Your Interior Home
Decorating Sofa Style
Begin your interior home decorating with the best quality sofa you can afford.
Buying an upholstered sofa is a big furniture investment. Expect to have it for awhile, 10 years at least, even if you are planning on having it just “temporarily.” We all know how "time flies" and before you know it years have gone by. That is why it is important to invest wisely now and you will have enjoyable memories along with those years.
Sofas generally come with two types of backs, - a loose cushion or pillow back
and a - tight or attached back.
A tight back style there is no separate cushion to the back, just the upholstered shape of the frame that you are sitting against, while attached backs are cushions that are attached. The attached cushions won’t need fluffing or re-arranging.
Interior home decorating with a loose back sofa features removable cushions or pillows. Cushion and pillow backs are loose and sit differently than a tight back. They feel more cushy and are more inviting, depending on your taste.
It gives you the option of turning the cushions and/or pillows as needed, but requires more diligence to maintain and keep the cushions/pillows fluffed.
How many seat cushions?
One cushion offers a clean appearance while two or three are traditional. With a one seat cushion style, take note when you sit to whether it stays in place, and check to see if there are clips that hold the cushion in place. Also, sometimes with a one seat cushion style frame the fabric may wrinkle or “give” a bit in the center.
Choose an arm style.
A traditional rolled arm generally has a flat front panel and is often outlined with a welt. There could also be a seam in lieu of a welt or an inset panel with a pleating surrounding the inset.
The English arm is rounded at the front with the fabric in a pleated detail like a fan. Then the more modern lines you will have a straight or slightly tapered arm.
Be sure to ask yourself if the arms are the right height for taking a nap or reading a book, if that is important to you.
Do you want a skirt or exposed legs?
Leg styles may vary from a bun foot to a carved formal version and are usually available in a variety of finishes.
In addition to measuring the room for your interior home decorating and where your sofa is going, be sure to also measure the delivery path, including the door openings and particularly if there are sharp turns the delivery men need to take. Mention if it is going on the first floor or if there will be stairs involved. It is a good idea if you have any doubts to mention them before you order.
Be sure to bring a picture with you to the store of where the sofa will be going as this will keep a fresh idea of what it will look like in your home.
Tell your interior home decorating salesperson the details of the room you are going to place your sofa and ideas of what you are looking for. They have the knowledge and tools available to best assist you with your decision.
Choose a fabric for your sofa.
The textile should be applied over ample padding of high density foam and polyester to create a tight tailored line where it wraps around the frame. Beware of lumpy upholstery and places where you can feel the wood frame.
There are two basic types of fabric, natural and synthetic.
Just because a fabric may be more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean it wears better. Consider how each piece of furniture will be used and which textile would be best. Fabrics that are tightly woven as well as the blends tend to wear longer than a fabric of a light or loose weave.
Leather is a durable natural material that gets softer and more beautiful with time.
Aniline is the dying process of leather leaving color but not affecting the beautiful character of the hide. Some leathers are treated with a finish or embossed with a pattern or texture.
Leather is easy to care for , but will also need frequent vacuuming and cleaning to preserve its finish and beauty.
Dress up your interior home decorating upholstery with trimmings such as fringed pillows or bullion around the base in lieu of a skirt on a sofa or upholstered chair. These options may add to the cost but they can be unique to your style.
Before you buy an upholstered piece, ask for a sample or a cutting of the fabric you are considering, to take home on approval. Its best to see the material under the light in your room and with the other pieces you already may have.
Fabric care
Normal everyday wear and use of your upholstery leaves dust on the textile surface. Regular vacuuming will keep this dirt from setting, prolonging the life and appearance of your fabric.
To keep your interior home decorating upholstery looking its best avoid placing it in direct sunlight or near radiators or vents. Sun and heat fade fabric colors and deteriorate textile fibers. Darker colors and finer weaves are particularly susceptible to the effects of sun and heat. If your upholstery must sit in direct sunlight or near a heat vent select a neutral cotton that is hard wearing or a blend to minimize deterioration.
Immediately blot any spills with a clean white cotton cloth or towel. The dye found in a colored cloth can bleed into your textile during the cleaning process.
Don’t rub spills as this tends to spread the stain and weaken the textile.
Most textiles are lightly treated with stain protection at the mill to provide some protection against stains, however, stain protection needs to be reapplied frequently.
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