How to pick the perfect sofa for your space

MANILA, Philippines – Anyone looking to decorate a new space knows that there’s so much more to picking out the right pieces than meets the eye. And when it comes to sofas for any living area, the options can get overwhelming.

There are a lot of things that we don’t realize affect how a room looks and feels, and as sofas are often the biggest pieces in the room, your couch area could dictate the whole vibe of your place.

To help us out, West Elm gave a few tips and tricks for picking out the perfect comfy seats, whether you’re looking to fill up a large open space or squeeze one into a small apartment.

Lock your budget down and decide on your sofa with the guide below.

Overwhelmed by choice? First decide on the right sofa size for your space to narrow down your options.

Long-term homeowners have a lot more freedom when it comes to choosing the right sofa size, while it’s more practical for apartment owners to choose pieces that can be reworked.

If you don’t have a lot of space, love seats or settees (two-seaters) can also be used at the foot of a bed, small sectionals are perfect for tight spaces, and sleeper (pull-out) sofas are a great multi-functional addition to any home.

Decide on a fabric that suits your lifestyle.

Durable tweeds and twills can hide spills, while leather is easy to clean and is always stylish – plus it gets better-looking with age. 

Go for a neutral color if you like to change things up.

If you know you’re bound to change how your room looks – paint the walls or try out trends as they come and go – a neutral sofa will serve as a good blank canvas to work around.

Or opt for a brightly colored sofa to spice up a neutral space.

Alternatively, if your room’s decor is already filled with neutral pieces, a sofa with colorful or patterned fabric can liven it up or contribute to a room’s theme.

Choose sofa cushions that will best match what you’ll use your sofa for.

Plush, sink-in cushions might be perfect for a family movie night, but not necessarily for when you’re entertaining guests. If you’ll be using your sofa in a room where you’ll be hosting get-togethers, opt for tight cushions and a cleaner silhouette.

Pay close attention to your sofa’s arms – how they’re shaped can contribute to the mood of a space.

Curved arms are more traditional, while straight arms have a more modern feel. You can even opt for an armless sofa, which is a stylish choice for smaller rooms.

Have a small space? Go for a sofa with legs.

Like sofa arms, sofa legs contribute a lot to the mood of a space. Tapered wooden legs are more retro, straight metal ones feel more modern, and low block legs tend to give a more traditional, comfortable vibe. Whichever one you choose, remember that sofa legs are also a great way to make a statement or to spice up an otherwise neutral room.

Are you a new homeowner figuring out how to personalize your space? Let us know some of your furniture shopping tips and tricks in the comments below! – Rappler.com