The perfect couch: dream or reality?

Looking for a statement sofa, such as this showstopper 

from legendary Barrymore Furniture? Or just a comfy 

sofa for you and your family? Read on for some tips!

So you are on the lookout for a new couch. You know what size and colour you want. And you know it has to be comfortable and practical. But how about the rest: shape of legs and arms, style of cushions and backrest? Not to mention details such as piping and nail head trim? Let's start with the legs.

Skirted couch from Lee

Industries, available through

the Great Room, North Bay.

Look at the legs of other pieces in the room and repeat the same general shape on your couch. If the other pieces have exposed legs, consider breaking that trend and opting for a skirted couch, or a couch with an upholstered or recessed base with no visible feet.

Arms: Are there already many soft, round shapes in the room? Then go with a couch with a rounder appearance. Stricter lines in the room often require a straighter sofa. Choose narrow, low armrests if space is tight.  

Alger Furniture and Appliances 

in North Bay sells this two-cushion 

sofa. 

 

Seat and back cushions: There are many options; a three-seater for example can have three individual cushions for each seat, it can have two, bigger cushions, or one single seat and backrest. The cushions can be loose or tight. Consider this: each cushion creates vertical lines in the couch. So if you want a clean and streamlined appearance, a sofa with fewer (and consequently larger) cushions is preferable. Couches with individual cushions for each seat have a tendency to look more traditional, and that might be exactly what your are after.

Three-cushion sofa available 

at North Bay's Home Furniture.

Nail heads are decorative metal buttons applied to edges and arms. Available in different finishes and sizes, they give your couch a somewhat formal appearance. Match the nail-head finish to your cabinet hardware, and your space will read as coherent and pulled together. Achieve the same effect with the piping, the fabric that covers the cushion seams. Make it stand out by using a contrasting fabric present elsewhere in the room. These embellishing details will make your couch stand out from the rest!