What Makes a Well-Made Sofa?

By Kathy Burns-Millyard

When you look through a brochure or walk through a showroom, you see sofas and armchairs in their finished state, their frames and upholstery hidden beneath attractive fabric covers. What goes on underneath the covers is just as important as their surface appearance, though, so don't be afraid to ask how particular models are made when making your choice. Upholstered furniture is generally made up of four parts: the frame, suspension, filling, and covering.

Frame

Traditional, fully covered furniture has a strong and springy hardwood frame - often in beechwood - joined by dowels, screws, and glue. Modern frames may use staples rather than dowels. Cheaper softwood frames do exist, but they have to be solidly built to take the weight. On sofas and chairs where part or all of the frame is on show - known as show-wood - the frame is usually a hardwood because softwood dents too easily. Metal and plastic frames are sometimes used, but are not as hardwearing.

Suspension

The suspension is what makes the sofa or armchair comfortable. Traditionally, sofas had large coil springs fastened to a webbing support, but these have largely been replaced by flat zigzag springs, used along with rubber webbing or diaphragms. In some designs rubber webbing completely replaces the springs, while some inexpensive types just have blocks of foam laid on a solid chipboard base.

Filling

Top-quality furniture uses natural fillings such as horsehair and wool, but the majority of sofas are filled with foam. Regulations insist that fireproof foam be used, so check that this is the case. Make sure that the foam is high density, as low-grade foam does not hold its shape as well. Cushions may also be stuffed with feathers. Make sure these cushions are channeled so the feathers do not settle at the bottom. Plumping feather cushions every now and then ensures that they always look their best.

Quality Checklist

Regardless of the cost, make sure the furniture is well made. There are certain points to look out for:

If the frame is visible, check for knots, splits, and cracks in the wood and that the joints are well made.

Look underneath the sofa or chair for any signs of poor workmanship in the parts that don't show.

Feel the padding. You shouldn't be able to feel the springs through the fabric, or the frame through the seat, back, or arms. On foam sofas, look for dome-shaped seats, as foam settles with use.

Pull the arms and back to see how secure they are. They shouldn't have too much give.
After you get up, check whether the seat resumes its shape quickly. Sagging seats worsen over time.

Loose cushions should be reversible to even out wear, and loose covers should have generous seam allowances so they won't pull apart in the wash.

Check the finish. Loose threads, poor-quality zippers, and rough edges are typical indications of poor manufacture.

©2007, Kathy Burns-Millyard. Are you ready for more practical home decorating ideas, general home decor advice, and unique do it yourself decorating projects? Visit the Do It Yourself Home Decorating Network (http://www.diyhomedecorating.com/), and be sure to check out our free Decorating Tips Letter Too!
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