What to Look for in a Quality Used Sofa

Intro 

The sofa is, arguably, the most important piece of furniture in your house. This one, everyone sees and can use. They will appreciate it if you choose one that is comfortable. Yes, your bed should be very comfortable and quality too, but you won’t appreciate it the same way. This could very well be the centerpiece of your room for those who are interested in interior decorating. We have compiled a list of 5 things to look for when looking for a quality sofa without hurting your wallet. 

1. Construction

The guts of your new piece won’t be visually evident right off the bat. You can ask the dealer, however, for this information. Essentially, you don’t want anything that has pieces that are glued on. You want to hear that the parts are connected using screws, wooden dowels, or brackets. You don’t want to hear the dealer say anything about staples, glue, nails, etc. 

You also are going to want to consider the type of wood that is going to work for you. Pine is popular, but also cheap. They can warp really quickly. Oak and beach are some higher quality types of wood that can increase the longevity of your piece. 

2. Test It 

We recommend that you actually go into the dealer’s place of business to try it out. Keep note of the arms specifically. The cushion is important, and is readily noticeable, but when you are thinking more long-term, then you will want to know if the arms of the sofa are tight. If there is any give at all, then it is time to move on. 

3. The Cushions 

Now for the fun part. Test the cushions. This will likely be all that your guests notice, but you are the one who is going to live with it, hence our large emphasis on quality construction. When you find a sofa that is comfortable and has been constructed well, then press your thumb into the cushions and release. If they regain their original shape, then that is a good sign. If it takes a minute to regain its shape, then that could mean that the cushions aren’t fitting as tightly as they should be. You want a couch that feels new each time you use it. 

4. UFAC 

This is a tag that comes from the manufacturer, normally gold-colored. This is a guarantee from the manufacturer that the piece has been manufactured following the UFAC (Upholstered Furniture Action Council) standards. This means that it will likely be more resistant to fire hazards caused by cigarettes and other burning materials around it. 

5. Know Your Dimensions 

This one can’t be stressed enough. It is very annoying to find the perfect couch (design, look, and feel) and pay the high cost of delivery just to find that it cannot fit through your doorway or that you don’t really have as much room as you thought you had. Measure this and know your dimensions before you even enter the dealer. 

These are our top 5 tips on buying a quality used sofa from a second-hand dealer. This is a piece of furniture that you really don’t want to skimp on since more people than just you are going to use it. Whenever you are buying anything, longevity should be at the forefront of your mind and how you can maximize the value out of your money, so you don’t have to go through the frustration of buying and redecorating especially with a purchase as large as this. And don’t forget to have fun with this. We are talking about your room and your investment!