Guest Blogger #681, Entry #1613, September 19, 2012
It may sound silly, but choosing a sofa for your home is not a task to take lightly. Think about it, your sofa is used every day, sometimes all day! There is nothing more frustrating than buying what you think is a good sofa, only to discover that it is sagging and creaking within a few months. So, here are some general tips to buy a sofa that will last, AND some tips to fit the sofa of your dreams into that small apartment.

Choose the right sofa for your small apartment
Image via: Houzz
What will you use your sofa for?
This is the first question that you should ask yourself. Are you using your sofa as seating for formal entertaining? Sleeping? Kicking back and watching the big game? If you are looking for a sofa Florence Knoll Sofa has a selection for your apartment and home. Whatever your needs, make sure you buy a sofa that can meet them. When in the showroom, lay down on the sofa to see if it is comfortable for sleeping. Don’t be shy to lift the cushions and see what is underneath; does the construction look solid, or can you see springs that look cheap and are ready to creak and pop?
Measure, measure, measure:
It can’t be said enough times; measure the room that your sofa is going into; measure the doorways that will be used to bring the sofa into your home; measure the sofas length, width and height. You can still have a large sofa in a small apartment as long as you can fit it in the doorways, elevators, and the room itself. If you prefer to keep the sofa size small to match the room, then there are numerous stylish options on the market. Try a sofa that has small arms, or is armless, or try a settee style sofa that only seats two people.

Choose a sofa that will fit with the rest of your home
Image via: Houzz
Fabric choice:
The choice of fabric goes back to what you plan to use the sofa for. Do you have a busy household with pets and children? Then you may want to choose a microfiber sofa that cleans quickly and easily. Slipcovers are also always a great option for messy lifestyles, and they can often be custom made by your sofa professional. If you prefer a more formal style, then go for silks, or linens; they are beautiful and elegant!
So, before you start searching for your sofa, measure, measure, measure and then go have some fun shopping around!
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Any thoughts on sofa COVERS? I like my sofa, it’s comfy. It’s old and pretty hideously ugly though, and I’d love to find a decent cover for it. Are they are $1mil? I’ve only ever seen super expensive ones 🙁
He he.. you are funny. I have found that SureFit.net has some relatively inexpensive ones. For a little more Pottery Barn has some nice ones. Depending on your price range – look at those two sites, and let me know how you do! 🙂
-Ronique
The problem with armrests is that they make it difficult to sleep there. I mean it’s still possible but it feels bad at the morning 🙁
Having a comfortable place to sit in the living room can really make a difference to how you feel in life. As we get older, there may be aches and pains to consider as well as the size of your room – so it might be worth considering a riser recliner, but ensure whoever you buy from makes it to measure – both for you and your room!