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What does looking for a new sofa look like for you? Do you scroll online searching for a sofa you instantly connect with in a photo? Do you go down to Ashley HomeStore and sit on every sofa they have and choose one that might be the best fit?

Unfortunately, when you search either of these ways — even if you find a comfortable piece — it often ends in regret. Here’s why:

Many times, the size of the sofa is the wrong size for the space. It’s either too big or too small.
The sofa likely doesn't relate to the look and feel of the home. Yes, that modern sofa is trendy, but it may not fit with the more traditional or even Craftsman style of your home.
The colour of the sofa may not relate to the major fixed elements of the home. If the sofa colour doesn’t connect to the fireplace (stone or tile) flooring or paint color, for example, it will be glaringly obvious that something is “off”.

Today, I’m helping you stop second-guessing your sofa choice and avoid regret with my top 4 ways to find the right sofa for your space. Come take a look...

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Tip 1: Understand Why Scale Matters

So what is the problem with having a sofa that is too large or too small? A sofa that is too large for your space limits the movement in your area. Picture yourself having to move your legs every time your partner gets up for more popcorn during your favourite show, or imagine a room full of guests shuffling around, feeling stuck in one spot because the oversized sofa is in the way.

When your sofa is too small, the opposite is true. It can feel like a lonely island floating in the middle of the ocean. This is because the sofa doesn’t connect to the other elements as it should. When you go to set down your mug on the coffee table, it may or may not be within reach. The room may have a slight echo because it isn’t appropriately full. It may not feel cosy either.

These dilemmas sound small, but when you have to face them every day, year after year, you will feel the strain. You want the right size sofa that will allow natural flow and movement within your space, including accent pieces, and a feeling of comfort.

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Tip 2: How to Determine the Right Size Sofa

Let me help you avoid regret and give you my proven method to finding the right sofa for your space:

First, determine the type of use the sofa will get. What is its purpose? Will the sofa be used regularly for watching TV, reading, and relaxing? Or will it be in a formal setting? Answering these questions will help you narrow down the features that are most important to you in both function and style.

Then, measure the dimensions of your entire space, and use them to decide the entire layout of the room. Include all of the other pieces of furniture that will be used in that space, like end tables, accent chairs, coffee tables, and floor lamps. This is important because your room is like a big puzzle. If you don’t have all of the pieces on the board, you can’t make smart decisions about where to put them.

Once you have created the layout of your room, start penciling in the dimensions for all the items. If you know you want two end tables against the wall on either side of the sofa, how large will each of them need to be? How large will your sofa need to be to still accommodate them? How deep should the sofa be to still leave room for walking and a table?

With these answers, you are now armed with information that will help you make your sofa selection with confidence. (You can also download my Design by Numbers Guide to get all the perfect dimensions for your living room, such as the ideal 18” between a sofa and a coffee table!)

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Case Scenario

This past spring, a client hired me to furnish the entire main living space of their new condo, including the dining, living and reading areas. Their old furnishings included several smaller pieces which didn't work with the open living concept of their new space (which is a common problem when you move).

The Challenge

The TV was the focal point of the room but it was not centered on the wall. My clients also requested a separate reading area from the TV area in the open concept layout.

The Goal

Our goal was to create an open living space where there would be ample seating for company, where the furnishings were around the TV focal point, and where we could still maintain two traffic flow areas to the exterior patio door. They also wanted to add a fireplace to the room.

I started this room exactly how I suggested, by taking measurements and drawing up a layout that would allow all the pieces of the puzzle to fit and flow together. And of course, the clients also needed comfy chairs and sofas for reading and accent tables and decor, so I included those as well.

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The Solution

We chose a sectional sofa, and it was the star of the show! In fact, the sectional sofa drove all the decor decisions in the space. Choosing a sectional sofa connected the TV watching area and reading area, pulling the whole space together. The clients loved that they could use the sectional to take a quick nap or accommodate a large crowd during sporting events.

The sectional also helped to camouflage the off-centered TV. I designed a media unit with an integrated linear electric fireplace that sat below the TV. I also added floating shelves next to the TV to balance the space and make the TV appear to be centered.

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A 3-D rendering of the open concept space.

Because of the challenging lead times of furnishings these days, we are still waiting for the main pieces to arrive. So stay tuned for the reveal...

Tip 3: Choose a Sofa that Will Last

Most people will keep their sofa for 7 to 15 years, so choosing a high-quality sofa is a must. A quick reminder that a high-ticket sofa doesn’t always guarantee a high-quality sofa.

Here’s what to look for:

The Structure

Sofas made with a soft frame are more likely to warp and twist over time. Purchasing a sofa with a kiln-dried hardwood frame is less likely to warp. To test if a sofa has a soft frame, grab a leg and lift one corner of the sofa off the ground about six inches, if the other corner doesn’t lift immediately, it's a sign that it is a soft framed sofa. Also, test the arms of the sofa to ensure they don’t wobble when you lean heavily on them.

The frame should be built with wood dowels, wooden corner blocks, or metal screws and brackets. If the sofa is assembled with staples, glue, and nails, the frame isn’t strong enough to be long-lasting. For example, legs of a sofa should be screwed on, not glued.

The Supports

A quality sofa will have metal serpentine springs. Sofas that have no springs and use a mesh or webbing will start to sag. A good quality cushion will spring back after you press on it. The cushions should also fit snugly together in the sofa frame with no gapping. The padding should be between the fabric and the frame. If there isn’t padding there, the fabric will become worn quickly.

The Fabric

Speaking of fabrics wearing quickly, it’s important to choose a high quality fabric. The Wyzenbeek Test is a good standard for measuring fabric abrasion or wear. It refers to the number of times the machine can rub back and forth on fabric before it shows wear. This wear information can typically be found on the samples of fabric and is indicated by a "double rub count” .

My recommendation is a minimum of 15K double rubs for lighter use and 25K-30K double rubs for heavy use such as households with children and pets.

Tip 4: When to Choose a Custom Sofa

If you can’t find a sofa in the right size or shape for your space, a custom sofa may be a great option. You may also want to go custom if you need it to fit you. For example, I’ve ordered a custom sofa for a client because they were very tall and couldn’t find anything that fit them properly.

Ordering a custom sofa allows you to choose the length, depth, and height that fits you. Customising also helps you to select a specialty shape, fabric, or style made just for you, just as a performance-grade fabric that withstands kids, pets, and wine. Really!

If you don’t want to go all in on a fully customized sofa, check out companies that specialize in partially customizable options. Partially customizable options usually include a choice of two lengths, many fabric choices, and options for foam firmness. They also may offer an added option of foam that is wrapped in feather down for a more plush feel.

If you need help knowing where to look, please feel free to reach out to me. Designers often have resources that aren’t available to the public, and I can help you find the perfect match for you… and for the rest of your space, too.

That’s it for now, but isn’t it amazing how finding the right size and colour sofa can transform your living area into a beautiful, livable space? If you're looking for more ways to improve your living room design, download my jam-packed Design by Numbers Living Room Guide Here!

Cheers,
Adrienne

All photos by Stephanie Moore Photography