A sofa is likely one of the first big furniture purchases you’ll make. And by big, I mean expensive. We spend so much time on them entertaining, lounging and even working that a lot goes into choosing the right one.

No matter your budget, there are some important factors to consider to avoid buyer’s remorse. A sofa can be a pain to return or resell if you’re unhappy with it, which is why you shouldn’t rush the decision if you can avoid it. You want this to be a piece of furniture you can hang onto for a while.

Here are five steps to follow when selecting a sofa, plus the MIDDI top pick:

1. Focus on function.

We all use our spaces differently, so the furniture we choose should complement our lifestyle. First of all, is the room you’re buying the sofa for your main hangout space or is it more formal? Do you tend to spend a lot of time at home or enjoy long movie marathons? Does the sofa also need to function as a bed for overnight guests? Will it be used to divide a space? Will you need to store things under it? Think about what function the sofa will primarily serve and then what would be a nice bonus.

2. Measure your space.

You cannot buy a large piece of furniture without measuring. So get out the measuring tape and check your space, then compare it to the dimensions of the sofa you’re looking at. Then check it again. You want enough room to comfortably move around the sofa—and bringing it in shouldn’t mean having to get rid of anything you don’t want to. These measurements will help you determine the right shape for your room. The size should complement the proportions of the space so it doesn’t swallow up the entire room. If the sofa will be delivered assembled, you also need to check the entry points in your home.

3. Pick your palette.

Because of its size, a sofa can become a real statement piece in a space. When choosing a color or pattern, think about how much attention you want it to draw and how it will work with the rest of your furnishings. The other factor to think about is messes. Do you have kids or pets? Do you tend to have snacks or drinks on the sofa? Choosing a lighter color will require you to be more careful or have the sofa professionally cleaned more often. A darker shade will need more regular vacuuming.

4. Select your fabric.

The fabric you choose should also suit your lifestyle. Durability is the safest route—think a microfiber, canvas or leather—to ensure longevity with your purchase. The type of fabric may limit your color options, but it may also reduce stress and future costs for maintenance or replacement. Keep scrolling to see which sofa we have in our home and why.

5. Do a comfort check.

Lastly, you want to make sure the sofa you choose is the type you want to spend time on. Going to see sofas in person allows you to check the height and depth, which impact how easy it is to get into and out of, the height of the back for lounging and the density of the cushions. If it looks amazing but doesn’t help you feel relaxed, it becomes more of an art piece.

Want more tips? Learn how to shop for an LBD here.

MIDDI recommends …

westelm

A post shared by West Elm (@westelm)

We purchased the three-piece corner Andes Sofa from West Elm when we relocated from Tokyo to Metro Detroit and suddenly found ourselves with a lot more space. We chose ink blue performance velvet because I’m clumsy and we like to eat and drink in front of the TV. We also wanted to both be able to spread out. This sofa is a bit firm and very deep, which also makes it a nice guest bed. Its large size has affected our later housing choices, but we love it so much that it’s been worth the extra hassle.

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