Finding the perfect sofa can be a daunting task, not to mention a huge commitment. Since a sofa is often the largest piece in the room, it could be argued that it’s the main attraction. Before you commit to a specific model or style, make sure you consider these five points.
1. Size Matters
If you are unsure of how large a sofa your room can accommodate and you are not an AutoCAD floor plan expert, I always suggest investing in a roll of painters tape and creating the outline of the sofa based on the dimensions you are given. This will give you a better idea of the scale in your room and you’ll avoid investing in a white elephant sofa that takes over the room.
Conversely, this will let you know if it’s too small. A word of warning: be sure it will fit through the door of your home or in your elevator. There are companies that charge a hefty fee to disassemble sofas for delivery purposes. I have done it several times (by choice) but you don’t want to be taken by surprise on delivery day.
2. Placement
When you are considering your floor plan, also consider the angle of the sofa that will be seen first as you enter the room. Do you see the back of the sofa? If so, it should be as appealing and beautiful as the front. Maybe it’s floating in the room? You may want to consider something sculptural and more interesting in shape.
3. Fabrication
Keep in mind that the sofa is the largest piece in the room, so you want to make sure it’s not too overwhelming in fabrication. We always prefer using more neutral fabrics and adding a touch of design with pillows. Also consider that if the sofa is too dark and the room is not, it can look like a black hole, and vice versa—a very light fabrication can look huge in a dark room.
4. Height of Seat
Be sure your sofa is the right proportion for the rest of the room. A low sofa is very sexy but if you have a high cocktail table and chairs, it may not work. Be mindful of the seat height and be consistent when making your choices.
5. Mood of the Room
Are you going for a formal room, or a more relaxed and easy atmosphere? If you’re going formal, you will want a sofa that is not quite as deep, and more tailored. If relaxed is your goal, go for a deeper sofa or a sectional for easy lounging.
Ahead is our curation of superb sofas to inspire you in your search!
1. Sectional
2. Formal / Classic
Contrasting ivory trim on this four-seater custom sofa by Jean-Louis Deniot feels much more intimate and adds interest to what could be a long, simple sofa.
3. Sculptural and Real
This incredible sculptural sofa was found at the New York Antiques show.
4. Sexy Design
Sofa with a twist. Perfect for a smaller room or library
