Your home may be full of furniture, but the sofa is often the star. It’s the heart of your living room, your comfortable first impression, the space your guests spend the most time and the place you’ll spend your evenings. The sofa, perhaps more than any other piece of furniture in the house, defines your style and determines your personal comfort. It’s got to look great and feel great, and it has to last through frequent use by (potentially) everyone that enters your home! So take the time to pick the perfect custom sofas, and make sure you think that choice through. Here are six things to keep in mind.
1. Don’t overdo it, don’t underdo it. Get the right size.
Huge sectionals with lots of options sure are impressive, but like an SUV that won’t fit in your garage, people will notice if you cramp your style. Even if the sofa fits, it can overwhelm the room and make for an uncomfortable, claustrophobic feel. On the other hand, a sofa that’s too small can create awkward open space. You want your guests to be able to stand, but you don’t want them to have to.
2. Are you classic or contemporary? Get a sofa that matches you.
Well, maybe your sofa doesn’t have to sing to your very soul, but it should at least match your other decor. You decorated your space how you like it, so get a sofa that enhances that space. Think about lines: clean, modern, firm lines or fluffy plush pillows everywhere. Consider how the overall style will match the lines and vibe of the rest of the room if you’re going for a precise alignment of objects or a friendly, scattered feel that invites guests to put their feet up and grab a blanket—or even a sleeper sofa that invites them to take a nap.
Take time to design your own sofa or create a custom sleeper sofa using tools on sites like DreamSofa and see what you come up with.
3. Durability, look, or feel? Pick your fabric carefully.
Shape is one thing, and feel is another. So is durability. If you’re a single professional whose guests are mostly other singles and work buddies, you probably don’t need the stain-resistant microfiber that a family with kids and pets might go for. A young couple looking for long-lasting material might go for smooth leather or an unassuming synthetic fiber. But if you really want to show off your professional taste, a luxurious velvet-topped sofa might be what you want. Balance aesthetics with practicality, or just go for the prettiest sofa you can make. That’s up to you!
4. Stand out or keep it chill? The color makes the vibe.
Have you ever met someone who owns a huge, vibrant red sofa for seemingly no reason? Well, you know the reason. It’s because it’s red. Maybe that’s not you, though. Perhaps you want a chill, smokey gray or a calming off-blue to suit your foggy coastal aesthetic or color scheme. Taking that into account, keep in mind that natural colors can offer versatility and are more easily accessorized with pillows and throws of various colors. Some people like to change their sofas with the seasons and will want to look into ones with removable, washable covers of varying shades.
5. Believe in the power of personalization.
You don’t need to pick a sofa off the show floor, thanks to brands like DreamSofa, which lets you design your own custom sofa or sofa bed; Lovesac, which enables you to personalize sectionals; and Honbay, which sells customizable sectionals online, you have more choices than ever. You get to determine your sofa’s size, shape, color, upholstery, arm style, and on and on.
Finding the Perfect Sofa
The right sofa choice is practical and personal, serving your lifestyle, guests, existing space, and aesthetic taste. Do some research, and take the time to play with an online sofa designer. You might just get to know yourself a little better.
