Size, shape, number of seats, upholstery, quality and colour: what should you look for when buying a high-quality sofa? Well, here are 10 mistakes to avoid.

1. Impulse buying

Morgan modular 5-seat corner sofa | @homely_rose

No matter how good a sofa looks online, try to see it in person before making a commitment, if possible. It may be a different size than you thought, have more of an unusual shape than you’d imagined, or not be very comfortable at all. Even if you aren’t able to visit the store in person, you can arrange a video appointment to see it in a real-life setting or request some fabric swatches to compare with the rest of your living room furniture.

2. Not considering your lifestyle

Ashby sofa | @ourruralnest

If this sofa is for decorative purposes and perhaps sits in a room that you don’t use much, then comfort might not be as important a factor as its look and aesthetic. However, if it sits in front of the TV, you’ll want one that is completely sinkable and optimised for lounging. Tall people, in particular, need to consider factors like the length of a settee and whether it leaves enough room for them to stretch out and relax.

3. Ignoring sofa construction

There are many pros and cons to consider for a couch that goes way beyond its placement in the room layout or the cushion colour. Before you begin to browse, think about whether you have a preference for foam or feather pillows and make a list of pros and cons based on your home life. For instance, you may have an allergy to feather fillings or require the orthopaedic benefits of foam technology. Either way, do your research about how your new sofa design is built, and you’ll never have a point of complaint.

4. Selecting the wrong upholstery material

Dalby sofa | Dalby footstool | @mo_morshuis

Much like the way the settee is constructed, the upholstery material it’s made from will also need to suit your lifestyle and family needs. For example, if you have young children or pets, you may want to avoid fabric sofas, as they tend to soak up stains more easily than the smooth finish of a leather sofa. Or, if your living room can get hot and humid, avoid materials that lack airiness and tend to get sticky and unbreathable.

5. Not thinking about longevity

Ask yourself, how long will you need your couch for? If you think you’re likely to shake up your style in five years, opt for something ultra-trendy, like a modern sofa. However, if you think this will likely be a long-lasting investment, you might want to choose a more traditional sofa style that won’t look outdated over time.

6. Failing to measure properly

Inca sofa | @paintitprettyhome

Measure, measure and measure again! It’s all well and good if you think a sofa will look great in your home, but if it swallows up your space, it’ll leave you feeling claustrophobic and uncomfortable. Scale is key here. Width, depth and height are all really important measurements. To give you an idea of how a large or small sofa is going to look in your home, use tape to map out the exact dimensions on the floor, so you know what it’ll be like proportionately.

Take a look through our full living room measurement guide.

7. It can’t get through the door

You’ve done it: you’ve found the luxury sofa of your dreams and it fits your home layout! But wait – when it arrives, it can’t fit through your front door – nightmare! Always account for the access points of your home: your front door, hallway and any doorways or staircases that lead to your lounge. This is why the depth measurement is particularly key, it can help you work out if the settee needs to be tipped on its side to get through these access points. Alternatively, enquire which sofas are sold in compartments and can be assembled in your living room. Find out more about our sofa sizes.

8. You haven’t sized up your space

Evie corner sofa | @mybraxtonhome_

So you’ve ticked the boxes of floor space, height and the depth of the doorway, but will this sofa be right for your living room layout? Have you read the fine print – is the corner sofa that’s arriving left-handed or right-handed? Is there an alcove that needs to be accounted for (i.e. can a tall person sit there without knocking their head)? Will the coffee table fit in front of it while leaving space to walk around it? It pays to be ultra-precise and very picky about every detail.

9. The colour is all wrong

Willoughby corner sofa | @new_mummy_jess

Due to the prominence of the sofa in a living room scene, the colour you choose for your couch will depend on whether you want an understated or statement interior scheme. Go for a complementary colour for a blended look, something that pops in an otherwise neutral scene, or a bold shade in a more eclectic home. As mentioned, we recommend getting hold of fabric swatches because what looks great in the showroom might look completely different when immersed in your home setting.

10. It’s bad quality

Evie corner sofa | @insideeightyone

High-quality sofas are worth the investment for three reasons: they look fantastic, they feel fantastic and they will keep looking and feeling fantastic for years to come. Choose a brand you trust that puts care into its product design. For example, all our settees are built with hardwood in the frame, which not only makes for a more comfortable spot for our plump-free pillows to rest on, but also ensures they are built to last. Luxury sofas may seem more expensive initially, but they end up costing less in the long run.

Want to know more about choosing a sofa for your home? Read our post on finding the right sofa for your living room, then start shopping for our full range of high-quality and comfy sofas. Tag us in your new seating styles on Instagram with #OakFurnitureland #GrowYourHome.

The post 10 common mistakes when buying a sofa appeared first on Oak Furnitureland Blog.

From essential move planning tips to the art of decluttering and savvy budgeting ideas like packing parties, discover real insights on how to anticipate early and be ready for the big move ahead.

Can you tell us a bit about your background in property?

Boardwalk

I’ve worked in property for about 10 years, and have been with Boardwalk for 6. Working as Director of Service, my role varies from day to day, with my time spanning across marketing, our customer journey, and in-house processes – you name it, I do it, and I love it!

How would you describe your own home and interior design style?

Boardwalk

I’m half Australian and so I’m a coastal girl through and through. I’ve designed and styled my home to make it a calm oasis. I’ve used quite a neutral colour palette, with some rustic, boho style touches. I love anything jute or rattan, and in my opinion you can never have too many houseplants or shells!

How often on average do people move in the UK?

Boardwalk

On average, people in the UK will move about 6 or 8 times, but it’s completely personal to you. I was a serial renter up until I purchased my own home, and so I’ve always got an eye on what’s coming to market.

How long before moving should you start packing?

It’s never too early to get the packing process started, but that doesn’t mean getting the boxes out if you don’t need to. If there’s one tip I have, it’s declutter! Moving house can be stressful and moving unwanted bits from house to house can be a pain! Once you have your exchange date confirmed, you’ll have a better idea of your completion date, so that’s always a good starting point to get the bags packed!

How can people make their house move easier?

It sounds obvious, but plan ahead! Ensure you’ve got the best people working in your interest. This is the biggest, most expensive thing you’ll buy or sell (most likely), so going cheap doesn’t necessarily always get you the best results. Do some research on the agent you chose to sell with, ask them if they recommend solicitors, do your homework and don’t rush when making a decision. Once you’ve got your exchange date, or even a rough date of when you’ll be completing, you’ll be able to start looking at booking removals, or a good agent should be able to recommend a firm to you.

What is the hardest room to pack?

Boardwalk

I’ve always found kitchens the worst room for packing. There’s usually a few bits of cutlery and crockery that needs to be left out so you can still eat, there’s always a breakage of some sort, no matter how well you wrap! Lofts are also a pain, who wants to sort through years worth of stuff?!

How to decide what to keep versus declutter before moving?

I think the best way of looking at something is, have I used it in the last year? If it’s a no, you probably don’t need it! Everyone has a few items that have sentimental value, or have meaning, but we’re all guilty of holding onto things that we ultimately don’t really need! Also, see if you can measure up your new space prior to the move so you know which pieces of furniture will fit and can go with you versus what can be passed on beforehand.

How to pack in a short amount of time?

Invite friends and/or family around to help and pay them with all the snacks and cocktails, a packing party is a must!

Top tips to make your moving day go smoothly?

Boardwalk

There will always be some hiccups on moving day, so it’s best to be prepared for it not to be plain sailing. Things you can do: confirm with your agents what time you can collect keys, check for parking on the road for vans, and bring plenty of water and maybe some food fuel, it can be a long day!

Who do you need to tell that you’re moving house?

You’ll need to inform banks, any insurance policies, bills, utility companies, as well as any subscriptions, and update your driving licence. I highly recommend putting a forward on your post for at least a few months as you’re bound to forget something during the move.

What is the average cost of a removal company? Any tips on how to keep the cost down?

You can make moving as expensive as you want, depending on what package you go for. If you choose to have someone pack up your entire house and move from property to property then you could be looking at the thousands. However, if you wanted to pack up yourself, you could only have to pay anywhere between £300 and £800 plus, depending on how much stuff you have. There are some great companies out there who just offer a packing service for certain rooms, ideal if there is anywhere you just couldn’t face doing yourself!

Which item or piece of furniture is most fundamental to unpack first?

Credit: Pexels

I think a bed or sofa is a must for the first thing to unpack, it means you have somewhere to snuggle up on at the end of a long day. Or maybe the champagne glasses to celebrate!

Which Oak Furnitureland products do you think would make any new property feel homely?

Jude sofa | Jude armchair | Jude footstool | Oliver sideboard

I think the Jude sofa is a timeless piece that would go well in any room to bring plenty of comfort and style!

To discover more moving and property tips, visit the Boardwalk Property website at boardwalkproperty.com and follow Boardwalk on Instagram @boardwalkbristol.

The post On the sofa with property expert, Millie McClure from Boardwalk appeared first on Oak Furnitureland Blog.