Living Room Furniture Buying Guide

Before you go to a furniture store always take dimensions of your space first. It will be helpful to make an informal room plan of your space. Include windows, door openings,etc. If you are not sure of what you will be able to fit in your space , cut out some newspaper and tape it to your floor simulating the ideal dimensions for your new home furnishings.

Family Room: First decide if it would be more appropriate, by the shape of your room, to have a sectional or a sofa love seat grouping.

Sectionals come either with a 90 degree angle wedge or a rounded corner wedge. There are many configurations of sectionals from two piece L shaped to modular individual pieces. Always make sure that you purchase one that has locking connectors so that your seating doesn't separate.

Once you have the form you are ready to begin on the function. If you have young children, and or pets and your space gets daily use you should only be considering a micro fiber. Microfiber is an extremely effective cleaning material. This material can hold up to seven times its weight in water. Microfiber products also have exceptional ability to absorb oils. Microfibers used in furniture are designed to repel liquids and consequently are difficult to stain. Microfiber will bead liquids until they are removed; they are sometimes advertised showing red wine on a white fabric that wipes clean with a paper towel. Micro fibers today are very different from the older, common, boring microfibers. There are many microfibers that are textured , luxurious and interesting. A microfiber is a 100% polyester washable fabric. They are stain and fade resistant and extremely durable yet soft The best way to clean microfiber is to make a solution of 50% water and 50% Neutragena facial soap. That works better than regular soap and water because it has the perfect ph balance for microfiber.

One of the most important features of purchasing new seating upholstery is the cushion core density. The number one reason that people purchase new seating is that the cushion has lost its density and shape. Most manufacturers use a standard 1.8 density cushion. They call it high resilient, but it is not. For family every day use it won't keep its firmness for more than two years. There are factory's,such as Flexsteel, that use 2.2 and 2.5 density cushions. Those cushions are the best and will keep there shape for years. There are also many factory's that provide cushions with metal coils within the cushion foam. These are also considered the best, they endure for many years also.

Many company's such as Rowe and Temple offer their consumer the option to upgrade to a firmer or better cushion. This costs from 100.00-200.00 dollars per sofa. It is the best decision you could make.

Always purchase the furniture protection plan. Some people waive it because they think it is a gimic. They are wrong. Think about it this way. You,your family and friends sit on top of this for hours each day. For about 150.00 ,for a sofa and love seat, you can provide yourself with piece of mind for 5 years.

The last thing to remember is don't be in a rush to get the furniture in your space. The upholstered furniture that is displayed in furniture stores is often bought to hit a price point. That means it usually has a low grade fabric and cushion. So wait 4 -6 weeks and special order a fabric that suits you and your space. Most factory's will have hundreds of fabrics to choose from. Remember if there is an option to upgrade the cushion or mattress in a sleep sofa do it.