The decision is made: you’re buying a sofa. It’s easier, when it’s the next sofa in your house, because you will know what you like and what to definitely avoid. But picking out your first furniture set – including fabric sofas – might be tricky. How to choose it?

1. The budget

It should be the first thing you will think about when picking a sofa. While you might have some preferences, this one thing you simply can’t jump through: money. If you can spend a certain amount of money, then you can spend it and that’s it. Even if you’re dreaming (for example) about a leather sofa, but it costs triple the sum you have – nothing can be done about it.

Don’t worry if your budget isn’t high: there are so many options on the market, you will definitely find something suitable and non-destructive for your pocket.

2. The type of usage

If you’re living alone or with adults, the sofa will be pretty secure and free of damage. However, if you have animals or small children – it might go through a lot. Fur, scratches, paints, food stuffed under the pillows, juice, milk – you probably know, that those things can be really destructive for your furniture.

Sofas with wool are not a good idea for houses full of children or animals. While they are comfortable and pretty, removing any stains from it might be destructive to the fabric.

On the other hand, microfibre or corduroys will probably survive much damage. It can be safely used in a demanding places, such as full house families living rooms. When you know your sofa might be exposed to some damages, avoid chenilles and velvet, which might be pretty demanding in usage.

3. Are you allergic?

It is also important, because some of the materials might absorb high amounts of dust and all sorts of patogens. If you are allergic or suffer from asthma, the leather sofa might be a good idea. On the other hand – it’s not the best choice for houses, where pet lives. Especially cats have a tendency of sharping their claws on sofas, which – as you can probably imagine – is pretty destructive for the furniture.

Also, it’s important to mention, that leather sofa is rather cold to touch. If you think your house is already rather chilly during the winter, better pick some other type of material – for example one of those mentioned earlier.

4. What color to pick?

It’s important to remember, that not only the fabric matters, but also the colour of it. While white sofas have many fans, it’s not a good choice in some spaces. For example, if your living room is a frequently used room – white will soon lose its good look.

Also, if you have animals, try to pick a color matching… their fur. It might sound silly, but cats or dogs always leave at least a small amount of their hair on the furniture – if the colours are matching, it’s less visible.

Good luck picking your fabric sofas!