Buying Upholstered Furniture?

Buying Upholstered Furniture?


(ARA) Like the best suit in your wardrobe, a sofa is the foundation of your room setting. The piece you choose should allow for versatility and be an expression of personal style.

"Purchase a sofa as a staple item to your personal style -- just like a good suit," said T.J. Schmitz, an upholstery designer for Arhaus Furniture. "But always consider the construction and durability as well as the fashion statement it makes."

Shop for excellent craftsmanship, high-quality fabrics and materials that will withstand the test of time and use. That way, your sofa investment should last 10 to 15 years.

Here are some shopping tips for upholstered furniture:

  • Solid Framework: A structurally sound frame provides the best comfort and durability. Look for construction that uses solid hardwood, kiln-dried to a moisture content of 8 percent or less. A well-made upholstered piece also incorporates firmly anchored, eight-way, hand-tied springs in its base.

  • Testing, Testing: Test a sofa or chair in the store by wiggling its arm. It shouldn't move or squeak, but should feel solid. Also, press your hand against the decking, or platform, under the seat cushions. The less you feel the spring, the better the construction.

  • Warranty: Frame warranties often indicate furniture quality, according to Schmitz. Usually, the longer the warranty term, the better-made the product.

  • Hefty Is Good: Check cushions for their heft. Fine furniture uses high-density (around the 1.8-density mark) foam cushions wrapped in down or other soft material. This padding should be channel-stitched like a down comforter, to prevent it from shifting and settling to one side of a cushion. Foam and padding bagged together inside a cushion keep these materials intact and create a desirable "crown" along the cushion's sides. Furniture arms should also be padded, keeping the appearance and feel of wood framing completely unexposed.

  • Attention To Detail: Fine tailoring -- another sign of good craftsmanship -- uses tight, straight stitches for strength and neatness. Finished seams, particularly on slipcovers, prevent fabric from fraying when it's washed.

  • The Look: Look for upholstery with fabric focal points that are centered on cushions, pillows and backs. Also, be sure patterns match where seams meet. "Pattern matching requires a significant amount of fabric and marks good quality," Schmitz said.

  • Lasting Beauty: Your fabric choice might well depend on who will be using your furniture, and how. For instance, if your sofa is Fido's favorite snoozing spot, stay clear of nubby fabrics that snag. A tightly woven material, such as tapestry, provides extra durability. Gently used furnishings, on the other hand, might warrant fine linen or silk.

Courtesy of ARA Content