Thursday, November 29, 2012

Top 6 Things That Determine a Perfect Sectional Sofa


Looking for the best furniture is like hunting for fashion-forward wardrobe. Thousands might fit but only few will look great. Cheap sectional sofas are no different from the expensive ones if only you know what makes a piece a perfect find. By picking a well-crafted sofa that fits perfectly in your home regardless the price, it will exude elegance and luxury that you’ll even forget it’s a bargain.

Check the qualities that bring difference inside your home and your lifestyle.


1. Comfort

Comfort is a priority when buying cheap sectional sofas. More than anything else, comfort determines if the furniture meets its very purpose; that is to make sitting, reclining and lying comfortable experiences. Oftentimes, people get too carried away with all the unique and awesome designs, textures, shapes and sizes of sofa sets that they forget that these pieces of furniture are not meant to stun alone but to be seated for practical reasons. Aesthetic brilliance is, of course, a definite advantage.

So how do you measure comfort? Size and height are always the first considerations. Is the backrest high enough to support your back’s major area? Is it not bulging excessively which may lead to uncomfortable positioning of the back? Is the seat cushion low or high enough to accommodate your family’s leg length? Bumps are common designs of backrests, but they can be overdone at times.

Texture is also one often overlooked quality of cheap sectional sofas that is set to be really annoying when buyers get it wrong. Some fabrics are course, others are smooth. Some might feel so thick while some feel very thin. Which ones do you prefer?

The best way to make sure that you will have the perfect texture is by comparing its material with your own bed sheet. What makes you happy in bed, no pun intended, will make you happy in sofa.


Chinese-inspired conventional sofa; a kind of sofa set aside from sectional sofa

 2. Convenience and Sustainability

Finding the sectional sofa that you’ve always dreamed of won’t settle the case unless it is in harmony with your other furniture and appliances. Assuming that you already took the space’s measurement before you run to the store, you still need to consider the mobility and flexibility of the set for the purpose of repositioning.

Will it be a problem when you redecorate your home? Are you planning of taking it with you when you transfer to another place? Is the mobility of the set safe for the kids who are always playing on it?

The C type and the L type are the most common shapes of sectional sofas, but some are flexible enough to change shapes, let alone, positions, should you desire. Look for sectional sofas that are easy to manage.

3. Material

Choosing the perfect material when looking for a cheap sectional sofa is crucial for two reasons—durability and your health. Leather is always the safest choice as it represents class and durability at the same time.

Leatherette, a cheaper class of synthetic leather, is an alternative for families in a very tight budget. Although it may look like genuine leather, its quality is weaker than the latter. If you are in a moist environment or in a state that changes climate rapidly, leatherette is a bad choice as it shows signs of breakage easily in these conditions.

Fabrics and other porous materials are best if you like to have major upholstery regularly to keep up with your home’s changing themes. These also give more balance inside your home as they adapt easily with any style. However, they are not recommended for families with members with respiratory problems, like asthma. Dusts and dust mites easily inhabit porous under sheets so you may want to reconsider for health’s sake.

When talking about materials of cheap sectional sofas, the overall durability is always in question. Metal frames are cheaper compared to sturdier hardwoods. They are also lighter and come with more variety in shape. Nonetheless, they can be dangerous as metal frames are more susceptible to have protruding parts over time, which is dangerous both to adults and kids. If external parts such as edge cap and arms are made of metal, ensure that they are smooth and well-attached.

The base is also important as it is the main support of the whole furniture. Rubber-covered feet and wheels are the best choices as they also prevent damage to your flooring. If the base is wood type, make sure that it won’t break easily when the set is moved.

4. Style

Talking about style, it refers to four things—attached pillow back style; multi-pillow back style; tight back style; and loose pillow back style. If you want to stick with minimalist design, tight back is the classic option. It spells simplicity at its finest. If you have a wide floor area that kids often use, the loose pillow back style will give you the convenience of having a sofa and floor throw pillow at the same time. Attached pillow back and multi-pillow back styles are more extravagant and slightly more expensive than their counterparts, but they sure are plushy. Cheap sectional sofas come with pillow sets, most often than not. The question is how they are used with the furniture.


An example of Roman Bench; another style of sofa set
aside from sectional sofa

 5. UFAC Certification

The Upholstered Furniture Action Council (UFAC) certifies manufacturers that follow the standards to ensure high-quality products in the market. Always look for the gold UFAC tag so you and your family can sit anytime, free of worries.

6. Dealer/Manufacturer

A customized sectional sofa carries the owner’s personality down to the last details. Unfortunately, customization and affordability seldom meet in one sentence and that might pose a problem if you are specifically looking for a cheap sectional sofa. The good thing is, there will always be a brand that will satisfy your keen eyes and sensitive artistic preference.

eBay is a top online destination when on the lookout for cheap, second-hand sofas yet are still sturdy and snug. If bidding is not your thing and you prefer brand new ones, Amazon can offer you the widest choices of all styles, built and materials.

Generally known as a luxury furniture brand, IKEA may surprise you as they sometimes have cheap sectional sofas specifically meant for middle-income families.

Cheap sofa sets are out there. You just need to do your homework ahead of time. But if you still find them above your budget, then overhauls and major upholstery will bring magic to your old sofa set.

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