Top tips for choosing a sofa
18 Oct 2012
Buying a lounge suite is a sizeable investment, and as such, it not only has to look good, but it also has to be comfortable, durable and long lasting.
The problem is, however, if you don’t know what to look for, it is often difficult to distinguish between a good quality couch and one of an inferior quality.
Anton Odendaal from Rochester says a cheap couch will never hold up the durability that a top-end couch will offer.
A good quality couch on the other hand, he says, will not only retain its good looks for longer, but it will also offer years of enjoyment and comfort.
The covering
Odendaal says it is important to focus on the sofa’s covering.
The covering is what you see, and it is also the part of any seating that will receive the most wear and tear. Therefore, in order to keep a sofa looking good for longer, it is imperative that it has a good quality covering.
When choosing what kind of covering you want for your couch, Odendaal says it is essential to consider aesthetics, as well as durability, stain-resistance and maintenance issues.
Chenille fabric for example is soft and durable, while leather lasts longer. Velvets and faux suede on the other hand, look lovely and offer a wonderful textural quality, but may quickly appear worn out if placed in high traffic areas.
Plain canvas or drill fabrics are hard wearing, but easily stained.
Stains and dirt are especially important considerations for parents and pet owners, as both children and pets are well-reputed couch destroyers.
Patterned fabric and fabric in dark colours have the benefit of being able to hide stains better than plain and lightly coloured fabrics.
Odendaal says alternatively, you can pay a bit extra and opt for an industrial-strength commercial grade upholstery fabric, which has been specially manufactured to withstand the wear and tear of high traffic areas.
Some commercial fabrics even have the ability to deter bacteria, he says.
He explains that special treatments can also be applied to your couches, such as Masterguard for example, which keeps fabrics looking newer for longer.
Opting for couches with slipcovers is another great option, he says.
“Slipcovers are a fantastic choice, as you can take the slipcovers off to wash them when they get dirty, and you can also easily change the colour and look of the couch by fitting it with a new cover in a different fabric when you tire of the old upholstery.”
All about leather
Leather couches are by far the most popular, and it is easy to understand why – they are beautiful and durable pieces of furniture that offer superior comfort, conformability, longevity, and cleanability when compared to their fabric counterparts.
However, Odendaal says they are also, by and large, considerably more expensive, and as such, it is essential to know what qualities to look for when making your selection to ensure that you make the optimum choice.
The most important thing to do is to determine whether the sofa is upholstered in genuine or faux leather, he says.
Your first point of reference should be to examine the furniture tag and see if it identifies the materials used in the manufacturing of the sofa.
Faux leather can be identified in a number of different ways, including pleather, leatherette, naugahyde, corfam, ultrasued, fabrikoid, permeable leather, artificial leather or leather cloth, By-Cast, and Bonded Belisima.
Genuine leather, however, should always be identified with a genuine leather symbol or the term ‘Genuine Leather’.
Odendaal says the next thing to do is to ascertain the quality of the leather used to upholster the sofa.
Leather comes in a variety of qualities that can serve different purposes. Bonded leather is made of leather scraps that have been glued together – although it is inexpensive, it is not as durable and so it should be avoided.
Full grain leather is as durable, or perhaps even more durable than top grain leather, but since it doesn’t have a protective layer, it will take on more character from wear and tear over the years, but ultimately, it will last longer.
You can also consider thickness as a function of price – the thicker the leather, the longer it will last, and the more expensive it will be.
Split grain leather is made from the inside of the hide, which is considered less desirable than the outer layer because it is it not as durable.
Top grain is made from the outer layer and is the most durable type of leather because it is specially treated to increase its longevity.
Full grain leather is the most expensive option – like top grain leather, it is made from the outer layer, but it is not treated. It is the most expensive because of its beauty, but is not as durable as top grain.
Some couches will offer leather match, a combination of vinyl and leather, which is less expensive than most genuine leather sofas, explains Odendaal.
Frame and construction
What the sofa’s frame is constructed from is also important.
In South Africa, pine is used for the construction of seating; however, there are different grades of pine. If you are looking for quality, you should make sure that the frame is constructed from A-grade industrial unknotted pine, which is the strongest and most durable material on offer, explains Odendaal.
The interior construction is another crucial consideration when it comes to quality, he says.
Inexpensive furniture is usually stapled together and has poorly constructed corner bracing, while more expensive furniture should be securely screwed together and well-constructed and hardy corner bracing.
With regards to seating, one of the most durable seating constructions comprises eight-way tied springs, however, there are other types of wire coils, and of course, some seating comprises only wood and foam constructions.
Trusted brands
Of course, Anton says that opting to choose a trusted brand is another way of ensuring that you are buying a quality piece of furniture.
Homeowners should look for a company that has built a good reputation for offering top quality furniture over the years.
Investing in motion furniture
Recliners and motion furniture are by far the most popular forms of seating that people are investing in nowadays, says Odendaal.
Motion furniture and recliners are a major trend in the world of seating – so much so that as from November 2012, Rochester will be stocking a full selection of La-Z-Boy recliners, along with their standard ranges of reclining seating that they have always stocked.
Odendaal says the popularity of motion furniture is mostly a testament to their comfort.
Today, people are spending increasingly more time at home than they used to in order to save money. They are choosing to 'hang out' at home instead of taking a vacation or having dinner at a fancy restaurant, and if people are going to spend most of their time at home, they’ll need a comfortable chair to sit in.
Sales of reclining chairs are also getting a boost from the growing popularity of high-tech TVs, home theatre equipment, and video games.
New, modern designs are also boosting sales of motion furniture, explains Odendaal.
In the past, when it came to seating, it was often accepted that you had to sacrifice on good looks if you were going to opt for comfort. However, this is certainly not the case anymore – today, you can truly get the best of both worlds – seating that is durable and comfortable, as well as being aesthetically good looking.”
Colour choice
To ensure that your couch doesn’t date too quickly, it is advisable to choose something that is as neutral as possible.
Choosing a neutral palette will prolong the longevity of your seating, as it will match a variety of different styles and in this way it can be easily adapted to the ever changing décor trends.
A neutral colour will allow you to change the whole look of a room by simply changing its décor accessories, such as scatter cushions, rugs, light fittings and so on, without having to invest in an entirely new lounge suit.
This is one of the reasons why leather is such a popular choice of upholstery – it is durable, long lasting, and it is neutral enough to go with any type of décor – from the über contemporary to the most classical styles.
by. http://www.property24.com
Buying a lounge suite is a sizeable investment, and as such, it not only has to look good, but it also has to be comfortable, durable and long lasting.
The problem is, however, if you don’t know what to look for, it is often difficult to distinguish between a good quality couch and one of an inferior quality.
Anton Odendaal from Rochester says a cheap couch will never hold up the durability that a top-end couch will offer.
A good quality couch on the other hand, he says, will not only retain its good looks for longer, but it will also offer years of enjoyment and comfort.
The covering
Odendaal says it is important to focus on the sofa’s covering.
The covering is what you see, and it is also the part of any seating that will receive the most wear and tear. Therefore, in order to keep a sofa looking good for longer, it is imperative that it has a good quality covering.
When choosing what kind of covering you want for your couch, Odendaal says it is essential to consider aesthetics, as well as durability, stain-resistance and maintenance issues.
Chenille fabric for example is soft and durable, while leather lasts longer. Velvets and faux suede on the other hand, look lovely and offer a wonderful textural quality, but may quickly appear worn out if placed in high traffic areas.
Plain canvas or drill fabrics are hard wearing, but easily stained.
Stains and dirt are especially important considerations for parents and pet owners, as both children and pets are well-reputed couch destroyers.
Patterned fabric and fabric in dark colours have the benefit of being able to hide stains better than plain and lightly coloured fabrics.
Odendaal says alternatively, you can pay a bit extra and opt for an industrial-strength commercial grade upholstery fabric, which has been specially manufactured to withstand the wear and tear of high traffic areas.
Some commercial fabrics even have the ability to deter bacteria, he says.
He explains that special treatments can also be applied to your couches, such as Masterguard for example, which keeps fabrics looking newer for longer.
Opting for couches with slipcovers is another great option, he says.
“Slipcovers are a fantastic choice, as you can take the slipcovers off to wash them when they get dirty, and you can also easily change the colour and look of the couch by fitting it with a new cover in a different fabric when you tire of the old upholstery.”
All about leather
Leather couches are by far the most popular, and it is easy to understand why – they are beautiful and durable pieces of furniture that offer superior comfort, conformability, longevity, and cleanability when compared to their fabric counterparts.
However, Odendaal says they are also, by and large, considerably more expensive, and as such, it is essential to know what qualities to look for when making your selection to ensure that you make the optimum choice.
The most important thing to do is to determine whether the sofa is upholstered in genuine or faux leather, he says.
Your first point of reference should be to examine the furniture tag and see if it identifies the materials used in the manufacturing of the sofa.
Faux leather can be identified in a number of different ways, including pleather, leatherette, naugahyde, corfam, ultrasued, fabrikoid, permeable leather, artificial leather or leather cloth, By-Cast, and Bonded Belisima.
Genuine leather, however, should always be identified with a genuine leather symbol or the term ‘Genuine Leather’.
Odendaal says the next thing to do is to ascertain the quality of the leather used to upholster the sofa.
Leather comes in a variety of qualities that can serve different purposes. Bonded leather is made of leather scraps that have been glued together – although it is inexpensive, it is not as durable and so it should be avoided.
Full grain leather is as durable, or perhaps even more durable than top grain leather, but since it doesn’t have a protective layer, it will take on more character from wear and tear over the years, but ultimately, it will last longer.
You can also consider thickness as a function of price – the thicker the leather, the longer it will last, and the more expensive it will be.
Split grain leather is made from the inside of the hide, which is considered less desirable than the outer layer because it is it not as durable.
Top grain is made from the outer layer and is the most durable type of leather because it is specially treated to increase its longevity.
Full grain leather is the most expensive option – like top grain leather, it is made from the outer layer, but it is not treated. It is the most expensive because of its beauty, but is not as durable as top grain.
Some couches will offer leather match, a combination of vinyl and leather, which is less expensive than most genuine leather sofas, explains Odendaal.
Frame and construction
What the sofa’s frame is constructed from is also important.
In South Africa, pine is used for the construction of seating; however, there are different grades of pine. If you are looking for quality, you should make sure that the frame is constructed from A-grade industrial unknotted pine, which is the strongest and most durable material on offer, explains Odendaal.
The interior construction is another crucial consideration when it comes to quality, he says.
Inexpensive furniture is usually stapled together and has poorly constructed corner bracing, while more expensive furniture should be securely screwed together and well-constructed and hardy corner bracing.
With regards to seating, one of the most durable seating constructions comprises eight-way tied springs, however, there are other types of wire coils, and of course, some seating comprises only wood and foam constructions.
Trusted brands
Of course, Anton says that opting to choose a trusted brand is another way of ensuring that you are buying a quality piece of furniture.
Homeowners should look for a company that has built a good reputation for offering top quality furniture over the years.
Investing in motion furniture
Recliners and motion furniture are by far the most popular forms of seating that people are investing in nowadays, says Odendaal.
Motion furniture and recliners are a major trend in the world of seating – so much so that as from November 2012, Rochester will be stocking a full selection of La-Z-Boy recliners, along with their standard ranges of reclining seating that they have always stocked.
Odendaal says the popularity of motion furniture is mostly a testament to their comfort.
Today, people are spending increasingly more time at home than they used to in order to save money. They are choosing to 'hang out' at home instead of taking a vacation or having dinner at a fancy restaurant, and if people are going to spend most of their time at home, they’ll need a comfortable chair to sit in.
Sales of reclining chairs are also getting a boost from the growing popularity of high-tech TVs, home theatre equipment, and video games.
New, modern designs are also boosting sales of motion furniture, explains Odendaal.
In the past, when it came to seating, it was often accepted that you had to sacrifice on good looks if you were going to opt for comfort. However, this is certainly not the case anymore – today, you can truly get the best of both worlds – seating that is durable and comfortable, as well as being aesthetically good looking.”
Colour choice
To ensure that your couch doesn’t date too quickly, it is advisable to choose something that is as neutral as possible.
Choosing a neutral palette will prolong the longevity of your seating, as it will match a variety of different styles and in this way it can be easily adapted to the ever changing décor trends.
A neutral colour will allow you to change the whole look of a room by simply changing its décor accessories, such as scatter cushions, rugs, light fittings and so on, without having to invest in an entirely new lounge suit.
This is one of the reasons why leather is such a popular choice of upholstery – it is durable, long lasting, and it is neutral enough to go with any type of décor – from the über contemporary to the most classical styles.
by. http://www.property24.com
Leather couches are by far the most popular, and it is easy to understand why – they are beautiful and durable pieces of furniture that offer superior comfort, conformability, longevity, and cleanability when compared to their fabric counterparts.
However, Odendaal says they are also, by and large, considerably more expensive, and as such, it is essential to know what qualities to look for when making your selection to ensure that you make the optimum choice.
The most important thing to do is to determine whether the sofa is upholstered in genuine or faux leather, he says.
Your first point of reference should be to examine the furniture tag and see if it identifies the materials used in the manufacturing of the sofa.
Faux leather can be identified in a number of different ways, including pleather, leatherette, naugahyde, corfam, ultrasued, fabrikoid, permeable leather, artificial leather or leather cloth, By-Cast, and Bonded Belisima.
Genuine leather, however, should always be identified with a genuine leather symbol or the term ‘Genuine Leather’.
Odendaal says the next thing to do is to ascertain the quality of the leather used to upholster the sofa.
Leather comes in a variety of qualities that can serve different purposes. Bonded leather is made of leather scraps that have been glued together – although it is inexpensive, it is not as durable and so it should be avoided.
Full grain leather is as durable, or perhaps even more durable than top grain leather, but since it doesn’t have a protective layer, it will take on more character from wear and tear over the years, but ultimately, it will last longer.
You can also consider thickness as a function of price – the thicker the leather, the longer it will last, and the more expensive it will be.
Split grain leather is made from the inside of the hide, which is considered less desirable than the outer layer because it is it not as durable.
Top grain is made from the outer layer and is the most durable type of leather because it is specially treated to increase its longevity.
Full grain leather is the most expensive option – like top grain leather, it is made from the outer layer, but it is not treated. It is the most expensive because of its beauty, but is not as durable as top grain.
Some couches will offer leather match, a combination of vinyl and leather, which is less expensive than most genuine leather sofas, explains Odendaal.
Frame and construction
What the sofa’s frame is constructed from is also important.
In South Africa, pine is used for the construction of seating; however, there are different grades of pine. If you are looking for quality, you should make sure that the frame is constructed from A-grade industrial unknotted pine, which is the strongest and most durable material on offer, explains Odendaal.
The interior construction is another crucial consideration when it comes to quality, he says.
Inexpensive furniture is usually stapled together and has poorly constructed corner bracing, while more expensive furniture should be securely screwed together and well-constructed and hardy corner bracing.
With regards to seating, one of the most durable seating constructions comprises eight-way tied springs, however, there are other types of wire coils, and of course, some seating comprises only wood and foam constructions.
Trusted brands
Of course, Anton says that opting to choose a trusted brand is another way of ensuring that you are buying a quality piece of furniture.
Homeowners should look for a company that has built a good reputation for offering top quality furniture over the years.
Investing in motion furniture
Recliners and motion furniture are by far the most popular forms of seating that people are investing in nowadays, says Odendaal.
Motion furniture and recliners are a major trend in the world of seating – so much so that as from November 2012, Rochester will be stocking a full selection of La-Z-Boy recliners, along with their standard ranges of reclining seating that they have always stocked.
Odendaal says the popularity of motion furniture is mostly a testament to their comfort.
Today, people are spending increasingly more time at home than they used to in order to save money. They are choosing to 'hang out' at home instead of taking a vacation or having dinner at a fancy restaurant, and if people are going to spend most of their time at home, they’ll need a comfortable chair to sit in.
Sales of reclining chairs are also getting a boost from the growing popularity of high-tech TVs, home theatre equipment, and video games.
New, modern designs are also boosting sales of motion furniture, explains Odendaal.
In the past, when it came to seating, it was often accepted that you had to sacrifice on good looks if you were going to opt for comfort. However, this is certainly not the case anymore – today, you can truly get the best of both worlds – seating that is durable and comfortable, as well as being aesthetically good looking.”
Colour choice
To ensure that your couch doesn’t date too quickly, it is advisable to choose something that is as neutral as possible.
Choosing a neutral palette will prolong the longevity of your seating, as it will match a variety of different styles and in this way it can be easily adapted to the ever changing décor trends.
A neutral colour will allow you to change the whole look of a room by simply changing its décor accessories, such as scatter cushions, rugs, light fittings and so on, without having to invest in an entirely new lounge suit.
This is one of the reasons why leather is such a popular choice of upholstery – it is durable, long lasting, and it is neutral enough to go with any type of décor – from the über contemporary to the most classical styles.
by. http://www.property24.com
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