How to Choose a Modern Sofa

A lot of people, especially younger people, prefer a modern style to a more traditional one. It gives off a feeling of simplicity, cleanliness, and sophisticated style. And of course, it just looks cool. Getting a modern look without spending a fortune can be difficult, though. That's especially true when it comes to the sofa, which is easily the most important item in any living room.

No matter what decorating style you prefer, there are a few things you probably look for in your sofa. You want it to be durable, as a sofa is an expensive purchase and it's not something you want to have to replace in a year or two. You also want it to be stylish, and to match your home and furnishings. Above all, you want it to be comfortable. What good is a sofa that causes pain or discomfort?

For most people, price will also be a major concern, and this is where we start to have problems. It's not hard to find a sofa that's attractive and durable and comfortable, but all too often, the price tag makes us cringe. That's why it's important to start with the budget. Before you start looking for the perfect modern sofa, figure out how much you can reasonably afford. Make a point of not even sitting on sofas that are more than $100-200 outside that range. The reason for the $100-200 buffer zone is because furniture prices are often negotiable. Don't go too far outside of your price range, though, because it's better not to know what lies outside the realm of possibility. Why torture yourself with things you can't have?

Once you've identified the price range for your modern sofa, make sure that you look at several stores. This serves two purposes. First, you'll see lots of different styles and you're more likely to find exactly what you want. You'll also get a better idea of what prices are like, which will give you more confidence in your bargaining ability. It may also give you the ability to walk away from a deal more easily, since you'll probably have a couple of backup sofas in mind by the time you're done.

Perhaps the toughest thing about shopping for a modern sofa is finding one that is both stylish and comfortable. It's not hard to find an attractive couch, and it's not hard to find a stylish one, but when you insist on having those two qualities in one modern sofa, it gets tricky. Clean lines and harsh angles may look good, but they don't always lend themselves to comfort.

For that reason, I would never recommend buying a modern sofa without sitting on it first. Shopping online can save a lot of money, but at the very least, you have to make sure that the site has reviews where people have indicated that the couch is comfortable.

Once you've established that a couch will be comfortable for you, turn your thoughts to durability. If there's a floor model, see if you can find out how long it's been on the floor. Look closely for signs of wear and tear, especially worn padding or sagging cushions. You should also make judgments about the quality of the fill and fabric. Does it seem durable? Does the filling seem prone to flattening or clumping? It's hard to judge this from one couch (unless you are very familiar with couches), but after looking at a few, you'll start to get a feeling about which ones are good and which ones are low-quality.

You should also give some thought to whether your favorite modern sofa would actually be practical in your home. A gleaming white leather sofa can be gorgeous, but when paired with children, it can be a nightmare waiting to happen. Similarly, if you're a person who likes to eat on the couch, a light-colored cloth sofa may not be the right choice. If you have cats or dogs, think about how their fur will look as it gathers on the couch. That's not applicable if you buy a leather sofa, but don't forget what claws can do to leather.

Once you've found a modern sofa that meets all the criteria above, hopefully you're looking at one that fits with your decor. In most cases, it's best to go with a solid colored sofa instead of a patterned one, since it is more adaptable as your style changes over the years. Remember that you can always look into sofa slipcovers for a temporary change if you want to be a little crazy.

If you can't find a single modern sofa that meets all your needs, keep shopping and saving money until you do. Your perfect modern sofa is out there somewhere.