Tips For Purchasing The Right Sofa

To make a successful sofa purchase, you must know the most relevant aspects. Keep design and comfort in mind, alongside the tips we'll share below.
Tips For Purchasing The Right Sofa

Last update: 10 July, 2021

If now is the time to purchase a new sofa, there are a couple of tips that you should consider for purchasing the right sofa. The first thing to keep in mind is the design, which should match the decoration of your living room. It must also be to your liking and of course, be very comfortable.

In addition to this, you must consider the quality of the sofa. It’ll depend on whether it’s durable and that your investment makes sense unless you want to buy one every year! Read on for tips to help you make the right choice.

Tips for purchasing the right sofa

Blue sofas.

Here we’ll explain the tips that’ll guide you for purchasing the right sofa and that will lead you to take home a comfortable, quality piece of furniture complementing the style of your living room. Take note!

The specific spot where you’re going to locate the sofa

Yes, the sofa will go in the living room, but you must consider the specific space. Take measurements so that you can match them with the measurement of your sofa.

According to the space of your living room you can choose between a robust sofa, in an L shape or a chaise longue. In addition, think about whether the one you have in mind can be adapted to the multiple locations you choose when you renew your decor.

Tips for purchasing the right sofa: the number of seats

Linked to the previous advice, we want you to think about how many seats you need, and according to the space you have. To give you an idea, a two-seater sofa usually measures between 1.5 and 1.9 meters, while those with three seats can measure between two and 2.5 meters.

Those with four to five seats occupy about 40 square meters.

Upholstery and material

It is important that you check the types of upholstery.

The quality of the fabric with which the sofa is upholstered is very important. There are multiple types of fabric and you should ask the seller about the pros and cons of each, be sure to inform the salesperson if you have children or pets.

In this regard, we anticipate that there’s some upholstery that’s resistant to UV rays, so you’ll not have to worry if your sofa receives natural light. In this instance, choose fabrics such as cotton or linen that are breathable and soft. If you need the upholstery to be particularly durable, you can opt for synthetics (such as polyester) that are easy to clean and maintain.

Padding and springs

If they allow it in the store, sit or lie on the sofa, touch the arms and back with the aim of measuring the comfort that the padding offers you. Ask what type it is and its advantages. Premiums, for example, use high-elasticity polyurethane foams (or HR), combined with fibers of synthetic or natural origin.

The cheapest ones are usually focused completely on synthetic materials. In addition to the comfort that the padding guarantees and the economic impact, this aspect is important because you’ll not want the shape of the sofa to deform or hollow over time.

In this sense, it’s important to ask about the type of springs and their resistance capacity. Find out if they’re made by hand (or not) and, most important… when you sit down you shouldn’t hear them squeak.

Tips for purchasing the right sofa: structure and quality

To be successful in the purchase of the sofa, choose a good wood structure.

We now come to the structure of the sofa, (its skeleton) and this will guarantee a large part of its stability and durability.

Usually, the structures of sofas are made of wood, the higher quality ones have a kiln-dried hardwood structure. Among the best are oak, walnut, and maple, as well as teak and Sheesham.

Warranty

The last of the tips for purchasing the right sofa is the guarantee that the store offers you. Even if the sofa you’re going to buy is of the highest quality, you should always ask about the warranty period and its conditions. The normal period is between 12 and 36 months, depending on the type of sofa you’ve bought.

Tips for purchasing the right sofa: it’s simple

Follow these tips for purchasing the right sofa because they’re simple but accurate. In this way, you’ll guarantee that you bring home a suitable sofa for your space. Also, a sofa according to your decor, your budget, and your expectations… in terms of materials, resistance, and quality.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


  • Minchola, E. Espumas para asientos. Modelado y simulación de un asiento suplementario para conductores de autobús. Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. 2015.
  • Rodríguez, O. Tipos de madera. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.