What makes furniture comfortable

Futons often lack arm rests and tend to have thick, sturdy frames. Sometimes, you can find good values at special sale events. More stylish sofas or couches with high-quality materials can cost as much as thousands of dollars, depending on the designer or retailer. In most cases, though, cost correlates directly to size: Smaller sofas cost less than larger ones. Various features can also increase the price—a sleeper sofa will typically cost more than a standard sofa of the same size and make.

Many companies also offer discounts around Black Friday and Cyber Monday. If possible, try to time your purchase around one of those dates, though note that many people will have the same idea, so supply may be low and you may experience delivery delays.

The various options for couches are practically limitless, and there's certainly something for everyone. The challenge is to find something that suits your taste, serves its purpose, fits in your space, and falls within your budget, which makes finding the perfect sofa no small feat.

To start figuring out what might work for you, ask yourself these questions. Determining the kind of usage your sofa will get can help you select most of the other features you need. So, how will you use your sofa? Will it primarily be used for everyday activities such as relaxing, reading, or watching TV, or will it be used only occasionally in a formal setting?

A sofa that will be used for relaxation can be deep and cushy with loose pillows. A formal one may have high-quality upholstery or a sculptural frame that provides more visual interest than comfort.

Pay attention to any special considerations if you really want your sofa to be a good fit. For instance, use deep seating for a very tall person. For someone with bad knees, shallow seating and a tight back make it easier to get up from a seated position. Households with pets or small children may prefer a sofa that's low to the floor, so little ones can climb onto it with relative ease. Frequent hosts may want a sleeper sofa.

To select a sofa color or fabric pattern, always take into consideration any preexisting colors or patterns in the room. Neutrals work best in most rooms, especially small ones, but you can dress up your sofa by using more vibrant colors and patterns in the pillows or adding throws.

A patterned fabric also works well in heavy usage areas as it can hide minor stains. Go with a strong color if you want to make a bold statement, but if you do so, consider buying a sofa with simpler lines. Depending on the type of couch you have, moving it can be a challenge—and there's no guarantee your current sofa will even fit into your next home.

If you move frequently, consider a low-cost sofa that you won't mind donating or reselling when it's time to go. You could also purchase a modular sofa that you can rearrange as needed to suit every space you live in.

A couch is a large, pricey purchase. For that reason, many people prefer to see their options in person, so they can make sure they like the feel and look of it before they commit—and so they don't have to deal with the hassle of having a large piece of furniture delivered, only to return it. Still, there are plenty of online options you can order for delivery, sight unseen. If shopping in-store, don't be afraid to ask questions.

Qualified sellers at furniture stores should be well-versed in what makes or breaks a great sofa, and they should be able to answer all your questions and help you find the perfect fit. They can also help you customize your purchase, if possible. While shopping, take your time, try many different types, and check these features. Evaluate the Frame. The legs of the couch should be either integral parts of the frame or held on with screws or dowels. Avoid a couch if the legs are merely glued on.

One easy test for solid frame construction is to lift one front corner or leg of the sofa off the floor to a height of 6 inches or so. If the other front leg doesn't quickly rise off the floor, too, it's a sign the frame is twisting and is therefore weak.

Any sofa that visibly twists or creaks under this test is one you should avoid. Ask About the Joinery. Although the method by which the frame parts are held together may not be immediately evident, the sales person or printed technical specifications should have this information. Look for frames that are joined with wooden dowels, double wooden dowels, wooden corner blocks, or metal screws and brackets. Never buy a sofa that is assembled with only staples, nails, or glue, although these may be used to provide additional reinforcement.

Test the Arms. A sofa with a good hardwood frame assembled with dowels or corner brackets should be a quality piece of furniture, but it is still a good idea to forcefully test the arms of the sofa to make sure they are very tight, with no give when you lean on them. In a family with active children, the most common area of failure on a couch other than the upholstery is the arms.

As you test the couch, push hard on the arms and look for any sign of wobble. Avoid any couch that isn't rock-solid. Consider the Springs. The springs that hold up the cushions on a couch come in three levels of quality. Least expensive and least durable are those that are not springs at all, but just webbing or mesh.

Avoid these couches if your goal is a quality piece of furniture. Most couches use what is known as serpentine springs —sinuous pieces of snaking wire that span the gap between frame members.

These offer good support, but they may sag over time if the metal isn't heavy-gauge. Luxury sofas are fitted with what is known as eight-way hand-tied springs, which are very comfortable but also expensive. Some experts dispute if hand-tied springs are any more comfortable than good serpentine springs, but you can be the judge of that.

Feel the springs through the upholstery. Good springs will be quite firm and spaced close together for good support. There should be good support without too much give when you sit on the couch.

Feel the Padding and Cushions. The frame and all the corners of the couch should be well padded. We combine this with strong strapping for added strength and flexibility. The quality of the materials plays a significant role in how a cushion feels. There are multiple options to evaluate, each with unique comfort levels:. Mobelli cushions are crafted with an exacting recipe to provide luxury seating options. Our cushions are made with a mix of feather and acrylic, ensuring optimum comfort levels.

A layered blend of premium foam and ethically sourced feathers is evenly distributed and hand stitched into sections. The result is a plush cushion that requires little fluffing. Choose fabric that feels good to the touch.

It should also be comfortable for you to sit on. Mobelli furniture is available in a wide selection of beautiful fabrics including cotton linen, which stays cool in summer and warm in the winter.

We also offer trendy, tactile options like luxurious velvet and leather-look vinyl. The back section of Mobelli sofas are constructed with the same detailed focus on providing the utmost comfort. Head over to our bespoke service page to find out more, or, alternatively, contact us to find out how we can help.

As it is the part you have most contact with when sitting, the material that your sofa is upholstered in also makes a big contribution to its overall comfort. Therefore, taking the time to choose one that you like can be a major factor to consider. Yes, a leather sofa can be incredibly comfortable.

It's often said that fabric furniture is comfier than leather, however, this is not the case. Although cheap leathers can be tough and scratchy, quality hides can feel soft, luxurious, and a pleasure to sit upon. It's a material that improves with age and use, so the longer you use your sofa, the cosier it will become.

In addition, there are many finishes that can be applied to leather, so there is plenty of choice when it comes to selecting one you love. There is also a common misconception that leather furniture can be too cold in winter and too hot in summer. In fact, the opposite is true: it warms to your touch when it is chillier indoors, while its natural breathability allows it to stay cool when the temperature increases.

Taking this into account, it's easy to see that a leather sofa can be enjoyed all year round. Here at Sofas by Saxon, our leather sofas are upholstered in only the finest hides. Our in-house experts have a keen eye for quality, and have been able to source the best products from tanneries around the world.

You can browse our leather collection to find a wide variety of looks and finishes. If you need more advice on choosing a sofa, you can read our leather buying guide , which is full of helpful advice. Yes, fabric sofas can be very comfortable. There is also a wide variety of materials to consider, so there is plenty of choice when it comes to selecting one that suits your tastes.

Fabrics tend to offer a softer feel than leather, though the degree of this softness can vary from type to type. Some of the most popular options are wools like herringbone, tweed, and plaid, which have a gentle weave.

Velvet is another favourite thanks to its plushness. Linen is also very comfortable, with a lightweight feel that is nice and cool. At Sofas by Saxon, we source our fabric collection from a selection of quality mills here in the UK.

They are all woven using only natural fibres, which means that they retain the characteristics that make them an incredibly comfortable choice for your sofa. You can take a look at our fabric sofa buying guide if you want further guidance in choosing one of these pieces. One of the best ways to get a handle on your upholstery materials before you make a final decision is to order some of our free sample swatches , which can be delivered to your door. They can help you choose the leather or fabric that you like the feel of the most.

In addition to the features we've discussed above, it's also worth considering what type of sofa you are buying.

Read on to discover some extra points that you may need to think about before you make a final decision. Yes, Chesterfield sofas are very comfortable, though the mass-produced models that are made with inferior techniques and materials tend not to be.

To experience a truly comfy Chesterfield, it's best to invest in one made with real quality and care. Chesterfields are one of the most beloved sofa styles, thanks to their classic design and rich heritage. However, due to their popularity, there has been a demand for cheaper versions to cater to smaller budgets. This means the market has been flooded with mass-produced sofas that pale in comparison to the comfort levels of a proper, handmade Chesterfield. As they are not made with the same premium materials or expertise, they often become misshapen and uncomfortable after only a short period of time.

If you'd like to see exactly what goes into a quality Chesterfield, take a look at our guide to spotting the genuine article. The best way to shop for a Chesterfield that you can be confident will provide years of comfort is to invest in one from a reputable brand. At Sofas by Saxon, we know exactly what goes into making a comfy fabric and leather Chesterfield sofas that stand up to daily use. Our team of expert craftspeople have been building these pieces for more than 35 years, so you can trust them to make a sofa you will cherish for many years to come.

Yes, sofa beds can be comfortable, but like other sofas, you need to make sure that you choose something of real quality to be guaranteed the best. Look for models that are made with premium materials from a brand that has real pedigree over ones where the price seems too good to be true. Sofa beds are popular, so there is a wide market full of mass-produced furniture that does not meet expectations as either a sofa or a bed.

This means that you could end up with the frame digging into you during the day, and then be tossing and turning when you try and get a good night's sleep later on. As sofa beds need to deliver on two fronts, they need to combine the best of both worlds in a single package, which can be tricky. Use the advice we've provided earlier in this guide to identify a quality sofa, before evaluating it on whether it has a reliable folding mechanism, a supportive bed, and a premium mattress.

Because there is so much to get right, it can be hard to find a sofa bed that lives up to all your expectations, but when you do, you will have found a piece of furniture that stands out from the rest of the pack. Here at Sofas by Saxon, our expert team use their vast experience to design and build pieces that deliver exactly what we've just described.