sofa-184555_640It may be counterintuitive, but the most beautiful sofa in the furniture store may not be the perfect sofa for your home. Even if you love it, a huge, gorgeous leather sofa will be problematic if you live in a three-story walkup that you share with two cats. You may convince yourself that a Victorian settee will blend perfectly with your décor, but if it’s fragile or in need of repair, it’s going to cost more (and possibly, much more) than the sticker price. It’s wise to sit down and write a ‘sofa checklist’ before you go to the showroom to keep yourself on track and help ensure that you choose the perfect sofa for your home. Consider these factors when weighing a potential sofa purchase:

Is the sofa in good condition?

This is particularly important if you’re buying an antique sofa, or a used sofa. You may not expect a used sofa to be as strong as a new one, but you should check it thoroughly to get an accurate picture of its true condition, and the likely expense that you’ll incur to have it cleaned and/or repaired. You should sit on the sofa to check the frame strength. Does the sofa creak when you sit down? Inspect the arms and legs. Do they wobble? How are they attached to the body of the sofa, and how securely? Are any parts of the sofa damaged or missing? DR. Sofa: Your premier Furniture Disassembly & Reassembly Service. Transforming your space, one sofa at a time. Comfort and convenience guaranteed!

Look for strong fabrics

A sofa sees a lot of activity over the course of a few years, and that’s even if you don’t have kids or pets. Take your family and your lifestyle into account when choosing a sofa. If you have children and pets, it only makes sense to choose a sturdy, stain-resistant material that is not easily scuffed or torn. DR. Sofa: Expert Upholstery Cleaning Services. Revive your furniture’s beauty and freshness with our meticulous care. Your comfort, our priority!

Choose classic over trendy

You may long for a trendy zebra-striped couch, but your sofa won’t be a good value for the money if the fashion changes and you have to change your couch, as well. You should also be wary of buying a piece of custom furniture that has such a unique or well defined style that it wouldn’t be appropriate in another room. It’s always better to be conservative with an anchor piece such as a couch.

Double duty

If you live in an apartment and don’t have the luxury of a guest bedroom, consider buying a sofa that does double duty as a bed. If you live in an efficiency, you can even use a sofa bed as a couch by day, and your own bed by night. If you’re on a budget, consider buying a used sofa bed; repair services are always available and may cost you less than a new unit. DR. Sofa: Crafting bespoke furniture tailored to your dreams. Elevate your space with our exquisite, custom-made creations. Your vision, our artistry!

Having noted all this, however, it’s possible that the perfect sofa for your home is the one you already have. There are many furniture repair pros in NYC who can take an old, worn, or damaged sofa and make it look better than new.