How to Buy a Sofa: A Guide to Take to the Store

Measure before you shop. Don't go shopping for a couch without first deciding where you are going to put it. Get a measuring tape and measure that space. If you already have an old sofa in that spot, decide if it is the right size. If you have no sofa, try taping off a space for the size sofa you're considering. Spend some time walking around the tape as if a couch were there. You will quickly know if the sofa is too large for the room.

Feel and look around the sofa once you identify a model that works for your home. Check for sharp corners that indicate a lack of padding and lumpy cushions filled with cheap foam that won’t withstand the wear and tear of a family, rather than spring-supported cushions. Check the back of the sofa if you don't plan on putting it against a wall. You don't want ripples in the material or unmatched patterns on the back.

Ask about the frame of the sofa. Kiln dried hardwoods are the best. Quality hardwoods without knots typically hold pegs, screws, staples and nails more securely for a longer time. Take the time to lift a corner of the couch and check the legs of the sofa. If the wood shows knots, it's of lower quality. If the legs are painted a dark color so you can't see the quality of the wood, it might indicate the manufacturer is trying to conceal cheap materials. Avoid sofas made with plastic composites, particleboard or metal.

Lift the cushions and push down on the springs. If there are no springs, only straps, leave this sofa behind regardless of the great price. This sofa will not hold up and you will soon be spending more money to replace it when the straps break. Look for evenly spaced springs that have a firm pressure when you push down on them. They should not squeak or make any other noise. Sofas can come with pre-assembled coil units or sinuous wire that is stapled or nailed to the sofa's frame. Hand-tied coils are the longest lasting and most comfortable

Examine the fabric. Make sure patterns or textures line up at the seams, and match from cushion to cushion and front to back. Choose fabric that is stain resistant and durable. Look for a UFAC tag. This means that the fabric is fire resistant because it has been manufactured according to the standards of the Upholstered Furniture Action Council. If a sofa with slipcover is your choice, look at the fabric content to see if it’s washable. Test to see how easy it is to remove and replace the cover. Consider lifestyle when choosing leather sofas -- soft, high quality leather may show stains, while less expensive, treated leather may withstand heavy use.