, leather sofa, and more for a collection of sofa shopping tips that will help you find your perfect fit.

Let’s get into it.

4 Tips for Buying the Perfect Sofa

Off-white modern sofa & modern living room furniture from San Francisco Design

1. Remember that Size Matters

In the world of interior design, size matters, especially when selecting a sofa. You should assess the size of the room you plan on putting a sofa before you go sofa shopping. Ask yourself, how much of your living room you want to fill, and how much you want untouched? If you have a small living room, you will need a smaller sofa and vice-versa. Understanding your space limit will help you narrow your search and which shape will work inside the space best.

A few other questions include whether you will add a coffee table to your layout, side tables, or accessory chairs. If you plan on doing so, our experts suggest looking simple sofa design or those that feature a slight L-shape. However, if your sofa will be the focal point of the room, you can choose more dramatic shapes and intricate designs.

Living room design by e-design

2. Visualize the Arrangement

Another factor you should consider before sofa shopping is how you will arrange your furniture. Decide how you will orient your sofa and other larger furniture items. Some considerations you might make is which layout would work best for your lifestyle. If you like watching TV, perhaps your sofa will work best in front of the television.

If you are outfitting a formal living area where you plan on entertaining future guests, a semi-circle arrangement around a coffee table will work well. Visualizing your living room’s furniture layout ahead of time will allow you to make an educated choice that will better fit your space.

Home Furnishings, modern leather sofa and accent chair

3. Research Shape and Material

The next step you will need to take it, choosing the shape and material of your sofa. Using your past conclusions, you can decide which sofa shape and material will help fulfill its function. Will a sectional keep your space open while still dividing the area up by purpose? Should you find a rounder shaped sofa that will work well in social gatherings?

You can also determine which material would also work best for your sofa, depending on whether the space is formal or informal. Upholstered sofas are typically more comfortable and work well in informal living rooms. Some of the best fabrics for sofas include natural fibers like linen, wool, cotton, and leather. Synthetic fibers also used on the sofa are polyester, nylon, acrylic, olefin, and vinyl.

Here are some key questions to ask before deciding which sofa material is best for your home:

  • Do you have young children?
  • Do you have any pets?
  • How would you use your sofa? Do you eat on it? Do you lie down on it a lot?
  • Do allergies concern you or your family?
  • How much maintenance are you prepared to do for your new sofa?

There are benefits and downsides to each choice. Research your options to make the best choice.

4. Shop for Your Style

Now that you know what you want, it is time for the fun part—sofa shopping. Look around for a sofa that fits all the parameters you determined beforehand, as well as one that matches your style. You can browse your sofa options online, especially as you narrow your options based on aesthetics and style.

It would help if you also visited local furniture stores to get a first-hand look at your choices in-person. You will also have a chance to sit on the sofa to determine whether it is comfortable enough for your lifestyle. Luckily, there are doing the legwork you already did before shopping will help you find the sofa that offers the best bang for your buck (and looks beautiful, too).

modern leather living room sofa

Modern and Contemporary Sofas at San Francisco Design

With so many different sofas, finding your perfect fit may seem overwhelming. San Francisco Design offers a selection of the best quality sofas for homes in your area. There are various styles, brands, and designs that will make your dream home come to life!

Our contemporary sofas, couches, ottomans, and chairs look great without sacrificing comfort. Please browse our online store to see a few of our hand-selected items that are in-stock and ready to ship. You can also visit our stores in Salt Lake City and Park City to see what else we have on-hand.

Get started on outfitting your living room with the latest sofa designs today.