Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Never judge a book by its cover, and never pick a sofa solely by its fabric. If maintained with care, certain high-performance fabrics can last for over a decade. Both natural fibers and synthetics offer varying degrees of durability, with natural fibers generally revealing a richer depth of color, and synthetics exhibiting a smoother feel.
Furniture manufacturers in the US tend to use the Wyzenbeek score , while European manufacturers tend to use the Martindale score. Both synthetic and natural fabrics can pill, but higher-quality textiles with longer filaments and tighter weaves will pill less.
Manmade fibers will show pilling longer and more evidently, but neither is considered abnormal or a defect. Fabric mills test for pilling, using a five-grade scale. If you do see pilling, you can use a pill shaver or even a sharp manual razor gently to remove excess fibers to smooth out worries about upholstery.
Years ago I made the mistake of purchasing a sofa outfitted with low, metal hairpin legs. They looked great in the showroom, which had impervious sealed cement floors. I was eventually forced to purchase carpet tiles to prevent further damage.
Check for uniformity in height and if the stain finish matches between feet and frame, and inspect each piece to confirm that it is securely fastened by getting down to the ground and giving each piece a pull, wiggle, and twist. Good-quality leather is also a durable choice. Here are Which? We've summarised the key pros and cons of these and other popular sofa fabric types below.
A natural leather sofa will stretch and crease with age and regular use, softening the shape and feel. Any scuffs or marks will only add to its character. As well as being soft, leather is durable and strong; a real leather sofa will hold up well to everyday use. To clean leather, just use a slightly damp cloth.
A real leather sofa usually costs double the price of a faux leather one, but it can last up to four times as long.
On the downside, leather sofas can feel chilly to touch when you first sit down in the winter and will get hot and sticky in summer. Cotton is extremely versatile, whether pure or blended. You'll get a wide range of colour and pattern options too. Wool brings texture and warmth, and is naturally soft. When it's brushed, a wool blend sofa will have a felted look and feel. Any wool blend will naturally develop piling and bobbling, so will need a little upkeep.
Cotton linen sofas tend to look casual and relaxed. They have natural creases that will soften over time. Woven fabrics are particularly durable, so they're a good choice if your sofa is likely to be clambered and bounced on regularly by children or pets. Tough, tightly woven flat weave looks like cotton and is made by combining natural cotton with manufactured fibres to make it really hard wearing. Woven fabrics hold their shape well, so you'll often see them on sofas with a more rigid shape.
Velvet is having a resurgence at the moment, so it's an on-trend choice. It's soft to the touch and gives depth to flat colour. However velvets can develop natural lines, bruises and shading over time. Plus, velvet is uncompromising when it comes to spills. You'll need to treat it with care to keep it looking its best. Once you've ordered a few samples and narrowed down your fabrics. It's time to work out what size and shape sofa will fit and suit your space.
From elegant chaises longues to practical sofa beds, sofas come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Whether you get to enjoy your sofa all to yourself, have to fight for the best spot with a large household or share it with a beloved pet, how you use it will influence the size you choose.
But to get it looking just right in your room, you'll need to be realistic about the space available, too.
A small sofa looks out of place in a large room, while a large sofa squashed into a tight space will feel claustrophobic. Think about how you prefer to sit when you're relaxing. If there are two of you and you both like to have your legs up, then make sure the sofa is deep enough to accommodate you both. If not, you might need a sofa with chaise end or a reclining sofa. If you like to lie down on your sofa, measure up to make sure it is long enough for you to stretch out.
And, if you're tall, a sofa with a higher back will give extra support so that you're not forced to slouch. Great for smaller spaces, two-seater sofas simply have two seat and two back cushions or the equivalent space if your sofa isn't divided into separate 'seats'.
Whether you want to fit more people or stretch out your legs, a three-seater sofa is the most popular choice of Which?
Four-seaters are less popular with Which? A couch is a large, pricey purchase. For that reason, many people prefer to see their options in person, so they can make sure they like the feel and look of it before they commit—and so they don't have to deal with the hassle of having a large piece of furniture delivered, only to return it. Still, there are plenty of online options you can order for delivery, sight unseen.
If shopping in-store, don't be afraid to ask questions. Qualified sellers at furniture stores should be well-versed in what makes or breaks a great sofa, and they should be able to answer all your questions and help you find the perfect fit. They can also help you customize your purchase, if possible. While shopping, take your time, try many different types, and check these features.
Evaluate the Frame. The legs of the couch should be either integral parts of the frame or held on with screws or dowels. Avoid a couch if the legs are merely glued on.
One easy test for solid frame construction is to lift one front corner or leg of the sofa off the floor to a height of 6 inches or so. If the other front leg doesn't quickly rise off the floor, too, it's a sign the frame is twisting and is therefore weak. Any sofa that visibly twists or creaks under this test is one you should avoid. Ask About the Joinery. Although the method by which the frame parts are held together may not be immediately evident, the sales person or printed technical specifications should have this information.
Look for frames that are joined with wooden dowels, double wooden dowels, wooden corner blocks, or metal screws and brackets. Never buy a sofa that is assembled with only staples, nails, or glue, although these may be used to provide additional reinforcement. Test the Arms. A sofa with a good hardwood frame assembled with dowels or corner brackets should be a quality piece of furniture, but it is still a good idea to forcefully test the arms of the sofa to make sure they are very tight, with no give when you lean on them.
In a family with active children, the most common area of failure on a couch other than the upholstery is the arms. As you test the couch, push hard on the arms and look for any sign of wobble. Avoid any couch that isn't rock-solid. Consider the Springs. The springs that hold up the cushions on a couch come in three levels of quality.
Least expensive and least durable are those that are not springs at all, but just webbing or mesh. Avoid these couches if your goal is a quality piece of furniture. Most couches use what is known as serpentine springs —sinuous pieces of snaking wire that span the gap between frame members. These offer good support, but they may sag over time if the metal isn't heavy-gauge.
Luxury sofas are fitted with what is known as eight-way hand-tied springs, which are very comfortable but also expensive. Some experts dispute if hand-tied springs are any more comfortable than good serpentine springs, but you can be the judge of that.
Feel the springs through the upholstery. Good springs will be quite firm and spaced close together for good support. There should be good support without too much give when you sit on the couch. Feel the Padding and Cushions. The frame and all the corners of the couch should be well padded. Run your hand over all corners to make sure you can't feel the edges of the frame through the upholstery. If you can, the upholstery may wear through quite quickly, and your couch will not be very comfortable to use.
Seat cushions should be firm and resilient and fit snugly within the sofa frame. The cushions should regain their shape after you press down and let go. A cushion that stays put when you press down will be flattened in no time, end up looking unsightly, and feel uncomfortable when you sit on it.
Cushions that do not fit snugly will also lose their shape quickly and the edges will start looking unsightly. Test the Operating Mechanisms. If your couch is a recliner or sleeper , make sure to operate the mechanism repeatedly and aggressively to make sure it operates smoothly and easily. Reclining, or motion furniture is generally more expensive, and you are paying for a functioning, smoothly-running mechanism.
Don't overlook any mechanical glitches or rough operation you notice—these will only become more pronounced after repeated use in your home. Evaluate the Upholstery. If there are any buttons, check to see that they are sewn on securely.
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