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Sofa Buying Guide

Buying a sofa sounds like it should be an easy task. You simply walk into a store and select the one that looks nice and you buy it.   However, when choosing anything, or anyone, you intend to have around for a long time the same sage advise always rings true – It’s what’s on the inside that counts.
Sofas should be evaluated from the inside out. It’s the details that you can’t see that determine how well your sofa will stand up to everything you and your family will put it through. 
SuspensionYou may already know that colour predictions in home décor follow the colour trends of the fashion and beauty industries. Similarly, the suspension systems found in upholstery follows the suspension systems used automobile industry. As the auto industry develops new and better technology, the furniture industry adapts that same technology for use in upholstered furniture. 

Buying a sofa sounds like it should be an easy task. You simply walk into a store and select the one that looks nice and you buy it.   However, when choosing anything, or anyone, you intend to have around for a long time the same sage advise always rings true – It’s what’s on the inside that counts.

Sofas should be evaluated from the inside out. It’s the details that you can’t see that determine how well your sofa will stand up to everything you and your family will put it through. 

Suspension

You may already know that colour predictions in home décor follow the colour trends of the fashion and beauty industries. Similarly, the suspension systems found in upholstery follows the suspension systems used automobile industry. As the auto industry develops new and better technology, the furniture industry adapts that same technology for use in upholstered furniture. 

There are two main suspension types that will ensure your sofa provides you with years of comfort and support – Eight Way Hand Tied and Sinuous Springs.

Eight Way Hand Tied

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In this system each spring is tied to each other and then to the frame eight ways; front-to-back, side-to-side and diagonally. This system creates an even comfort across the piece and prevents “give” in the frame. This technique is generally regarded as both the most comfortable and longest-lasting way to build a piece of upholstery.

Sinuous Spring

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Sinuous springs are two-dimensional "S" shaped wires that run from the front rail to the back of the seat, spaced every few inches. Support wires cross laterally and provide additional stability and support. A sinuous spring construction may be preferable in some cases. For example, a sleek modern sofa sitting low to the ground is better served by sinuous spring construction since it requires less space in the frame.

Frame

A sturdy frame is essential for a comfortable, high-quality sofa. The best sofa frames are constructed from kiln-dried or air-dried hardwood. Green wood can shrink, crack or warp as it dries. Drying removes the moister before the craftsmen begin to shape the frame, ensuring that the sofa will maintain its shape and stability over the long term. Quality frame construction also includes glued, doweled and screwed joints. Reinforcing blocks should be attached inside the corners of the frame for extra support. Plywood and particle board constructed frames held together with staples will not stand up over time and should be avoided.

Cushions

Several different materials can be used to fill the cushions of sofas, alone or in combination with other materials. Down and feathers create the softest cushions and are considered by many to be the premium choice for cushions. High-quality down cushions should include down-proof ticking under the upholstery fabric. The ticking is a tightly-woven fabric that prevents the tiny down feathers from poking through the fabric and escaping the cushion. Cushions filled with nothing other than down require a great deal of maintenance with frequent, even daily, fluffing. They also carry the highest price tag. More commonly, down is used in combination with other materials. Blendown is a mixture of down, feathers and polyester fibres. Pads of blendown are wrapped around high density foam or foam-encased springs. This creates a soft surface over the support materials.

High density polyurethane foam is the most common cushion filler. The higher the foam density, the firmer the cushion will be. Foam can be wrapped in down, synthetic-fibre (Dacron) batting, or cotton for a softer seating surface. Dacron-wrapped foam is the least expensive option, but it will have a limited lifespan.

Fabric

While I could probably write an entire book on the pros and cons of one cover versus another, there are basically two camps—natural versus man-made fibers. Within each of those groups there are many varieties and blends, but here is basic breakdown that might help you make a more educated choice between them all.

Natural Fibers: 
These include cotton, linen, wool and silk. All of these fibers will wear well, albeit in different ways. For a heavy-use situation I think cotton is a great choice; it cleans easily, breathes well and holds color in a very reliable way. In a more formal situation, silk or wool would be good choices, although exposure to sunlight could cause both to fade.

Man-Made Fibers:
There have been so many advances in this category it is hard to keep up these days. Almost any natural fiber you can think of now has a man-made counterpart. Typically, though, you will get great stain-resistance and wear-strength out of a man-made fiber. Most of these fibers still have some fading issues, so be careful in areas with a lot of natural, direct light.

As with all decisions, education is the key to making the right choice for you and your family.  The designers at Luxe Home Interiors are always happy to help you determine the best options for you to consider.

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