Chesterfield Sofa – Maybe Not!
When the time comes to purchase a new sofa there are many things to consider before making the purchase. These things to consider are roughly broken down into groups pertaining to functionality, aesthetics, cost of ownership, and space management. Before you head off to that furniture store take a few minutes to think through the different areas of concern.
As far as functionality goes a sofa is so much more than just a place to plop down and watch your favorite TV show. Consider for example what is the primary purpose of the room where you are going to place this new sofa. Is it the family den, used constantly by everyone from the toddler to the dog, or is it going into the formal sitting room used primarily to host guests for quiet get togethers? The family den may scream out for a sectional recliner sofa with rocking end sections that is covered in a neutral colored microfiber. Your formal sitting room however might be stunning with a leather chesterfield sofa as its centerpiece.
Although the differences in functionality of a room do play a part in the aesthetics of choosing the proper sofa, nearly any style can be set in any room regardless of functionality and still look pleasing. This aesthetic marvel can be arranged by choosing wisely from the available coverings. There are literally hundreds of textures that can be mixed with thousands of colors, across tens of fabrics, incorporating any number of accents such as wood trim, deep buttons or ornamental hardware. The options are truly limited only by the sofa designer. So really think about what you want it to look like and if you don’t see that in the store…. ask for it. For example if you have pink curtains that you really love and want to keep, you may need to go through a bit of effort to find the perfectly matched sofa.
When it comes to cost of ownership remember that this is a major purchase but also that it is going to last you for ten years or more depending on how well built it is. A new sofa can range from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Even though the sticker shock of a stunning leather sofa may make your head swim, remember that the leather is going to improve with age whereas most any other fabric is slowly going to lose its appeal. Some sofas will have removable covers for some, if not all, of the cushions and that is a good thing for keeping them clean and fresh, or even completely changing out the covers for a brand new look. It can be difficult to clean fabric sofas whereas a leather sofa is much easier to clean. Something to think about.
Finally, space management; you want your home to be functional and easy to get around in so you would not want to put a huge sofa in a small room. You need to allow room around the sofa for circulation. There is also the issue of access, can your new sofa even make it through the door. You will need to take good measurements of the smallest opening in the smallest path to the room you are moving this new sofa into. Many sofas have detachable arms and backs to aid in this process. Remember that the sofa will look much smaller in the huge store than it will in your home.
Enjoy your shopping experience, you are going to spend you hard earned money on a new sofa and the store is going to be very happy for it. Alos don’t forget that you might want to accessorize your new sofa with great accent pieces. Tiffany lamps tend to look very nice when paired with a chesterfield style sofa. So take your time, try out lots of styles, snuggle down into the ones you like and give them a good test. You are going to have it for a long time so be wise and take a fair amount of time making your decision.