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Upholstered Furniture Buying Guide

Things to Consider When Searching for Upholstered Furniture

Buying upholstered furniture online has never been so easy with our Upholstered Furniture Buying Guide. Within this guide you will find helpful tips for selecting the perfect piece of furniture for your lifestyle and home décor as recommended by Kevin "Nugget" Lawler. It goes through the pros and cons of the different types of fabric and furniture frames as well as the different styles of furniture that we offer here at Sleeper Sofa.com.

Why should I buy upholstered furniture online?

The most valuable advantage of shopping with Sleeper Sofa.com is the selection. Since our store is not confined to the space limitations of a conventional showroom, we can offer literally hundreds of options. We carry a wide variety of manufacturers and an even greater selection of styles. With the combination of our detailed product descriptions and our trained service staff available by phone, you will be able to obtain all the information you need to make an informed and enjoyable purchase. Our furniture comes direct from the warehouse and is delivered right to your home.

Sleeper Sofa.com is always at your finger tips. You can shop with us at any time that is convenient for you. Our website can be accessed from all over the country, and we can have your products delivered directly to the location of your choosing.

To ensure that you are completely satisfied with your purchase, Sleeper Sofa.com offers Return Protection on almost every product we sell. With the assurance of return protection you can be confident that your purchasing experience will end in satisfaction.
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Which fabric is right for you?

When choosing your fabric, you need to consider more than just durability and function. The fabrics that you select to cover your furniture pieces add character and charm to your room. We offer a wide variety of upholstery options: leather, leathermatch, fabric and microfiber.

Leather has properties which make it superior to other upholstery materials. It is unique in that it will not tear along the seam lines, or easily rip as some other fabrics do. Leather is made to provide you with years of timeless beauty. To view our leather sofas, click here.

Leathermatch is a more economic material choice that combines top-grain leather seating with skillfully matched vinyl on the sides and back of the furniture. Leathermatch looks and feels like leather, at a more affordable price. To view our sofas available in leathermatch, click here.

Microfiber is a classification for superfine filaments that are manufactured and woven together to create synthetic fabric. Microfiber has a softer, almost suede-like texture and is generally lighter than conventional fabrics. Microfiber fabrics are generally resilient or resist wrinkling, have a luxurious drape and body, retain shape, and resist moisture very well. Also, they are relatively strong and durable in relation to other fabrics of similar weight. To view our sofas available in microfiber, click here.

Fabric is the upholstery choice that provides the widest variety of color and pattern options. It is generally easy to care for, and can be used in any type of room, from a formal sitting room, to a casual family room. Fabric consists of various blends of materials such as cotton and polyester. To view our fabric sofas, click here.
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Styling Tips:

colorwheel It is important to keep in mind that colors evoke emotions and set the tone of an entire room. When choosing the color scheme for your furniture, be sure to think about complementing colors and matching the exisiting decor. If you are having trouble finding colors that coordinate in your room, try using the color-wheel. Colors that are attached by solid and dotted lines are complementary to each other and can be used in decorating your room.

Fabric durability is often a concern when purchasing furniture pieces. For a high-traffic area, a fabric constructed out of synthetic fibers (such as Viscose and Polyester) may be the right choice for you. You can also consider wools and heavy cottons that will hold up well.

All fabrics are subject to wear-and-tear. Sunlight and humidity can affect the quality of your upholstery. We recommend taking proper care of your furniture to ensure that the quality and look of your furniture does not change.
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How is my furniture constructed?

Comfort is important to a great piece of furniture. When deciding upon the construction of your furniture’s cushions, it is important to keep in mind that both down and synthetic cushioning have different advantages. Synthetic cushions, also known as foam, tend to give firm yet comfortable support for upholstered seating. Down filled pieces will provide a smoother seat, allowing you to feel like you are "sitting on a cloud."

The other important aspect of your furniture's construction is the spring foundation. If you prefer sinking into the softness of the cushion, you should explore styles that are supported by 8-way suspensions. This type of support is achieved when single coil springs are attached to the webbing with link and then hand tied to each other to create superior elasticity in the seat. This gives the entire cushion a durable but very soft feeling with little support from the frame.
construction Sinuous Spring support is made up of S-shaped wires that are also known as “S coils” and “zigzag springs.” Springs are fastened with clips and no-sag nails to be staggered every few inches from front to back or top to bottom under the seat cushion and behind the seatbacks. This tightly held formation provides a slightly firmer support for your sofa, chair or ottoman.

Furniture frames are most commonly constructed out of kiln-dried hardwoods. Typically, Oak, Maple, and Poplar woods are used in this type of frame construction. Kiln-dried hardwoods provide sturdy structure and long-lasting durability to your furniture. Other pieces are constructed with Rattan or Metal, making your furniture stylish as well as strong.
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What is the function of your room?

Every room in your home serves a purpose. Think about which room you are buying furniture for. Is it a formal seating area? What about a casual living room where friends and family can feel at ease?

Furniture styles and fabric choices can aide you in creating a space that will meet your needs, and give your room a great new look. Fabrics with intricate details matched with elegant framing structures warrant a more formal appeal. Furniture with darker fabrics and softer style-lines are ideal for high-traffic areas in your home.

Remember that you can arrange your furniture to promote conversation in your room. Facing pieces towards each other, and at angles, ensures easy communication and comfort. Be sure to leave enough space between furniture pieces and coffee tables so that you don't feel cramped.
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What Is Your Style?

Style is a vehicle through which you are able to express your imagination and individuality. Here are some common style themes that are useful to consider when purchasing furniture for your home:
View Traditional Sofas Traditional Style: Calm, orderly, and conventional. Traditional style is functional and uncomplicated. Traditional furniture pieces tend to accommodate a busy lifestyle, by being easy to maintain and child-friendly. However, there are many traditional pieces that adhere to the non-trendy design principle, while still being appropriate for a formal space.
View Transitional Sofas Transitional Style: Transitional style is the synthesis of traditional and contemporary furniture. Finishes, materials and fabrics are combined to create a timeless and versatile design. Transitional furniture is simple yet sophisticated and utilizes straight lines and very carefully balanced proportions. Fabric choices range from geometric and graphic patterns to classic textured solids.
View Modern Sofas Modern Style: Modern style boasts clean lines and unique shapes. You will notice neutral elements accentuated by bold colors and geometric patterns. Modern style holds both casual and formal appeal.
View Casual Style Casual Style: Homey, warm, comfortable and inviting. Casual style is defined by simple details and neutral colors. Textured elements of fabrics along with softer choices of fabrics create a comfortable atmosphere. You may notice accent details on these pieces such as ruffles, pleats, and buttons.
Do you sell replacement parts?

Sleeper Sofa.com does not sell individual parts of the furniture pieces. Our furniture comes straight from the warehouse in completion. We sell 100% online, so you have hundreds of options to choose from right in the comfort of your home.

If you have any questions about upholstered furniture, feel free to call us at (800) 593-7261 or contact your manufacturer. Our trained customer service staff will gladly assist you.

Phone orders please mention: 01-X-CSN

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