By David Wilfong
The look of a living room might be the most important area of the home when it comes to making an impression on visitors. The key element in the living room, as far as furniture at least, is the sofa. It is a key aesthetic detail as well as a place for guests to sit.
Surprisingly, many get it wrong when it comes to selecting a sofa for their living room. Design, materials and texture are important elements, but there are more simplistic details that are too often overlooked. Size is a major consideration, and when it comes to sofas, bigger is not always better.
“Too large a sofa in a living room will not only eat up a lot of space, but also cause the room to look cramped,” says Guild Hall Home Furnishings and Accessories in its online blog. “In many cases, this can be remedied by simply opting for a smaller sofa or sectional. On the flip side, a sofa that’s too tiny for the room will make the space seem vacant, which is hardly ideal either.”
Another important step in getting the right sofa is what the piece will be paired with when it is in its space. Once again, size and scales are important considerations in this area too. Coffee table is a standard go-to in most homes, but the accessories don’t need to stop there. The same sofa may fit a rustic motif or an ultra-modern look depending on what is around it.
“Choosing a complementary piece of furniture for your living room can be an excellent way to tie everything together,” the blog continues. “We at Guild Hall offer a fantastic selection of accent tables for this purpose, with different designs available in several unique colors and finishes that allow you to create a look that works for you.
“When selecting your furniture, think beyond just colors to include size and shape as well. A sofa that’s the same width or length as your coffee table can create a lovely sense of continuity in terms of size, though contrasting styles are fine too — so long as they work together.”
Regardless of the size or style of the sofa (or any other piece of furniture), the most important issue when shopping is to make sure to select a quality product. No piece of furniture is a good selection if it cannot be expected to last very long.
“Both during your sofa browsing and once you’ve made a purchase, it’s vital to inspect important areas like the frame, cushions, supports and upholstery to ensure the item is strong, durable and safe,” Guild Hall added.
“The frame is particularly important when it comes to determining the level of quality in a sofa, since it’s what will determine its durability in everyday use. If you notice any signs of breakage or damage in this area, you should immediately put the sofa back down and arrange for a return — it’s not worth your safety or the long-term quality of the item to use a sofa with a broken frame.”