How to choose the right sofa? | Factory Street

The fulcrum of a living room’s furnishings, the sofa must be chosen with care. Before taking the plunge, you should ask yourself a lot of questions about the design, comfort or practicality. From the corner sofa to the convertible sofa, here are some tips for choosing the right sofa.

The criteria for choosing a sofa

A sofa of the right size

Have you fallen in love with this leather sofa spotted at the local store? Before starting, it is essential to check whether the size of the sofa corresponds to the space you have available. To do this, carefully take the measurements of your living room and compare them with those of your dream sofa. Furniture presented in stores tends to appear smaller than in reality as it stands out in the space. The size of the sofa also varies depending on the number of seats you want.

Using the sofa

Once you have defined the dimensions, it is important to determine what you intend to use the sofa for.
It is especially wise to opt for models with slats or wire mesh if you want to use them regularly as a bed. Extremely comfortable, the convertible sofa is particularly suitable as an additional bed.
In addition to sleep frequency, the quality of the mattress is also an element to take into consideration. Choose one about 16cm thick to sleep like a baby every night.
If you often receive guests or have a large family, it is better to get a corner sofa. Synonymous with conviviality, it can also be used to delimit the space in a large room. To create a complete living room, you can combine your straight sofa with a corner sofa and poufs.

The price and quality of the sofa

These two variables reflect the materials used for the structure of the sofa (cardboard, wood, chipboard, etc.). They also reflect the density of the foams and their resilience, but also the type and quality of the covering (leather, fabric, microfibers, etc.). It is therefore essential to define the budget you are ready to allocate to your sofa. Once you have established your budget, compare it to the quality and resistance you need. Count around 1500 euros for an extremely stylish and elegant model.

The type of upholstery of a sofa

To choose the right sofa it is important to determine the covering you want. Leather, fabric or synthetic, each covering has its advantages and disadvantages. To avoid making mistakes when choosing, it is advisable to focus your decision on the aesthetic and practical aspect.

Materials for the structure of a sofa

The sofa frame, also called carcass, forms the skeleton of the sofa. Models the shape of the sofa ensuring its solidity. The strongest carcasses are made of beech, pine and plywood. For greater sturdiness it is preferable to opt for wooden crosspieces. In particular, check that they are correctly stapled and glued.
As regards the suspensions, prefer "no-sags" type springs. They benefit from better elasticity and longevity than straps. As for cushions, the best choice remains "high resilience" foam. The latter stands out for its longevity, comfort and resistance. Opt for foam padding with a density greater than 30 kg/m³.

As for the standards of the sofas

The sofas undergo various tests before being marketed. Before choosing your sofa and purchasing any product, remember to check the CE marking. Awarded by a jury of professionals, the “NF meublement” brand is another guarantee of quality. They tested the sofas in real-life conditions by subjecting them to repeated pressure and wear.