PLANNING TAKES PAIN OUT OF CHOOSING RIGHT SOFA
Welcome to Week 2 of my mission to fix the 10 most common decorating mistakes. Last week we conquered the art of hanging art. This week we go after one of the largest (and costliest) furniture pieces: the sofa — the one item of furniture that is often bought too large, too small or too trendy for its lifespan.
SIZE MATTERS
Consider these two key measurements when buying a sofa: getting the proportion of the sofa to room right, and ensuring you can get the sofa in the room!
Measure for proportion: Your sofa will be in great proportion to your room if it’s two-thirds of the room’s length and never deeper than one-third of the room’s width. For seat height, 18 inches is average — lower suits casual living; higher sets a formal tone. Taller sofa-backs also suggest a more traditional style.
Measure doorways: We’ve all been there — guiding the delivery guys around the back of the house to a window wider than the front door. Before you buy: measure the front door, entrance area, interior doorways and stairwells, otherwise you could be giving the movers a tour of the entire house, or worse, sending the sofa back. Last resort: Ask if the legs can be removed for delivery or if the sofa can be taken apart (most sofas can be dismantled from underneath but have the retailer do so or your warranty might be void).
COMFORT IS KEY
Want more seating ? Choose a slim arm to add more seating space without increasing the sofa’s overall length. More depth equals more relaxed comfort, so opt for a style that has a slimmer back and forego big back cushions that reduce depth.
DESIGN TRICKS FOR SMALL SPACES
Trick the eye with these design tricks if you’ve got a small space. Go with higher legs, which give the sofa a lighter, airier appearance and choose a wood leg stain similar to your wood floors to make the legs seemingly disappear. To make your ceilings appear higher, go for a lower height for the arms and back of the sofa. Want to make your sofa visually disappear? Choose a similar colour of covering to match the walls; the sofa will simply sink away in colour!
SENSIBILITY OF STYLE
Arm shape sets the style of a sofa. Square shaped arms usually signal a modern or contemporary look, while rounded shapes lend a traditional sensibility. The latest trend in shapes: big, puffy blocks, like upholstered Lego blocks. It’s a Euro-look that says casual luxury.
A QUESTION OF MONEY
Sofas can be one of the most expensive home purchases. Here’s what your money will get you. A $1,000 investment will buy a useful sofa that will probably last three to five years. A designer look (fab fabrics and more upscale choices like cushion fills) will go for about $3,000 and last five to 10 years. A custom sofa runs from $8,000 upward and will sit pretty for at least 20 years. Leather adds 50 to 70 per cent to the overall cost of the sofa.
Karl Lohnes has worked as a home decor expert and product designer for 25 years. He often appears Thursday during the 8 a.m. hour on Global News Morning Montreal.