Choosing the Perfect Couch

Just about every home has at least one couch. But is it the right couch?

Think about how many hours each day you or members of your family spend on the couch. It’s the place to relax after a long day’s work. It’s the place to sit back, put your feet up and enjoy a movie. But if it’s not comfortable, it’s time to make a change.

It can be a pretty big investment, so to make sure you make the right choice the first time, here are some tips you can take into the buying process.

Choose Function, Not Form

Of course you want the couch to look great in your home. But it’s not there primarily for show. It’s going to be used often every day. The couch with that perfect shade of blue for your family room won’t seem so great if the seat is too high, or the arms are too stiff, or the cushioning is too soft.

Try out a number of different units – and not just for ten seconds. Sit in the middle. Sit against the sides. Put your feet up. Lay down if you don’t feel uncomfortable doing so in the store.

What determines how a couch fits your body type and preferences? Part of it has to do with the fill – or how much inner padding is used in the back and cushions. Some people, especially seniors, prefer a little more support as it makes it easier to stand up. Others want to sink in deep and hibernate.

It’s only after you’ve found the couch that feels right that you can start looking at fabrics. Because unless you are looking at leather, most furniture stores can swap out fabric patterns and colors on different couches, so you’ll end up with furniture than both looks and feels just right.

If you have kids or pets, a more durable fabric (and one more easily cleaned) is an obvious preference. Empty nesters can opt for something more elegant.

The couch may be the centerpiece of your manufactured home’s living room or family room. Take your time and find one that suits your home, your family, and your lifestyle.

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