sofa advice

[nemobell]

We are about to buy our first new sofa - a wedding pressie - and would like to know what things to go for. For example,should it be foam or sprung seats, hard or soft wood - there seems to be a lot of choice! Any advice appreciated - it's a big first buy!

[Scarlett]

OOH well I would go to DFS as they let you buy with 0% credit and over 3 years and nothing to pay for the first year and they are all half price anyway!!!

I bought a sofa and a sofa bed- that way people can come and stay, and it is basically the same as a sofa to sit on. I also paid a bit more for the stain resistant coating to be applied (it doesn't show) to the material so it will last longer. And I chose dark blue for the dirt, but cover them in throws anyway.

I like material but you may be a leather person... Have a look round and see what grabs you!

[singhster]

Wouldn't be that sure about DFS.  You can only get the 0% over 3 years if you take out their payment protection - I was told by a salesman.  Then you have to wait 12 weeks (yep 3 months) for it to be made and delivered.

Plus, most of the sofas are double price anyway, so the half price sale just brings them to a normal price.

And they have a "Linda Barker" range.

I'd go to IKEA and check out their range - you can get a sofa delivered within a week.  And their not ludicrously overpriced.

[Clanad]

Not knowing anything about where to buy your sofa, (I'm in U.S.) there are a few things that point to quality construction anywhere. Firstly, the edging along the front of the sofa (where the back of your legs would be sitting on the piece) should not be wood.  It should be a strong yet supple spring to support the front and not wear out the material prematurely.  Secondly, the back of the piece should be finished neatly with stitching, not stapling.  Thirdly, all the welting on the edges, including the removable cushions should be inspected to assure there are no pulled or missing stitches.  This is an area that tells more about the quality of construction than almost anything else.  Assure the piece has been treated with ScotchGard or other equivalent stain protectant.  Choose the covering carefully.  If you do choose leather, assure the hides are all the same general texture and grain. A poorly made leather piece will have unmatched hides making for an odd looking piece that only gets worse with age...  Good luck!

[clairelb]

To be honest, I've no idea about the best construction for a sofa, but I found it a really difficult task to find our ideal sofa.  They were either really yukky or simply uncomfortable. 

Think about how you use your sofa (obvious statement I know), for example - do you tend to lie down on it a lot?  If so, you'll be surprised how the height of the arms will become important... 

If this is a big one off buy for you.  Think of whether you're likely to redecorate often, if so, if you go for something with lots of colours or patterns then you may end up decorating around your sofa...

I'd also say that whilst really soft cushions my seem really comfy now, they may flatten down to very little in a couple of years, whereas something a bit firmer now will last and keep it's shape a bit longer. 

As for interest free credit deal, Next do nice furniture and interest free for 12 or 24 mths, no catches.

[fibifooz]

I wouldn't buy a suite with "T" shaped cushions as you can't change them over to distribute the wear and the corners stick up when you sit on them.

[lozzzz]

when you try out the sofa in the shop,sit on it like you would if you was watching a film,sounds stupid but it might be ok just to sit on but its no good if you cant loaf on it in your usual positions,you might have to try loads of shops and loads of sofas but if you cant snuggle it wont matter what it looks likes..

[Scarlett]

Singhster! Just for reference- my DFS sofas did not ask me to take out payment protection- nobody can make you do that; and Ikea charge �80 for delivery. That's why they design their warehouses for you to come and pick up the flat-packed furniture. That totally negates the cheapness in the first place!