Picking the Right Couches

If you find shopping for furniture a stressful activity due to the myriad of options, we’re here for you.

Oftentimes, purchasing new furniture or making changes to our home requires a lot of our energy and time, which is why we tend to procrastinate these tasks for as long as possible. This makes us keep the uncomfortable couch for way longer than we should have without replacing it with a new and improved version.

If this sounds like you, this article will help motivate you to make the change by giving you the 411 on different types of couches and how to choose the perfect one for your home.

The 411 on Couches

Couches are found in many shapes and sizes, but they’re generally divided into two categories:

• Ready-made couches
• Custom-made couches

Let’s see how they compare.

Ready-Made Couches

If you want to replace your couch with a new one, ready-made couches are a budget-friendly option. You can browse through a variety of styles and designs either online or in physical stores until you find the right one that goes along with your other furniture.

When purchasing a ready-made couch, it’s always a good idea to try it and see if it’s comfortable, which is why going to brick-and-mortar stores is highly recommended.

Custom-Made Couches

Custom-made couches are a whole different ball game because the design is tailored to your specific needs and preferences. The only disadvantage is that they come at a much higher price point.

Before choosing the design for your new couch, do your research, experiment with the design, make a Pinterest mood board, look into different fabric samples, cushion fillers, and finishes, and choose a color palette. And most importantly, work with a designer that you trust and whose work you admire.

Ready-Made Couches vs Custom-Made Couches

To help you make an informed decision, let’s go over the pros and cons of ready-made and custom-made couches.

Budget-wise, ready-made furniture is more affordable. You can find quality, ready-made couches with a design to your liking, you just might have to spend more time browsing through options. On the other hand, due to the craftsmanship and higher-quality materials, custom-made couches are more expensive.

When it comes to speed of production, ready-made furniture gets to the end consumer a lot quicker than custom-made furniture because it’s mass-produced.

However, ready-made furniture doesn’t allow you to own a one-of-a-kind piece that only you would have. A custom-made couch, however, can either be a statement piece in your room or blend in with the room’s overall design while fitting your particular needs seamlessly.  

Furthermore, custom-made furniture is made with the highest quality materials, which makes the furniture more durable. When it comes to the quality and durability of ready-made furniture, on the other hand, it all depends on the brand.

Popular Types of Couches

Once you’ve decided whether to get a ready-made or a custom-made couch, you’ll need to pick the type of couch that best fits the room it’s intended for. So, let’s look at a few popular options.

Loveseat Couches

A loveseat couch is probably one of the smallest couches out there since it can only accomodate two people. It’s great if you have a small living room, but it also works as a seating area in a study room or a bedroom. These couches are often found in small studio apartments where they’re used as a reading nook or a place to relax when watching TV. In larger living rooms, they’re usually used as an accent piece of furniture if upholstered differently than the main sofa, or as an addition to the main full-sized sofa.

Modular Couches

Modular couches can be differently arranged based on your needs, which makes them very practical. The shape of the couches is either L or U, but they can also be divided into a few different parts. These couches are quite popular with people who want to have more freedom when it comes to organizing and reorganizing their seating area.

Sectional Couches

Sectional couches are another great option for larger living rooms. They’re perfect for lounging, watching a movie, or having the whole family relaxing on a single couch. The design of a sectional couch is generally “three over three”, but you can definitely order a customized couch that will best fit your needs. A lot of sectional couches have one or more reclining seats, which makes these couches a combination of a reclining chair and a couch.

English Arm Roll Couches

English arm roll couches are the most traditional couches found in living rooms today. This couch is characterized by a deep seating area, a tight back, and rolled arms. Unless your living room is ultra modern or decorated in a style that’s typical for the era before the 20th century, you can incorporate them in living rooms with different design trends.

Sleeper Couches

Sleeper couches are ideal if you regularly have people sleeping over, as you can fold them and place them in a corner when not in use. You can also use these couches as a place to rest during the day or read a book.

Tuxedo Couches

If you’re looking for a more formal type of couch, tuxedo couches are the perfect option for you. They’re very unique pieces that are often upholstered in leather and have high arms and backs, which makes them look classical. Just remember that due to being higher than other couches, you’ll need to order higher side tables.

Low-Seated Couches

Another type of couch that’s quite popular in contemporary designed homes is the low-seated couch. Even though the back portion of this couch is quite low, they’re very comfortable that have a lot of cushions that’ll only aid your comfort.

Furniture Brands’ Influence on the Design Market

Given that furniture is an integral part of interior design, furniture brands are one of the leading forces in the design market today. Strong brand identity and brand value is the driving force that stimulates the customer to purchase a piece of furniture, and the type of customers a brand attracts defines the furniture’s design.

Final Thoughts on Picking the Right Couches

Whether you go for a ready-made or a custom-made couch, here’s additional advice before deciding on a particular couch:

• Check the frame, as it’s the most important part of the couch that determines its durability.
• Look at the swatches to figure out whether you like the color or pattern.
• The quality of the fabric goes hand-in-hand with the quality of the couch.
• Check how comfortable the cushions are.
• Take good measurements before you order the couch, or have a professional take them for you.

As we finalize this article, we’ll leave you with a couch-related thought. The more thought you put into the initial design and prioritize comfort, the more you’ll enjoy it once it gets delivered and you’ll have your dream couch to relax on. We hope you find it soon!