Finding the perfect couch for your family is an important job, and there are many factors to consider when picking one out. It is important because, for many modern families, the family couch is where we spend so much of our downtime together. The family couch typically lives in the room where we congregate, and is a piece of furniture we spend a lot of time on. It's where we sit as we enjoy our favorite shows and movies together, play games, read books, open birthday gifts, talk with visiting loved ones, and so many other memorable activities.
Read on for just a few pointers to consider when shopping for a new couch for your family. When you are ready, head to our sectional page and start browsing some of the amazing options and deals we have available. Not only will you notice how deep of a discount Michael's offers, but you'll also see some of the leading brands available.
Lifestyle
One of the biggest factors in choosing a new couch comes down to lifestyle. What will your family need from this couch on a day-to-day basis? Do you have kids? Pets? If so, how many? Stain-resistant materials are good options for high-traffic couches, and consider a couch that will accommodate seating for all or at least most of them when the family wants to gather there. If your family is big on relaxing or spending many consecutive hours on the couch, sofas and couches with sections that recline can also be a great touch to maximizing the value and enjoyment you can get from a couch.
Orientation and size
As mentioned above, choosing a couch that will accommodate the number of people in your family is important when thinking about the size of the couch. When it comes to size, it is also important to think about how much room the couch will take up in your living room or family room. There should be plenty of space to walk comfortably in front of the couch to find a spot. Ideally, your new couch won't have an overwhelming presence in the room. It should feel proportional to the other furniture pieces, ottomans, tables, and accessories. Sometimes this is unavoidable due to the floor-plan of your home, or perhaps that detail just isn’t as important to you as it may be to others. Nevertheless, your couch should at least look and feel as if it truly belongs in the room.
When it comes to orientation, think about whether your couch will need to sit up against a wall, or will float in the middle of the room. Going with a sectional? Where will the corner piece go and will it look good? Will it make the room feel closed off and inescapable, or warm and inviting?
Take plenty of time to consider the size and orientation of your new couch before picking one out and bringing it home. Get out the tape measure, take plenty of measurements, and think about a few different couch styles before taking the plunge and making your purchase.
Measure! Measure! Measure!
If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a thousand times. Always measure the space where your couch will go and write them down before buying a couch. Include the width, height, and width of your sofa. Examine the distance between the edges of the sofa or couch to the wall, ottoman, side table, etc. Will it be easy to move around? Will it crowd out the possibility of adding different furniture to the space at a later time?
Be sure to also measure the width and height of doorways and hallways in your home. You do not want to buy a couch that is impossible to move into the room you want it to be in. Trust us, we don't want that to happen to you. It is one of the most disappointing feelings in the world and is very avoidable!
Fabric or leather?
The material of your new couch is important for not only lifestyle purposes as mentioned above, but also for its color, quality, and clean-ability. For those of us with pets or small children, something that is durable and is easily cleaned should be a must. If your children are gone or older, and you don’t have pets (or they are extremely well-behaved), you won’t need to be too worried about the fabric.
Research the quality of the fabric or leather you are interested in. The better the quality, the longer it will maintain its new look. All new furniture should come with instructions on best practices for cleaning and care. If your couch for some reason does not include instructions, then any Michael’s staff member will be more than happy to assist you.
A style that suits you
Picking out a new family couch is not much different than choosing any other important piece of furniture for your home. You want quality and style that meshes well with the other pieces around it. You want colors that blend and balance out the room as well. The same could be said for your bed, dining room set, bookshelves, etc. If your style is clean modern lines and soft colors, your couch should fit within that frame of reference so it won’t clash. If you like deep, warm colors in a more traditional format, don’t choose a couch that will look out of place. Family couches today usually skew a bit on the big side. Because of their size, they often carry a commanding presence. By choosing the right style, you will be complementing the room, instead of adding a visually overwhelming element to it.
Talk it out
We would love to hear from you. If you have any questions or concerns as you begin your online couch shopping journey, please call or email us. Our salespeople are ready to help offer suggestions on brands, sizes, and styles of couches and sofas from our vast selection of top brand names. Because there are so many options available today, it is easy to get overwhelmed when trying to make a selection. Especially if you are buying online. But that is what we are here for! Contact us today and we are confident we can help you find the perfect new family couch for your home.