There are two types of people: ones that use their living room as a casual family room and ones that use their living room as a formal gathering space.
It doesn’t matter which type of person you are, what matters is that you’re aware of the type of upholstery that fits your personal space. Understanding what you enjoy is one thing but searching for it is another. To make that process a little easier, here are 5 tips to consider when buying living room pieces you actually want.
Think about the overall size
It’s important to know how much space you have in the room and what is going to fit in that space. To gain this knowledge, take measurements of the room and bring them with you when you’re shopping. This allows you to stay ahead of the game by knowing if pieces you like will fit in the room.
Another thing you will want to think about is how many people you want to seat on a regular basis. If you have a smaller space and need to seat seven people, using a sectional may maximize your seating capacity. You could also use an upholstered ottoman or bench to seat an additional one or two people.
Still somewhat confused about the getting the right sized furniture for your room? We have a great post about having a better understanding of proportion and scale that can help with that.
What kind of style does your personality attract?
No two brains are the same. We all have different tastes in styles, and that’s okay! Your living room should be designed based on how you want it to feel. With that being said, ask yourself these type of questions:
What do I want my upholstery to look like?
What colors do I want to incorporate?
What is my sofa going to coordinate with?
Will that sofa match the loveseat or chair?
What occasionals will coordinate with my upholstery?
To make your buying process easier, bring photos of your living space and inspirational ideas on your phone or tablet to the furniture store so the designers can have a better grasp of what you’re trying to achieve.
There’s a variety of styles you could go with, but why not go with one that reflects you as person? If you want to learn more about how different styles attract different people, read our post about design styles that fit your personality.
What kind of quality are you going for?
When you’re thinking about the quality of your upholstery, consider the following:
- Daily Usage
- Price
- How long you want the upholstery to last
The upholstery you put into your living room is an investment. It’s very similar to buying a car. You are going to want something that is inside your budget but reliable at the same time. The higher quality upholstery you invest in, the longer it will last and the more time you’ll be able to experience that comfort.
What type of functionality do you want your upholstery to have?
There are plenty of options when it comes to functionality. You can go with a reclining or stationary sofa, swivel or rocking recliners, or pieces for individual seating or many people.
The best way to start is to think about what you’re going to be using your living room for and focus on that. A reclining sectional would be great if you’re using the room to watch football games with friends and family. Facing two sofas toward each other is an option if you want to encourage conversation. Use short back sofas or chairs if you want to take advantage of natural elements through a window or the home’s architecture.
The best place to start is with the basics. If you find yourself needing a push in the right direction, read our post on the beginning stages of designing a room.
Choose the right cover for your home’s needs
Do you live on your own? Do you have young children that like drawing on the walls? Or maybe some pets that like digging their nails into the furniture. Whatever the case may be, tend to those needs with the right cover on your upholstery.
Here are some different textiles you can pick from:
Most common: Polyester, Nylon, Acrylic Olefin
Leather: Real vs. Faux
Sun and stain resistant: sunbrella or crypton.
Now you have some ammunition
Buying furniture isn’t an easy task. It takes a little research and a lot of playing around with different options. Now that you have read these tips, the process of buying furniture this holiday season should be smoother for you. Remember you can always seek advice from one of our designers. Happy shopping!