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Anyone who has ever spent time shopping for home furnishings knows that finding the right sofa can take some patience and careful consideration. A sofa or couch, as any good interior designer will tell you, is the anchor of your living space, and one of the biggest home décor furniture investments you are likely to make. The perfect sofa should meet your standards in terms of comfort, support, durability and style. Whether you're shopping for fine furnishings or a budget-friendly piece, make sure to inspect each of the following elements closely before investing in a new sofa. Sofa Frame. For durability, select a couch with a sturdy frame made of a kiln-dried quality hardwood such as poplar, maple, beech or oak. Sofa frames made of metal, plastic or particleboard may crack or warp. Pine and other soft woods also tend to wobble and warp after a few years. Make certain wooden dowels (pegs), wooden corner blocks or metal brackets and screws (if not part of the frame) connect legs. Staples and glue should be used for reinforcement, but avoid pieces that rely solely on these products to keep the frame together. Sofa Upholstery. Selecting a fabric for your sofa requires careful thought of material durability, aesthetics, and budget. For durability, opt for cotton, linen, or synthetic microfibers, which are stain resistant and can simulate fabrics that are more expensive. If there is room in your home furnishings budget, wool and leather are more expensive, but handsome and long lasting. Most people opt for solid colors because they can be easily coordinated with other home décor choices and decorative accessories, but remember that patterned fabrics tend to wear better over time. Sofa Cushions. Your sofa's comfort level will depend largely on the cushions. Polyurethane and high-resiliency foams are the least expensive options on the market today. Polyurethane foam is budget-friendly and easy to care for, but may deteriorate more quickly. High-resiliency foam is more comfortable and longer-lasting, but tends to be more expensive. For top-of-the-line luxury, goose down filling is soft and comfortable. However, be aware that goose fillings can clump and may require frequent fluffing. Other options include polyester fiber and down-polyester blends, both of which are friendly to smaller budgets, but also prone to flattening. A good compromise? A high-resiliency foam in a layer of goose down or polyester batting. Sofa Suspension system. Most sofas use a sinuous (sometimes called serpentine or zigzag) spring system, which feature S-shaped steel wires that are stretched from top to bottom. Sofas made with sinuous spring systems tend to be firmer, and depending on construction, have the potential to sag over time. Most high-end sofas use what is known as an eight-way hand-tied steel-coil system. Each coil is attached at eight different points to other coils, making the couch responsive to different degrees of pressure. Before making your final decision, sit down firmly on many different sofas to get a sense of what you find comfortable. Bounce gently on the sofa to test out the suspension system. Squeaks or creaks are a sign that the springs may be placed incorrectly. One last bit of advice when shopping for the sofa of your dreams: don't forget asking about warranties. Some manufacturers offer a 10-year warranty that covers the sofa's frame and suspension system, which can certainly come in handy if your sofa starts to bow or crack before it's time. And don’t forget to get tips on cleaning your new couch. Despite all your efforts, eventually you will have to address spot cleaning at a minimum.
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