Sofas and armchairs: how to choose and buy well, with delivery
What do you need the sofa for
Almost everything depends on this. If the sofa is only for sitting and guests, the mechanism and the sleeping area are not critical. If you will sleep on it every day, look for a fold-out type that gives a flat surface with no dips: a pull-out is convenient and simple, a "dolphin" is compact for corner sofas, a click-clack is cheap but less sturdy for daily sleeping. For a sofa that simply stands in the room, a non-folding model will do.
Upholstery and filling: what changes the price and the life
- Velour and chenille are soft, but velour does not like pet claws. For cats there are "anti-claw" fabrics.
- Coarse-weave fabric is practical and hard-wearing, rougher to the touch.
- Faux leather is easy to clean but can crack over time; real leather costs more and lasts longer, though it is hot in summer.
- Filling: PU foam, and the higher the density, the longer it keeps its shape. An independent spring unit is more comfortable and better for daily sleeping.
How it works with BlaBlaPrice
A sofa is hard to judge from a photo, so it is useful to compare several offers at once. You write one request, and shops and furniture makers reply in the chat: model, size, price, lead times, delivery and assembly. Sellers can see where their offer stands and can improve it, so terms often come out better. It is free for the buyer, and only the one you choose gets your contacts. Details are on the How it works page.
What to put in your request
- What exactly — a corner, straight or modular sofa, sofa bed, armchair, recliner, pouffe.
- Folding mechanism — pull-out, dolphin, click-clack, accordion or non-folding.
- Sizes — overall and sleeping area, for example 260×160, sleeping area 140×200.
- Upholstery and filling.
- Colour.
- New or second-hand.
- Delivery and carrying up — floor, lift, whether assembly is needed.
- City and budget.
Example: “I need a new corner sofa with a pull-out mechanism for daily sleeping, sleeping area from 140×200, anti-claw velour, grey. Independent spring unit. Toronto, carrying up to the 7th floor. Budget up to $840.”
How to compare offers
First check the sizes and the mechanism: two "corner sofas" can have different sleeping areas. Ask what the filling and the frame are: which wood or plywood, whether the base is particle board, what the foam density is. Check whether carrying up, assembly and taking away the packaging are included, and whether the sofa can be carried through your door and lift: check the dimensions.
Ask about the production time if the model is made to order, and about the warranty. For second-hand, ask for photos of the upholstery and of the mechanism when unfolded.
Common mistakes
People choose from photos and don't measure the passage: the sofa won't go through the door or up the stairs. They take a cheap mechanism for daily sleeping. They forget about pets and who will clean the upholstery. A sofa for the living room goes well with other furniture, so see living room furniture, and for sleeping, beds and mattresses.
