Is the thought of buying a couch stressing you out? Here are some things to consider (written by a fellow stresser outer) gained by recent first hand experience.
As someone who gets buyer’s remorse over a $3.00 purchase, I totally stress over trying to make an “investment piece” purchase like a couch. (Don’t even get me started on buying a car…)
Our previous couch was well used and loved.
We bought it new at an auction 20 years ago, along with its matching loveseat.
It was the 90s’ back then, and I loved the country blue check with the small detail of dusty rose. Although it was definitely trendy back then, I did really love the casual style of it ~ and obviously, have lived with it a long time!;)
But, its time had come. Once we moved into our townhouse, we figured it was time to replace sweet old faithful with something more suited to our new place and this stage of life.
At first the idea of a new couch was exciting.
And, then, it became absolutely overwhelming.
I was terrified of making a mistake with such a large purchase, and actually dreaded the process. In fact, I put it off until this Spring.
I’m now happy to report, the new couch is in the house. And, I love it! (Wanna see??)
Here she is:
Meet Edie.
She’s a delightful new part of the family.
Since I found it so challenging to choose a couch, I thought I’d offer my two bits of advice based on my recent first hand experience. I hope it may be of help to some of you in similar situations.
Things to Consider when Buying a Couch
Get some help if you are in over your head
Although I absolutely love all things home related, this purchase absolutely flummoxed me. I had pinned about a million pictures of favorite living rooms, but didn’t know how to translate my style into our small townhouse.
I finally came to the realization that there is no shame in asking for help! If you’re overwhelmed, find someone to help you with decisions.
I found a friend online that helped walk and talk me through the process and helped give me the courage to make a few key decisions.
Think of Comfort and Your Family’s Needs
One thing that I knew for sure and certain is that some piece of furniture in our living room HAD to recline. It was the one and only request from my husband, and I whole-heartedly agreed.
Our first recliner (pictured above) was actually a gracious and generous gift from some dear friends 10 years ago. At that time, I was suffering greatly with the pain of fibromyalgia. I sat in their (matching) chair one evening and commented that it gave great relief to the constant pain in my back.
The next day, they showed up at our front door with a big box with that brand new chair in it.
I know.
They are amazing friends.
And, I cried.
What a gift.
They introduced us to our first La-Z-Boy… And, there’s no going back now!
As you think of the specific situation in your own home, think of things like which room will it be in, who will be using it, what your budget is, and if it needs a sleeper sofa.
Consider the scale of the room and measure
This step is what my friend helped me with the most. I just couldn’t figure out if a reclining couch would look mammoth in our small townhouse living room.
Her professional experience made her confidently tell me that it would fit perfectly.
She was right.
Since it was (brilliantly) designed to hug the wall and still recline, it’s the perfect solution for our small space.
Do your homework on all the extras beforehand
I find shopping for new furniture very similar to shopping for a car. Just like car salespeople try to up-sell you on all kinds of bells and whistles, so it is in the furniture world.
I advise you to research beforehand things like:
- extended warranty,
- stain protection of the fabric,
- what grade (or strength) of fabric you want, and
- furniture construction quality
I can’t tell you what your decisions should be on those matters, but they will affect the overall price. So, go in knowing your personal beliefs and how firm you are on them.
Take your time with fabric choice
I’ll admit. I REALLY wanted a white or light-colored couch. White couches were in almost every one of the pictures I had pinned on my dream living room boards.
But, I couldn’t bear the thought of trying to keep it clean.
Plus, I also didn’t want to “overwhite” the space.
After spending quite a few weeks deliberating over the 200+ fabric choices La-Z-Boy had, we finally settled on this dark charcoal gray.
Ironically, it was the exact color of the one in our local Lazboy store.
The selection of fabric presented the greatest challenge during our decision-making process; do you think it looks good?
Select retailers where you feel most at ease when shopping
Although many people are comfortable acquiring a sofa online, I personally could not commit to buying it digitally.
I needed the chance to physically touch, feel, and sit on the couch prior to purchasing it.
Given my husband's height of 6 foot and my stature of 5′ 2″, we required a sofa suitable for both of us.
That is quite an achievement!
The Edie model suited our needs perfectly; I appreciate that it doesn't appear like a recliner, yet it is one. It is the ideal choice for shorter individuals accustomed to their feet dangling on taller sofas…
An added benefit is that the two of us can cuddle and share one footrest (refer to the image above)~ possibly allowing 4 individuals (if they are amicable;) to enjoy a film in supreme comfort.
Prepare your inquiries
When seeking a sofa, consider what matters most to you beforehand. Is it dimensions? Product caliber? Warranty? Origin of manufacture? Whatever it is, plan ahead and visit the store with your questions ready.
We inquired about the unit's construction, its country of origin, the return policy, and the delivery method. We observed that sales staff enjoy discussing their merchandise, so we continued to ask questions!
Be patient
If you acquire a sofa tailored for you (as La-Z-Boy offers), do not anticipate immediate arrival. The expected timeframe was 12 weeks, and we were delighted when it arrived sooner.
Measure Your Entryway to Confirm Fit ~ And remember the power requirement!
These were considerations we addressed just before finalizing the purchase. Before committing financially to the sofa, we measured our home to ensure proper fit through the door.
Furthermore, be aware that a power reclining piece of furniture necessitates being plugged in. Confirm an accessible outlet is available where you plan to use it.
The Edie passed through our door without any difficulty. Nevertheless, the store mentioned prior difficulties with this matter. Verify your new sofa will fit through every doorway and stairwell necessary to reach its final placement.
Learn about the delivery procedure
Our local LazBoy store experience with this substantial purchase was wonderful. The sales associates were incredibly kind and helpful in addressing my numerous questions, and they granted me time to deliberate when needed. (This is EXTREMELY important to me!)
The delivery phase also proceeded flawlessly. We received notifications via phone calls and emails regarding the delivery schedule. The team that arrived was both timely and professional.
(Please forgive the unclear iPad photo…but I wanted to show you that Edie has 5 legs!! Notice the one in the center?)
We valued their cheerful attitudes and physical strength.
They brought in the sofa, removed the wrapping, attached the legs, and plugged it in.
We are immensely pleased. While this might appear like an endorsement for LazBoy, it is not a paid promotion.
Should the opportunity arise, I would genuinely enjoy writing about them and offering high commendation.
For a glimpse of another space featuring Edie’s coordinated seating, I noticed them on The Handmade Home, one of my most cherished blogs, right after securing the Edie sofa. I felt wonderful!
