When sofa shopping for clients, I have a little formula I use which narrows down the vast myriad of choices available on the market.
First, I consider size. Sofas can range from a small size of 77" to a grandiose 100"+. What matters most is how this sofa is going to fit into your space. I strongly suggest measuring the couch that you currently and then considering how that size has worked for you in your home. Is it too big and bulky or is it too small for the space? This will give you a suitable range of what size sofa you should shop for.
Next, consider features of the seat cushions of the sofa to further whittle down the sofa search. Do you have a preference of one sofa cushion, two sofa cushions or three sofa cushions? If your not sure which cushion suits you best, think about how your sofa is most often used. Do you sprawl across it to watch TV? If so, then one or two cushions might be best for your comfort. Do you entertain and squeeze multiple behinds on your sofa? Then you might prefer three cushions so no one is sitting on a gap. If you do have a preference, be sure to consider this in your search criteria and it will easily eliminate the sofas that won't fit the bill for your lifestyle.
The next feature to consider is the style of back cushions of the sofa. Are you into the loosey-goosey look of a sofa or more a fan of the prim and proper pillows? For a more casual look, you might like a sofa with loose pillows on the back that fall a different way every time and can be manipulated a little more for personal preference. If you prefer everything in order then you should consider a sofa with attached back cushions which require minimal fluffing and always stay where they belong.
Lastly, get to the bottom of it all by looking at the foot of the sofa. Do you prefer the romantic style of a sofa with a gathered skirt or the structured look of a tuxedo skirted sofa? Or maybe you prefer the lighter look of a sofa with exposed legs where you can get at every dust bunny that might float under your precious piece? Of course, there are varieties of skirts and legs that can drastically change the look of your sofa but if you start thinking about these fine details of a sofa, it will help you find the perfect sofa to fit your taste and lifestyle.
It may seem like a grand undertaking but once you do a little investigating, it will quickly become apparent which is the right sofa for you. Do you have any great sofa success stories you'd like to share? I'm always curious which sofas can stand the test of time!
