SOFA SHOPPING CHECKLIST |
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Frame
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Seating Support
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Cushions
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Fabric
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Scale - Room Dimensions_____ Feet & _____inches by _____ Feet & _____inches |
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you
shop for your new sofa. Keep in mind that what
is under all that beautiful new upholstery will
make a difference in how comfortable and durable
a sofa is in the long term. Take the time to “kick
the tires” and understand what is underneath cushions
before you make a decision.
Frame
A sturdy frame is essential for a comfortable,
high-quality sofa. The best sofa frames are constructed
from kiln-dried hardwood. Green wood can shrink,
crack or warp as it dries. Kiln drying removes
the moister before the craftsmen begin to shape
the frame, ensuring that the sofa will maintain
its shape and stability over the long term. Quality
frame construction also includes glued, doweled
and screwed joints. Reinforcing blocks should be
attached inside the corners of the frame for extra
support. Plywood and particle board constructed
frames held together with staples will not stand
up over time and should be avoided. If you must
choose a sofa without a kiln dried frame, then
opt for 11 - 13 layer plywood over 5 - 7 layer
plywood for better support.
Seating Support
Eight-way hand-tied springs
have long been considered the premium
choice for sofa construction. In this method a
craftsman hand ties each coil spring to the other
springs and to the sofa frame with twine. The
twine crosses the frame from front to back, from
side to side, and across both diagonals, thus
creating the “eight-ways”.
Other forms of spring construction
can provide good quality support as well. Sinuous
springs are two-dimensional “S” shaped wires that
run from the front rail to the back of the seat,
spaced every few inches. Support wires cross laterally
and provide additional stability and support. A
sinuous spring construction may be preferable in
some cases. For example, a sleek modern sofa sitting
low to the ground is better served by sinuous spring
construction since it requires less space in the
frame.
Web suspension is a form of seating
support that may be used alone or with coil springs.
Bands of webbing two to three inches wide cross
the seat and back, and are tacked to the sofa frame
to create a hammock-like platform for cushions.
Webbing may be made of natural fibers such as jute,
or man-made materials such a polypropylene. While
web suspension alone is considered the least preferable
frame suspension, there is a quality difference
among web-only sofas. High quality sofas that use
web support structures are built with the use of
a tensioner that securely fastens the webbing to
the frames and ensures the stability of the deck.
No matter the seating support choice,
when you sit on the sofa it should feel stable.
Too much wiggle in the seat means that the springs
are not attached well. If you choose a spring sofa,
the quality and the quantity of springs are the
best measure of a sofa’s construction, so compare
the construction specifications before you decide.
Cushions
Several different materials can be
used to fill the cushions of sofas, alone or in
combination with other materials. Down and feathers
create the softest cushions and are considered
by many to be the premium choice for cushions.
High-quality down cushions should include down-proof
ticking under the upholstery fabric. The ticking
is a tightly-woven fabric that prevents the tiny
down feathers from poking through the fabric and
escaping the cushion. Cushions filled with nothing
other than down require a great deal of maintenance
with frequent, even daily, fluffing. They also
carry the highest price tag. More commonly, down
is used in combination with other materials. Blendown
is a mixture of down, feathers and polyester fibers.
Pads of blendown are wrapped around high density
foam or foam-encased springs. This creates a soft
surface over the support materials.
High density polyurethane foam is the
most common cushion filler. The higher the foam
density, the firmer the cushion will be. Foam can
be wrapped in down, synthetic-fiber (Dacron) batting,
or cotton for a softer seating surface. Dacron-wrapped
foam is the least expensive option, but it will
have a limited lifespan.
Spring down combines the softness of
down, the structure of foam and the resilience
of springs. Coil springs are surrounded by high
density foam edge supports, and then all is wrapped
with down pads.
Fabrics
A wide variety of upholstery fabrics
are available today in a variety shades and textures.
But before you choose the fabric for your upholstery,
take some time to think bout your lifestyle so
you can choose the best option for you. You may
love the nubby texture of chenille, but if you
have a cat with claws, you might want to reconsider.
A household with children, pets, or adults who
like to eat their dinner on the sofa should look
for a low-maintenance performance fabric.
Natural fibers such as cotton, linen,
wool, silk and rayon are comfortable as upholstery,
but often require more maintenance than synthetic
fibers. Many natural fibers can be damaged by exposure
to sunlight or mildew in humid climates. Blends
of natural and synthetic fibers are a great way
to get a soft feel, but improve the hardiness of
your sofa.
Synthetic fibers such as polyester,
olefin, and nylon are strong, stain resistant options.
However, olefin and nylon are susceptible to sun
damage. If you choose fabrics made of these fibers
you should use window coverings or low-e window
coatings to prevent fading. These fibers are also
apt to pill when they receive a lot of heavy use.
If your natural / synthetic blend upholstery fabric
contains more than 50% of these synthetic fibers,
then expect it to pill. Microfiber fabrics (made
of polyester or nylon) are a popular option for
upholstery. They are soft to the touch and tightly
woven, thus they are durable and stain resistant.
Microfiber fabrics are available in a wide variety
of colors.
Pile fabrics, such as chenille, velvet
and boucle, are popular for their ability to mask
dirt and resist wear in high traffic areas. Cotton
velvet does have problems with crushing and can
show track marks. Denim and twill are great options
for a casual feel that stands up to daily use.
Scale
Before you even start looking at a
new sofa you should take the time to measure the
room where it will be placed. You should also take
the time to measure any hallways, doorways or stairs
that the sofa will have to travel through to be
placed in the room, especially if there are odd
turns and angles along the way. The best advice
is to create a floor plan to get an idea of how
the sofa will work with the rest of the furnishings
in the room. Take the floor plan with you when
you go furniture shopping to give sales associates
an idea of what you are looking for.
You should also consider how a sofa
fits your body frame and those of your guests.
A low-to-the-ground frame might be difficult for
some individuals to stand up from. A sofa with
a deep seat may leave a petite person with their
feet dangling several inches above the floor. Consider
the overall atmosphere of the room that the sofa
will be in, and the room’s function. If you’ll
sit on the sofa to watch movie marathons, then
you might choose a deeply cushioned sofa that encourages
lounging. If the sofa will be placed in a more
formal room that is used primarily for entertaining,
then a sofa that sits more upright would be the
right choice.
Styling
Custom order sofas allow you to combine
everything you are looking for into one perfect
piece. Quality furniture retailers can help you
select the right combination of styling, construction
and fabric for your budget and décor. Below are
terms for different sofa style elements that can
help you name what you want in a sofa:
attached back sofa |
sofa with the back cushions attached to the body of the sofa. |
box cushion |
cushion with four sides connecting the top and bottom. A welt frequently runs the perimeter of the top and bottom. |
box pleat |
a flat double pleat made by folding under the fabric on either side of it to create an inverted pleat. |
box pleat skirt |
an upholstery skirt with alternating high/low folds of fabric to create a dentil pattern. |
braid |
a flat, woven trim used for decorative edges on upholstery to cover staples or tacks. |
bullion fringe |
a thick fringe composed of long, twisted loops of yarn covered in gold or silver thread. |
bun feet |
foot in the shape of a flattened ball, often with a slender ankle above. |
button tufting |
upholstery treatment in which buttons (usually fabric-covered) are sewn through the surface and tied down to create a tailored, sometimes undulating, surface. |
camelback |
sofa or chair style in which the back is raised in an arch in the middle, similar to a camel's hump. |
chaise |
a long chair for reclining. May have one arm, two arms or no arms at all. |
chaise recliner |
a recliner with a fully-padded extending footrest. |
chaise sectional |
a sectional sofa that incorporates a built-in raised footrest. |
channel back |
an upholstered chair or sofa back having deep vertical grooves. |
Charles of London |
style of arm on upholstered furniture which is low at the back and slightly raised and curved at the front. The inside of the arm is usually well padded and curves over the edge of the arm in the front, contrasting to a flatter treatment on the outside of the arm. |
chenille |
a soft thick fabric usually made of cotton or silk with a raised pile, that is used to make furnishings and clothes. |
chesterfield |
overstuffed couch or sofa with upholstered ends and no exposed wood. Back and arms are usually of one continuous curve. |
chintz |
printed and glazed cotton fabric, often in bright colors. |
colorways |
multiple variations of color combinations in which a fabric pattern is available. |
couch |
sofa or daybed. |
cuddler |
a large, frequently armless, component of a sectional that typically connects two additional components together at a corner. |
damask |
a light fabric, often silk, that depicts patterns, florals or other designs in the weave with a tone-on-tone or two-tone effect. Use for draperies or upholstery. |
deck |
the surface directly under the seat cushions on an upholstered piece of furniture. |
denim |
a coarse twill fabric made with cotton. |
doweling |
a construction technique in which wood corners are reinforced with glued dowels through the joints. |
down |
fine, soft feathers from the breast areas of ducks and geese; when used in seat and pillow cushions the effect is luxuriously soft. |
down-proof ticking |
a tightly-woven, inner lining of a cushion that prevents the migration of tiny feathers to a cushion's exterior. |
dressmaker skirt |
a skirt that extends from base of the cushion to the floor on upholstered furniture. Also known as a waterfall skirt. |
eight-way hand-tied |
construction technique used in upholstery in which individual seat springs are tied to the frame with twine running vertically, horizontally and diagonally. |
fauteuil |
upholstered arm chair with open sides. |
gimp |
a flat decorative trim or braid that conceals upholstery fastening points, such as staples or tacks. |
jacquard |
fabric with an intricately woven pattern. Damask and brocade are both fabrics produced on a jacquard loom. |
kick-pleat skirt |
a straight upholstery skirt that with smaller skirts placed behind the skirt vents at the corners and other skirt divisions. The smaller skirt may be straight or shirred. |
Lawson arms |
a low profile rolled arm that is of a modest scale. |
loose back sofa |
sofa with the same number of back cushions as seat cushions, but are not attached to the sofa body. |
loveseat |
a small sofa or double chair that seats two people. |
micro suede |
a variety of microfiber fabric that displays a distinct nap that makes it look and feel like suede leather. |
microfiber |
fabric made from extremely thin synthetic fibers. It is appreciated for its soft hand, durability and stain resistance. |
mop head fringe |
a thick fringe composed of long, twisted loops of yarn resembling the head of a mop. |
nailhead trim |
the decorative use of a line of tacks at fabric / leather attachment points on upholstered goods. |
pile |
cut loops of yarn forming surface with upright tufts. May refer to fabric or carpet. Velvet, ultra suede and corduroy are examples of fabrics with a pile. |
pillow top |
cushion filled with batting attached to a sofa seat or arm, ot to the top of a mattress. |
pleated arm |
arm of upholstered sofa, loveseat, or chair with the front plane covered by fabric continuing from the inside of the arm; the excess fabric on the front plane is pleated in a arch. |
plinth base |
box base for upholstered furniture, in lieu of legs. |
plisspe |
fabric with a puckered finish. |
pub back |
a soft, gathered and billowing cushions attached to the back of an upholstered sofa, chair or loveseat. |
recliner |
arm chair that reclines and extends a built-in foot rest. |
rolled arms |
arms on upholstered seating that curve outward into a rounded form, extending horizontally beyond the supporting post. |
saddlebag arms |
exaggerated pillow top style cushion attached to the top of the arm on an upholstered piece. |
scatter back sofa |
sofa with more back cushions than seat cushions. |
sectional |
upholstered seating consisting of two or more sections arranged together (and sometimes joined through brackets) to create a larger piece. Frequently sectionals incorporate a directional change, forming the shape (when seen from above) of an "L" or "U". |
semi-attached back sofa |
sofa construction in which the back cushions are attached at the top but loose at the bottom. Often, a hidden zipper in the lower portion allows access to the cushion for fluffing and the repositioning of fill materials. |
settee |
small sofa or loveseat with exposed, wooden legs. |
sinuous spring |
construction element of some upholstered furniture that uses a running s-shaped spring along the length of the deck (seat support). |
skirt |
fabric running along the lower perimeter of upholstered furniture, designed to hide the legs. |
slipcover |
a removable, fitted fabric cover for upholstered furniture. |
slipper chair |
a high-backed upholstered chair with short legs. |
snuggler |
an oversized upholstered chair. Also frequently called "a chair and a half." |
T-cushion |
cushion of an upholstered sofa, loveseat, or chair on which the arms are set back from the front edge; the cushion extends from the from edge of the seat to the front of the arm. The resulting outline is in the shape of a letter "T". |
tête-à-tête |
a small bench with an s-shaped back that crosses the seat that allows two people to sit facing each other. Also known as a courting bench. |
theater seating |
modular reclining chairs that can be joined at the arms, either flush, or in an arch and are designed for optimal screen viewing in a home theater. |
theater sofa |
a large sofa curved in an arch when viewed from above. Designed for use in a home theater, a theater sofa is intended to provide all of the individuals sitting on it a good view of the home theater screen. |
three-over-three |
a sofa with three back cushions and three seat cushions. |
tight back |
upholstery with a padded back directly over the frame of the piece, without additional back cushions. |
tight seat |
an upholstered piece on which the fabric covering the seat is attached directly to the frame and does not have a removable seat cushion. |
toile |
a white or off-white fabric printed with one color, commonly red or black, depicting classical or pastoral scenes. |
topstitching |
a single or double row of stitching close to the seam or edge on the outer side of the fabric. |
tuxedo arms |
slightly flared arms that are the same height as the back |
twill |
a sturdy weave of fabric that is distinguished by diagonal parallel ribs in the surface. |
two-over-two |
a sofa with two back cushions and two seat cushions. |
wall-away recliner |
a recliner that shifts the body forward as it reclines, instead of leaning the body back. Wall-away recliners require less rear clearance space and may therefore be placed closer to a wall. |
waterfall back |
two or more vertical layers of gathered and billowing cushions attached to the back of an upholstered sofa, chair or loveseat. |
waterfall skirt |
on a sofa loveseat or chair, a skirt that extends from base of the cushion to the floor. Also know as a dressmaker skirt. |
webbing |
the foundation, composed of interwoven strips of synthetic material, attached to the wood frame of upholstered furniture. |
welt |
fabric-covered cord used as a trim in the seams of upholstery or toss pillows. |
wingback chair |
a high-backed, upholstered easy chair with panels or wings projecting forward from the sides of the back and curving downward to meet the roll arms. |
