If you want your sofa to stand the test of time, it’s a good idea to make a considered choice.
The main thing to look out for in a sofa is sturdiness: this means a strong, heavy frame made out of thick hardwood, built-in legs as opposed to screwed-in legs, sturdy springs, and quality-grade foam that retains its shape.
This is according to Maryke Eloff from lounge suite manufacturer, Gommagomma, who says it’s not always just first impressions that count when buying a sofa, one needs to look beneath the surface for qualities such as durability and quality craftsmanship.
Eloff shares tips that will help you choose the sofa that will offer long-lasting durability:
Take it slow
There are plenty fish in the sea of sofas, which can be exhilarating at first, but it can become quite overwhelming after a while, says Eloff.
“There are such a variety of seating options in the market, that it can be a real job making your final choice. Ideally, you want to choose a sofa that you love the look of, one that is comfortable, and one that you know will last."
There are such a variety of seating options on the market, that it can be a real job making your final choice. Make sure you choose one that will meet your needs.
She says in this regard, remember to buy the best sofa you can afford, as you often get what you pay for. "Also, try and choose a well-trusted brand that has a good reputation for manufacturing good quality furniture and that offers a good warrantee on its products.”
Perfect fit: Measure first to avoid complications later, says Eloff, who suggests not only measuring the room in which you want to put the sofa to ensure a good flow of traffic, but also the doorways and staircases leading to the room, ensuring you can get it in once you’ve purchased it.
Dr Who: Before taking the plunge, consider who’s going to be using the sofa. “Determining whether you’ll be reading, entertaining guests, letting the kids watch TV, or comforting an elderly loved one will really help you make a fair assessment of the lounge suite and choose one that meets your needs,” explains Eloff.
Good bones:
It’s what’s inside that counts when buying a good quality sofa, says Eloff. “The main thing to look out for is sturdiness - this means a strong, heavy frame made out of thick hardwood, built-in legs as opposed to screwed-in legs, sturdy springs, and quality-grade foam that retains its shape.”
Material girl: Eloff says the basic principle here is that sturdy fabric, such as Chenille for example, in darker neutral tones, will withstand high traffic and disguise any marks.
Comfort zone: Lastly, make sure that you try the sofa out before you buy it. “You don’t want to arrive home to your new purchase and find it makes your lower back hurt, or the armrests are too high and hard for when you want to take a nap,” says Eloff, who adds that every customer has their own needs and ideas of what is comfortable.
After buying your perfect sofa
It doesn’t just end there once you’ve found your match-made-in-heaven, it’s important to maintain it to ensure that you and your sofa live happily ever after.
Here’s Eloff's simple maintenance checklist to keep the flame burning:
1. Suns spots: South African sun wreaks havoc with furniture, causing it to lose its colour and the material to thin and crack over time. Keep your sofa away from big windows, or if that just doesn’t work for your layout, then close the curtain when the sun is at it’s strongest or hang some binds or netting that will filter the sun, she says.
2. Prevention is better than cure: “If you know that a bunch of kids are coming round for a birthday party, or that the boys are pulling in to watch a rugby match over beer and crisps, then simply drape a throw over your sofa to protect it. Trust me - you’ll be happy you did,” says Eloff.
3. Rotate your cushions: This avoids your cushions from becoming misshapen and wearing unevenly over time, she says.
4. Vacuum regularly: Eloff says you should vacuum everywhere. This means getting in beneath the cushions, and even on the back and underside.
5. Strike while the iron is hot: “With regular use, a little rip can turn into a gaping hole pretty quickly,” says Eloff, who suggests mending tears before it’s too late. This goes for stains too - clean any spills up immediately with a damp cloth.
“Take care of your sofa and it will take care of you,” says Eloff.
