| It's easy to be taken in by appearances when | | | | shape well and can be sculpted to create flowing |
| buying upholstered furniture; our first impressions | | | | curves or angular shapes. Although modern sofas |
| are usually based on the fabric covering the | | | | are all structured similarly, it is still worth asking |
| furniture, so we often forget that what really | | | | how heavy it is, in order to judge its sturdiness |
| matters is, in fact, the shape, the comfort and | | | | and longevity. |
| the engineering or structure of the seat. | | | | Types of Springs |
| Contemporary pieces tend to have clean lines, | | | | If the seat section is sprung, it is likely that |
| and are usually made with modern materials such | | | | serpentine, rather than coiled, springs will be used. |
| as MDF, board and foam. While this may sound | | | | However, some modern pieces will still be |
| uninspiring, choose wisely and you can expect a | | | | constructed using traditional hardwood frames and |
| hard-wearing piece of furniture. If you prefer a | | | | coiled springs. |
| more traditional look, there is an equally wide | | | | Before You Buy |
| range on offer but, with the traditional materials | | | | With any sofa, try before you buy. Low or |
| and technical skills needed to achieve these styles, | | | | slimline models aren't always the most |
| you should expect to pay a little bit more. | | | | comfortable for reclining, and the height of the |
| Before you commit to buying chairs or sofas, | | | | backs may not suit you either. Consider the depth |
| there are a few things to keep in mind. Always | | | | of the seat, as tall or small people will find |
| consider the proportions of a chair or sofa; a large | | | | different depths offer varying degrees of |
| piece may dwarf other furniture in the room, | | | | comfort. |
| whilst something too small will look odd and feel | | | | Modern Lines |
| uncomfortable. To avoid this, take full | | | | Modern sofas tend to be simpler than traditional |
| measurements home and check the available | | | | ones, with fewer, larger-scale cushions. Modular |
| space or, alternatively, use the dimensions to | | | | pieces that bolt or click together to create either |
| make a template so you can see exactly how | | | | L-shaped or curved sofas are currently popular, |
| much room it will take up. Finally, before you buy, | | | | often also with a "chaise" or recliner section. |
| you should always check that the piece will fit | | | | Modular sofas can also solve the "two small sofas |
| through your doors, especially if your home has a | | | | or one large sofa?" dilemma that confronts many |
| narrow hall or angled corridor. | | | | of us, and provide ample room for two people to |
| Traditional Upholstery | | | | recline in comfort. |
| Construction | | | | Buying a Sofa |
| Traditionally constructed sofas are made from a | | | | Choosing Fabric |
| hardwood frame, (usually beech), held together | | | | When supplying your own fabric, it is important to |
| with dowels, screws and glue, which results in a | | | | ensure it is rated for upholstery use and is |
| completely solid, stable structure. Layers of | | | | fire-retardant. Textured and patterned fabrics are |
| natural padding, like horsehair or wool, are built up | | | | more forgiving than plain, light colours and smooth |
| around the frame to create shape. Traditionally, | | | | finishes, and you should avoid loosely woven |
| seat springs are hand-tied to a webbing base but, | | | | fabrics that can "give" too much and quickly look |
| some sofas will have coiled springs attached to | | | | shabby. Large patterns will invariably create a lot |
| metal strips stretching from front to back of the | | | | of waste as the pattern will have to be centred |
| frame. In a sprung-back design, S-shaped springs | | | | or matched on all sides, of the back, seat and |
| or serpentine springs are used. | | | | cushions. Order a large swatch of potential fabrics |
| Back Construction | | | | and view them in situ in both natural daylight and |
| Not all backs are sprung, but top-end sofas will | | | | artificial light. |
| have coiled springs in the backs and arms to | | | | Added Protection |
| create shape and comfort. It is worth | | | | It is always worth spending a bit extra on stain |
| remembering that the heavier a sofa is, the | | | | retardant, and if you choose not to, do keep a |
| better quality it's likely to be. | | | | stain removal kit handy for speedy removal of |
| Testing Your Sofa | | | | food, oil or ink stains. Always blot with white |
| The more hardwood a sofa contains, the sturdier | | | | cloths, to avoid colour transference, and mop up |
| it will be; less expensive pieces tend to be more | | | | as much of the stain as possible before using any |
| lightweight as, rather than hardwood, they use | | | | upholstery cleaning products. By law, all |
| hardboard. Whilst in the showroom, nudge the | | | | upholstered furniture must be fire-retardant; a |
| sofa with your knee. If it moves easily, review its | | | | square swing ticket with a green edge indicates |
| quality, looks and construction. | | | | that it is resistant to a smouldering cigarette and |
| Classic Good Looks | | | | a lit match; a triangular swing ticket with a red |
| Traditionally constructed formal sofas tend to | | | | edge shows that the cover is not |
| have a "tight back" with no loose cushions. Tight | | | | match-resistant, but that it has a suitably |
| backs may also be sprung and buttoned. Some | | | | fire-resistant interlining beneath. |
| sofas have cushioned backs, using two or three | | | | Other Options |
| separate cushions to help create the shape. It | | | | Reviving Old Sofas |
| may be useful to note that foam-filled cushions | | | | If your seating is well made and structurally sound |
| will keep their shape better than those filled with | | | | but looks a little tired, think about reupholstering. |
| feathers or fibre. If a tight fixed -covered sofa is | | | | Replacement cushion fillings can also help restore |
| too formal, try loose covers instead. They have a | | | | the original crispness. Contact The Association of |
| more casual appearance, and have the added | | | | Master Upholsterers & Soft Furnishers, 01633 |
| benefit of being removable for cleaning, or | | | | 215454, upholsterers.co.uk. |
| replaced to bring a piece up-to-date | | | | Loose Covers |
| Contemporary Upholstery | | | | These are practical for families but getting |
| Construction | | | | cushions in and out is a chore. Buy a spare set |
| Modern upholstered furniture can be made in a | | | | with the sofa and dry-clean if possible, cleaning all |
| variety of ways, but are usually structured using | | | | covers to avoid uneven fading. |
| combinations of foam, board and fibre. Dense | | | | Tailor-Made |
| foam is mostly combined with a concealed metal | | | | Many sofas are "made to order" to suit your |
| frame, but styles with exposed timber frames | | | | requirements. This can take between 6 and 12 |
| are also popular. High-density foam is a common | | | | weeks. |
| component of contemporary sofas as it holds its | | | | |