The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Sofa and Sectional for Your Home

When it comes to creating a warm, welcoming setting in your home, your sofa has more bearing on that than anything else in your space. This is where you settle in after a hard day, where your visitors hang out when visiting, and usually, it is the focal point of your living room. Having the proper sectional or sofa can change the space – in both comfort and style.

If you are a homeowner, love decorating for interiors, and/or own a local business, this guide will help you through the decision-making process step by step on MyLocalBusiness, and find a trusted sofa manufacturer and supplier. 

Differentiating between Sofa and Sectional 

All shopping should start with making sure you truly know what you're looking for.

• Sofa: A sofa is often a three or two-seater piece that usually fits well into any common living room. This option may be favorable generally for smaller spaces, or a homeowner that prefers a more simplistic or classic design.
• Sectional: A sectional is often a larger piece (multiple pieces connected mostly) in a more "L" or "U" fashion to seat more friends and family. Sectionals are great for a family or spacing for those who like to seat as many family or friend as possible.

If your household is larger for family use or a plan is to host additional or extra movie nights, it may be your best option to get a sectional. However, when you plan for small apartment living, a sectional could be inconvenient, and you could be better with sofa seating concentrating seating. Furthermore, if you move often, the sofa would be easier to relocate.

Take Measurements of Your Space Prior to Shopping

One of the biggest errors people commit is failing to collect accurate measurements of their room before acquiring a sofa or sectional.

• Taking a measuring tape, you can measure:
• The width, depth, and height of the area where your sofa will be going
• Access points, like doorways, hallways, and staircases, to see if the sofa can even pass through them
• Additional space for side tables, lamps, or footrests

A simple suggestion: use painter's tape to outline the area that the sofa would take on the floor. It will give you a good feel for the actual space committed to the sofa.

Selecting the Right Fabric or Material

The fabric of your sofa will affect its style and longevity. Here is a quick reference:

• Leather: Sophisticated and easy to maintain. Ideal for contemporary or luxurious environments but may get hot in summer.
• Fabric: Soft and available in an array of colours and textures. If you have kids or animals, make sure it is stain resistant.
• Velvet: Luxurious, soft and warm, but requires a little more love.
• Microfiber: Soft, durable, and perfect for everyday use

If you’re unsure, ask one of the local furniture manufacturers or suppliers on MyLocalBusiness to send you some samples. Most will send free swatches so you can feel the material and see the colour under your home’s lighting.

Select a Style that Resembles You

A sofa isn’t merely furniture, it’s a piece of art.

Below is a list of popular styles to get you inspired when making a decision:

• Modern Sofa: straight, neutral, minimalistic lines
• Traditional Sofa: curved arms, detailed legs and somewhat of an antique feel.
• Modern Sectional: modular so you can rearrange at any time.
• Recliners: For the ultimate comfort enjoy a recliner with adjustable seating.

Comfort is Key: Try Before You Buy

The best sofa might look great in photos, but the key ingredient is how comfortable it feels. Make sure to:

•  Sit on the sofa for a few minutes - is it soft, firm, or just right?
•  Check how the back feels - you shouldn’t feel like you are sinking.
•  Make sure the seat depth fits your height.

If you are purchasing so online that comes from a local business listed on MyLocalBusiness, consider calling to ask if they allow visits to their showroom, and/or what their policy is on returns. Local suppliers understand that you may want to try their furniture before buying it, and they will often really try to satisfy you as a customer.

The Significance of a Good Frame

A sofa's frame is the greatest indicator of how long it's going to last. Look for:

• Solid wood or metal frames that are durable for years.
• Reinforced joints (don't purchase a sofa if any of the joints or areas are ONLY glued or stapled).
• High-density foam cushions that will retain their shape.

Many local manufacturers will make you a return or custom piece from better materials and with more durable construction than mass-produced examples. This is why buying local sometimes yields a better return on your investment. 

Advantages of Purchasing from Local Furniture Makers and Suppliers

When you purchase sofas and sectionals at a local shop, you’re not just receiving an item — you’re supporting community. Here are the reasons why this is important.

• Improved quality control. You are able to see and observe the quality of an item firsthand before the purchase. 
• Custom designs. Local makers will work with you to customize the size, fabric, and look of a piece.
• Delivery. With local shops, there’s no long wait times or weeks shipping delays. 
• Customer service. It’s much easier to get in touch with someone before, during, and after your purchase if you have a concern.

We hope MyLocalBusiness makes it easy to engage the verified local sofa makers, furniture retailers, and wholesale furniture suppliers that we have nearby. It is a “one-stop” place to work with reputable partners in your area—you won’t be disappointed with our local suppliers!

Conclusion

Selecting the perfect sofa or sectional can be an easy process. If you plan ahead and work with local manufacturers and suppliers, you will be able to select the right couch for your space, style, and budget.

Anyone from a homeowner who is decorating their first apartment to an organization that is looking to furnish its space will be able to collaborate and connect with their local manufacturers with mylocalbusiness.