Couch Potato
My search for the perfect sofa
I have been sitting on a sofa I hate for 5 years. From the first few days of sitting on it after it was delivered, I began to grumble about it and I didn’t stop until we moved out a week ago.
It was a lovely colour; a sort of washed out dark blue, it’s mid-century modern shape fit the aesthetic of the house and my style well, and I was very grateful we had received it just in time for lockdown, 2 weeks prior to be exact, but despite all of this; I disliked it.
My main objection was that I found it uncomfortable. It had rigid sides that would give you a real crick in the neck if you lay on them for too long and the cushions sagged despite frequent turning. It was also way too small. Trying to fit me and my husband on it for a movie night was like trying to fit into a tiny bathtub, legs all concertinaed together and if one person turned, the other did too. Add our cat into the mix and it was giving real “there were 3 in the bed” vibes.
Now we have moved out of that house and away from that sofa, a whole ocean away in fact, it’s a chance for a new sofa, or couch as we should say now we’re in the States. These things will be top on my list when looking for a new comfy haven for us to couch potato on during our time here:
1. Always go bigger than you think you need.
A quick side note; I would say this goes for beds too. We went for a super king bed in our last place; it only just squeezed into our normal-sized british bedroom and I had to buy super skinny bedside tables to fit down the sides but it was SO WORTH IT. My husband and I loved that bed, so comfortable and so much room! This all applies to the sofa too. Be daring on what you think you can fit in and don’t feel like you have to hug the walls, having a sofa in the middle of the room can be a nice way to divide the space or even just leaving a shadow gap between the sofa and the wall can start to make the room feel more interesting. As a rule of thumb I’d say go for a seat more than the amount of people that will want to sit on it regularly (so a 2-person household would need a 3-seater).
2. Try before you buy
If at all possible, go and sit on it before you buy it. We didn’t and my regret speaks for itself. Even sitting on something similar can help sway a decision. And try to sit on it in the way you would at home, lay back and make sure it will still be comfortable when you’re 2 hours into movie night.
3. Length matters!
The length of the seat cushions are going to be crucial on the comfort factor and as we all have different leg lengths there’s no one answer to solve all here. I would advise you to consider all the people that will be using the sofa and how tall they are and then make your decision with this considered. Don’t forget about the time-old L-shape sofas that offer the option of laying full length or a lovely sectional sofa that has a chaise lounge on one side which offers the same functionality without taking up as much room.
4. Contrast your styles
After the trend for more minimalistic decor, the industry has shifted and trends have arisen that favour softer lines, layered textures and contrasting colours. While minimalist designs are still gorgeous, there’s opportunity to play with a few different styles at once. This might be a tranquil blend of a few such as adding some textured fabrics like rugs, throws and curtains to soften a minimalist room, or it might be more jarring such as adding an antique mirror that brusquely stands out in an otherwise modern set up. However you do it, let your personal preference and heart lead you as lets be honest, if you love it that’s all that matters!