LIFESTYLE DOMICILE
Finding the Perfect Sofa
FOR YOUR HOME
A LITTLE KNOW-HOW GOES A LONG WAY WHEN CHOOSING A COUCH
T
ime for a new couch. Those five words either excite you or agitate you, and both reactions are justified. After all, a new sofa can reinvigorate a room, but the wrong choice can leave you with an expensive and uncomfortable eyesore. The good news is that you don’t have to be a designer to find the ideal sofa. By keeping a few aesthetics in mind, getting a handle on color and learning construction secrets, choosing the right couch is more pleasure than pain.
WHAT’S THE BEST COUCH FOR YOU? Start by asking yourself how the piece will be used. Is this a high-traffic couch for daily TV watching or a formal sofa reserved for entertaining? Next, consider the room décor. If you live in one of 80 | SHEPHERD EXPRESS
By Mark Hagen Milwaukee’s turn-of-the-century homes, you may want a Victorian settee. If you’re in an East Side condo, you might gravitate toward a leather piece with a sleek silhouette. Maybe your home is casual, calling for a couch with large welcoming cushions. If you’re replacing a couch, you know what size works best, but new homeowners should measure before hitting furniture stores. Map things out on the floor with painter’s tape to get a feel for how much room a couch might take. Similarly, measure doorways for smooth delivery. While there are many online buying options, commit to trying it before buying it. All too often, furniture bought online is anything but comfortable. Plan to visit a few stores in person and sit yourself on a sofa before forking over any cash.
SIZE MATTERS When it comes to comfort, it’s all about seat depth—the amount of space from the front of the couch to the back pillow. Furniture with a low seat depth looks quaint; however, the larger the depth, the more you can “sink into” the couch. Think of seat depth like this: 18 inches: “That new couch is gorgeous! It’s not really for sitting, though, is it?” 22 inches: “Let’s sit here for a minute and have a cocktail.” 24 inches: “Your new couch is as pretty as it is comfortable.” 30 inches: “Wow! I’m never leaving this couch. Can we move the kitchen table over here?” 36 inches: “Did you pick this up outside a frat house?”
