How to Pick the Perfect Sofa

Set a price-point before you look at a single sofa. Decide upon a budget to ensure that you only spend what you can afford.

Decide upon a style of sofa, keeping your needs, family size and budget in mind. For instance, consider a fold-out couch if the piece is for a den that doubles as a guest room. An expensive leather sofa is not a wise choice for people with destructive cats or small children.

Choose the sofa based upon the size of a room. Do not purchase a sectional sofa for a small sitting room or a small loveseat for a spacious living room. Pick a sofa that is appropriate for the size of the room to ensure that it is not dwarfed or overwhelmed by the space.

Decide upon the color of the sofa. Choose a color that will fit in with the rest of the room's decor or redecorate a space based upon the sofa's color. Consider a hue that is timeless or neutral, as these will work for several years and through several renovations.

Take pictures of the space that will house the sofa. Take these with you when searching for the sofa to help you remember what color, shape and size of couch will be appropriate.

Look closely at any potential candidates. Sit down on the couch to determine its comfort level and ask a salesperson about the piece's construction. Watch for any imperfections and if the sofa feels cheaply made or is constructed from inferior products, move on.

Pick out a sofa the whole family or some of your friends agree will fit the space. Get other people's opinions.