Stylishness vs Relaxation: what to look for in a sofa

Woman watching television while her husband is listening to music in their living room

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We show you what exactly to look for when buying a sofa

Of course, the answer to that question is simple. We want both! In no world that we can imagine, would we choose a stylish sofa for our own home that we could not comfortably sit on, while at the same time, we don’t want to sacrifice our sofa’s good looks just to be able to perch in comfort. Luckily, modern sofas make this entirely possible.

However, what may be comfortable for one person may not suit the next. Do you like to sit upright – or slouch? Legs on the floor, or out in front of you? Hard cushions or soft? The choices are as varied as people themselves, and the only way to be sure is to try the different options until you have found your perfect choice. Buying a sofa is not something you do every day, and chances are that you will live with it for quite some time, so make sure you get a sofa that you are happy with. Here are some of the things to consider:

Style:

These days, it is possible to get the perfect sofa for any style or type of interior from country cottage to stark utilitarian and everything in-between. If your interior is traditional, look for a sofa that offers features such as rolled arms, a contoured back, buttoned (or tufted) cushions. Contemporary style sofas tend to have cleaner lines, fewer flourishes and understated upholstery, although the colours can be bold and “statement pieces” are popular.

Room size:

The biggest mistake when it comes to buying sofas it seeing one in the showroom or store and then finding out when you get it home that it is way too big for your living room or worse – it won’t even fit through the door! Make sure you go sofa-hunting armed with a scale plan of your living space and a tape measure so you don’t get any unwelcome surprises when your new sofa is delivered. Sofas without arms often make a space look bigger, while high backs may have the opposite effect.

Seating:

How many people do you want to have sitting on the sofa on a regular basis? Size does matter, and if you want to be comfortable you need to be able to stretch out too. Think about your living space; would you be better off having two smaller sofas rather than on large one? Or would a corner sofa be more suitable for your space? With the modular sofa options available, just about every option is possible, as are chaise sections or large footstools that can be added to your seating.

Depth:

When it comes to sofas, it is definitely not a case of one size fits all. And although many people will pay attention to overall dimensions, actually the text of a comfortable sofa is whether it fits you “in the leg”. The depth of the seat and the angle of the back will influence how comfortable you feel. How do you decide what is the best depth for you and your partner? Either measure a seat that you already own and that feels comfortable, or measure the distance from the inside of your knee to the spot where your lower back hits the back of the sofa, and then buy a sofa with similar dimensions.

With sofas that will seat anything from a couple to an extended family, plus chairs, recliners, lift chairs, dining room sets, occasional furniture and much more, you’ll be delighted with the choice that La-Z-Boy furniture can offer you. Check out the website at www.la-z-boy.com.au/ and be inspired by the collections, the colours and the many guarantees of excellent craftsmanship. Here you can also find exact dimensions, information on fabrics, tips on design and how to measure your space and a gorgeous product gallery to inspire you while you are looking for your dream sofa.

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