So who has purchased furniture online? I'm sure a lot of people. But who has purchased say a sectional, sofa or side chairs?? These pieces are typically expensive and ones you want to last - so I have always had a strict policy of not specifying these pieces unless myself or my clients have physically sat in them. Well, cue a Global pandemic to make this almost impossible! I think this pandemic has taught us a lot of things, but one thing I've been seeing is the necessity of furniture manufacturers to step up their game in the online world. If they want to survive, they are now being required to communicate their brand, quality and service to shoppers without providing the luxury of a touch and feel test. So HOW do you navigate purchasing some of these larger pieces online, what should you be looking for and when should you run?! I'm breaking it all down into a dummy proof outline below!
RETURN POLICY
If you are on the hunt for a new sofa, you have probably noticed that most all manufacturers now are offering 30 day returns on all furniture. This is great, yes - but let's be honest - who wants to deal with an 8 week lead time just to find out it's uncomfortable and needs returned?! I can barely find time to get my Amazon returns completed, let alone a large sectional. These return policies also have fine print which typically entails return shipping costs or restocking fees (up to 20%). So to avoid a return all together, follow the below steps first!
READ REVIEWS!
Read them while lying in bed, read them while pushing your kids in the swing, read a million of them. This is the number way to get unbiased opinion on various products and is usually a pretty good indicator of the brand as a whole. Most all manufacturers also have brand representatives that can answer any additional questions you may have. Regardless if I have a question or not, I always reach out to this person - if nothing else but to test the validity of the brand, confirm the level of customer service they provide and it's one more chance to get feedback from an actual human. If you email the rep/customer service and never hear back - RUN.
CONSTRUCTION
The way a sofa is constructed is the most important factor when determining the lifespan and comfort of the piece. Here is a simple breakdown of the 3 biggest components:
Foam density and thickness is what gives you the resiliency and comfort and also determines how long your sofa will last. The majority of residential furniture in the US is made from foam with a density of 1.8. Higher end manufacturers will use a density of 2.0-2.5. If the foam density is not listed - ask! It will make the difference in your sofa lasting 1-3 years vs 5-8 years. Be wary of manufacturers that wrap their foam with fiber padding - this is a cheap way of 'bulking' up the cushion but will unfortunately not hold its' shape over time.
Spring Coils: Some sofas are reinforced with spring coils in between lesser density foam cushions. This reinforces the sofa and prohibits the cushion from sagging over time. A higher density foam (without coils) can also prevent sagging but typically is found in the higher end lines.
Down Fill: A lot of manufacturers will supplement the cushions with down feathers or down alternative. While this makes for a very comfortable cushion, down does not have any resilient properties - meaning that when it is sat on - it won't bounce back to its' previous form. This results in lots of pillow fluffing to keep those cushions looking new. About 5% of down in a cushion is a great happy medium of getting that comfortable feel while still allowing the foam to do the heavy lifting.
FABRIC SELECTION
Cleaning codes, double rubs, performance fabrics, stain blockers - what do they all mean and....which one should you choose?! Each manufacturer is going to have their own version of a 'performance fabric' so it's important to know the makeup of the fabric and what to look for.
Regardless of what fabric you are contemplating, always order a swatch! Test out its' stain resistance and the feel of the fabric. Mustard is the hardest stain to get out of fabric (even more so than wine!), get your kids involved and make it a fun activity! In the past I have tested mustard, sharpie, coffee, you name it!
SEAT DEPTH:
Where are all my short people at?! I'm sure most of you can agree that sitting in a chair or sofa where your feet don't touch the floor, is not okay. Unless the sofa is strictly used for 3 hour naps. Seat depth is something that people don't think of but makes a world of difference in how the piece sits and functions in your home. Typical seat depths on upholstered furniture range between 21-24" (sometimes more). 21" is going to give you a pretty upright sit, feet on floor. 24" is going to be your comfortable family sectional that gives you a more relaxed feel. Anything more than 24" is going to start to get difficult to get in and out of - might be a good thing for Sundays but maybe not so much for visiting grandparents.
DETACHABLE VS ATTACHED CUSHIONS:
The last thing I wanted to mention are the cushions. Most manufacturers will list this on their spec sheets, but a lot actually don't! If it doesn't list this information - ask! Each have their pros and cons but should absolutely be considered. Side note: I have detachable cushions in my home!
Detachable: Ability to turn, flip and fluff cushions. This is ideal for heavy use where you may get soiling over time or if you have pets that like to sit on the top of your sofa! A lot of detachable cushions also have zippers to allow you to even remove the cover and wash. Down side - they can fall out of place or fall victim to kids throwing them all over the house....constantly.
Attached: Stays in place, kid fort proof but doesn't give you as much flexibility when it comes to fluffing or cleaning.
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