A detailed guide to help you choose a cozy sofa in the living room

The sofa, a central piece of furniture in living rooms, is where the occupants of the house spend a lot of time. But what are the most important factors when choosing a sofa, to sit or lie down to relax from work and daily stresses or even watch TV?

Although it is necessary to look for quality, color, shape and design when buying a sofa, so that the latter stands out in the place where it will be placed, but comfort remains the most important thing.

To enjoy spending time on your couch, whether it’s relaxing, watching your favorite TV show, or talking to your loved ones, here’s a helpful guide on the specifications of a loveseat.

5 tips to help find the most comfortable sofa

5 tips to help find the most comfortable sofa

When looking to buy a new sofa for your living room, think about how you use it: Do you often sit with your feet on the floor, or do you like to put your legs on the couch? Also take note of the following measurements…

Seat depth

Seat depth

If you like to sit upright, a sofa with seats between 21 (about 54 centimeters) and 22 inches (56 centimeters) deep per seat will suit you, providing plenty of legroom between your legs and the front edge of the seat. For a tall person, a seat depth between 23 (about 58.5 centimeters) and 25 inches (63.5 centimeters) is a good choice. For a shorter person, the seat depth is about 20 inches (about 51 centimeters).

If you want to lie on the couch, rather than sit upright, this deep piece of furniture would be a great choice. You can add a few inches to the measurements above.

Front Seat Height

When a sofa seat is too low, a tall person can feel as if they are squatting, while a person sitting on the shorter side of the sofa may find their legs dangling above the floor. A general rule of thumb is that the deeper the seat, the lower the seat height, and vice versa. Sofa seat heights can vary, but the standard range is usually between 15 inches (about 38 centimeters) and 29 inches (about 74 centimeters) from the floor to the top of the cushion, with an average range of 17 inches (about 43 centimeters) to 18 inches (about 46 centimeters).

Seat filler

There are multiple filling options for density, firmness, and fluff. The filling includes latex foam, the latter of which is organic, vegan, wool-wrapped, and provides a dense, soft, and responsive balance to body position. Unlike feathers, the elasticity of wool requires no down to keep the pillow lifted and supported.

Polyester foam is also very supportive, but soft. Highly resilient and encapsulated polyester foam is an excellent choice for further relaxation.

Rear Seat Height

The ideal back height of a sofa depends on your height; if you plan to place your TV opposite the sofa, think about the ideal way to support your back. The typical back height for the most comfortable sofa is generally between 26 inches (66 centimeters) and 32 inches (81 centimeters). In general, a taller person will look for a sofa with a higher back, to feel more supportive. It is also important to consider the ceiling height in the living room that the sofa will occupy.

Another item to keep in mind is that a sofa with a slightly reclined back is excellent if you prefer to lie down. You can still sit upright on such a sofa, with your back supported by cushions. On the other hand, a straight-back sofa would be a better choice if you have back issues or simply prefer a more upright seat.

Number of seats

If you plan to lie on your couch regularly, a three-seater sofa is preferable to a two-seater, although the typical length of a three-seater sofa is about 84 inches (about 214 centimeters).

A sectional sofa, in turn, will provide more flexibility.

What is the best fabric for a sofa?

What is the best fabric for a sofa?

While the look of your sofa is important, and how appealing it is to you, when making a purchase, you need to think about your lifestyle to determine the right fabric. The following questions will help you…

• Do you have small children or a pet?

If yes, it is necessary to buy a sofa upholstered in a more durable fabric.

• How do you use your couch?

Perhaps you and your family members frequently gather in your living room to eat, or you like to lounge on the couch, watch TV, or take a nap. Factors like these will determine the level of comfort, maintenance, and durability.

• What is your personal or home style?

Perhaps your concern is to make the interior design luxurious, when deciding on the fabric of the sofa.

• Do you have allergies?

Choosing a sofa that is easy to clean and doesn’t accumulate allergens is essential for you and your health.

Upholstery material

1. Natural, i.e. from plants or animals, e.g: Linen (recommended for use in adult areas due to wrinkles and stains). Wool (excellent at resisting stains, wrinkles, fading, and pilling. Wool can also be blended with synthetic fibers for added durability and easy stain cleanup.) Silk (a very delicate and soft material that needs professional cleaning when it gets dirty). Cotton (ideal for abrasion and fade resistance; however, it is not resistant to soiling and wrinkles). Leather (the most durable and sophisticated material. It’s a favorite for people with children and pets, as it tends to withstand the wear and tear of everyday life, with the advantage of being easy to clean).
2. Synthetic, imitating natural fibers, with an overall stain-resistant quality. Synthetic fibers include: Polyester (polyester is blended with other fibers to create upholstery that resists wrinkling, crushing, and fading). Nylon (stain-resistant, one of the strongest upholstery fabrics). Acrylic (imitates wool and is great at resisting abrasion, wrinkling, soiling and fading). Olefin (resistant to abrasion, stains, sunlight, and chemicals. Ideal for furniture that is expected to be used frequently). Vinyl (a cheaper alternative to leather, with similar toughness).

Living Room Sofa Characteristics According to Decorator

Living Room Sofa Characteristics According to Decorator

“Simplicity and comfort are desirable qualities in home furniture, without compromising on visual appeal,” interior designer Reham Farran told Al Warsha, adding that “the main sofa in the living room should be proportionate in size to the place it occupies, with multiple options in case of space.” “A designer who is not limited by a narrow living room space may suggest to the homeowner to design an L-shaped sofa, incorporating advanced features such as: Making the back slightly reclining, and the seats soft, so that the occupants feel like they’re lying on a bed! Individual seats are scattered around the sofa, with comfort driving the design.”

“In a narrow living room, it is preferable to choose a three-seater (or two-seater) sofa and a small single sofa, with the backs being firm, but slanted, and the fabric covering all designs,” she adds, explaining that “the foam used to fill each sofa is responsible for making it comfortable. “The foam used in the filling of each sofa is responsible for making it comfortable,” she explains. “The less dense foam is used in the upholstery of the back of the furniture, while the dense ones with feathers cover the seats, so that the latter resemble bed mattresses.” “Thicker foam can also cover the insides of a sofa,” she adds.

In terms of cushions, there are ‘hard’ ones that are suitable for back support, while those with ostrich feathers are used to support the forearm or head when lying on the sofa.”

When it comes to sofa upholstery, she explains, “Linen, velvet, or even wool is a popular choice in a mountain home. In addition, leather is still in vogue, but the latter is not as cozy in a living room that gets a lot of use. However, for those who love this material, you can opt for high-quality velvet combined with velvet,” she explains.

Velvet is the trending material this year (2024), whether it is soft or rough, it is ideal for wrapping a sofa, and it is affordable, according to the architect, who advocates choosing a popular color for the fabric that doesn’t get dirty easily.

Velvet material

As for pillows that can color the decor, she notes that “large ones are preferable,” calling for “staying away from the impractical round ones, and choosing the right combination of colors and patterns for moving pillows, while making sure to achieve harmony between moving pillows, sofas and other decor elements in the room.”