Are you planning to buy furniture for your living room? Are you looking for comfort and style? Then great! This is just the piece for you.

Here I shall talk to you about my favorite piece of furniture – sofa!

Why sofa? Because sofas are an important element as they add an irresistible charm to your living room; they are comfy, stylish and come in so many models! Depending on your budget and preferences you can buy sofas ranging from Rs 27697 to upwards of a lakh!

Essentially sofas are of two types.

ü  Loose-back or Tight back

Tight-backed -- where the upholstery is shaped to the frame of the sofa and is very formal and contemporary.  

Loose backed –have washable upholstery, hence the term loose backed. Now if rearranging of pillows again and again drives you crazy, then it’s better to opt for a tight-back sofa.

ü  Skirt or Feet

A couch with a pleated skirt gives the room a traditional and casual feel.

Whereas ornamentally carved feet add a touch of tradition to your living space.

ü  Arms Or No Arms

As far as sofa with arms is concerned, you can go for curved arms, high arms, low arms or square arms.

Or you could go for the deep cut and do away with the arms.

ü  Number of Cushions

The number of cushions on your sofa determines the number of people you want to accommodate on your sofa.

With one-piece cushion, you can make any number of people sit, as long as they fit comfortably.

But with increase in the number of cushions, especially in loose-back sofas the seating becomes limited.

ü  Upholstery Materials 

From leather to microfiber and cloth, you can choose your sofa make depending on your style and taste.

A leather sofa gives a rich and luxurious look.

Velvet reflects style and sophistication.

Whereas the sumptuousness of a silk sofa in unbeatable.

So here are some questions that you need to ask yourself before buying the sofa!

ü  Where do you plan to use it?

You need to decide on the usage before buying it. Will you be using it frequently for watching TV, relaxing or reading or using it seldom for entertaining just a few formal guests? Depending on this, you should go for a tough fabric that will be able to take the wear and tear.  

ü  Which shape and size suits you the best?

If you need it for relaxing, then go for a large, soft, sunken sofa. Add plenty of cushions to it. A sofa with long arms serves both formal as well as informal purpose. You also need to consider the size of the room in which you plan to place it. Go for a tight-back sofa for a not-so-big room.

ü  Which material should you go for?

The answer to this question depends on your capacity for maintaining and handling furniture. If you can really maintain them, then go for rich fabrics like silk and chenille. Place cotton sofas in high usage areas. Leather and longevity go hand in hand, hence suitable for all scenarios. As far as colors are concerned, you can stick to darker shades if you have small kids in your house.

ü  Can you compromise on quality?

The answer is, NO. Go for the best in your budget. Pick ones with strong frame, made of top quality wood which does not contain any knots. Also examine by sitting, it should be able to regain its shape after you get up. Legs should be in-built and not attached to it. The back should be cushioned and shouldn’t feel hollow.

Now that you have got your tips, what did you decide on?