Let's Talk: The Anatomy Of A Quality Made Sofa

Happy Monday, I hope that you all had a fantastic weekend. Today I want to talk to you about the anatomy of a quality-made sofa. In other words, what should one look for when shopping for a sofa that was made with quality craftsmanship?

Living room vignette via Vanguard Furniture. — Image via Vanguard

I shared this information with my monthly newsletter subscribers and thought I would share this information here on the blog as well. I believe that knowledge is power. And armed with the right information, you’ll recognize a sofa made of quality construction or one that won’t stand the test of time. As a designer, I advise my clients which pieces they should splurge on and those pieces that they can save on. A sofa is definitely one of those pieces you should invest in. Think about it, in a living room the sofa is one of the main pieces that will get the most wear and tear.

It’s the piece that we curl up on with a good book

We lay on it when watching a movie or our favorite television show.

It is one of our favorite places to lounge and take a nap.

It also provides seating for our guests when we entertain.

That’s why it’s worth it to make sure that you get the best sofa that you can afford.

Listen I get it, sometimes there’s only room in the budget to purchase a sofa that is only meant to last 2-3 years. Maybe you’ve just moved into your first apartment. Maybe you’re renting. Or perhaps you’ve just purchased your first home. In these cases, there may not be room in the budget to purchase a well-made sofa.

Living room vignette via King Hickory — Image via King Hickory

However, at some point, it’s time to put down some roots and invest in quality pieces for your home. After all, the money you spend on replacing your sofa every 2-3 years could be spent on a quality sofa that will last you a lifetime.

All sofas are not created equal. In fact, most sofas you’ll find at mass retailers are not made of quality materials and the construction is sub-par at best. I don’t care what the salesperson says or what the sofa looks like in their shiny new catalog. Those sofas will fold like a cheap suit. So, without further ado here is what to look for when shopping for a sofa that is made with industry standard quality.

Sofa construction via King Hickory — Image via King Hickory via Godby Furniture

The Anatomy of A Quality Made Sofa

Frame – A quality constructed sofa will have a frame that is made of a hardwood that is kiln-dried. Hardwoods such as oak, ash, and beech are strong and will last decades. The joints of the frame should be secured with glue and dowels.
Legs – The legs on the sofa should be part of the frame or at the very least held on with screws and/or dowels. The legs shouldn’t just be glued on.
Springs – Eight-way hand-tied is the industry quality standard when it comes to sofa springs.
Cushions – Cushions should be made of high-density foam wrapped in down or a down blend. This helps keep the shape of the cushion.
Fabric – The fabric you choose for your sofa is also important. My favorite durable fabric options are those made of a polyester blend such as a linen/poly blend, cotton/poly blend, or a wool/poly blend. I am also a huge fan of performance fabrics that are low maintenance, durable, and easy to clean.

How Will I Know It’s Good Quality?

Now that you’re armed with this information you may be wondering how you’ll know if the sofa you’re purchasing is quality-made? Well one safe way is to purchase your sofa through your interior designer. Most interior designers have built solid relationships with the best furniture manufacturers in the country.

However, if you’re not working with a designer, it just takes a little research. Check the retailer’s website, most should have some information listed on how their pieces are constructed. If you can’t find this information anywhere on their website, that may not be a good sign. Visit a showroom and talk with the sales people, they should definitely know about the quality and craftmanship of the pieces they sell. Another good idea if you’re shopping retail is to check the internet for customer reviews. Most of the time customers are brutally honest of they have had a bad experience with a retailer.

How Much Will It Cost?

You may be wondering how much a sofa of this quality will cost you. This will depend on the manufacturer, fabric selection, and whether or not the sofa is custom made. However, you can get a great quality sofa for around $3,500. Of course, customizations and fabric selection will increase the price.

So there you have it, now you can shop for a sofa with confidence!