Along with your bed and dining table, your sofa is one of the most significant purchases that you’ll make for your home. It’s where you spend most of your downtime at home, chatting with family and friends, watching TV shows together or unwinding with a good book.
Buying a sofa is a big decision, and the more prepared you are, the happier you’ll be with your new purchase. If you’re in the market for a new couch in the near future, avoid these 6 common mistakes when buying a sofa.
1. Buying only for looks, not function
Sure, your sofa should look great. But it’s also equally as important to consider how practical it will be in your daily life.
You may have always dreamed of having a velvet sofa, but if you have young kids in the house then a low-maintenance may be the way to go. Likewise, if you have pets, opt for a pet-friendly material — this means steering clear of woven fabrics (claws could get caught on these), or sofas that contrast significantly with the colour of your pet’s fur (lest you have a white couch with little black tufts of pet hair!).
Pro tip: Want to minimise the hassle? Opt for a sofa with removable covers, such as the Hamptons Chaise Lounge or Long Beach Corner Sofa. All you need to do is slip off the covers, pop them in the wash and you’re good to go! Removable covers also come with the added benefit of being replaceable, so you can refresh your style or replace any pieces that have stubborn stains.
2. Not customising your sofa
Some things should remain untouched, but your sofa isn’t one of them. Each home is different, and you should take the time to customise your lounge to ensure it slots seamlessly into your home and lifestyle.
Today, many sofa collections offer a range of customisation options, from the type of fabric to the leg finish and the sofa dimensions. Some can even be converted into modular components, which makes it easy to get through even the toughest of delivery challenges!
Talk to us on live chat or one of our showroom team to discuss your customisation needs.
3. Forgetting to measure your space before buying
Unless you’re getting a compact one-seat sofa, chances are your sofa is going to be the biggest piece of furniture in your living room. As such, it’s important to make sure that it fits in your living room before committing to your purchase.
Find the dimensions of your chosen sofa, then measure the area you plan to place it in to ensure it fits. Allow for some added clearance to put your feet up or walk around too — and if you’re getting a sofa bed, remember to account for the depth of the sofa bed when it’s fully extended.
Don’t forget about your delivery measurements either. If your chosen sofa is too wide for your entryways or hallways, a delivery team is going to have a hard time maneuvering it around your home and getting it into place.
4. Forgetting about the lead time
When you make a purchase for your home, the first thing you want to do is enjoy it! It’s tempting to invite your nearest and dearest over to your home to show off your brand spanking new living area as soon as you can — but before you do, be sure to check the lead time for delivery of your sofa.
Depending on the stock quantities available and whether you need any customisations, it could take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months for your sofa to arrive. If in doubt, check the dispatch date to see when it will leave the warehouse.
Pro tip: if you’re in need of a new sofa ASAP, choose from the list of sofas that are in stock and ready to ship from one of our four warehouses.
5. Not checking the warranty
Once you get your sofa into the home, hopefully it’s all smooth sailing from there. However, there can be unexpected issues along the way, which is why it’s critical to make sure you understand the warranty on your sofa.
Check both the frame and components warranty, as these often differ — for example, here at Lounge Lovers we offer a 10-year warranty on the frame and 24 months on other components, including the fabric and fillings.
6. Not protecting your new purchase
Despite anyone’s best efforts, accidents happen. When you’ve spent as much money as you have on your sofa, it makes sense to do everything in your power to keep it protected from spills, stains, rips, tears, and burns.
Investing in a furniture protection kit will help keep your sofa looking its best for years to come. All you need to do is purchase the right kit for your material — leather, fabric or outdoor — then follow the instructions to apply. These kits can also come with warranties on the fabric, so you know your sofa is protected for longer.
Looking for your next sofa? Discover our top picks below, or browse the full sofa range.