Dan Madigan, sales associate at Rossini Leather in Calgary, advises his customers to first determine the use of the sofa before weighing the myriad couch options. “Deciding what you are going to be using it for primarily for any sofa is paramount, and especially with leather as it’s very durable,” he says. “So you are thinking long term as it’s going to look good forever.” As well, a couple with children is going to have different needs than single or married professionals who will entertain primarily adults. He notes a trend to shopping on the Internet, and agrees researching online can help narrow down the choices. “But you have to get out and see a sofa for yourself, try it out, and ensure it’s what you want. That means personal shopping and the final decision has to be made in the showroom,” he says.

“There’s a lot to learn about buying quality furniture, and going to a reputable shop and talking to knowledgeable sales staff can’t be duplicated on the computer.”

Leather, even on sofas, needs to be conditioned at least once a year to keep it soft and supple, especially in Alberta, where our climate is especially dry.

A longer-lasting piece of furniture is also going to have a hardwood frame and steel springs, with many quality suppliers offering a lifetime warranty when the product is built to high standards. “You can spend as little as $1,000 or as high as $4,000, and as usual, the higher quality is going to serve you better.” Rossini carries the lines of 18 different manufacturers, most of them Canadian-made.

Broyhill Furniture, with stores across Canada including McArthur Furniture in Calgary, invites prospective buyers to use several helpful tools on its website that will help with room planning. Fabric selection is also made easier by previewing. With your homework done, you can next head for your nearest retailer and look for a sofa that suits your needs and tastes.

“We encourage our customers to ask as many questions as they can think of. They need to be fully informed. What may be obvious to sales staff may not be known to consumers and we need to be sure we have shared whatever it is they need to know,” says Madigan.

“Buyers should have lots of time, and not be rushed in their decision. They may have to visit a showroom several times. But in the end, they’ll be pleased with their choice and enjoy their quality sofa for many years to come.”

Maria Brosch, co-owner of Cosafina for Gift and Home in Edmonton, says, while usage plays into the purchase, “Budget has to be a prime concern. But quality is of utmost importance too. You want it to look good for a long time.” Cosafina’s upholstery line features traditional construction methods, such as eight-way, hand-tied craftsmanship and hardwood frames with dowels, making it extremely durable.

And when it comes to chesterfields, sofas, couches—or whatever moniker buyers are most comfortable coining for where they loaf, socialize or surf—size matters.

First of all, ask if it will fit nicely in the area of the room in which it will be placed, and will all householders find it comfortable? If one spouse is short and the other tall, will it suit both heights? You need to consider the different types and quality of foam, and whether the cushions should be separate or integrated into the design. “So often people fall in love with a sofa they see in the large, open showroom, but find it much too big when they get it home to a normal-sized room. You need to match it to the scale of the other furniture in the room, too,” says Brosch.

If you are using the sofa for relaxation, the furniture will likely need to be more functional, with comfort and convenience being the main features. On the other hand, if you are using the sofa to entertain, it needs to be sleek and contemporary. “A sofa that’s mainly used to lie around and watch TV is going to be totally different than a sitting sofa,” Brosch says. However, she adds that you can’t always judge a sofa solely on looks. “We have one in our showroom that looks very formal but when you sit or lie on it, it’s totally comfortable, so do try them all when shopping.”

Fabric is important too, and again, usage needs to be a factor. A sofa in the family room needs to be easy to clean and durable, even if it means paying more. You will save the expense back in fewer upholstery cleaning costs! You are looking at keeping the piece of furniture for as long as 15 years, so you want it to look good during its entire lifetime, Brosch says. “Leather is pricey, but good quality leather will last a long time and look good. Linens are very durable. Silks are beautiful fabrics, but are more finicky, as you can’t put them anywhere the sun will reach them, and they show wear a lot faster, so it’s not a good choice if the sofa is going to get a lot of use.”

In other words, it might be a good rule of thumb to save your fancy fabrics or whimsical materials for furniture that won’t get used as often, such as a side chair.

And the experts also urge against turning to trends when buying new furnishings, especially when making an investment as sizable or lasting as a couch. “The sofa will be outdated in no time, yet still have lots of years of service in it. I recommend instead going with classic, ageless lines and neutral colours with a small pattern, and then following trends with accessories which can be changed with the seasons or with the latest fashion,” Brosch says. “You can easily change pillows and lamp shades, but if you’ve spent three or four thousand dollars on a sofa, you won’t be changing it too often.”  NL