A few weeks ago we gave you, our loyal and stylish customers, the opportunity to ask our product experts and stylist your sofa buying questions. In this blog, we will be answering your questions and sharing our top tips for the little bits which can sometimes be overlooked.

Getting Started

Before you start looking for new sofas, you must do your homework and check the size of your room. The last thing you’ll want is to spend your hard-earned cash on a couch which doesn’t fit your space. 

1. Height – this is from the floor to the top of the cushions
2. Length – The overall length of the sofa
3. Depth – How deep the sofa is
4. Seat Height – How far from the floor the seat is
5. Seat Depth – How deep the seat is (this is key to comfort!)

It’s key to check these measurements against where you will be positioning your new sofa. Double check spacing around any doors and walkways, so you’re not side-stepping around your house!

You Asked, We Answered. 

What are the colour trends for this season? What trend should I invest in?

Colour trends for interiors tend to hang around for a few years, with subtle updates for each season. This year we’ve seen the rise of millennial pink, luscious greens and the continued dominance of grey interiors.

AW17 plays on these key colours, refreshing with a warmer, more opulent twist. Millennial Pink becomes Plaster Pink. Palm Green becomes Emerald, and Cool Greys are updated with warmer tones and natural accessories.

“Fashion comes and goes but style lasts forever” – Yves Saint Laurent 

However, it’s important to remember what is in fashion right now may not be in 5 years time. That’s why when you’re buying a sofa, you need to look for a classic, timeless style; something that will last you for years to come. Your sofa is an investment piece. You’re probably looking to spend upwards of £800 on a sofa, which you won’t want to be doing every couple of years. That’s why we recommend playing with your soft furnishings and wall colours to reflect trends and keep your settee stylish and timeless.

Stylist’s Tip: If you want your open plan area to feel light and airy, opt for a slightly lower backed sofa. This is a more modern shape and allows you to see above and across your space.

What are your tips for zoning an open plan room?

Open plan living is on the rise. With more of us knocking out walls for a family-friendly, more social home, creating the perfectly zoned living area can be a challenge. 

For this, we would recommend first understanding how you naturally flow through your home. For example, placing a couch in the middle of a walkway is not ideal. Start by drawing a rough plan of your open space and decide what destinations you need. This could be a living area, dining area and kitchen, or perhaps just a work zone in your living room.

This way you can physically draw on the zones, clearly see your walkways and place your furniture accordingly.

Stylist’s Tip: With open plan homes, you tend to see all 4 sides of your furniture. Make sure when you’re shopping that you have a good look at the back of the sofa, and make sure it’s pretty to look at! 

So, to answer your question, there is no right or wrong way to zone a room. It’s a lot of trial and error, but having a plan of the areas you want, and an idea of the space you have helps! 

How do I keep my sofa looking like new?

There are many things you can do to keep your sofa looking ‘box fresh’. One of the most important tips is using fabric protectors! You’ll kick yourself after that first spillage if you don’t protect your sofa from day 1. 

We would highly recommend using a fabric protector, specifically one designed to repel stains and allow for a quick and fuss-free cleanup. There are plenty of products on the market, however, we recommend Scotchgards Fabric and Upholstery protector. Just be sure to read the instructions correctly before use and test an inconspicuous area first.

When it comes to keeping a Real Leather Sofa clean, it requires a little more care and attention. Avoid any heavy chemicals on leather as this can cause damage and discolouration.

1. Firstly, using a soft brush attachment on your hoover, give your sofa a good once over to pick up any crumbs, dust and spare change.
2. Take a bowl of warm water and add a touch of white vinegar.
3. Next, dampen a clean microfibre cloth in your solution and wring it out very well- you want a damp cloth, not a wet one.
4. Wipe down the entire sofa, starting from the top. Rinse out your cloth as and when.
5. Take a clean, dry towel and dry off your sofa. It’s tempting to dry with a hairdryer, but this will dehydrate the leather, which we don’t want.

Once your sofa is clean, you can use a leather conditioner (found all over the high street) to protect the leather even further and keep it hydrated. Just be sure to follow the manufacturers directions carefully!

What’s the most durable sofa material?

When it comes to a sofas durability, there are so many different finishes and textures to choose from. You first off need to understand your lifestyle and what your sofa will be used for. If you’re shopping for a playroom, you are going to need something much tougher than a sofa for an occasional room.

That said, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a sofa which isn’t durable! Here's a run down of the fabrics on offer and their benefits; 

Leather: Typically, a leather sofa can last up for 4 times longer than a Fabric Sofa. This is down to the makeup of leather. It’s super tough and flexible, meaning it’s less likely to tear or wear away. It’s also easier to clean, as spills tend to naturally run off.

Faux Leather: A slightly cheaper alternative to a real leather sofa, but giving the same, luxurious look. Faux leather is not as flexible as real leather but will still move and age in a similar way. It’s also a very low-maintenance material.

Velvet: Having a huge resurgence in the interior world, Velvet sofas are super luxurious and bang on-trend. However, tread with caution as Velvet requires a lot of care. If you’re interested in a velvet sofa, be sure to gather samples and check the quality of the velvet.

Linen: Linen has such a beautiful look and feel to it, making your seating look comfy and stylish. It is also naturally hyper-allergic as its made from all natural fibres. Linen sofas are susceptible to staining though, so make sure you protect it! 

Cotton / Polyester Blends: this is a very popular fabric for sofas, as you get benefits from both Cotton and Polyester. It’s strong and durable and easy to keep clean!

Wool: A more traditional sofa fabric, wool is tough and warm. It’s also a really sustainable material, biodegradable and recyclable- helping the environment all the way. Wool also doesn’t lose its form and will naturally bounce back to its original shape.

Stylist’s Tip: The fabric you choose for your sofa can change the feel of a room instantly. For modern interiors, choose leathers and flat weave fabrics. More tradition interiors will suit prints, wools and linens.

What style of sofa will suit my modern home?

With a modern home, there are a few key details which make a sofa more suited. Traditional sofas tend to have higher backs, curved armrests and decorative legs. However, when looking for a modern sofa, look for styles with sleek and minimal legs, lower backs and more ergonomic shapes.

Our Siena Sofa Range has many features which make this a modern sofa;

Slim Angular Legs 

The minimal style of the Siena’s leg helps with the modern look. As they are thin, they are not a key feature of the sofa, but more of a subtle style suggestion. the Matt Black finish also means they do not overpower the simplistic style, as a chrome finish may.

Adjustable Headrests 

The great thing about adjustable headrests on a leather sofa is that you can choose the most comfortable position for you. This can vary when chilling down with a movie or entertaining. When the sofas not in use, you can lay all headrests down flat to open up the room even more.

Low, Sculpted Armrests

Having an armrest which is an extension of the seats, rather than a high armrest, keeps the shape smooth and stylish. This is also a more comfortable seating position when relaxing and is less formal.

Stitch Detailing 

The stitch detailing is a key design feature to this modern leather sofa. It showcases the craftsmanship that has gone into your handmade sofa and is a key feature of a leather sofa.

The Siena is just one of our modern styles. Check out our modern sofa collections right here.

How can I clean my couch without removing any cushion covers?

Removable cushion covers can be a great idea, however, once they’ve been through the wash once, they never fit the same way again. This is why lots of sofas nowadays do not have removable covers. Plus, with modern technologies, maintaining your fabric sofa without putting it through the washing machine is common practice. 

If you do get those unsightly spills and stains, here are our top tips for maintaining your fabric sofa:

1. For any small little marks, you can usually clean them off with some warm soapy water- as long as you catch them quick enough! Put 1 tablespoon of dish soap (such as washing up liquid) into 2 cups of warm water.
2. Take a clean white cloth and dampen it in your soapy water. Pat over the stain (DO NOT RUB) and use a dry white cloth to absorb the water. Repeat this 3-4 times until stain has gone.

For a deeper clean, you can add a touch of vinegar to your cleaning solution, or try a professional carpet/upholstery cleaner. Just be sure to follow manufacturers guidelines!

Stylist’s Tip: Micro fibre cloths are you best friend. They’re great for cleaning all sorts of surfaces, be it dining tables, bar stools, even window sills. Have a little stockpile of them as they’re amazing… Plus you can chuck them in the washing machine and use over and over again! 

If you want more tips and tricks for fabric cleaning, check out our blog: How to clean a fabric sofa – Our insider secrets for keeping your sofa newer for longer.

What’s the best seating arrangement for a small living room?

Finding a sofa for a small living room can be challenging, that’s why you need to know your measurements. There are a few options which will suit a compact living room, however it’s really down to the overall feel of the room you want to create.

Corner Sofa 

A corner sofa is great for compact living rooms. They can come in many different sizes, so double check the fit. Most corner sofas are available in a left and right handed option to slide into any home.

Armchair 

If your room is more of a cosy snug, or not used for entertaining, mixing and matching a couch with an armchair is a great option. Position a 2 seater sofa against the wall, with an armchair sat adjacent. This promotes a casual and cosy feel, without making the room too crowded!

How do you style a sofa?

Now you have your new couch, it’s in position and protected, you can have fun with styling! Its a good thing to keep styling simple with your seating area – less is definitely more. There’s no point in piling on the scatter cushions, as you’ll only end up taking them off when you’re sitting down! 

Here are our Stylist’s Top 6 tips for Styling a Sofa:

1. As previously mentioned, keep scatter cushions to a minimum. I would say a maximum of 5 on any couch. Also, a general rule of thumb when styling- things always look better in odd numbers.
2. Throws can make or break a sofa look. In the winter pile on the heavy knits, faux furs and add soft lighting to your side tables. In the summer, swap out your chunky blankets for lighter linens and cotton throws.
3. Avoid your seating area looking too twee by having mismatched cushions. Stick to a complimentary colour scheme, but play with patterns, textures and shapes. Throw in 1 large cushion, a couple of square cushions and an oblong one for an easy, yet stylish feel.
4. Rugs and sofas go hand in hand. Make sure you get the sizing right though. Ideally your rug should be larger than you sofa, to frame the room and add warmth underfoot.
5. For extra comfort, choose an ottoman rather than a coffee table.  You can place a tray on top for any decorative items, and have a super sleek place to rest your feet!
6. Don’t over style. Your seating destination will look much more welcoming when it’s looking natural and lived in. If your cushions are perfectly plumped and your throw is expertly folded, it wont look as inviting. 

Insider Tips

Although we had loads of great questions sent in, there are a few tips that we, as your experts, think it’s important to take into consideration when shopping for sofas…

• Believe it or not, the frame of your sofa can make a huge different to the longevity of your chosen piece. Traditional sofas tend to be glued and stapled together. This is a cheaper method of building sofas, however it wont last as long as modern sofas.
• Modern Sofas are made out of many different types of wood to make them much more durable. From softwoods for stress areas, and plywood for added strength.  You can also get sofas with a metal frame, however this will require a little more care over the years.
• When sofa shopping, it’s pretty obvious but check that any corners and edges are padded. Especially if you’ve got young ones as this will avoid any unsightly bumps on the head!
• It’s also really important to consider your lifestyle. A sofa in your playroom probably won’t last as long as your living room, so choose a more cost effective sofa, or perhaps a sofa bed, for when your kids have sleepovers.
• Be careful with a leather sofa and new denim or heavily dyed fabrics. The colour can transfer, and due to leathers nature, this will soak in and be tricky to remove without specialist care.
• The most important measurement for your comfort is the seat depth. A deeper seat will be more cosy, comfortable and supporting. If you have a narrow seat depth, you’ll always be sat more upright and not so relaxed.
• If you have wood floors or brand new carpets, use floor protectors to avoid any dimples in your flooring. Flooring is one of the most expensive costs of your home, so you don’t want to be damaging this.
• And Finally, the most crucial piece of knowledge we can bestow onto you is this:

CHECK YOUR NEW SOFA WILL FIT THROUGH YOUR FRONT DOOR!

I can remember a time where we had to remove the window to get our sofa into our rented flat. Luckily we put the window back in seconds before the landlord showed up. So save yourself this awkward situation and check you’ll get it in your house!

Go For It!

Now you’re armed with all the facts and tips when it comes to sofa shopping, it should be a breeze! Remember though, if you have any other questions, we’re more than happy to help! Once you’ve got the most Instagram worthy living room we’d love to see your pictures! Tag us in your pics and use #mydanetti to be featured on our pages!