Our extensive collection of sofas are available in a wide range of durable fabrics that complement our exclusively designed styles, with upholstery choices including velvet, super soft polyester, and textured weaves, along with genuine leather for a timeless, luxe finish.

To help you decide which upholstery is best for you, read on to discover everything you need to consider when choosing your next sofa or soft seating.

Family-friendly fabrics

Your sofa shouldn’t be reserved for formal kid-free zones. When your home life centres around children, friends, family, and entertaining, make sure your sofa upholstery is ready to take on your busy schedule.

Many of our fabrics have been subjected to a clever process called the Martindale Test, because with family life, wearability and texture are so important. This test uses special machinery to determine how long a fabric will last on a sofa without showing wear. We only use fabric upholstery that has achieved a rating for heavy domestic use, making it perfect for children and adults alike.

Darker coloured fabrics are incredibly forgiving when you have kids. They’re perfect for disguising everyday messes, and are incredibly hard wearing – no matter how many cheeky monkeys decide to use your sofa cushions as indoor trampolines.

For your four-legged friends

For those of us with furry friends, keeping a sofa looking fresh can be a challenge, no matter the upholstery. Thankfully, we’ve created leather and fabric care kits which cover you for most pet-related incidents. With a mild cleanser, fresh stain remover, old or resistant stain cleaner, plus grease and oil cleanser and a deodoriser, no matter how messy your furry friend is, you can still keep your sofa looking like new.

If you don’t have a cleaning kit, a top industry secret for cleaning up small stains and dirt in a pinch is baby wipes. They don’t have any harsh chemicals that will damage the fibres, and are great at dealing with life’s little messes.

Longing for leather

Whether you favour classic or contemporary design, our leather sofas cover the whole design spectrum to offer comfortable and stylish seating that works for every home.

It’s also a great choice for everyday living. Its wipeable surface is easy to keep clean and it is incredibly durable. Our leather sofas are upholstered all over in genuine leather that takes on a beautiful character as they age.

Luxurious velvet

Montgomery sofa | @renovationtowers

Velvet is a hugely popular choice for sofas and easily adds a luxe finish to any room. The tactile fabric brings a regal touch that works beautifully in jewel tones, understated neutrals or statement brights.

If the idea of a velvet sofa is too much, try a velvet loveseat or armchair as an accent piece in living rooms, kitchen/diners or bedrooms. Contrary to what many people think, velvet is a durable choice that’s hard-wearing and designed to stand the test of time.

Always on the move

Malvern modular sofa | @budgethomeinterior_

For renters, or those planning on moving house, finding a sofa that will work across decor schemes and different room configurations can seem impossible, but clever upholstery choices can make this easier.

If you’ve found a sofa that you love and find comfortable, you’ve already done the hard work. The best way to make sure it looks great through all your home moves is to choose a neutral base colour for the upholstery, that will work no matter the space.

Inject a personal touch with accessories that reflect your home now, and know you can change it up for the future. Picking a smaller or more compact sofa is another great tip for making it last through several moves. Or, if you’re looking for something larger, modular sofas – made of individual units that can be configured or reconfigured into the shape you want – offer great flexibility.

We offer a wide range of soothing neutral colours and sofa sizes that are an ideal choice for people on the move. Plus, many of our sofas come with scatter cushions in reversible patterns, making it easy to change your sofa style.

Choosing the best upholstery shouldn’t be a chore. At the end of the day, the most important thing to do is to choose a high quality sofa that you love. Browse our complete selection of sofas and find the one that’s right for you.

We’d love to see your Oak Furnitureland sofa in its new home. Tag us at #OakFurnitureland on Instagram to share your stylish pics.

The post How to choose the best upholstery for your sofa appeared first on Oak Furnitureland Blog.

While it’s tempting to get excited about colour and choosing whether to go for classic or modern sofas, we recommend getting the practicalities out of the way first to ensure you find the best settee for you and your home.

Measure up

Jensen sofa | @biancawildinghome

The scale of the room will influence your scheme. Would a large or small sofa work well, or might a loveseat and footstool be better for the space? Here are a few things to consider:

1. Plan where you want your new sofa design to sit and measure the space carefully. These dimensions will mean you choose the right length, depth and height of design. Our Will it Fit guide is particularly useful for working out which styles will fit your chosen space.
2.  As well as being able to move around the room, you’ll also need to open the drawers on your sideboard and get to the bookshelf, so think about any other furniture that’s already in the room.
3.  If you have narrow doors and hallways or low staircases, you’ll need to factor this into your decision. We offer split sofas that can make delivery easier.
4. If you’re unsure how your sofa will look in your home, use our handy Augmented Reality feature that lets you visualise how our furniture will look in your home.

Comfort and quality

Morgan sofa | @poursomecolouronme

It goes without saying that when you’re relaxing, quality and comfort are key. You want the furniture you love to last and withstand everything life throws at it. Keep the following in mind before you make any decisions:

• Using hardwood in the frame makes it robust and checking that joints are screwed and glued will mean your sofa won’t squeak, creak, or warp.
• It’s also important to ask about seat construction. Rather than using fabric webbing, which can stretch and sag over time, look for seat cushions which are supported by heavy gauge serpentine springs. These will ensure the seat cushions are well-supported and help with shape retention and overall comfort.
• If you prefer something that’s low maintenance but still super comfy, go for a sofa that doesn’t need you to plump the cushions.
• You want lounging to be as laid-back as possible, which is why you won’t want to worry about whether putting your feet up will damage your couch. Choosing genuine leather upholstery or a great-quality fabric will mean your sofa looks as good as it feels, day after day.
• Now you know you’re set on a comfy sofa that has an enduring quality and scores high in the comfort stakes, you’re ready to think about the fun part.

Sofa shapes and styles

Gainsborough sofa | @valleyhome_

While some of us are drawn to fresh clean lines, modern Scandi-style, or a mid-century look; others want to sink into a more traditional sofa or stretch out on a versatile, modular pillow-back. We offer a variety of styles to suit you and your home.

Corner sofas

Evie sofa | @mybraxtonhome_

Looking for furniture for an awkward corner? Left or right-hand corner sofas are a clever solution that lets style and comfort take centre stage while helping you make the most of your space. Plus, they are the perfect choice for putting your feet up and lounging at the end of a long day.

Modular sofas

Malvern sofa | @budgethomeinterior_

Offering even more flexibility to play around with the layout, modular designs allow you to create the couch that works for you. These are great in open-plan areas or for busy families. Look for armchairs and footstools in the same styles, so you pick and choose the pieces that best suit your needs.

Sofa beds

Snooze sofa bed | Parquet side table | Parquet sideboard

Guest rooms often double up as home offices or other functional spaces, but this doesn’t mean visitors have to make do with a blow-up mattress. Our high-quality sofa beds are a brilliant solution, as their dual purpose means they’re as cosy to sleep on as they are to sit on. Choose from pull-out sofa beds or chaise styles that include in-built storage, ideal for keeping spare bedding ready to welcome guests.

Leather sofas

Lucca sofa | Islington tallboy

Both stylish and practical, leather sofas are easy to care for and, provided they’re well made, they age beautifully. Ours are carefully built using pocket springs to support the cushions, making them even comfier and more durable. We offer a range of styles in different finishes and always ensure the whole settee is upholstered in the best quality 100% leather, so it looks great no matter how you position it.

Recliner sofas

Brunel sofa | Maine side table | Maine sideboard

Kick back and relax at the touch of a button. Our electric recliner sofas use the highest quality steel mechanisms and motors. Their space-saving design means the sofas and chairs can be used close to a wall, with only a marginal gap needed for clearance.

Try before you buy

Jasmine sofa | @littlehouseofannie

We want you to be smitten with your new sofa design. You can do all the research, but nothing beats taking a seat and getting comfy. Set aside some time to visit us in-store and we’ll help you put together a shortlist of luxury sofas to try.

Need some inspiration? We have a range of sofas, armchairs, loveseats, accent chairs and footstools to choose from. Browse online and explore our collection of unique designs.

If you’re already sitting comfortably on one of our sofas, we’d love to see how it looks in its new home. Share how you’ve made it your own and tag us using #OakFurnitureland and #GrowYourHome on Instagram.

The post Choosing the right sofa for your home appeared first on Oak Furnitureland Blog.