Before you Buy a Sofa While it is important to get a sofa in just the right color, it is just as important to get one that will last. Your sofa will take everyday wear and tear so researching information about how sofas are made is important before you buy.	Facts about Upholstery Sizes. What is best for you? Below is a list of various types of upholstery items and important facts about each. We hope this helps you in your buying decision. Chaise Lounge - Traditionally an item meant to lay down on rather than sit. Some chaises have arms on one side, both sides, or no arms at all. Most common sitting all alone in a bedroom or living room. Ottoman - The footrest traditionally used at the end of a chair. Ottomans are now being made in all sizes and especially oversized where they are used as coffee tables and benches. Standard ottoman height is 18" Chair - Used to seat one person. Chairs are normally standard fixed items, but may also be available rockers, gliders (front to back), and swivel chairs (turn directions left to right), and recliners. Chair 1/2 - This is a popular version of the traditional club chair, but it is made for extra lounging or to even seat two people. Normally, a chair 1/2 is a minimum of 48" wide depending on the arms. Very popular for media rooms and with men. Loveseat - The Loveseat is traditionally a bit larger than the Chair 1/2 and can seat 2-3 people on average. Loveseats are traditionally around 72" in length. Apartment or Demi Sofa - This is a relatively newer size of sofa that is generally around 86" in length. This is a great size if you have a smaller room, loft, or apartment where you may not be able to fit a full size sofa but want more room than a loveseat. Convertible Sofa - This is a sofa that can be converted from an upright position to a flat position through a "click clack" mechanism. Perfect for those who like multi function or spare bedrooms & apartments. Sofa - Normally a length that allows you to seat 3-4 people depending on the size. Most full size sofas are around 96" in length, but some large scale sofas are being produced today that exceed 100" in length. A great size if you like lounging or entertaining, however keep in mind your hallways and entrances as sofas that reach 96" or longer can sometimes be difficult to fit in older or smaller homes. Especially if they are deep or have high arms. Sectionals or Modular Sofas - These have multiple pieces that are joined together to form a specific configuration. Great for families or people that like to entertain. They come in all shapes and pieces depending on the manufacturer. Sofa Depths - What to look for The depth of your sofa or upholstered piece is very important. The depth is the measurement from front to back on your sofa at the outermost points. Here are some facts to consider about sofa depth. Narrow Seat Depths - Are traditionally considered around 36". This is a good depth if your goal is to sit more upright. Deep Seat Depths - Are considered around 40"-44" deep on the outside. This is a good depth if you want to lounge in your sofa. Extra Deep Seat Depths - Are considered around 45"+ inches and are great for cuddling up into a sofa or for people that are extremely tall. Use the knowledge on this page to assist you in your buying decision. At MisoMod, we share our knowledge with you as part of our commitment to you as a shopper at MisoMod.com! Share your thoughts with us regarding this article and other information that you want to know via email at info@misomod.com.
Springs - The Support of your sofa Types of Spring Systems Webbing This is the technique where strong nylon straps are woven together in a basketweave pattern and stapled to the top of the wooden frame. This is the basic method of support. Sinous Springs Sometimes called "No Sag" springs. These are wavy "S" type springs that stretch from one side of the frame to another. Most commonly used on the backs of sofas, it is also used for seat support on many sofas today. Standard on Ottomans as well. Eight Way Hand Tied Coil Springs This is the Premium spring system that has been used for years and is still the gives the optimal support system of other types of springs. It is a collection of coil springs that are tied together by hand using rope or nylon cords. While this gives you the optimal support, this type of construction is not as common today because it is labor intensive. Some manufacturers offer this as an option. Many units are available today that are "drop in" units these are great as well. Instead of the tying the springs by hand, they are done by a machine and then put together as one unit. The unit is then "dropped into" the frame of a sofa.
Sofa Frames - The Skeleton of your Sofa One of the most important parts of your sofa that many consumers will never get to see. Therefore, it is important that you ask questions before you buy. Imagine buying a car without looking under the hood! Unfortunately, from experience I would say that most consumers that I have come across never even ask about the frame, even though it is what holds everything together. It is the skeleton of your sofa! Well, why would you ask if you do not know what to look for? I will give you the things that you should look for when asking or reading about the sofa frame of an item. Frame Materials Even though there are a few types of materials that can be used for the sofa frame, the most common is wood. Wood is fairly lightweight and very durable. The durability however can change dramatically with the type of wood used. The wood of choice for me would be a kiln-dried hardwood. Whether the wood is oak,maple, or other type of hardwood really makes no difference. Just make sure that it is hardwood. If you ever get a chance go into your local hardware or lumber store and grab a pine 1x2 and then an oak 1x2 and try to bend both. It is then that you will see how easy soft woods such as pine can bend or break as opposed to oak. Also, I would recommend that the wood is kiln dried. When the wood is "Kiln Dried" it is put in a hot kiln, much like pottery and all of the moisture is taken out of the wood. This will help prevent the possiblity of the wood warping or bowing over time. Wood is a product of our environment and it has water in it. When water is evaporated by heat, wood shrinks and changes its nature. It is much better when this is done by the kiln rather than after it is upholstered and into your home. Especially if you live in dry areas of our country, or if your sofa will sit close to a window in your home, I would place a higher priority on this detail. Frame Joints This is how the wood frame is put together. Is it nailed,screwed,glued,or doweled? These are the questions that you should ask. Nailed-I would recommend this the least. Nails do not bite into the wood like screws and are most likely to break or come apart over wear and tear. Nails & Staples - These may be used in addition to the joints below, but they are not recommended for standard joints as they are not strong enough to take everyday wear and tear for support. Screws - Better than nails as they bite into the wood, but be careful screws can still eventually tear the wood apart and then the hole becomes wider and eventually the screw can come out of the wood if it is not biting into the wood anymore. Doweled - This is where a wooden peg is put into a predrilled hole on the joining piece of wood. It is then glued into the hole. While this is the strongest joint between the two above, I would recommend a double doweled joint, where 2 dowels are used instead of one. This gives you a stronger joint than just one. A Combination - In many cases you may find that some sofas come doweled and screwed, or doweled and nailed. This is fine as well. Corner Blocks A great thing to look for is that the sofa frame is corner blocked as well. A corner block is where the manufacturer puts a block of wood at an angle on the corners of the frame to prevent the frame from twisting over time or when picked up or moved. A steel reinforcement may be used as well.
Seat & Back Cushions - The Comfort of Your Sofa Seat Cushions Seat Cushions come in a variety of styles, densities, and resiliencies. The information below will help you understand everything you need to know about seat cushions. Foam Cushions & Density Most cushions are made of foam. There are many qualities of foam & the quality of the foam is mostly determined by the density. Density is often a confusing term because people incorrectly relate it to the firmness or softness of the foam. In reality, foam density is just how much a piece of foam weighs. To determine the density, take a cubic foot of foam (12" x 12" x 12") and weigh it. If the foam piece weighs five pounds, the density is 5.0. If it weighs 2.5 pounds, the density is 2.5. In general, the higher the density, the more durable the foam is. The best foams for extended use are those with a density higher than 2.0. Foams with a density of less than 2.0 are most suitable for temporary use. Spring Cushions In some cases, manufacturers may elect or have an option to put coil springs inside the cushions. This adds some firmness to the cushion, but also more resiliency. Few manufacturers offer this option due to the price of springs. Down Cushions These are cushions that are filled with down feathers or a blend of down feathers & regular feathers. These are generally the softest cushions on the market, however they also require a lot of fluffing and turning. They also give a "lumpy" look if that is the look you desire then down cushions are a great option for you. The cushion ticking (covering) should be quilted to prevent down from shifting from one end of the cushion to the other. Foam & Down Cushions This is a great option for those that want more comfort than traditional foam cushions, but do not want the extreme lumpy look found in all down cushions. These cushions have a foam cushion at the core and then it has a layer of down over the top of the foam to give more comfort. Not all manufacturers offer this option, but if available it should be considered. It is normally an upcharge by most manufacturers. Dacron Layered Cushions This is a traditional foam cushion that has an additional layer of soft foam called dacron over the top to give the cushion more softness. This is a great detail that is offeren on most of our Premier Sofas. Back Cushions Do you prefer loose back cushions or a tight back look? These are questions you may want to answer. Loose back cushions are generally more comfortable, but they do require a little bit more maintenance. Some back cushions come with velcro attachments in the back so the cushions will not move around. Generally, back cushions do not need all of the options as seat cushions as they do not bear the weight that seat cushions do. Most back cushions are a blend of polyester fibers. Some come with down fill.
Fabric,Vinyl, & Leather and other Material Options Choose the Fabric Fabric There are many types of fabrics available to you. Some of the most popular are microsuede (microfiber), chenille, velvet, and cotton twill. Microsuede is extremely popular and is a synthetic version of suede. It gets its name because it is very smooth and soft like suede. In some cases it changes its look when you rub your hand over it like suede does. A relatively thin fabric, it is however great on pieces where you want to emphasize the shape of the sofa. Chenille is a thick and textured fabric that is also very soft. This is a great choice if you are looking for durability and softness. Chenille comes in many colors and also some patterns. Much softer than tapestry style fabrics used in more traditional furniture. Velvet is also a popular fabric that is very soft and plush. Velvet unlike Chenille is not textured. Velvet comes in a wide selection of colors and can give your sofa very rich and plush look. Cotton Twill is also used a lot in todays upholstery, however not as much in modern furnishings. Cotton Twill is softer than most cottons and generally a bit thicker. This is great if you want a more casual look with your sofa. Vinyl This is often used as a low cost alternative to leather. Today there are many various qualities of vinyl, but some can be very comparable to leather. Is also called PVC material on our website. Very easy to clean with a light sponge and water. Leather Leather is a popular choice for people who want durability over the long run. Leather comes in many grades and colors. Italy is well know for its craftsmanship of leathers and has a very soft hand compared to most leathers. Many of our leather furniture is made with Italian Leather. Leather also comes in 2 basic types of thickness, full grain and top grain. Full grain is where the entire hide is used and is generally the thickest and most durable grain of leather. Top grain leathers are also called Split Grain leathers are leathers where the hide is split in half by a special method. This is a very cost effective way to get two leather hides for the price of one. This is the most common type of leather found in the market because it brings down the cost for you. Slipcovers Slipcovers are a popular method of upholstering a sofa, although not as popular in modern furniture due to its "loose" look. It is however, used more often in modern furnishings over the past couple of years. This is a method where the fabric is sewn as a cover over the sofa, which also must have a base fabric upholstered onto the frame. This cover is removable and is ideal if it is made with a prewashed and washable fabric so you can put the slipcover in the washer at your home. However, make sure that it is washable by the manufacturer or you will end up with a ruined slipcover. If your slipcover is not prewashed and washable, then you may dryclean your slipcover. The biggest advantage of slipcovers is that they are cleanable and can be changed in a matter of seconds.
Arms - High,Low, or None? What style of arm do you like? Arms are a very important element in the ergonomic portion of your sofa and can play a very important role in your overall seating experience. Here is some important information about the different styles of arms and how they effect your seating experience. Tuxedo Arms Are generally the same high and the same height as the back. These give a great modern look, but if resting and lounging is important to you, this may not be a good option as the arms do not allow a place for you to put your arms, head, or legs. Lawson Arms This arm is lower than the back and can be rolled or straight. This style is normally better for lounging or laying on the sofa. Straight arms normally give you more seating space, while rolled arms are generally more comfortable for lounging. Armless This design has no arms at all. While there is no place to rest your arms, this is good for small spaces as you generally get as much seating space as a full size sofa without the space normally needed for a sofa with arms. A good solution is to get an end table that can slide up to the sofa to serve as an arm such as our Disc End Table

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