Buying a new couch is often a rite of passage. It indicates the passing of time or increase in wealth. For some, buying a couch rather than using a second-hand option passed on by friends and family members is the moment they feel they’ve officially arrived into adulthood.
Buying a new couch is a significant investment that’s meant to stand the test of time. Here are four tips for buying a new couch that suits your needs and fits your decor scheme.
Invest in Quality
Unless there’s an emergency situation in which you need to upgrade to a new couch, you have time to figure it all out. Rather than opting for a cheap couch, look for something that’s affordable, yet high quality. In other words, shop for value rather than price. We recommend the Chesterfield Sofa Company for a good selection.
Couches with sturdy frames will last a long time. Look for sturdy wood, like oak or metal frames. Additionally, investing in durable fabrics is a necessity, especially for those who have children or pets. Microfiber is easy to clean, whereas leather and woven cotton blends tend to hold together well over time.
Additionally, you’ll want to know how the couch is built and held together. The corner joinery will determine whether your couch will last. Metal screws and solid wood dowels are examples of sturdy, dependable joinery elements. Staples and glue, while useful as additional support, shouldn’t be the main form of adhesion.
Consider Your Design Scheme
As with many things in interior decor, it’s important to find a balance between fashion and functionality. Couches are no exception to this rule. According to the expert couch NZ based designers at Hunter Furniture, there is a couch or sofa to fit everybody’s needs; you just have to know what those needs are.
Think about your preferred interior design style. Do you like pieces that are sleek and ultra modern? Or are traditional, oversized pieces more your style? There are lots of other considerations beyond the core design. Color, size, adornments, and comfort all play a role.
Measure Everything
Before you make your new couch purchase official, take time to measure everything. While most people think to measure the space the couch will be fitting in, few think to measure the various channels it will take for the couch to get there. To avoid getting caught in a Friends-like “pivot!” situation, it’s important to measure doorways, stairwells, and any other potential barriers.
Don’t hesitate to call and ask if the legs of the couch can be removed. This feature often buys you a few valuable extra inches to navigate to your couch’s final destination.
What’s Inside?
You may not care about what’s inside a couch, as long as you can fall onto it after a long, challenging day at work. However, it’s important to consider the filling as well as the exterior parts of your new couch as well.
Take a look at the different spring options to determine what constitutes high quality, and what will start to sag over a few years. Hand-tied springs are the highest quality (and the most expensive) as they aren’t prefabricated. Serpentine springs are very common but range from light to heavy duty.
Think of the foam used inside as well. Thicker, dense foam may not provide that lush feeling of falling into a cloud but tends to stand up better over time. Look for a couch that also uses a batting covering inside the cushion as a barrier between the fabric and filling; these cushions tend to last longer.
The Extras
Once you’ve covered the four main touchpoints, all that’s left is considering the extras. Are you getting a recliner? Are you investing in delivery so you don’t have to move the couch yourself? After that, it’s time to kick back and relax.
