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Latest
"discount sofa"
Information
Think of your sofa as a place to accessorize. Colorful throws, pillows and slipcovers are quick and easy room-changers. For too long, sofa shoppers looking for quality, comfort, value, choice, and convenience have had nowhere to turn. At one end, high priced showrooms and department stores have charged full retail markups, with long waits for special orders and tacked on delivery charges. At the other end, retail discounters have offered either low price or quality, with “a take it or leave it mentality” and little choice in fabric or style. In for the rudest shock of all were those with narrow doors, halls, or stairs when the couches they bought simply didn’t fit or got damaged while lugging them into place. Sofa placement in the room determines the placement of all other furnishings (with the exception of electronic equipment). If possible, place your sofa first, and then arrange other furnishings in relationship to it. An interesting look that opens up a boxy room is to angle the sofa diagonally. Work with the angle until walkways are convenient – sometimes moving it a few inches can make a lot of difference. Two sofas facing each other is a very classic look that allows for maximum conversation ease. Placing a sofa and loveseat in an L-shape is also an option. Because the line ships by UPS in boxes no heavier than 70 lbs., they’re easily carried up stairs, through narrow doors and halls to their final destinations, for about half the cost of typical delivery. They’re also trackable and quickly delivered within 5 to 10 business days anywhere in the US. Sofa size dictates the size of other pieces in the room. A larger scale sofa may dwarf some chairs. If floor space is a problem, and it so often is with the popularity of larger sofa arms, think vertically. Choose a high-backed chair with a slim silhouette to balance a large sofa. Rooms with high ceilings need larger scale furnishings to avoid a “miniature” look. Keep tables and other pieces similar in scale to the sofa you chose. You know it's time for a new sofa when the only visable pattern on your old one is the one made by your kid's kool-aid stains. Or when there is more stuffing outside of the sofa than inside. Or when your guests need help "getting out" of your sofa. Or when you find out your sofa was a "divan" when your grandmother bought it new. Finding a new one that is right for your family and your lifestyle is a daunting task, but here are a few tips to make that task a bit easier: Before you shop for a new sofa, determine what size sofa you need. That may not necessarily be determined by the size of your room. If you live in an upstairs apartment, it may be determined by the width of the stairs, the height of the elevator doors or the size of your "always-ready-to-help-move-furniture" friends. Make a note of the maximum width, height and length that will fit in your space or entrance. 2. Remember that this too shall pass away. That color that's oh so hot today, will be tomorrow's avocado green or burnt orange. Pick a neutral color that can be dressed up with throw pillows in all those wild new colors. Pillows are inexpensive and you can change the look of your room every hour on the hour if you wish! 3. Pick an upholstery fabric or leather that will wear well with your lifestyle. Is the sofa going to be used in a formal living room or a rowdy family room? If you have kids, you should probably stay away from white satin sofas. If you are a careful single adult, white satin might be perfect. 4. If the sofa will be in high traffic areas, try to pick a pattern that will hide soils and stains. Multicolored patterns or tweeds are ideal. The idea is to have a sofa that still looks good while hiding all of those little "accidents" kids will always have. 5. Sit on the sofa in the store. If possible have at least two other people sit on it as well. Is the sofa comfortable when more than one person is sitting on it? How about the center cushion? Is it as comfortable as the outside cushions? How about the arm height? Do the back cushions allow you to "sink in" or must you sit with your best posture? Is the seat the correct height for your leg length? 6. Stand back from the sofa and check the pattern. Does the pattern on the back of the sofa match the cushions? Does the pattern on the cushions match the skirt? Are the stripes aligned at the edges? The mark of quality construction is the careful matching of patterns. If it doesn't match, don't waste your money on it. 7. Look at the trim. Does the cording fit flat and straight or does it curve? Again, if you suspect shoddy workmanship, don't waste your money on it. The plainer the room, the more dramatic the sofa should be. Rooms with very little architectural detail must get their interest from the furnishings within them. Four plain walls and simple windows are fairly common in American homes. If that is the case, bring pizzazz to the area with a boldly colored sofa, an interesting collage sofa or one with lots of pattern. The sofa becomes the focal point, much like jewelry on a basic black dress.
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