5 Questions To Ask Before Buying A Couch
By Christina Grate
Buying a couch can be a pretty daunting feat! So many styles and shapes to choose from – sectional, right arm, left arm, chaise, corner, armless, the list goes on. Throw in upholstery options, frames, fillings, warranties, and prices, and you definitely have some tough decisions to make. Be a well-informed buyer by doing your research before embarking on your search for the perfect couch.
If you're having trouble finding information on the product page, don’t be afraid to ask Kyle in our customer service department as many questions as you may have, because he has a great deal of industry knowledge. There are no stupid questions to ask when investing in a large purchase such as a couch. We have compiled a list of 5 questions to ask before buying a couch so that you can gain some knowledge on the subject and start forming your own questions to ask as well.
What Type of Room Will the Couch Be In?
The first thing to do when choosing to purchase a couch is to consider what kind of room it will be in. Will it be a living room couch, where you’ll be welcoming guests for a sit-down conversation over coffee or tea? Will it be a family room couch, where the entire family will lounge and watch television on any given day of the week? Will it be in a sitting area adjacent to a bedroom?
Next, you need to consider the size of the room. Is it a small or large room? Will there be enough room to accommodate the other furniture in the room with enough walking space? Finally, you need to take note of the style of your home and current room décor. Are your home and décor contemporary or classic? Are you planning to re-furnish the whole room? Once you’ve answered these questions, you can narrow down to a few shapes and sizes of couches to focus on.
Which Couch Fabrics Last Longer?
So you’ve figured out what size and style of couch you want to buy, but now comes the task of choosing the right fabric for your lifestyle needs. For most people, a couch is a long-term investment, so it is important to choose your couch upholstery fabric wisely.
If the couch is going to be in a family room lived in by children and pets, it is important to buy a couch with a tough fabric that will withstand wear and tear, stains, dirt, and vigorous scrubbing to remove stains and dirt. Removable cushions are also a great option to have to help make clean up easier, especially if they are machine washable. If the couch is going to be in a more formal setting such as a living room, you can buy a couch with a brighter, less practical fabric. In this case, it wouldn’t hurt to have the couch treated with a stain resistant spray, just in case there were to happen to be a minor incident.
What is A Couch Frame Made Of?
Before making any final decisions, it’s important to find out what the couch is made of. How is the frame designed? What is it made out of? If your couch is going to be in a family room, rather than a living room, it is important for your couch to be built with a strong frame, so that it will last the test of time.
If you live in a place with extreme temperature conditions and humidity, kiln-dried hardwood frames offer longevity, as they don’t warp. Other frame options include steel frames or block-up softwood frames.
Another question to ask is what type of spring base does the couch have – coil, sinuous (zigzag), or webbing straps? The spring base is what keeps the seat and back of the couch comfortable and to yield to your body shape. Generally, coil springs are the sturdiest of the three and are the least prone to breaking.
What Couch Filling Should I Use?
There are generally four types of fillings used to fill a couch cushion:
polyester fiber
feathers
polyurethane foam
a combination of feathers and foam
The materials that your couch seat and back cushions are filled with can really impact the comfort and overall durability of your couch. Polyester fiber is mostly used in back cushions as it is sturdy, as well as soft and flexible. Feathers are used in both back and seat cushions; although feathers are plush, they require frequent fluffing to maintain its robust shape. A combination of feathers and foam are used in both back and seat cushions because it offers the comfort and plush look of feathers, and the stability of foam. Make sure that you test out multiple couches before you make a purchase. Sit on it, and make sure that it’s comfortable for you, as each fill feels different. No pun intended! If you’re purchasing your couch online, make sure to read reviews!
Where was the Couch Manufactured and what is its Warranty?
It might be worth knowing where your couch was manufactured and if it comes with a warranty. Most commonly, you will be told that your couch was made in China. The stigma about the quality of furniture made in China isn’t true, for the most part. Excellent quality couches and furniture are produced in China every day. Of course, there are some people that seek furniture made in Europe or the USA, so that is all a matter of choice.
Regardless, rest assured that products from China, Europe, and the USA are all good quality items. Price is much less important than how the couch looks and feels. Your guests and family won’t know the difference, as long as the couch is comfortable and stylish.
Also, make sure to consider your couch's warranty. A 1-year warranty is standard for most couches. This will give you the opportunity to ensure that the couch is well made. If you're concerned about issues showing up over time, many couches can be found with 5-year or lifetime warranties. Make sure to talk to your retailer about extended warranties.
