Top 10 Best Sofa Sets in India 2020 (FabIndia, IKEA, and more)

From being aesthetically pleasing to having practical usage, sofas serve a multitude of purposes. On lazy Sundays, they are a crash pad for Netflix marathons; and on other days, they are your living room's focal point to entertain guests. 

But before you set out to purchase a sofa, there is a whole host of factors to consider like the style, shape, upholstery, and durability to deliver deep comfort.

Before buying a sofa, the first thing to do is to measure the area you've designated for it, taking into account the room's size and shape. An ideal sofa should take up a corner of your living room, leaving enough space for a table, lamp, and other decorative items you want to keep. 

The sofa should neither be too big to take up the whole room nor small to be swallowed by the room. You should also take into account the seat depth and sofa length. On some days, you might like to lie down on your new sofa, so you should have enough room to stretch out. Measure the overall length and space between the arms of the sofa. 

If you live in a smaller apartment, certain sofas are scaled down to fit in smaller spaces. If you have a nuclear family, you might want to invest in a 2-seater sofa. However, for a joint family, a 6-seater, or sectional sofa would be a suitable option.

Lastly, measure the route your sofa needs to travel, i.e., from your elevator to the hallway and doorframe. The sofa's depth or width should be smaller than the width of your doorway, so it is easier to get it inside the house.

Spending on a quality frame will contribute to a long-lasting sofa. A solid hardwood frame, usually of oak, cherry, walnut, and beech, will see you through many years of lounging. For a stronger and more durable sofa, look for kiln-dried hardwood. It is a finishing process for the wood where it is dried in big ovens to prevent snaping material.

While choosing a wooden frame, be wary of cheap pine and greenwood, as they are likely to deform over time. It is also important to check that the frame is secured together by dowels (a peg of wood) or nails and not by staples or glue. Also, the sofa should be constructed with good ground clearance, so it becomes easier to clean underneath.

While there are many different styles of sofas available in the market, they generally fall into four categories – traditional, sectional, sleeper, and love seat. A traditional sofa is a standard three-seater sofa that is found in most homes. 

A sectional sofa has different sections arranged in an L or U shape to suit your room's dimensions. A sleeper sofa is what the name suggests, i.e., a sofa that can be converted to a bed for sleeping purposes. This type of sofa is great for those who don't have a proper guest room.

A love seat is designed for two people and is a perfect sofa for studio apartments, where there is a space constraint. Traditional sofa and love seat are best suited for smaller living rooms, whereas a sectional and sleeper are meant for bigger spaces. If you have a big family or host guests often, a sectional sofa would be a perfect choice.

Keeping a check on what's inside the sofa is as important as focusing on what's used on the outside. There are a variety of cushion fillings available in the market. However, feather and foam and fibre-filled cushions are some of the popular choices. Feather-filled cushions are high on comfort, but they need regular plumping to adjust their shape, while foam or fibre fillings deflate and flatten out over time. 

Experts recommend choosing cushions with a combination of feather and foam filling, where feathers will keep them firm and foam will provide structure. Another option is to fill the back cushions with feathers and seat cushions with foam or fibre. 

Feather and down (fine feathers that lie beneath the tougher exterior feathers) are the most expensive fillings, whereas foam is considered the most inexpensive. So, choose the filling as per your budget.

Upholstery is also an important aspect that determines the durability and longevity of a sofa. Performance, wool blend, linen, leather, velvet, natural fabrics, and synthetics are common types of fabrics used for upholstery.

If you have kids, pets, and frequent spillers, a performance fabric will work best for you. The material prevents stains and is water and oil-resistant. Wool is a highly durable fabric; it resists fluffing on its surface and is also easier to clean.

Linen is a high-maintenance fabric that requires professional cleaning. It is also prone to wrinkles. Top grain leather (made of cowhide) is the most durable material for sofas. It is a failproof choice for those with kids and pets. Velvet sofas reflect luxury and class like none other. You can choose from velvet sofas in silk or synthetic materials, such as polyester and rayon.

Silk and cotton are common natural fibres used for upholstery. Where cotton is more resilient and durable, silk can be sensitive to daily wear and tear. Silk is also not a good choice if your living room gets sunlight. Synthetic pieces are usually an imitation of natural fabrics and are an affordable option.

To sum up, the best options for upholstery are hard-wearing cotton and linen as they are affordable, durable, and less likely to fade.

If you're confused among different brands and styles of sofas available online, you're at the right place. We're here with our list of the top 10 best sofas that are not only comfortable but satisfy all criteria of being a quality sofa set.

Whether you're moving to a new house or upgrading your existing interior, it is always a good practice doing your research before buying any product. Here are some more of our reference articles to make it easier for you to bookmark furniture and other house supplies.

Sofa sets are an integral part of any home, for that is where you entertain guests and spend quality time with your family. We hope our article helps you bookmark your favourite sofa set to welcome guests and host parties with this article.

Author: Srishti Sikka