AS YOU MAY KNOW – I JUST GOT MY PINK SOFA.
![](https://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_0614-700x525.jpg)
(I promise to post more about how I got my new SOFA etc after the Dog A Day 2019 project wraps up)
but I THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE A GOOD TIME TO SHARE MY :
10 TIPS FOR CHOOSING A SOFA
IS A FUN problem to have – BUT OFTEN DAUNTING TASK!
HERE ARE 10 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A SOFA.
![](https://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_0544-675x900.jpg)
- LOCATION /ROOM SIZE – WHERE IS IT GOING AND WITH WHAT?
-
BUDGET
-
STYLE
-
ARMS
-
SEATS
-
PILLOWS
-
SKIRTED OR VISIBLE LEGS
8.DURABILITY
- COLOR
SLIPCOVERED OR UPHOLSTERED
![MY OLD COUNTRY HOUSE LIVING ROOM](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/LesliHouse0038-599x900.jpg)
1. LOCATION / ROOM SIZE, LAYOUT, DOOR AND WINDOW LOCATIONS, other furniture and AND FLOOR PLAN ALL PLAY A HUGE PART IS DECIDING WHICH OF THE SEEMINGLY MILLIONS OF SOFAS TO PURCHASE.
SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF : WHERE IS THIS SOFA GOING?
![YOUNG HOUSE LOVE HOMEARAMA SHOWHOUSE](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SHOLiving-From-Porch1.jpg)
IS IT GOING TO BE ….IN THE FAMILY ROOM, LIVING ROOM, AND HOW MUCH TRAFFIC WILL IT NEED TO WITHSTAND?
![YOUNG HOUSE LOVE HMEARAMA SHOWHOUSE - AND MY PORTRAIT OF BURGER!](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/SHOLiving-Straight-On.jpg)
WHAT ARE THE AGES OF THE PEOPLE (AND PETS) WHO WILL USE IT MOST? I remember watching as my toddler wiped her runny nose on the sofa cushions edge – which came conveniently to nose-height – and it was a blessing that those cushions could be laundered!
CONFIGURATION – DOES YOUR ROOM HAVE 4 WALLS? OR AN OPEN FLOOR PLAN?
![LIVING ROOM - MY OLD COUNTRY HOUSE](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/IMG_0385-700x467.jpg)
WILL THE BACK OF THE SOFA BE VISIBLE?
WHERE IS THE LIGHTING IN THE ROOM?
![MY OLD COUNTRY HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - SPOONFLOWER FABRIC DRAPES](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/MYOCHLIVINGROOM.jpg)
IS THIS ROOM THE CENTER OF THE HOUSE…OF DOWN IN THE BASEMENT?
![THIS IS AN OLD PHOTO I FOUND ON PINTEREST WITH A DEAD END LINK. IT IS PROBABLY ONE OF MY FAVORITE PHOTOS OF ANY SPACE. IT EPITOMIZES MY DESIGN TASTE](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/tumblr_lzb3h1RAg71r8h2j3o1_500.jpg)
ALL IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE YOU MAKE THE PURCHASE….AND FOR PETE’S SAKE – MEASURE YOUR DOORWAYS AND STAIRCASES!!!
3. BUDGET. BUDGETS AND TASTES VARY AND CAN DICTATE OPTIONS. BUT NOWADAYS – A TIGHT BUDGET IS NOT A BARRIER TO STYLE.
EMILY HENDERSON DID A GREAT “SOFA” POST WHICH INCLUDES AMONG OTHER VALUABLE ADVICE ” GENERIC SOFAS NOT TO BUY” AND A FEW DOZEN GREAT SOFAS UNDER $1000!!!!
![PINK RUE SOFA CB2 $999](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/RueAptSofaTessFuschiaF15-500x281.jpeg)
THERE ARE SOFAS FOR EVERY BUDGET AND EVERY WEBSITE HAS SALES! WATCH FOR DISCOUNTS…AND COUPONS AND MARKDOWNS.
3. STYLE – “STYLE” REFERS TO THE SOFA SHAPE. THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT STYLES WHICH REFLECT EVERYTHING FROM TRADITIONAL DECOR TO MORE CONTEMPORARY AND MODERN TYPES OF DECOR. THE BEST SOFA STYLES, IN MY HUMBLE OPINION ARE TIMELESS – NO MATTER WHAT STYLE THEY ARE…
..HERE ARE A FEW BASIC BIGGIES…FROM WHICH MOST SOFA STYLES ORIGINATE.(all the diagrams and descriptions below are from DOMINO)
![THE DOMINO BOOK IS HANDS DOWN MY GO-TO FAVORITE DECORATING AND DESIGN BOOK !!!](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Unknown-2.jpeg)
HANDS DOWN THE BEST RESOURCE BOOK EVER!
![Slipper Streamlined and unfussy, like an elongated slipper chair, this option is made more for entertaining than lounging. Usually lean and open, it does well in small spaces.](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/2015-01-28-c1b64bf2a592c5a69ca0e9776d3c2039-thumb.jpeg)
Streamlined and unfussy, like an elongated slipper chair, this option is made more for entertaining than lounging. Usually lean and open, it does well in small spaces.
![JOYBIRD ELIOT DAYBED IN RINCON STEEL](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/5691-700x420.jpg)
![ENGLISH ARM THREE SEATER Rumpled, yet aristocratic, this British country-house staple has soft, deep cushions and low arms that make it ideal for TV watching.](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/2015-01-28-eee276c6d4e7750222e0645ff17b6060-thumb.jpeg)
Rumpled, yet aristocratic, this British country-house staple has soft, deep cushions and low arms that make it ideal for TV watching.
![FRENCH SETTEE Often seen in a Louis XIV style, this regal option is delicate, formal, and architectural. The exposed carved-wood frame provides a structured contrast in a room of heavily upholstered pieces.](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/2015-01-28-c76cfe6619ac411bef82c3fd560d30a9-thumb.jpeg)
Often seen in a Louis XIV style, this regal option is delicate, formal, and architectural. The exposed carved-wood frame provides a structured contrast in a room of heavily upholstered pieces.
![TUXEDO- A signature of society decorator Billy Baldwin, this sofa is luxurious yet decidedly no-frills. A straight profile (the arms and back are the same height) give it a more masculine feel. Works in any room, modern or traditional.](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/2015-01-28-bca83d1a25d3de95dc9b2692e49614df-thumb-500x187.jpeg)
![JOYBIRD -STOWE SOFA IN "CORDOVA TURQUOISE"](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/661-CF081-WS03-1-700x420.jpg)
![MODERN More sculpture than sofa (this one is a mid-century design by Vladimir Kagan). This piece can float in the middle of a room.](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/2015-01-28-622e0364d6de89239559f780dfe7e96c-thumb.jpeg)
More sculpture than sofa (this one is a mid-century design by Vladimir Kagan). This piece can float in the middle of a room.
![JOYBIRD "KORVER" SOFA IN VIBE TRANQUIL](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/527-CF195-WS03-1-700x420.jpg)
![CHESTERFIELD This 19th century English design features tight tailoring, a high back, rolled arms and tufting. In leather, it's clubby and masculine.](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/2015-01-28-3a98fa19bf2aaafab3fd5fdb6d47578d-thumb.jpeg)
This 19th century English design features tight tailoring, a high back, rolled arms and tufting. In leather, it’s clubby and masculine.
![SECTIONAL Casual, with a '70's lounginess. Good for establishing a sitting area in a loft. Minimizes the need for other seating. A version with legs cuts the bulkiness.](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/2015-01-28-33c07054df88687d480ac60bc125bfdd-thumb-500x149.jpeg)
Casual, with a ’70’s lounginess. Good for establishing a sitting area in a loft. Minimizes the need for other seating. A version with legs cuts the bulkiness.
![JOYBIRD - ELIOT SECTIONAL SOFA WITH BUMBER IN "LINGO PARFAIT"](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/2580-CF321-WS03-1-700x420.jpg)
![KNOLE (NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE FSU MASCOT!) This style is named after a grand house of King Henry VIII. Super-classic and formal, but very cozy and sheltering. Hinged sides untie and drop flat so you can lie down.](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/2015-01-28-53f900ed38a09f8e7c3dc5b494073bd2-thumb.jpeg)
This style is named after a grand house of King Henry VIII. Super-classic and formal, but very cozy and sheltering. Hinged sides untie and drop flat so you can lie down.
![Dating back to the 18th-century British designer Thomas Chippendale, this piece has an old-world sophistication but also looks surprisingly modern in a solid linen fabric. SKIRTED OR UNSKIRTED.](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/2015-01-28-054ed57cb823d63aad231c7361a8a3cd-thumb.jpeg)
![PHOTO BY SARAH CRAMER - CAMEL BACK SOFA](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/LesliHouse0067-1-599x900.jpg)
4. ARMS –
…HERE ARE some TO MUDDLE THROUGH!
![DREXEL HERITAGE ARMS](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/ArmStyles-700x875.jpg)
![MADE.COM RITCHIE SOFA WITH COLORED BUTTONS - DROOL!!!](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/ritchie_3seater_candy_pink_lb5-1-700x363.jpg)
5. SEATS, CUSHIONS – NUMBER – HOW MANY??? DO YOU WANT ONE BENCH SEAT CUSHION, TWO CUSHIONS OR THREE…AND WOULD YOU LIKE “T” OR AN “L” CUSHION OR A “SQUARE/RECTANGLE” STYLE? WHO KNEW IT COULD BE SO COMPLICATED.
!["L" AND "T" CUSHIONS WRAP AROUND THE ARM OF THE SOFA.](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Measuring_html_61760d52-500x237.gif)
![RECTANGLE AND SQUARE CUSHIONS SIT SQUARE ON THE SOFA](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Measuring_html_6ade4c3e-500x284.gif)
6. PILLOWS – AND just as you can have NO pillows and a tight back you can have – 1, 2 , 3 or a bunch of back pillows –
![burgundy and cream walls](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/75dd92171540e0408369e79e28f3afca-500x665.jpg)
![REGARD MAISONS PINK SOFA](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/fcd26c2376e29f198f97245b8984fe59.jpg)
![](https://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/0-3.jpg)
7. SKIRTED OR VISIBLE LEGS, – I LIKE A MIXTURE OF BOTH ….LEGS ARE CONSIDERED A BIT MORE DRESSY…BUT LOVELY SKIRTED ONES ARE BEAUTIFUL TOO….DESIGNER TRACI ZELLER HAS A RULE OF THUMB THAT IF THE SOFAS ARE SKIRTED SHE SELECTS MORE LEGGY TABLES….
DON’T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONS THERE ARE KICK PLEATS, DRESSMAKER PLEATS, EVEN RUFFLES…YOU CAN CAVE MULTIPLE PLEATS, JUST CORNER PLEATS…OR A CENTER PLEAT…!!!!!
![TRACI ZELLER DESIGNS -](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/2f1078fd-3e4f-4704-8c51-7f9c2890d710-700x418.jpg)
8. DURABILITY – THIS MAY SEEM LIKE AN OBVIOUS CATEGORY, WHO DOESN’T WANT A DURABLE SOFA? BUT SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED A 3 YR SOFA, (THINK COLLEGE APARTMENT…) OR YOU KNOW YOU WILL SWAP IT OUT WHEN THE KIDS GET OUT OF DIAPERS AND YOU JUST WANT SOMETHING TO FILL THE SPACE …A SOFT PLACE FOR EVERYONE TO SIT …IN A ROOM WHERE ONLY YOUR FAMILY GOES. –
IN OTHER CASES, YOU CONSIDER THIS SOFA TO BE AN INVESTMENT, WORTHY OF EXTENDING YOUR BUDGET TO ACCOMODATE A PIECE OF FURNITURE THAT IS NOT ONLY WELL MADE AND STURDY, BUT CLASSIC VS TRENDY, WITH A TRADITIONALLY INSPIRED FRAME AND LINES, IN FABRICS WHICH ARE TIMELESS AND HOLD UP TO HEAVY WEAR.
![REMODELISTA](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/JerseyIceCream_Riverhead-Living1-2-733x488-700x466.jpg)
![RESTORATION HARDWARE - BELGIAN LINEN SLOPE ARM SOFA - SINGLE CUSHION, SKIRTED AND SLIPCOVERED!](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/cat6120047-500x246.jpeg)
9. COLOR/ FABRIC – AGAIN THIS IS NOT ALWAYS SOMETHING YOU HAVE LOTS OF FLEXIBILITY ON…BUT WILL THE SOFA BE YOUR POP OF COLOR? OR WILL IT SERVE AS A BACKDROP TO ALL OF THE OTHER COLORS IN THE ROOM – WITH ART, RUGS AND OTHER PIECES TAKING FOCUS?
![](https://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_0543-700x700.jpg)
![GEORGE SHERLOCK SOFA FROM JENNA LYONS BROOKLYN APARTMENT](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/sgeorgesherlocksofa-500x500.jpg)
![PINK YUMMY - NYLON PINKSY](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/531be705ad233d265108f0509350e3ae-467x700.jpg)
10. SLIPCOVERED VS UPHOLSTERED – I REFUSE TO BELIEVE THAT THE ONLY OPTION FOR YOUNG CHILDREN IS LEATHER… THERE AND SO MANY DURABLE FABRICS OUT THERE AND SUNBRELLA MAKES INCREDIBLE INDOOR OUTDOOR OPTIONS THAT THE POSSIBITIES ARE ENDLESS.AND I LOVE SLIPCOVERS!!!
![DWELL STUDIO MODERN BUNGALOW INDOOR/OUTDOOR - ROBERT ALLEN](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/26e6a47ccb429ada124f41ddaadaf59b.jpg)
![the decorista - Megan Hess's amazing living room](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/meganhess1.jpg)
AND FOR PETES SAKE – HAVE SOME FUN!
![THE ENGLISH ROOM - TRADITIONAL HOME SHOWHOUSE 2016](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Slider_ths.jpg)
![THE ENGLISH ROOM PHOTOGRAPHY Mekenzie France](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_9708-1024x683-700x467.jpg)
OVERWHELMED? YEAH, ME TOO!
BUT ISN’T IT BETTER TO CONSIDER ALL OF THE OPTIONS? I THINK SO, EVEN IF IT TAKES A LITTLE MORE TIME.
EMILY HENDERSON’S THEORY AS TO WHY SO MANY “MISTAKE” SOFAS GET PURCHASED IS BECAUSE THEY ARE 1. IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE AND 2. INEXPENSIVE...BUT SHE AND I HAVE FOUND IS THAT IF YOU SHOP AROUND YOU CAN GET A GREAT SOFA FOR A DECENT PRICE…AND ONE YOU ACTUALLY LIKE – NOT SETTLE FOR!!!
SO HOW DO YOU CHOOSE A SOFA? WITH SO MANY CHOICES? AND SO FEW DECENT PLACES TO GO SHOP AROUND WITHOUT LOSING YOUR MIND?
MY SUGGESTION IS TO VISIT SITES LIKE PINTEREST, HOUZZ AND THERE ARE SO MANY GOOD ONES THAT FEATURE LOTS OF HOMES -…. I LIKE EMILY HENDERSON, DESIGN CHIC, AND OTHER STYLIST, DECORATORS AND DESIGNERS – VISIT THEIR SITES AND JUST WANDER THROUGH THEIR ARCHIVES. PIN THE PHOTOS THAT SPEAK TO YOU – COLLECT PICTURES OF SOFAS THAT YOU LIKE!!!!
![HOUSE OF TURQUOISE](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/e2ed16f1b47a38dae06cc9760339e862-419x900.jpg)
ONE OF MY PERSONAL FAVORITE “IDEA” RESOURCE IS THE BLOG HOUSE OF TURQUOISE – SHE FEATURES PRIMARILY DESIGNERS AND THE ROOMS AND HOMES THEY HAVE DESIGNED, SHE HAS THOUSANDS OF LIVING ROOMS FEATURED IN EVERY STYLE IMAGINABLE!!!!!
DO YOU HAVE ANY SOFA STORIES???? DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE STYLE??
HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR SOFAS???
![ONE OF MY FAVORITE PHOTOS EVER!](http://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/6a71ea42c7b1571db3808de453efbc8c.jpg)
XO
![](https://myoldcountryhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/IMG_0593-700x700.jpg)
Love it! I have a cream colored sofa that we put a custom pink velvet slipcover on for the winter months. It’s a darker pink than yours–I think the color was called Honeysuckle. It makes me happy, too!
Is it comfortable? I want a COMFORTABLE pink couch! Thanks for your post!