Stylish shapes, attractive colours and cool modular features – how a sofa looks is important, yet it needs to be comfortable, sustainable and stand up to modern life, too. After all, we sit on our sofas every day.
The most appealing part of buying a sofa is the aesthetics, but the key to comfort, durability and sustainability is in the construction and materials. Knowing what to look for and what to ask will guide you to the right choice. It should be treated as an investment, rather than an impulse buy.
First things first
Sofas often appear smaller in showrooms, so before settling on a style, measure your room, including doorways and any stairs that the sofa might need to travel through or up. Then sketch a scaled floor plan with the other items of furniture the room contains (or will contain), to see what size sofa it can comfortably accommodate. Once you have the measurements, you can hone your choice of sofa styles.
Making a sustainable choice
Thankfully, manufacturers are turning to more environmentally conscious materials and eco-friendly practices. If you like the sturdiness and warmth of a wooden frame or legs, FSC-certified timber is a must because you can be sure the wood has been sourced in a way that won’t harm the future of forests.
And it doesn’t end there. Conscious and clever innovations have resulted in a host of beautiful upholstery fabrics spun with yarns made from recycled plastics.
One company making the shift is Sofology, with the introduction of its Sustainable Edit, an eco-friendly collection that includes four modern sofa styles available in a wide choice of colours and configurations.
The sofas in the Sustainable Edit collection include those that are made with FSC timber and seat cushions filled with Quallofil® Blue (a soft fibre made with 50% recycled plastic from the Plastic Bank, a social enterprise that aims to reduce ocean plastic waste).
Its selection of upholstery fabrics span a palette of pale neutrals, muted tones and bold brights. Made with (or including) recycled polyester, these fabrics are repeatedly recyclable, supporting the circular economy.
A good way to go green is to ditch throwaway culture and choose products that will last, so look for sofas with at least a 20-year guarantee.
Selecting a style
It’s all about curves and cocooning in interior trends right now, but beware sofa silhouettes that are too of the moment, as these will date quickly and your new purchase could look passé before you know it. Classic design never goes out of style; so consider timeless rectangular shapes with clean lines, low profiles and good lumbar support.
Modular sofas are a popular choice, particularly in open-plan interiors where you can position them to section or zone a space. These allow the flexibility of adding a chaise or footstool, or the ultimate luxury, a console between the seats for placing drinks, snacks and devices.
No waste
We’re all aware that reducing waste and protecting precious resources is paramount, so divert your old sofa from landfill. If it still has some life in it, sell it on an auction site, or pop it on Freecycle and let someone else enjoy its last few years free of charge.
If it’s not in a condition to pass on or is otherwise unserviceable, consider a recycling disposal service. Sofology’s SofaRescue service – partnered with Clearabee – collects and repurposes up to three pieces of furniture (shortly before your new sofa arrives) for £89.
The unwanted furniture goes to one of 600 waste disposal centres, where any metals, wood and textiles are recycled or repurposed.
Short-term solution
Not everyone is looking for longevity in their interiors, so it’s refreshing to see brands offering furniture rental.
Sofology’s flexible sofa rental scheme Loop enables you to hire a new stylish sofa, armchair or footstool in a range of contemporary colours for six, 12 or 18 months. The sofa, aptly named Virtue, is made with a steel frame that has a 25-year guarantee that can be reused to create a brand new sofa, FSC timber and recyclable cushions and upholstery – so every part of it can be recycled when it’s time for you to part ways. Once your contract is up, simply extend it or have the furniture collected.
Hiring your sofa solves the conundrum of what to buy if you’re renting a property, or will be moving on after a short time. It’s a much more sustainable choice than short-term shopping.
To learn more about Sofology’s environmental initiatives and its sustainable range click here
