Sofas and couches are long and upholstered pieces of furniture that sit or lounge. In informal conversations, both terms are used interchangeably. Designers prefer to distinguish between the two.
A sale is the transfer of ownership of a property to a third party in exchange for money or other thing of value. Millions of sales transactions are conducted every day and contribute to the financial well-being of consumers and businesses.
1. Affordability
Furniture stores frequently offer discounts and specials. NerdWallet recommends buying a couch at these times to get the lowest prices and avoid spending too much.
Another way to save money is to shop for a second-hand sofa. The type of sofa you choose is cheaper than purchasing one brand new although you won't be able to customize it. Check the online marketplaces of major furniture retailers and at local flea markets and yard sales to see what's on sale.
Be aware of the frame when shopping for a couch. The cheaper options are made of webbing or mesh, while better couches have a kiln-dried wooden frame, like oak or beech. The springs of a sofa also come in a variety of types of quality. The cheaper ones have no springs, whereas the more expensive ones may have serpentine springs or eight-way hand-tied coils.A sofa can be equipped with extra features like LED lights, power recliners and built-in bed to provide the ultimate in comfort. You can also include a coffee table or other tables with a low rise to your living room to add storage space and decor. Research all the options available and visit showrooms in order to try out the furniture.
4. Environmental Sustainability
Fast fashion is a trend that sustainability experts have warned against. However, it's important to also consider the environmental impact large pieces such as couches which will be thrown out. A couch made of sustainable materials by a local manufacturer will likely leave a smaller carbon footprint than a couch imported from overseas.Aside from the type of material used in a sofa, the process of manufacturing is an important factor to consider when determining the sustainability of a particular sofa. Does the company use renewable energy sources during production? Does it recycle materials to reduce waste? And how do the manufacturing facilities it operates operate in terms of protecting natural resources and minimizing pollution?
Find a couch that is made from sustainable materials. You can find them at a second-hand or vintage seller. Many of these sellers offer professional cleaning and repairs to prolong the longevity of furniture, preventing it from being thrown away in the garbage. Check out the products on Kaiyo the marketplace that purchases and sells pre-loved furnishings to prevent them from being discarded.
If you want to choose a more sustainable option, look for couches made of organic fabrics or sustainably-sourced woods. VivaTerra is one example. It makes couches in the USA using wood sourced ethically and organic cotton or hemp certified by GOTS. Their foam is Cradle To Cradle certified and they use no formaldehyde or flame retardants in their cushions. They also ship their sofas in corrugate containers made from 100% recycled materials and offset all of their carbon emissions.
There are companies such as Maiden Home that make their couches to order in North Carolina, reducing waste. They make use of repurposed and recycled materials such as velvet or upcycled polyester that has OEKOTEX and GRS certifications.
