Select perfect sofa from the inside out

I’m a firm believer that there are some things in life you can — and should — cheat on. Like your diet. When the hostess brings out a chocolate souffle for dessert, I kiss my calorie counting goodbye for the evening. I also love to cheat on food prep. If I can buy a fabulous meal instead of fix one, why sweat over a hot stove?

But there is one area in which I will never cut corners. I will only open my doors to a sofa crafted with expert workmanship from top-quality materials. I’ve heard too many horror stories from friends and customers who have purchased poor-quality pieces, only to watch their investment go down the drain when the sofa frame breaks, the upholstery balls up or the cushions sag.

If you’re in the market for a new sofa, start your hunt from the inside out, focusing on the mechanics of the sofa before you think about the aesthetics. Consider only reputable furniture makers who stand behind their work. Make sure the sofa’s seat decks are supported by steel-coil springs that are hand-tied eight ways. Pick a frame made of kiln-dried hardwood, where the joints are double-doweled and every corner is blocked, screwed and glued.

Once you’ve picked a line of sofas that will last a lifetime, it’s time for my favorite part: selecting the size, shape and upholstery for your new best friend.

First, make sure your sofa matches the style of your home. You want a piece you can grow old and gray with, that you’ll want to reupholster, not replace, in the years to come. While I love fun and funky furnishings, I’d advise getting a sofa that is timeless and conservative, one that will transcend trends.

Next, look for a sofa that matches the scale of the room. Take careful measurements of both your room and the sofa to ensure your new piece won’t overcrowd or get swallowed up by your space. If you already have end tables you plan to use with your new sofa, check to be sure the sofa arm is only about 3 inches above or below the table so you can easily reach the table while seated.

Now, take the sofa out for a test drive to make sure it’s comfy. Do you want a sofa with high arms so you can lean against it when you read? Or do you prefer a low arm so you can use it as a pillow when you nap? Do you like deep sofas that give you enough cushion room to curl up on? Or do you want one that’s shallower so your feet touch the floor comfortably? Do you prefer firm cushions or something so soft that it swallows you up? When you test your sofa, lose your inhibitions and sit in it just like you would at home. If you throw your legs over the arm of the sofa when you watch television, do so on the showroom floor. If you tuck your legs up under you when you read, kick off your shoes and assume that position.

Next, select high-quality upholstery fabric that is beautiful and durable. In the past, I’ve been a huge fan of solid-color sofas, like the cream-covered pieces I have in my own home. But today, manufacturers are coming out with fabulous large-scale patterns that aren’t too busy, so I’m adding them to my list of upholstery fabrics that make me swoon.

Finally, zoom in on the small but important details that will cement your love for your new sofa. Do you want matching or contrasting welting? Wood legs or a tailored skirt? Foam or down-filled cushions? If you take your time up front and carefully pick the perfect sofa, you’ll have a high-quality, beautiful and comfortable piece you’ll treasure forever. That’s a lot of Sunday afternoon naps!

Mary Carol Garrity owns three home furnishings stores in Atchison, Kan., and wrote several books on home decorating. Write to Mary Carol at nellhills@mail.lvnworth.com. Her column is syndicated by Scripps Howard News Service.