"CREATING" THE PERFECT SOFA

Choosing a new sofa is not an easy decision. The average homeowner purchases a new sofa once every ten years and the overall cost is typically significant compared to other furniture purchases. That is why it is important to learn more about all of the components that affect the comfort, quality and sustainability of a well constructed sofa.

Begin by asking some qualifying questions:
How long do you intend to have this sofa?
Is it located in a high-use area such as a family room or living room?
What is the necessary scale or design of the sofa to meet your needs?
Who will be using this sofa, will it be children, adults and pets?
The answers to these questions will help you identify your priorities regarding design style,
functionality, scale and guide the process of fabric and detail selection.

	Hardwood frame cut to the shape of the sofa
	Eight-way hand tied springs

THE FRAME
The most significant factor of sustainability and comfort is in the frame construction. Kiln-dried hard woods such as poplar and maple will minimize warping and ensure stability in the future. This can typically be identified by the weight of the sofa. Frames made of softer woods or MDF board can crack and break down with use and will be much lighter in weight.

A frame cut to the shape or style of the sofa will further enhance the overall comfort. Every joint should be glued and screwed with dowel construction and corners should be reinforced or “wood blocked” with screws at each joint to provide additional strength to the frame.

THE SPRINGS
A sofa that is eight-way hand tied offers the most comfortable and lasting seat. Without this component a sofa may sag over time as the fill breaks down, giving way in the middle. The gauge of steel used in the springs can vary in quality but the hand tying of the springs allows for an equal distribution of weight when a person sits down and allows for “give” in the seat.

THE CUSHIONS
Generally, when buying a sofa, your most immediate experience with comfort is in the cushion. Cushions can be manufactured using high density foam core wrapped in poly-dacron or, a more costly solution, is a full spring core with either a poly-dacron or feather and down casing. The most costly of all choices is 100% down. While the down cushion offers a comfortable seat it can require a lot of fluffing and maintenance.

	Sofa with a skirt and a matched pattern
	Sofa with welting and exposed wood legs

THE COST
Customizing a sofa, both with fabric and enhanced detailing, can also influence price. Fabrics can range anywhere from $40 to $400 a yard: you need to align the fabric’s performance with the expectation of the sofa’s use. Fabric manufacturers specify the number of rubs to denote performance. A minimum standard would be 15,000 double rubs, the ideal would be 30,000 to 40,000 double rubs. A silk or lightly woven fabric will not give you the same longevity as that of a mohair or velvet. This is an area where a fabric expert can best guide you.

Manufacturing details can also add to the overall cost. The ability to choose a skirt or not, various leg / arm styles, wood finishes, with or without welting – and whether the welting is cut on the fabric's bias (at an angle). Matching a pattern or print is a timely undertaking, and choosing a custom size sofa to fit your space – all of these things can incur additional charges.

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing that perfect sofa and it helps to be informed prior to making such a significant purchase. MDC has many showrooms that each carry a variety of sofa options so creating that “perfect” sofa is no longer a dream. Come discover all the possibilities that await you and your home at Michigan Design Center.