Finding comfort in buying a sofa

OH, the pressure of picking the right sofa. There’s so much to consider: shape, size, styling, construction and so much more. Do you want the sofa to make a statement or blend into the background in order to showcase artwork? Neutral or printed fabric? Durable cotton or ethereal silk? How will you use the sofa? As a perch for reading, a high-backed sofa may be perfect. Or if you like to lie down on the sofa, the comfort and height of the arm are very important. Catherine A. Howard of the Greystone Home Collection, with showrooms in Los Angeles and New York City, offers these tips:

Good bones

Like the human form, a sofa has a skeleton or framework that sets the form, comfort and longevity of the piece. Howard insists on a kiln-dried hardwood frame, solid components, double-doweled and glued joints, and a seat frame with corner blocks.

Cover details

When it comes to the upholstery, make sure seams are sewn straight, pleats or folds pressed, welts straight, fabric pattern matched throughout and not pulled too tight.

Size matters

Howard, who is 5 foot 5, says a very deep sofa would make her feel like Edith Ann, while a love seat may make someone tall feel like Gulliver. Although Italian low-seating lines are fashionable, consider something higher for those who find it difficult to rise.

The dimensions are important not only for comfort but also because they determine how much space a sofa would take up in your current home and, perhaps, future ones. Many people have had to say no to an otherwise perfect new place because the living room was too small to accommodate an expensive, space-eating sectional.

Style and comfort

The choices are many, including modernized 18th century French; clean, straightforward early American; 19th century English; and a bit of simplified 16th century Italian. But remember, whether overstuffed traditional or streamlined minimal, comfort overrides it all.

Springing the seat

Howard recommends hand-tied eight-way coil springs. The only time sinuous springs should be used is if the seat deck is shallow, such as a dining chair. Next look for layering of burlap, cotton or Dacron batting, jute fox edging and foam.

What’s in the cushions

There are several types to consider. Feather and down with a foam interior, feather and down with a coil spring interior or 100% down. These are all good and a matter of personal comfort. If the back of the piece has loose cushions, it is best to use feather and down over a foam interior.

When the design calls for a tight back, sinuous springs or coil springs can be used, and this is usually covered with foam and Dacron. Or, for the very high-end, a feather and down cushion is attached to the frame.

The art of arranging

Sofas with their backs to the entrance don’t invite people to step into the room and those facing the front door make guests feel exposed. Place the sofa at an angle or create a cozy arrangement that’s comfortable -- an area where someone would want to lounge.