Sofa Buying Guide

Size, fabric, style, use, and quality should be your basic considerations when buying a sofa. Couch size is both a practical and aesthetic matter, i.e. make sure you buy a couch that can fit through the door. Remember too that a pillow-backed sofa will look bigger than a tight-backed sofa.

With sofa fabrics, leather lasts, but will take damage in casual or family-use rooms. If you go the upholstered route, remember that patterns will often hide stains and wear better than solids. It's always easy to throw a slipcover over outdated fabrics, so buy a couch that is structurally sound rather than just eye-catching. Style refers to the shape of the sofa: low arms, high arms, single seat cushion or multi-seat cushion. Don't forget about small things like sofa legs. A couch with visible legs often suits a more contemporary decor than one with a material fringe.

Sofas, sectional sofas, sofa sets, and sleeper sofas will all present different use options. Decide what you need and shop accordingly.

But most important of all is quality. A well-built couch can always be re-upholstered, so don't just window shop. Look for structural and material information using the following tips.

Insider Sofa Buying Tips

• Rub Tests

Rub test results rather than price will determine the durability of a fabric. A 20,000 rub rating is adequate. A 30,000 or 40,000 rating is a keeper.

• Glued and Screwed

The frames of cheaper couches are often held together by nails. The best frames use wooden dowels and metal screws or brackets. If a couch has a tag saying "corner blocks glued and screwed," it's quality.

• Eight-way

The best sofas feature eight-way hand-tied coils. Fabric wears better, the seat is more comfortable, and the couch lasts longer without sagging.

• Wooden Frame

Oak and maple are the best materials for a couch frame. They won't warp or crack as easily as other woods, plastic, or steel.