The living room is a very important room in the house. Whether you have a family or live solo or with roommates, the living room is where the “living” really happens. In other words, it’s the place people gather, relax, read, watch tv, play games, unwind, contemplate life, and so on.

So it is important that it is designed with intention. When choosing living room furniture, especially the living room sofa and other well used pieces, there are a few factors to consider to make sure you are getting the most out of the space — so that it’s comfortable, welcoming, and serves the right purpose.

Here are 6 factors to consider when choosing living room furniture

Size (and Shape) of the Living Room

The living room floor plan will be a big determining factor in what shape and style of furniture you purchase. You want the living room sofa to be proportionate to the space it’s in. Some people make the mistake of purchasing a sofa that is too large for the space, leaving little room for anything else.

The length and width of the living room will also be a factor in what shape of sofa. If you are determined to have a sofa with a lounge extension but your living room is narrow, you may have to reconsider and instead choose a sofa with a moveable ottoman. The good thing is that there are many options and sofa manufacturers have designed a wide range of furniture to choose from.

Comfort

People spend a lot of time on their sofa so it’s important to choose one that is comfortable. You may want to go to a furniture store and “test drive” the sofas in person so you can see what is actually comfortable for you.

Durability

Living room furniture gets used a lot, and so consider how important it is to you to have pieces that will last. A Canadian sofa manufacturer that makes high quality, durable furniture may come with a slightly higher cost than a big box store, but it will also last the test of time. 

If you know that you are investing in living room furniture that you plan to have for a long time, then shop around for pieces that are made of durable materials, including the textile. 

Cost

Related to the point above, it’s a good idea to have a budget in mind before you start shopping. Remember that there are usually annual sales on certain items. It’s also important to remember that “you get what you pay for.” 

Cheap furniture will be less comfortable and will break down quickly. Then you’ll soon be in a position where you have to decide whether or not to replace it. And probably wishing that you had spent the extra money to get the high quality, Canadian manufactured sofa that you really wanted. 

Style

This is the fun part! What is your home decor style? Some people like neutral colours in the rest of the house and then to add a pop of colour with something like a bold blue or jewel green sofa. Others like to have a quality grey sofa and then spice things up with a colourful rug and art. The possibilities are endless! 

Remember that tastes change over time. So, before you go shopping, have an idea of what you really like in terms of style. Flip through magazines or find some home decor blogs and start gathering ideas about what your style really is. You don’t want to make a snap decision and then regret it later, so do some research in advance.

Locally Made

Supporting local businesses has never been more important; and Canadian sofa manufacturers combine high quality with the option of buying local. Plus they offer many options in terms of style, design, and textiles so that you can customize the sofa of your dreams, and add it to the living room you’ve always wanted.

When it comes to living room furniture, it’s important to start planning ahead and to think things through. Have an idea of your floor plan, your budget, and your personal style before you start shopping. If you bring those factors into our furniture store, we can guarantee that we will be able to help you find or design the sofa and living room that will make you happy for a long time to come.