Sit back and relax! 5 things to keep in mind when choosing your next sofa or armchair

From the moment of impact, from that unintentional but entirely appropriate sigh, from that sense of immediate, well-earned relaxation – there is nothing in the world like sinking into your favourite sofa at the end of a long, exhausting day.

The perfect sofa or armchair is there to welcome you even on the hardest days. It’s there for you for impromptu naps, for relaxed drinks with friends, and for informal dinners on your knee.

And when you’re not rigidly perched, cosily cuddled up, or blissfully horizontal on this amazingly comfortable seat, it still has to look so good it lights up the room and makes your inner interior designer glow…

No wonder it can be difficult to buy a sofa or armchair. Here are five things to keep in mind when you’re looking for how to choose the right sofa for your home.

1. Check the frame warranty

Whether it’s a leather armchair or a velvet sofa, at the heart of it all should be a highly durable frame that’s built to last.

Despite the invitingly soft and comforting exterior, your seating must have a strong frame made from materials such as galvanised steel or hardwoods to ensure it won’t crack or warp with repeated use or temperature changes.

Look for long-lasting frame warranties that stand by the sofa materials and design so you can nap, lounge, and dine on your sofa or armchair as much as you like without worrying about wear and tear.

Built for years of relaxation: The Lisa 3 Seat Sofa is built with a sturdy galvanised steel frame, and comes with a 10-year warranty on the frame for years and years of peace of mind.

2. Know your fabrics

Lusciously soft and sensual to the touch, or smooth and buttery? You’ll be touching the fabric on your sofa every day for years to come, so you have to be sure about which kind of fabric you love the most.

From leather to cotton and polyester blends to sheer velvet, each option has its own pros and cons.

Premium leather is buttery soft and endlessly luxurious and can last for years with proper care. However, it may not be suitable for homes with rambunctious young children or excitable cats and dogs that could scratch the material.

Meanwhile, a polyester fabric sofa blend fuses the gentle touch of soft cotton-like fabric with the hard-wearing durability of polyester, and usually include removable cushion covers for easy machine-wash cleaning.

Velvet is a fabric in a world of its own. Unbelievably soft and outrageously indulgent, this silky material invites endless relaxation. Its colours are vivid and the fabric is resistant to snags, yet it is vulnerable to stains and can attract dust and hair.

If you’re not sure which to choose, spend time in the showroom sitting on each one — and perhaps take a fabric sample home with you.

3. Feel the filling

Fall into the waiting embrace of a blissful armchair or sofa, knowing that its fluffed cushions will be there to envelop you in their warmth and delicate softness every time. When it comes to comfort, the filling is paramount.

Yet, it is also subjective. Do you prefer a dense cushion that will support but not slump? Or a feather-light pillow that you can sink into?

From feathers to high-density foam, the feel of an armchair or sofa bed is largely dependent on the filling, so don’t overlook the materials when shopping for a couch. Sofas with a foam filling typically offer more support, while feather-filled sofas offer piles upon piles of comfort — and then some.

Aptly named: The Cloud Armchair has a foam core seat that’s wrapped in a layer of fine feathers for the ultimate supportive seat that wraps you in its gentle embrace, and adds even more luxury with a 100% fine feather back.

4. Be mindful of the size

A leather sofa will command any space with its opulent material and powerful grace, but it shouldn’t command a space purely because of its overwhelming size.

Shopping for a sofa can be deceptive, as furniture showrooms are almost always large, open spaces, which can make sofas and chaises look smaller than they really are. Before you begin your search for the perfect sofa, measure the space in your home so you know what you have to work with.

You can even use painter’s tape or newspaper to measure out the size of a potential new couch on the floor, so you can clearly picture how much space it will take up in your living area.

Hugo not huge: The Hugo Chaise Lounge is an elegant chaise sofa, with tapered legs and sleek lines. It is also a four-seater design that won’t overwhelm a room at 248cm in length, allowing for four seats in the space of a standard three-seater.

5. Consider customisation

Perhaps you no longer need to know how to choose the right sofa. Perhaps you already know exactly what you want from the size to the fabric – yet you simply can’t find it.

In this case, consider designing your own to get the best sofa for your needs. Get exactly what you want, in the right colour, the right size, the right fabric, and even the right arm length for your space, personal style, and preferences by ordering a custom sofa.

At Lounge Lovers, we give you this freedom with our affordable designer sofa range. From changing dimensions, selecting a unique fabric or swapping out the leg finish, we’re happy to get it just right for you.

Searching for new seating in your home? Shop the most comfortable sofas and armchairs here.