Matt Deighton is the Managing Director at British Chesterfield furniture specialist Timeless Chesterfields. Here, he explains what considerations you should be making when picking a sofa for your new home. We've also got a competition in store for you!
The sofa can make all the difference when it comes to making your new house feel like home. Not only is it a stylish focal point, but it's also somewhere you'll spend a lot of time relaxing with loved ones. Read on for his tips on choosing a sofa that complements your new space, as well as your chance to win the perfect sofa accessory: one of our stunning genuine wool throws.
Complement the room style
Before you choose your new sofa, you'll need to decide whether you're sticking with the living room's existing décor or giving it a makeover — and if so, what look are you going for? It's a good idea to consider the age of the property and any statement features. For example, a Chesterfield sofa looks just the part in a Victorian home, while a more minimalistic design could be the right choice for a modern flat. e.
Determine which shape will suit best
Once you’ve decided on the purpose of your sofa and the aesthetic it should have, focus on the shape and size you want. For example: a smaller room might not be able to fit the four-seater corner sofa of your dreams in. However, for areas that need to be divided up — like open plan living rooms and kitchens — this attractive shape will help each part fulfil their purpose, as well as adding a relaxing and sociable element.
If you’ve got a smaller space to work with, a rounder shape can fit in nicely to give you extra room to furnish with decorative items, like statement coffee tables, plants and footstools. In rooms with limited space, you might also choose to have a small sofa with a couple of armchairs to provide some extra seating.
Sofas that have raised legs can open up smaller spaces and streamline the room by showing off panels of your wooden floor or fluffy carpet, giving the illusion of a light and airy space. Sofas that have hidden features, like pillows that lift up to become storage or a sofa bed when you’re hosting guests, will add extra practicality to the space.
Think practically about upholstery material
You'll want to choose upholstery that complements your space: for example, a wool sofa is a fantastic way to incorporate warmth and cosiness into a room with hardwood flooring.
However, you should also consider how the material you choose will stand up to your family’s lifestyle: young children and four-legged friends don’t tend to get on well with white sofas, for instance. By opting for easy-care leathers or fabrics and removable covers, you can make your sofa much more family (and pet) friendly.
Pay attention to the detailing​
The little details, like the legs and feet of your sofa, can have a big impact. For instance, having gold sofa feet while your doorknobs are silver will make the space look a bit muddled. Instead, keep co-ordinated by matching these to the rest of the room; this could mean choosing sleek metal legs to fit in with your contemporary theme or chunky wooden legs to match a traditional vibe.
Select a fit-for-purpose filling
Although the perfect aesthetic is the main thing homeowners look for in their new sofa, it’s also important to consider what filling your sofa should have. Not only will this help you strike the right balance between comfort and looks, but it can also make a difference to your daily chore list.
There are three main types of filling, each which can give a different effect to your room: foam, feather or fibre. While foam can provide firm support and will easily keep its shape, fibre and feather fillings are perfect for sinking in to, lending the room a luxurious yet relaxing feel.
Each of these will have different requirements as to how long they’ll maintain their shape, with feather fillings demanding the highest level of maintenance. So, if you’re selecting one of these, be sure to know that these will need regular plumping to keep your room in tip-top condition.
Your chance to win a genuine wool throw!
Now that you know how to choose the perfect sofa for your new home, enter our competition to win one of Timeless Chesterfields' genuine wool throws!
Made using 100% British wool, these large throws are perfect for cosying up with a loved one on a winter's night. They also look fantastic draped over your sofa, effortlessly allowing you to introduce more texture, colour and style.
Our lucky winner will have seven stunning throws to choose from. The herringbone wool throw comes in neutral Driftwood or Thistle and has a delicate V-shaped weave pattern, so will fit into almost any scheme beautifully. Plaid wool throws make more of a statement, and come in Autumn Gold, Blackberry Crumble, Devon Fudge, Olive Grove and Orchard Fruits colourways. We're sure you'll find one that's just right for your new sofa and your new home.
Closing date: 30th December 2018
The Reeds Rains Content Marketing Team
