Finding Your Perfect Sofa

Buying a sofa is not on the top of most people's list! At Gild & Co. we may think about it obsessively but we don't expect you to. Having the perfect sofa is bliss. A place to go to relax, visit with friends, take a nap, read a book, and feel proud of. It is the ultimate personal retreat.

You may have just moved into a new home, felt inspired by a particular design or style, or your old sofa is no longer working. Regardless of the reason, you likely know when it's time for a new one.

If you are starting your search for the perfect sofa, here are some things to consider before looking all over town or endlessly scrolling online.

Size and Space

• How much space do you have for the sofa? What’s the layout of the room the sofa will be used in? 

• Do you know the dimensions of your room or the area where the sofa will go?

• Are you looking for a sectional, a loveseat, or a standard sofa?

• Are there any access challenges for delivery, such as narrow hallways, staircases, or elevators?

Usage and Functionality

• How will you primarily use the sofa? (Relaxing, entertaining, napping, etc.)

• How many people will regularly use the sofa?

• Do you need a sofa with any special features, such as a recliner, storage or a sleeper sofa?

Comfort and Durability

• How do you generally like to sit in a sofa? Laying down or sitting up?

• Do you prefer a firm or soft cushion?

• Do you prefer a deep lounging seat or more upright?

• Would you prefer removable or fixed cushions? 

There are pros and cons for each. Pros for a fixed cushion is a consistently tidy look. If you hate the idea of fluffing or rotating your seat cushions regularly, then a fixed or tight seat and/or back could be right for you. Cons for a fixed or tight seat cushion is that it will not be as "sink-y" or "lounge-y". This is not to say you cannot nap on a tight seat, you will just need cushions likely to get the right comfort, comparable to a firm mattress.

• Would you like to test different seating depths or heights for comfort?

• Do you have kids or pets to consider regarding materials or finishes?

We are happy to help make recommendations based on your needs and style preferences.

• Is durability or ease of maintenance important to you?

• Do you prefer a thin arm or wide arm style?

• Take some notes on your current sofa. Good and the bad!

Style and Aesthetics

• Do you have a specific style in mind? (Modern, traditional, contemporary, etc.)

• Are you looking to match this sofa with existing furniture or create a new look?

• What colour or fabric would you prefer?

• Is this sofa going to be a focal point in the space?

• Do you like any specific design features, such as tufting, clean lines, or exposed legs? 

Budget & Quality

• Don't be afraid of price. You will be spending potentially hours a day on your sofa. Sofas are the foundation of a living room and often workhorses in a space. This is where to invest. It is worth the investment to have a comfortable place to relax. In the long run, investing in quality will safe you money in replacing or repairing a sofa. 

• How to find quality vs. price is the trickier part. There are many sofa companies out there vying for your dollar. The words to look for in quality sofas includes key words like, but not limited to:

• • Kiln-dried solid wood frame with double-doweled joints and corner blocks. This means superior strength in the frame of the sofa. A sofa frame constructed this way should last many many decades with regular use and wear. All sofas at Gild & Co. are built this way. 
  • Where is the sofa made? The location that a sofa is made is not the only factor contributing to quality, but often companies that outsource for cheaper labour can lose focus on a quality. Not always, but something to be aware of in conjunction with other factors that contribute to the quality of the sofa.
  • Down feather foam core wrapped cushions. This means soft plush "sinky" seat cushions, and it also means the cushions will need to be rotated or fluffed regularly. There are alternatives that don't need the same maintenance, but depending on the quality of the filling used for the alternatives they may not last as long as down/feather (which can last decades if cared for properly).
  • Eight-way hand-tied coil spring suspension with a solid webbed base - this is how traditional furniture is made and is the best quality. Very little new furniture is made this way now. Gild & Co.'s Cotswolds sofa and chairs are built this way. This type of construction will last decades with regular use and wear.
  • Spring down cushions - This includes individually wrapped steel coils with uniform weight distribution, down-proof ticking and generous fill of down, feathers and fibre. These cushions pair the comfort of down with a slightly firmer and more tailored appearance.
  • Be ware of sofas are lightweight, or that feel light compared to how they look.
  • All of the above mentioned points contribute to the cost of a sofa, and it's comfort and durability. Consider the difference between expensive and costly. Costly means that the input costs are high and therefore the cost of the item is high (like quality sofas). Expensive is something that costs very little to produce but has a high price tag, like many designer handbags.
  • Bells and whistles are additional features that add to the cost of a sofa and include such things are turned legs, brass castor wheels, pleats and curves, and hand-applied* nailhead trim. These items add style and personality. (*Be wary of nailhead strips, they are not the same and make a sofa look cheap, not classy).

• A high-quality regular size around 80" long) sofa will range between $8000-$14,000 CDN in price depending on features and fabric.

Delivery and Timeline

• How soon do you need the sofa?

• Are you looking for something in stock or open to custom orders?

• How important is it for you to sit on a sofa before ordering?

DO the 15-minute sit test inside the store! We have sofas on display for a reason! To help you decide what sofa they need and want. When looking for a sofa, take 15 minutes and lay on the one you believe is for you. This will help ensure you don’t have to go back twice!

• Are you comfortable ordering from a catalog?

• Do you need support with delivery and setup?

At Gild & Co. we generally have a selection sofas available immediately, as well as options for custom ordering to meet your specific needs. We also help arrange delivery and setup as needed by our clients, and only use professional delivery companies to assist with these needs (it is worth the investment to handle your investment properly). Speak with us in store today for further details.

Preferences and Past Experience

• What do you like or dislike about your current sofa?

• Have you seen any styles or brands you already love?

Additional Needs

• Are you also looking for matching pieces, like chairs or ottomans?

• Would you like suggestions for accessories, like throw pillows or rugs, to complement your sofa?

• Do you need advice on arranging your space or room layout?

ENJOY YOUR NEW SOFA PURCHASE!