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Posts Tagged ‘buying a new couch’

What Are Posture-Correcting Sofas?

Wednesday, April 17th, 2019

Can you imagine relaxing in this stylish and comfortable Bradington Young recliner?

 

There are many causes of back discomfort and probably the most common is not being able to correct one’s posture. And, sometimes, even when you think you’re relaxing in your home, did you know that you could actually hurt your back?

Sitting in a sofa – the wrong style that is – could also lead to incorrect posture, thus, a series of back pains. Be wise in shopping for comfy sofas because some of these could actually be harmful to your back.

Knowing which back posture is correct should help you choose the right sofa for your home. A well-supported spine should have an S-shaped curve. The torso’s weight presses upon the lower part of the spine to create a balance. The lumbar discs receive less pressure with a tailbone that’s upright.

 

All About Ergonomics

Ergonomically engineered sofas are manufactured to offer comfort as well as correct back posture. The sofa comes with lumbar supports with the seat cushions being extra firm as sinking into the sofa could lead to incorrect posture and slumping.

The way the feet lay on the floor also says a lot about the correctness of the couch. If the sofa allows you to rest your feet with ease onto the flat floor as the buttocks are resting at the sofa seat, then you have the right sofa.

The ergonomic option for your couch is, of course, not similarly priced as the traditional one. The posture-correcting sofas come with lumbar supports, ergonomic seats, and some even come with orthopedic pillows. Every supportive product assists a specific body part.

 

The Benefits

Apart from causing back pain, incorrect sitting posture could lead to decreased energy levels (yes, believe it or not), weak muscles, and poor circulation. And if your body’s been used to sitting incorrectly, then there is a need to reorient it to the correct posture so that back pain is reduced.

As you keep doing this, you will become accustomed to the right way to sit each time and your breathing would even improve. Surprisingly, bad backs are almost non-existent in third world nations where comfortable couches do not exist. There, good posture is done naturally, daily.

 

Finding the Right Sofa

Knowing all the features that matter will aid you in picking the right style that’s not just suitable to your design but also kind to your back. First, you have to find the correct height for the backrest.

Sofas with taller backs will give you a spot where you can rest your head when you’re feeling a little tired. To get this convenience, the back height needs to be 18 inches or even taller.

If you like lying down on your couch as you rest your head against one of its arms, then you don’t have to worry too much about the back height. And if the couch is going to be placed in a formal setup, then the back height becomes less important.

The next thing that you need to consider is the cushions. There are three types namely cushion back, tight back and the loose back. Every type comes with its pros and cons.

Cushion backs are the most common sofa back that you can find in the market. They are there to fit the couch perfectly while providing a soft and comfortable spot for you to lean against.

The cushions are quite versatile so you can use them either in a formal or casual setting.

The tight back cushion, on the other hand, comes completely fused with the sofa back. It is firmer so you won’t have to worry about fluffing or plumping. It is a neat-looking couch that has this type of cushion.

The third and last type is the loose back cushions. The sofa back, in this case, comes with various large throws. They cover the back of the couch but they do not fit it perfectly. If you want to have a casual vibe in your living room, then these are your go-to cushions.

Choose also the fills for your sofa. Pick from the down-filled cushions, fiber-filled, and the combination-filled.

 

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Lounge Around: 5 Tips for Buying the Perfect Couch

Friday, January 26th, 2018

Lounging around becomes more classic with the Hooker Furniture Living Room Montgomery Sofa.

Are you thinking of buying or adding a new sofa? Don’t just settle for ordinary sofas. This time, go for the great sofa or couch choices.

Before you begin shopping, though, always consider your personal style and if your preference will match the architectural details of your home. Consider the scale, the size, the colors, and never, ever forget to measure.

Fabric and color options do matter, too. Pick the right texture, color, and patterns for the fabrics that you select. But, of course, sofa choices aren’t based on fabrics or upholstery alone.

Here are some sofa buying guidelines to remember –

Measure Your Space vs. the Sofa

When buying a couch, first, you must measure the space. Make sure that the seating unit will not eat up the entire room or vice versa. Take that measuring tape and measure between the arms of the couch as well as the floor area where it is going to be brought into.

Check the Sofa Frame

The frame must not creak or wobble. It must be sturdy and should sit fully on the floor. The creaky frames are the ones that are indicative of easily-damaged joints. Strong frames, on the other hand, are the ones that sit squarely even when you move them from side to side.

The frame, as well as the corners, are all padded. Take the time to run your hand over the padded areas. The frame must not stick out from the padding. Also, notice how the fabric should not create too much friction as you run your hand through it.

Check for any hollow areas. Pat the center of the couch.

If you happen to be buying a recliner or any sofa with mechanisms, then be sure to check that each part is working. Motion furniture is pricier than your regular sofa so be sure to check that each movable part is functioning.

You also need to check the metal parts, if there are any. Make sure that each one is smooth enough and is free from dangerous edges. Every moving part of the recliner or sofa bed must also have zero tears on the fabric. You would not want to get injured or to cause damage to the new furniture after just a few days or weeks of use.

Check the Seats and Cushions

The seat cushions are an important part of the sofa. They must be resilient and firm to the touch. They must also fit the sofa frame snugly. These cushions should be able to regain their shape when you get up from sitting on them.

Cushions that remain pressed down or flattened will end up looking unsightly in the long run. Also, they will become more uncomfortable to sit on.

The seats should always be comfortable more so for recliners. Choose shallow or deep seats based on your height. The taller you are, the deeper your seat should be.

Flexsteel Living Room Recliner 2877-50: Each movable part of this relaxing motion furniture is functional and easy to operate.

Check the Arms

As soon as you’re done checking the framework, seats, and the cushions, it’s time to inspect the arms of your sofa. These should not move or jiggle. If these are upholstered, then they must be padded comfortably and snuggly.

If your couch comes with buttons, then be sure to check if each is sewn securely. Take note that loose buttons tend to come off or could get lost. And just like any tailored piece of clothing, be sure to check the patterns, texture, and stripes that should match the sofa seams.

Check the Materials Used

There are many couch materials that are used in manufacturing the best (and, unfortunately, the worst) sofas. The most fragile ones are those that are made of particle board. You wouldn’t want to do anything with these since they are only made of fused wood materials.

Hardwoods are wonderful options. These include solid wood frames made of cherry, oak, beech, walnut, etc. Choose the kiln-dried type as much as you can so that the couch frame won’t snap or even warp.

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The Sectional: The Best Group Seating Solution

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2016

 

Huntington House Living Room Sectional 7164-SECT

Huntington House Living Room Sectional 7164-SECT

Sectional sofas have a different kind of appeal as compared to other seating pieces. While it is unique, this may not always be the right seat for your place, though. Sectionals that can be separated spell versatility for your home. Reinventing the look in any place is now as easy as navigating the different parts to different corners and sections of a room.

Sectional Terminology

Do not be intimidated if you haven’t bought a sectional in the past. Avoid mistakes by getting acquainted with the common terms used.

RAF or right arm facing means when you are facing the sectional, the arm is situated on your right. LAF, on the other hand, puts the arm on your left.

It is crucial to get the proper-facing arm since you will be joining two or even more pieces. The arm’s placement will define if the sectionals will create a balance.

Sectionals are often made of two or more parts or sections. As soon as you become familiar with the different terms and even the options, you will be ready to decide on what kind of sectional will work for you.

7564-17, -231, -38 Lennox Sectional in Fabric 916-11; Pillows in 875-60, 720-90

7564-17, -231, -38 Lennox Sectional in Fabric 916-11; Pillows in 875-60, 720-90

Using the Sectional

Always leave the biggest section of the seat facing the room’s focal point. This can be that flatscreen TV, a window showing the picturesque view outside, or it can be a fireplace. A sectional that comes with two straight sections can be used as two separate seats, facing each other, to promote a more conversation-inducing atmosphere. These two pieces should be at a 90-degree angle (perpendicular) to the focal point of the room. Place an ottoman or a coffee table in between.

For sections that come with an arm on one side, be sure to place a table against the armless side. This will help you achieve visual balance.

As soon as you have taken care of the main sections, you will be left with the corner section or the chaise lounge. Either of these two can be a stand-alone seating. Add throw pillows to make the seat more comfortable.

Place the chaise or corner seat on an oblique position from the straight section of your sofa. Angle this seat toward the middle part of the room where the other section of the sofa is situated, and where the focal point and coffee table are also placed.

With two straight sections face-to-face, use the chaise or corner at the open end in order to set up a U-shaped seating layout.

To unify separated sectionals, use a large area rug to anchor the area and to refrain from having the individual sections appear isolated. Be sure to measure the room properly should the sectional feature an extendable footrest or a reclining back. It would be a pity to have these added features only to remain unused.

Place the sectional parts away from the wall to unify the room and to make it seem more intimate. Consider all the people who would be sitting on your new sectional once it is placed inside the living room. Though this is furniture that offers space-saving features, it can become a drag when there isn’t a proper arm that goes with it. If you have an armless sectional, then you can also invest in a short chaise or a loveseat.

Comfort is the primary consideration that you must remember when buying a new sectional. This is especially applicable when you want to use the sectional to watch TV. A television set that sits right across a room’s corner would benefit from a properly-placed sectional. The sectional, in this case, will seat everyone comfortably as they watch shows or DVDs.

If the space in your living room or bedroom only offers room for a single seat right in the middle, then the sectional may not be the right seating option for you.

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