HOW TO SHOP FOR UPHOLSTERY
Upholstery is often the centerpiece of a room. Here are some tips on what to look for when you're ready to go chair and sofa shopping.
What is upholstery? It’s the category of home furnishings that’s all about soft comfort, relaxing support and well-padded style. This is where you’ll find sofas, easy chairs, recliners, loveseats, sectionals, ottomans and chaise lounges… all covered in seemingly endless choices of upholstery fabric or leather.
Planning Your Purchase
You can buy upholstery by the piece or by the group. Some people prefer to furnish a room with a matching sofa, loveseat and chair. Others like to mix up different complimentary styles and coverings for a more eclectic look. But whatever your personal preference happens to be, buying upholstery can be a sizeable investment. So we’ll offer a few suggestions on how to get the style, comfort and quality that you’ll be happy with.
What's Your Upholstery Style?
This is probably the first question a salesperson will ask. Whether it’s a sofa, loveseat, chair or ottoman, upholstered furniture usually falls into one of four style categories:
Traditional – Designed with a conscious adherence to the past. This is by far the largest of the style categories, with a dozen or more sub-categories ranging from Italian Renaissance to Louis XV to Queen Anne to Chippendale to Art Deco.
Usually a more formal or conservative look.
Transitional – Designs that blend influences from a variety of old and new style categories. The overall look is much more up-to-date than Traditional styles. Transitional designs, since they incorporate both Traditional and Contemporary elements, tend to be more versatile with regard to interior decorating. It “goes with everything” and creates a casual, easygoing look.
Contemporary – A term covering several styles of furniture that developed in
the latter half of the twentieth century. It’s not “modern,” but it is an updated look with sleek, rounded lines and clean, crisp shapes. “Casual Contemporary” is today’s preferred upholstery look, with lean lines and strong silhouettes, but relaxed a bit for comfort. Considered to be a fashion-forward, upscale design look.
Slipcover or “Slipcover Look”– Slipcover upholstery has a tailored cover that slips on and off for a comfortable, lived-in look. Slipcover styles give you the ability to change the look of a room simply by changing covers. “True” slipcovers come all the way off for dry cleaning or spot cleaning, while “attached” slipcovers can’t be removed. Ever heard the phrase, “shabby chic”? It was probably referring to the slipcover look.
How will it be used?
Another great question. Think about the room you’re decorating. Will it be used by the entire family? Is it just for entertaining? How many people do you need to provide seating for? Will you need special features such as reclining backs and hidden storage?
If you have a big family (or lots of friends), consider a sectional approach.
Sectionals let you put upholstery units together and create a unique seating arrangement that fits the shape of your room. It’s a great way to get the whole family together or get guests talking.
Many upholstery pieces – whether solo, part of a group or part of a sectional – offer reclining options. Reclining pieces let you stretch out in style, and they’re undetectable until you lean back and put your feet up.
And don’t forget special upholstery for special applications. For example, Home Theater seating is its own category, with lots of features and conveniences to make watching a movie more enjoyable than ever.
Upholstery Construction and Quality
You don't want the piece to shimmy or shake, develop loose arms, or have cushions that "bottom out” over time. And since many quality attributes are “undercover”, it’s important to look for good materials and proven construction.
Upholstery has five key elements: the frame, fabric, springs, padding and cushions. It’s the combination of all five that make the piece comfortable and durable.
Frame – The frame is the foundation that supports all the other components (not to mention you and your family), so it needs to be sturdy. Experts recommend frames constructed of oak, maple or ash hardwoods, dried in kilns to remove moisture and prevent warping. Better frames are joined using dowels as well as corner blocks glued and screwed together. The legs should be an integral part of the frame.
Fabric – Fabric plays a big part in the look and the price of upholstery. Solid colors are easier to decorate with, while pattern fabrics don't show wear as quickly. The most durable and practical material is leather, which gets softer and more comfortable with age. Whatever the material, be sure fabric pieces and patterns are well-matched and neatly stitched at all visible seams.
Springs – There are two primary spring systems used in upholstered furniture: eight-way hand-tied and sinuous. Eight-way hand-tied springs are considered a sign of quality, giving the product even comfort and dependable support, no matter how big the person is that sits on it.
Sinuous springs are two-dimensional "S" shaped wires that are fastened to the top of the frame. This system offers a somewhat softer seat and is often used in contemporary pieces that sit lower to the ground.
Padding – Padding affects both comfort and durability. Before the fabric goes on, the frame should be padded so that the fabric never touches bare wood. This will prevent fabric wear and also add a subtle softness to the piece. Cotton and polydacron are the most popular frame padding materials.
Cushions – Cushions are a matter of preference, like mattresses. Do you prefer firm, or soft and plush? High-density polyurethane foam is the most common cushion material, often wrapped with poly-fill or down. Higher end cushions consist of innerspring coils surrounded by foam and wrapped in Dacron for a luxurious feel. Check for well-defined corners, firmly attached buttons and unobtrusive seams.
Putting It All Together
Quality upholstery is a lasting investment that pays you back in comfort and style. Finding a sofa, loveseat or chair that will provide years of trouble-free use is easy. Just do a little homework, identify your goals, and always do some comparative shopping!
