Here are a few things to keep in mind as you shop for your new sofa. Keep
in mind that what is under all that beautiful new upholstery will make a
difference in how comfortable and durable a sofa is in the long term. Take
the time to "kick the tires" and understand what is underneath cushions
before you make a decision.
A sturdy frame is essential for a comfortable, high-quality sofa. The best
sofa frames are constructed from kiln-dried hardwood. Green wood can shrink,
crack or warp as it dries. Kiln drying removes the moister before the craftsmen
begin to shape the frame, ensuring that the sofa will maintain its shape
and stability over the long term. Quality frame construction also includes
glued, doweled and screwed joints. Reinforcing blocks should be attached
inside the corners of the frame for extra support. Plywood and particle
board constructed frames held together with staples will not stand up over
time and should be avoided. If you must choose a sofa without a kiln dried
frame, then opt for 11 - 13 layer plywood over 5 - 7 layer plywood for better
support.
Eight-way hand-tied springs have long been considered the premium choice
for sofa construction. In this method a craftsman hand ties each coil spring
to the other springs and to the sofa frame with twine. The twine crosses
the frame from front to back, from side to side, and across both diagonals,
thus creating the "eight-ways".
Other forms of spring construction can provide good quality support as well.
Sinuous springs are two-dimensional "S" shaped wires that run from the front
rail to the back of the seat, spaced every few inches. Support wires cross
laterally and provide additional stability and support. A sinuous spring
construction may be preferable in some cases. For example, a sleek modern
sofa sitting low to the ground is better served by sinuous spring construction
since it requires less space in the frame.
Web suspension is a form of seating support that may be used alone or with
coil springs. Bands of webbing two to three inches wide cross the seat and
back, and are tacked to the sofa frame to create a hammock-like platform
for cushions. Webbing may be made of natural fibers such as jute, or man-made
materials such a polypropylene. While web suspension alone is considered
the least preferable frame suspension, there is a quality difference among
web-only sofas. High quality sofas that use web support structures are built
with the use of a tensioner that securely fastens the webbing to the frames
and ensures the stability of the deck.
No matter the seating support choice, when you sit on the sofa it should
feel stable. Too much wiggle in the seat means that the springs are not
attached well. If you choose a spring sofa, the quality and the quantity
of springs are the best measure of a sofa's construction, so compare the
construction specifications before you decide. Cushions
Several different materials can be used to fill the cushions of sofas, alone
or in combination with other materials. Down and feathers create the softest
cushions and are considered by many to be the premium choice for cushions.
High-quality down cushions should include down-proof ticking under the upholstery
fabric. The ticking is a tightly-woven fabric that prevents the tiny down
feathers from poking through the fabric and escaping the cushion. Cushions
filled with nothing other than down require a great deal of maintenance
with frequent, even daily, fluffing. They also carry the highest price tag.
More commonly, down is used in combination with other materials. Blendown
is a mixture of down, feathers and polyester fibers. Pads of blendown are
wrapped around high density foam or foam-encased springs. This creates a
soft surface over the support materials.
High density polyurethane foam is the most common cushion filler. The higher
the foam density, the firmer the cushion will be. Foam can be wrapped in
down, synthetic-fiber (Dacron) batting, or cotton for a softer seating surface.
Dacron-wrapped foam is the least expensive option, but it will have a limited
lifespan.
Spring down combines the softness of down, the structure of foam and the
resilience of springs. Coil springs are surrounded by high density foam
edge supports, and then all is wrapped with down pads.
A wide variety of upholstery fabrics are available today in a variety shades
and textures. But before you choose the fabric for your upholstery, take
some time to think bout your lifestyle so you can choose the best option
for you. You may love the nubby texture of chenille, but if you have a cat
with claws, you might want to reconsider. A household with children, pets,
or adults who like to eat their dinner on the sofa should look for a low-maintenance
performance fabric.
Natural fibers such as cotton, linen, wool, silk and rayon are comfortable
as upholstery, but often require more maintenance than synthetic fibers.
Many natural fibers can be damaged by exposure to sunlight or mildew in
humid climates. Blends of natural and synthetic fibers are a great way to
get a soft feel, but improve the hardiness of your sofa.
Synthetic fibers such as polyester, olefin, and nylon are strong, stain
resistant options. However, olefin and nylon are susceptible to sun damage.
If you choose fabrics made of these fibers you should use window coverings
or low-e window coatings to prevent fading. These fibers are also apt to
pill when they receive a lot of heavy use. If your natural / synthetic blend
upholstery fabric contains more than 50% of these synthetic fibers, then
expect it to pill. Microfiber fabrics (made of polyester or nylon) are a
popular option for upholstery. They are soft to the touch and tightly woven,
thus they are durable and stain resistant. Microfiber fabrics are available
in a wide variety of colors.
Pile fabrics, such as chenille, velvet and boucle, are popular for their
ability to mask dirt and resist wear in high traffic areas. Cotton velvet
does have problems with crushing and can show track marks. Denim and twill
are great options for a casual feel that stands up to daily use.
Before you even start looking at a new sofa you should take the time to
measure the room where it will be placed. You should also take the time
to measure any hallways, doorways or stairs that the sofa will have to travel
through to be placed in the room, especially if there are odd turns and
angles along the way. The best advice is to create a floor plan to get an
idea of how the sofa will work with the rest of the furnishings in the room.
Take the floor plan with you when you go furniture shopping to give sales
associates an idea of what you are looking for.
You should also consider how a sofa fits your body frame and those of your
guests. A low-to-the-ground frame might be difficult for some individuals
to stand up from. A sofa with a deep seat may leave a petite person with
their feet dangling several inches above the floor. Consider the overall
atmosphere of the room that the sofa will be in, and the room's function.
If you'll sit on the sofa to watch movie marathons, then you might choose
a deeply cushioned sofa that encourages lounging. If the sofa will be placed
in a more formal room that is used primarily for entertaining, then a sofa
that sits more upright would be the right choice.
Custom order sofas allow you to combine everything you are looking for into
one perfect piece. Quality furniture retailers can help you select the right
combination of styling, construction and fabric for your budget and décor.
Below are terms for different sofa style elements that can help you name
what you want in a sofa:
| attached back sofa |
sofa with the back cushions attached to the body of
the sofa. |
| box cushion |
cushion with four sides connecting the top and bottom.
A welt frequently runs the perimeter of the top and bottom. |
| box pleat |
a flat double pleat made by folding under the fabric
on either side of it to create an inverted pleat. |
| box pleat skirt |
an upholstery skirt with alternating high/low folds
of fabric to create a dentil pattern. |
| braid |
a flat, woven trim used for decorative edges on
upholstery to cover staples or tacks. |
| bullion fringe |
a thick fringe composed of long, twisted loops
of yarn covered in gold or silver thread. |
| bun feet |
foot in the shape of a flattened ball, often with
a slender ankle above. |
| button tufting |
upholstery treatment in which buttons (usually fabric-covered)
are sewn through the surface and tied down to create a tailored, sometimes
undulating, surface. |
| camelback |
sofa or chair style in which the back is raised in
an arch in the middle, similar to a camel's hump. |
| chaise |
a long chair for reclining. May have one arm, two arms
or no arms at all. |
| chaise recliner |
a recliner with a fully-padded extending footrest.
|
| chaise sectional |
a sectional sofa that incorporates a built-in raised
footrest. |
| channel back |
an upholstered chair or sofa back having deep vertical
grooves. |
| Charles of London |
style of arm on upholstered furniture which is low
at the back and slightly raised and curved at the front. The inside
of the arm is usually well padded and curves over the edge of the
arm in the front, contrasting to a flatter treatment on the outside
of the arm. |
| chenille |
a soft thick fabric usually made of cotton or silk
with a raised pile, that is used to make furnishings and clothes. |
| chesterfield |
overstuffed couch or sofa with upholstered ends
and no exposed wood. Back and arms are usually of one continuous curve. |
| chintz |
printed and glazed cotton fabric, often in bright
colors. |
| colorways |
multiple variations of color combinations in which
a fabric pattern is available. |
| couch |
sofa or daybed. |
| cuddler |
a large, frequently armless, component of a sectional
that typically connects two additional components together at a corner. |
| damask |
a light fabric, often silk, that depicts patterns,
florals or other designs in the weave with a tone-on-tone or two-tone
effect. Use for draperies or upholstery. |
| deck |
the surface directly under the seat cushions on
an upholstered piece of furniture. |
| denim |
a coarse twill fabric made with cotton. |
| doweling |
a construction technique in which wood corners are
reinforced with glued dowels through the joints. |
| down |
fine, soft feathers from the breast areas of ducks
and geese; when used in seat and pillow cushions the effect is luxuriously
soft. |
| down-proof ticking |
a tightly-woven, inner lining of a cushion that
prevents the migration of tiny feathers to a cushion's exterior. |
| dressmaker skirt |
a skirt that extends from base of the cushion to the
floor on upholstered furniture. Also known as a waterfall skirt. |
| eight-way hand-tied |
construction technique used in upholstery in which
individual seat springs are tied to the frame with twine running vertically,
horizontally and diagonally. |
| fauteuil |
upholstered arm chair with open sides. |
| gimp |
a flat decorative trim or braid that conceals upholstery
fastening points, such as staples or tacks. |
| jacquard |
fabric with an intricately woven pattern. Damask and
brocade are both fabrics produced on a jacquard loom. |
| kick-pleat skirt |
a straight upholstery skirt that with smaller skirts
placed behind the skirt vents at the corners and other skirt divisions.
The smaller skirt may be straight or shirred. |
| Lawson arms |
a low profile rolled arm that is of a modest scale. |
| loose back sofa |
sofa with the same number of back cushions as seat
cushions, but are not attached to the sofa body. |
| loveseat |
a small sofa or double chair that seats two people. |
| micro suede |
a variety of microfiber fabric that displays a distinct
nap that makes it look and feel like suede leather. |
| microfiber |
fabric made from extremely thin synthetic fibers. It
is appreciated for its soft hand, durability and stain resistance. |
| mop head fringe |
a thick fringe composed of long, twisted loops of yarn
resembling the head of a mop. |
| nailhead trim |
the decorative use of a line of tacks at fabric / leather
attachment points on upholstered goods. |
| pile |
cut loops of yarn forming surface with upright tufts.
May refer to fabric or carpet. Velvet, ultra suede and corduroy are
examples of fabrics with a pile. |
| pillow top |
cushion filled with batting attached to a sofa seat
or arm, ot to the top of a mattress. |
| pleated arm |
arm of upholstered sofa, loveseat, or chair with the
front plane covered by fabric continuing from the inside of the arm;
the excess fabric on the front plane is pleated in a arch. |
| plinth base |
box base for upholstered furniture, in lieu of legs. |
| plisspe |
fabric with a puckered finish. |
| pub back |
a soft, gathered and billowing cushions attached to
the back of an upholstered sofa, chair or loveseat. |
| recliner |
arm chair that reclines and extends a built-in foot
rest. |
| rolled arms |
arms on upholstered seating that curve outward into
a rounded form, extending horizontally beyond the supporting post. |
| saddlebag arms |
exaggerated pillow top style cushion attached to the
top of the arm on an upholstered piece. |
| scatter back sofa |
sofa with more back cushions than seat cushions. |
| sectional |
upholstered seating consisting of two or more sections
arranged together (and sometimes joined through brackets) to create
a larger piece. Frequently sectionals incorporate a directional change,
forming the shape (when seen from above) of an "L" or "U". |
| semi-attached back sofa |
sofa construction in which the back cushions are attached
at the top but loose at the bottom. Often, a hidden zipper in the
lower portion allows access to the cushion for fluffing and the repositioning
of fill materials. |
| settee |
small sofa or loveseat with exposed, wooden legs. |
| sinuous spring |
construction element of some upholstered furniture
that uses a running s-shaped spring along the length of the deck (seat
support). |
| skirt |
fabric running along the lower perimeter of upholstered
furniture, designed to hide the legs. |
| slipcover |
a removable, fitted fabric cover for upholstered furniture. |
| slipper chair |
a high-backed upholstered chair with short legs. |
| snuggler |
an oversized upholstered chair. Also frequently called
"a chair and a half." |
| T-cushion |
cushion of an upholstered sofa, loveseat, or chair
on which the arms are set back from the front edge; the cushion extends
from the from edge of the seat to the front of the arm. The resulting
outline is in the shape of a letter "T". |
| tête-à-tête |
a small bench with an s-shaped back that crosses the
seat that allows two people to sit facing each other. Also known as
a courting bench. |
| theater seating |
modular reclining chairs that can be joined at the
arms, either flush, or in an arch and are designed for optimal screen
viewing in a home theater. |
| theater sofa |
a large sofa curved in an arch when viewed from above.
Designed for use in a home theater, a theater sofa is intended to
provide all of the individuals sitting on it a good view of the home
theater screen. |
| three-over-three |
a sofa with three back cushions and three seat cushions. |
| tight back |
upholstery with a padded back directly over the frame
of the piece, without additional back cushions. |
| tight seat |
an upholstered piece on which the fabric covering the
seat is attached directly to the frame and does not have a removable
seat cushion. |
| toile |
a white or off-white fabric printed with one color,
commonly red or black, depicting classical or pastoral scenes. |
| topstitching |
a single or double row of stitching close to the seam
or edge on the outer side of the fabric. |
| tuxedo arms |
slightly flared arms that are the same height as the
back |
| twill |
a sturdy weave of fabric that is distinguished by diagonal
parallel ribs in the surface. |
| two-over-two |
a sofa with two back cushions and two seat cushions. |
| wall-away recliner |
a recliner that shifts the body forward as it reclines,
instead of leaning the body back. Wall-away recliners require less
rear clearance space and may therefore be placed closer to a wall. |
| waterfall back |
two or more vertical layers of gathered and billowing
cushions attached to the back of an upholstered sofa, chair or loveseat. |
| waterfall skirt |
on a sofa loveseat or chair, a skirt that extends from
base of the cushion to the floor. Also know as a dressmaker skirt. |
| webbing |
the foundation, composed of interwoven strips of synthetic
material, attached to the wood frame of upholstered furniture. |
| welt |
fabric-covered cord used as a trim in the seams of
upholstery or toss pillows. |
| wingback chair |
a high-backed, upholstered easy chair with panels or
wings projecting forward from the sides of the back and curving downward
to meet the roll arms. |
