How to choose a sofa that is best suited for you

2.    Material And Construction
The right material guarantees durability and endurance
 

-    The Frame: Investing in a good quality frame will ensure the sofa stands strong for years to come. The most durable material and usually the more expensive option, is hardwood. Oak, Cherry, Walnut, Beech, Sheesham are some types of hardwood. Kiln Dried Hardwood is a finishing process that further helps strengthening the wood. As a result, the wood doesn’t snap or warp easily. A metal-framed sofa is another option. This is the hardest material available, and it is easier to maintain and clean. The downside: it can bend over time and it isn’t considered as durable as wood. Frames made of plastic or particle board are best avoided as they are most likely to break down over time.

-    Joinery: The ‘Mortise & Tenon’ method comprises of two components: the mortise hole and the Tenon tongue. The Tenon tongue, an extra piece of wood from one part of the furniture is inserted in the Mortise hole, a depression in another part. This is supposed to fit perfectly into each other and then is reinforced with glue and nails. This joinery method is the strongest of all. The ‘Double Doweled’ frame assembly is another preferred method. Here, the joints are put together with two round pieces of wood in corresponding holes. This again is supported with glue and screws. If the joinery only involves staples, nails, or glue, it isn’t the right choice as it will eventually fall apart. However, they can be used as methods of additional support. 

3.    The Design

-    Style: Sofas are mainly categorized in three ways: Modern, Traditional and Contemporary. Modern sofas have simple designs, firm seats and angular lines. If you have a small space and prefer light-footed furniture, this is a perfect style. Contemporary designs have softer seats, clean lines and a few traditional accents. This style usually fits in with any kind of décor. Traditional sofa designs generally belong to a particular era or culture and have ornate frames. These usually have circular lines and tufted furnishing. This type of sofa dominates the décor setting and is a statement piece in itself. The rest of the furniture and accessories in the room will be decided around this piece.

-    Functionality: This is one of the most important filters to apply to the selection of a sofa. Some sofas are designed to be multi-functional and are great for apartments. Sofa-cum-beds can be transformed into a queen-sized bed when guests stay over. These are great for studio apartments. Then there are sofas that come with drawers below the seat and shelves at the sides, providing additional storage space, for anything from cushions to remote controls. A recliner sofa is a popular choice for those who love to laze out at the end of a long day. This is a great choice for people with back pain.