E 'easily fooled by appearances when buying upholstered furniture, our first impression is usually based on the dust on the furniture, so we often forget that what really matters is, in fact, shape, comfort and technical structure chair.

Contemporary works tend to have clean lines, and usually is made with modern materials such as MDF, cardboard and foam. Although it may seem uninspiring, choose wisely and you can not expect a durablefurniture. If you prefer a more traditional look, there is an equally wide range of offers, but with traditional materials and technical expertise of these styles, you should expect to pay a little 'more.

Before embarking on the purchase of chairs or benches, there are some things to remember. Always consider the proportions of a chair or sofa, a large piece of furniture may be another dwarf in the room, while a bit 'too little strange look and feelunpleasant. To avoid this, the measurements throughout the house and make space that is available, or alternatively, that the measurements using a template, so you know exactly how much space it takes to watch. Finally, before you buy, you should always make sure that the piece fits through doors, especially if your house is a narrow corridor or sloping floor.

Traditional furniture

Construction

Traditionally built sofas are made of wood frame (usuallyBeech), held together with dowels, screws and glue in a very solid, stable structure results. Low natural padding, such as animal hair or wool, is built around the chassis to create form letters. Traditionally the seat springs are tied to a base texture, but some want the sofa springs attached to the metal band that extends from front to rear of the chassis. In a feather-back design, S-shaped springs or coils springs used.

Back Construction

Not allThe back is covered, but top-end sofas have springs wound in the back and forearms to create the shape and comfort. It 'good to remember that the heavier a bank, the best quality is likely to be.

Test your sofa

More hardwoods' includes a sofa, will be the robust, cheap cuts tend to have more light than deciduous trees, using hardboard. While in the showroom, stumbling couch with his knees. It is easy to move, you can see their quality, looksand construction.

Classic good looks

Traditionally built formal sofas tend to have a back "rigid" with no loose cushions. Stiff spine may also be elastic and buttons. Some have padded sofa, carpet, with two or three separate cushions help to shape it. It may be useful to note that the foam filled cushions retain their shape better than those that are filled with feathers or fiber. If a rigid solid sofa cover is too formal, try the landing, however. They has a more informal, and has the added advantage that the replaceable for cleaning or replacement of a piece up to date

Contemporary Tapestry

Construction

Modern furniture can be upholstered in a variety of ways to do it, but usually with the help of structured combinations of foam and cardboard fiber. Dense foam is usually combined with a hidden frame in metal, but with style exposed wood frames are also popular. High density foam is a common component of> Sofa modern because it keeps its shape well and can be carved to create curved or angular shapes, which runs. Although the modern sofas are all in the same way it is structured, yet one wonders how difficult it is to judge the stability and durability.

Types of Springs

As the seat section is covered, it is likely that the Serpentine, instead of a spiral, the financing will be used. But some modern pieces are produced using traditional wooden loomssprings.

Before you buy

With any bank, you can try before you buy. Low or thin models are not always the easiest for reclining and height of the package back, you can not. Consider the depth of the chair, large or small, people will find different depths provide different degrees of lightness.

Modern lines

Modern sofas tend to be easier than the traditional large, with less, the findings more widely. Modular pieces screw together and then createThe sofas or shaped curves are currently popular, often with a concert or the rear section. modular sofas can also use the "two sofas, small or a big bank loose?" dilemma that faces many of us, and enough space for two people, can rest for comfort.

Buying a sofa

Choice of fabric

When supply the fabric itself, it is important to make sure it is rated for use and the upholstery is flame retardant. Fabric texture and structure are moreforgiveness plain, bright colors and a smooth surface, and you should avoid loose tissue, which can "give" too quickly and look shabby. Large models will always be a great waste if the model will be centered, or adjacent to all sides of the backrest and seat cushions. Order a fabric sample and see great potential instead of both daylight and artificial light.

Extra protection

It is always worth spending a little 'more resistant to stains;and if you choose not to, but with a removal kit handy for quick disposal of food, oil or stains ink stain. Always blot with white cloths, to prevent the transfer of color, and devoured most of the city as possible before using any cleaning of the upholstery. By law, all upholstered furniture fire retardant, a label Swing square with green border indicates that it is resistant to smoking a cigarette, and lit a match, a swing triangular marked with a red border indicates that coverage isMatch-resistant, but it is a fire retardant interlining duly authorized.

Other options

Reliving old sofas

If your place is properly and structurally sound, but looks a bit 'tired, think reupholstering. Replacement cushion fillings can also help to restore the original sharpness. Contact the Association of Master upholsterers & Soft Furnish, 01633 215454, upholsterers.co.uk.

Los Covers

E 'convenient for families, but fewcushions in and out is a chore. Buy an additional set with the bank, dry and clean as possible, wash all the covers to avoid uneven fading.

Custom

Many sofas are tailored to your needs. It can take between 6 and 12 weeks.