The Post

Sofa so goodwhen it comes to comfort

- Katie Laughridge and Mary Carol Garrity Adapted from nellhills.com. Katie Laughridge is the owner of Kansas City interior design destinatio­n Nell Hill’s.

If you’re like us, your sofa is such an important part of your daily life that when it’s time to get a new one, it’s like adding a new member to your family.

And just like family members, sofas have definite personalit­ies.

Here are some tips for picking the perfect one for your home.

Size it up

Interior designers like to argue about whether it’s more important for a sofa to fit the scale of your room or the contours of your body.

In my opinion, you need one that does both, because in the long run, you won’t be happy with a sofa that isn’t the perfect proportion for your room or for your posterior.

To make sure your sofa suits the space, before you shop, measure your room and make note of the size and scale of additional furniture you will need to work around.

Then, as you shop, forget your inhibition­s and flop down on the sofas just like you would at home.

Your body will tell you in a flash if the sofa is a fit.

Pick the right parts

Just like people, sofas have backs, arms, seats and legs. And if you’re like most of my customers, you will have a strong preference on each facet of your sofa’s anatomy.

First, pick a back that suits your taste and touch. If you want a formal, tailored look, check out a tight back design, where the back is upholstere­d and has no removable cushions.

If you want a sofa that’s more comfortabl­e and casual, you

might prefer a loose-back sofa that’s covered with cushions or pillows.

Next, consider the arms. The most common style is a rolled arm that curves outward – an ideal pick for those who like to nap on the sofa.

If you’re looking for amore modern look, however, you might prefer a crisp, square arm. Arm height is equally important.

Third, decide whether you’d like your sofa to have a cushioned, bench or tight seat.

Cushioned seats consist of separate cushions that fit snugly together, and they are a great option if youwant to remove the covers for cleaning.

A bench seat is one large cushion that spans the entire length of the sofa.

Tight seats are built into the frame of the sofa and cannot be removed. They are usually firmer and more formal in appearance.

Finally, look at the sofa’s legs. Do you want a straight,

modern leg, or amore traditiona­l look, such as curved legs on castors?

Or would you rather cover the legs with a skirt, featuring kick, inverted, button, or box pleats?

Picking a new sofa should be an enjoyable experience, so don’t let the options overwhelm you.

 ??  ?? A loose-back sofa that’s covered with cushions looks more casual and comfortabl­e.
A loose-back sofa that’s covered with cushions looks more casual and comfortabl­e.
 ??  ?? A tight back design, where the back is upholstere­d, gives a formal, tailored look.
A tight back design, where the back is upholstere­d, gives a formal, tailored look.

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