Lifestyle

Hannah Amos: Top 5 Summer Trends for 2020

by Brosa Design · Jan 14, 2020

Brosa Design partners with The Block’s Hannah Amos, designer and interior stylist who takes us through her top five interior trends for Summer 2020.

Sustainable & Mindful Choices

‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.’ – William Morris

To me, this quote means creating a sustainable home in a slower, more considered way, evaluating what you really need and buying less, but better. Summer 2020 will see a shift towards meaningful change, with environmental and social awareness driving many of our shopping decisions. It is all about making mindful choices and thinking of the impact of our actions, including our purchases. Expect to find biomaterials in homes in 2020, such as building supplies made from recycled products and ethically sourced materials. Mindfulness is emerging as a clear trend for 2020.

The Roma Sideboard is a stunning piece, featuring unique brass foil detailing and matching gold metal legs and handles. The Roma has been expertly crafted using solid mango wood, which is known for its strength and sustainability.

Home Is Where the Bar Is

Staying in has become the new going out and entertaining is bigger than ever. Offering both style and convenience, the bar cabinet is the perfect entertaining accessory.

Blame it on the fact that we are all too tired to head out, or that we are looking to bars, restaurants and hotels for interior inspiration, to create a relaxed, bar-like feel at home.

Consider your bar cabinet a key focal point of your room, it should always tie in with the rest of your interior aesthetic and be treated as a visible decor piece. To make it a cohesive statement in your room, pair it back with an eye-catching artwork and keep it chic and visually interesting with tonal accessories, pretty glassware and fresh or dried blooms.

Check out my pick of the Alpina Bar Cabinet if you are feeling inspired to embrace this trend.

Back To Nature With Earthy Tones

If you love rich earthy hues, soft pastels, or moody blues, you’re in for a treat. These are the top palette picks you’ll be seeing everywhere in 2020. Earth tones will remain big for the foreseeable future, and the revival of green is hot on the list for 2020.

Millennial pink has had a good run for the past couple of years. However, 2020 is a time for change, and green will be taking centre stage. Paint brand Dulux has selected a cool-tone shade of green as its Colour of the Year for 2020, which is meant to offer an antidote to an “increasingly disconnected” modern society. Dulux says that Tranquil Dawn “embodies the nation’s mood on the approach of a new decade”. “It reflects a growing desire to understand what it is to be human at a time when advances in technology are making us feel increasingly disconnected from each other,” explained the brand.

While sage green has begun to make its mark for the upcoming year, the indoor plant trend is going nowhere and 2020 we’ll see more of us bringing some of that colour into our walls. Soft olive greens are extremely soothing and create a calm energy in a space, while also pairing well with natural light timber.

The Kate Daybed is sure to make all your friends green with envy.

Curves In All The Right Places

Step aside straight lines and sharp edges – the curved furniture trend is here and I am here for it! Interior design trends in 2020 come in all different shapes and sizes and curves is one of them; it’s an easy way to totally refresh your interiors and make a statement.

We are seeing a major comeback of this popular mid-century inspired design, especially when it comes to upholstery. Expect to see them everywhere from architectural arcs, mirrors, bath tubs and of course, it will remain trending for sofas and armchairs. As much as we love drooling over these kinds of vintage pieces in antique shops, the reality is they are often pretty pricey. But fear not, for the curved armchair of your dreams is here and totally in your price range. I introduce to you… the Seta Armchair. Designed for modern contemporary homes, the generous proportioning gives a soft luxurious feeling. Seta is perfect for sinking in and lounging in comfort.

The Seta Armchair will take your living area to a new level of style.

A Marble Moment

Forever elegant and sophisticated, marble has a long history in interiors and it is here to stay. With its soft, unpredictable veins and endless colour and pattern choices, it will bring glamour to every corner of your home.

This year, marble will be present everywhere! Whether a small vase, coffee table or entire wall, it will add impact and timelessness to your interior. Its adaptability to both classic and modern spaces makes the natural material so versatile and easy to work with.

Metals are marble’s best friend and anything with warm tones goes; think gold, copper or brass. To keep the look refined, don’t overpower the room with too many luxe metals, instead look to marble furniture with gold gilded edging, decorative trays and elegant vases that beautifully marry the two materials.

My favourite? The Cushla Side Table with its classic gold detailing.

The basics to sofa styling

by Milena Tsitovitch · May 30, 2018

The living room is one of the most visible parts of your home – the way you decorate it will be a constant reflection of your personality to every guest that walks through the door. Perhaps the single most important item in this room is the humble sofa.

Here’re some quick ideas to get you started with sofa styling.

Start with a solid base

Styling a sofa is almost like painting a masterpiece. Sure, your sofa may look pretty flash, but in the end, it is simply a blank canvas waiting for a few cushions and throws to really bring it into the spotlight.

Having said that, there is no point investing in beautiful cushions or plush throws if the sofa they will be adorning is one that you don’t love. If the foundation of your soft furnishing arrangement already looks to have one leg in the dumpster, it might be time to upgrade to something a little more up your alley. Opting for a neutral piece – such as the John 3 seater sofa – will give you the perfect base to embark on your styling journey.

Add cushions and throws

There is something addictive about cushions – no matter how many you already own, there always seems to be room for more. Cushions are the low maintenance solution to creating that coveted ‘cosy feel’ in your living room.

Then there are throws. Not just a way to stay warm in winter while bingeing on Netflix, throws come in all shapes, sizes and textures – a well-draped throw can really take your sofa styling to the next level.

Know the magic number

The key to a perfectly balanced sofa is to rotate, rather than hoard. Not only will too many throws or cushions take up precious seating space, they can also create a feeling of clutter and leave your actual sofa invisible – a dozen strong cushion collection does not need to be displayed simultaneously. The aim is effortless style rather than soft furnishing addict, and there is a big difference between eclectic and excessive! On the other hand, a lone cushion on an enormous sectional sofa can leave the space feeling bare and incomplete.

An odd number of furnishings – such as three cushions and a single throw – works well for a more casual and relaxed feel. Utilising symmetry through an even placement of cushions and throws will produce a more formal or traditional setting. If the in-laws are coming over for dinner, try arranging your furnishings on either end of the sofa to give the space a formal feel. Entertaining friends with a casual weekend barbecue? Group the cushions to one side of the sofa for an instantly relaxed vibe.

Keep it complementary

What better way to embrace the cooler months than with a sofa styling update? Switching out a couple of cushions to stay on trend is much gentler on the hip pocket than having to purchase new furniture every season – not to mention much more eco-friendly. Take inspiration from the colours and textures of autumn – embrace reddy-orange hues with a thick linen throw or add autumn greens with the Elementary Cushion Olive Green with French Beige.

However, when choosing cushions and throws the first thing you need to consider is the colour and material of your sofa. Just like an ivory dress can make pale skin look completely washed out, a poor cushion choice can leave your sofa feeling displaced from the rest of the space.

The goal is not to match colours to a tee, but rather pick a certain tone, texture or theme to tie the whole space together. Take cues from the existing furniture and décor in the room – a tan leather cushion may look stunning on the showroom floor but bringing it home to your brown leather sofa will see it lost in the sea of leather.

The beauty of most sofas is that their single block of colour acts as a perfect base for and creating depth with textures and patterns. Add visual interest by choosing an assortment of cushions and throws with different elements. Pair a rectangular velvet number with a pair of smooth cotton cushions, or a round thickly woven cushion with a light linen throw. From Mongolian lambswool to shiny sequin, the mix and match possibilities are endless – just keep the size of your sofa in mind. An oversized cushion may look striking on a large sofa but will simply dwarf a smaller design and make the space feel odd and disproportioned.

Look at the bigger picture

Sofas are not used in isolation; rather, they form part of the bigger picture: the living room. This means that when styling your sofa, you should also consider the décor immediately surrounding it. The floor lamp used to read your favourite book, the side table where your cup of tea rests and the statement art directly behind the sofa all play a major part in creating the perfectly styled sofa. Pick complementing décor that will help unify the space rather than leave each piece battling for the limelight.

And don’t forget about the chop! ‘Chopping’ your cushions with a quick karate-like flick will have your style oozing with on-trend style.

Tricks to sneaking in storage on a budget

by Milena Tsitovitch · May 25, 2018

While often overlooked, storage is one of the most important elements of a well-organised home. With many Australians foregoing backyards for balconies, making the most of the available internal space becomes a top priority. Built-in linen closets, cupboards under the stairs, roof cavities… even stair drawers are smart options for adding storage to a home. But what are all the homeowners and renters without the opportunity to add structural changes supposed to do? Here are a few simple ways to introduce storage and eliminate clutter – no matter the size of your home.

Clear out

Before rushing out to add storage-specific furniture to your home, ask yourself, “Do I really need all the things I’m planning to store?”. From dedicated popcorn makers to lava lamps and flared jeans (no, these aren’t coming back in style anytime soon), material objects have an amazing way of accumulating over time. While there is no need to adopt Japanese minimalism, a household inventory review is a great way to reduce mess – and save you from buying storage solutions you don’t actually need. So, don’t wait for spring to clear out that snow globe collection.

Store and display

Open wall shelving is a great option for displaying anything from cultural collections and tourist trinkets to inspirational books and personal photographs. Ready built shelving units – such as the Lang Wall Unit – come in different widths to match both storage requirements and space allowances. Just be sure that this solution doesn’t turn into an excuse to hoard items that belong in a charity bin instead. There is a huge difference between stylish vignettes and chaotic shelving – although open shelving creates an interesting focal point, too many items can make a small space appear cramped.

Dual purpose furniture

Is there anything cooler than beautiful furniture that doubles as extra storage? We think not. Dual purpose pieces can make for stylish additions to your space while hiding away any clutter not worthy of displaying. Mirrored bathroom wall cabinets are ideal for keeping various toiletries out of sight while reflecting light around the room. Gas lift bed bases – like the Hannah Gas Lift Queen Size Bed Frame – combine storage and functionality to maximise interior space while adding comfort to your lifestyle. And then there are coffee tables with drawers featuring intricate details that can keep remotes, bottle openers, and even kids’ toys at bay.

One for all? Not at all. How to get a good night’s sleep with the right mattress.

by Aleczander Gamboa · May 17, 2018

Getting a good night’s sleep is something we yearn for everyday. Yet, you might be surprised at how much you need to consider for something as simple as sleeping.

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society, seven to eight hours of sleep is recommended for optimal health. And while sleeping may sound as simple as closing your eyes and dozing off, it’s not. Your mattress actually plays an important role in how well you sleep through the night.

Contrary to popular belief, opting for a ‘one for all’ mattress actually sets your body up for a myriad of problems in the future. Everybody is different, and as such, there are certain characteristics you should look out for when mattress shopping.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into different kinds of sleeping positions and the corresponding characteristics you should be looking for when mattress shopping.

Sleeping position 1: Sturdy Soldier

What this looks like: This is the most common sleeping position. Your back is lying in line against the mattress, arms on the side, with your legs stretched out. Just like a soldier.

Because your spine isn’t contorted into unusual positions, medical practitioners consider this position as the healthiest one to adopt. Fun side fact: it’s also great if wrinkles are an area of concern for you, as your face won’t be pressed up against a pillow which can accentuate ageing over time.

What to consider: This sleeping position certainly has its perks, but your spine is doing all the hard work. Therefore, a mattress that supports the natural curvature of your spine is first and foremost when it comes to mattress shopping.

Too soft will encourage your spine to bend away from the body, resulting in bad posture in the form of a physical slump, like a hunchback. On the other hand, a mattress that is too firm won’t mould well with the curve of your spine, emphasising tension in the upper shoulders and hips.

Ideally, find a mattress that’s medium firm to maintain support for your spine, but has some softness to alleviate pressure from your upper shoulders and lower back. The mattress should work in tandem with your spine, not against it. As it is naturally curved, it’s only right that a mattress should be able to conform and move along with it.

Try our medium mattress: Super Supportive Mattress

Sleeping position 2: Cuddly Curlers

What this looks like: Another way to imagine this is the foetal position. It often involves curling up into a ball. Generally, you’ll be sleeping on your side with knees bent upwards into your chest.

While this position can alleviate snoring, the dramatic curl not only puts stress on your bent spine, but it also deregulates air circulation around your body. Because the body parts are in such close proximity to each other, there is very little breathability as opposed to say, the soldier stance previously mentioned.

What to consider: With all that in mind, the breathability quality of a mattress is the most important characteristic to think about when mattress shopping. Prioritise mattresses that have an open structure inside. The open space in this structures optimises airflow as your sleep through the night, circulating and distributing your natural body heat evenly across the bed.

This also prevents excessive night sweating, as your body won’t need to work as hard in order to cool down. The extra benefit is the prevention of odour build up, which can accumulate over time if heat isn’t being properly distributed. Another perk is simply not waking in a puddle of sweat.

Try our soft-medium mattress: Perfect Plush Mattress

Sleeping position 3: The Logger

What this looks like: This is another position you might take when sleeping on your side. You can imagine this by picturing a log. Arms and legs are straight against your body. More often than not, sleeping like a log is often a precursor to other positions, for example curling up in a foetal position or sleeping on your stomach.

If you’re pregnant, this position is best recommended as it distributes the weight between you and the baby evenly. This is also a great position to take up to stop snoring.

What to consider: When sleeping in this position, there are more curves in your body to consider. Namely, your shoulders, hips and knees. These areas will be receiving the most pressure. If this is your go-to sleeping position, the mattress needs to be able to support these joints by supporting the uneven weight and extra pressure on one side of your body.

That said, the balance should be the biggest consideration to make when hunting for the right mattress. A mattress that is soft and sinks in only adds to the pressure on your joints. A mattress that is a little more on the firmer side will benefit you as it won’t encourage your hips to sink down further, disrupting the natural alignment of your spine you’d generally have when sleeping like a log on your side.

Try our medium-firm mattress: Super Supportive Mattress

Sleeping position 4: Yawning Yearners

What this looks like: Think of this as the middle point between the Cuddly Curler and The Logger. You’re sleeping on your side like a log, but your arms are outstretched in front of you. This is a common sleeping position for couples, as it often leads to cuddling together. Not to mention, it also prevents acid reflux disease and sleep apnea.

What to consider: The pressure points to be mindful of in this position are the elbows and shoulders – they will be receiving the most pressure. Meanwhile, the strain on your neck may increase depending on how you’ve positioned your outstretched arm on the bed. If you’re cuddling with someone while sleeping, you also have to consider airflow restriction between the two bodies, as you’d be in close proximity to your partner.

If there is more than one person in the bed, a soft mattress is the way to go. Ideally, the mattress will be memory foam for better support overall, as a coil spring mattress limits the airflow ratio. A memory foam mattress also has better motion resistance than coil spring mattresses, meaning you won’t feel your partner’s movements throughout the night.

Try our soft and supportive mattress: Perfect Plush Mattress

Sleeping position 5: Sleepy Stomachs

What this looks like: Unfortunately, this position is the most uncomfortable one to adopt. Your stomach is facing downwards towards the mattress, while your legs and arms are often splayed out in different directions on the bed.

This doesn’t get any better. You won’t only not get a good night’s sleep, the unusual promotes plenty of health problems you should steer away from. Namely, long-term back pain that worsens with age. The only good thing about this position is that it could minimise snoring.

What to consider: Although this position may alleviate any snoring, every part of your body is contorted in an uncomfortable manner. If you are using a pillow, you’re likely to sleep with your head facing the side, thus putting more strain on your neck. Your lower back may also be twisted weirdly due to the positioning of your legs.

While medical experts consider this as the unhealthiest sleeping position, at the end of the day this might be the only position that gets us to sleep. Everybody is different. That all said, a firm mattress is the way to go if this is the case.

Memory foam is an excellent place to start because they are already firmer than their counterparts, spring mattresses, which rely on coils to provide support. A thick and dense mattress minimises sagging, providing you with an even surface to sleep in. Sleeping on a mattress that is too soft will encourage major sinking in from your middle torso, further accentuated by your weight. The bending and significant arching of your back will create enormous strain throughout the night. This is what creates the long-term back pain, not to mention your lack of a good night’s rest.

Try our firm mattress: Firm Favourite Mattress

Shopping for the right mattress shouldn’t feel like rocket science. Despite that, it’s always the little details and characteristics that can make a world of difference to your sleep. After all, sleep is detrimental to your overall health, especially in concern to your productivity levels.

Use this guide to steer you in the right direction when you’re mattress hunting. Regardless of what you opt for, one idea remains for sure: never go for a ‘one fits all’ option, as everyone is different and most likely, these mattresses won’t cater to your specific needs.

When you’ve found the right mattress, the next step is building up your bedroom style. Bedheads, bed frames, and bed bases are excellent places to start.

How to nail it when buying furniture online

by Milena Tsitovitch · May 3, 2018

Purchasing the right furniture can be a strenuous ordeal. Even if you know exactly what sort of style you are after, there are always the factors of price, quality, material, and function to consider. Add online shopping to the mix, and you might just find yourself running for the hills.

We totally get it – buying furniture online can be intimidating. After all, how do you really know whether the photograph of that couch you are coveting is a true reflection of the real deal? Unboxing a recent online sofa purchase only to discover that it is about as comfortable as a sack of potatoes is any online shopper’s worst nightmare. Here is how you avoid the pitfalls of online furniture shopping and emerge unscathed on the other side – with stylish, quality furniture to boot.

Function

Before you start investing in online furniture, think about the current needs of your household. Picking the right furniture is about more than just choosing complementary styles – it has to be practical. Sure, that white leather sofa may look super sleek and modern, but will it withstand movie nights showered with popcorn? And more importantly, will it be comfortable to enjoy for days on end?

You don’t have to sacrifice style for function. Opt for designs that offer the best of both worlds – like the beautiful Leia gas lift queen size bed frame with sneaky storage.

Description

Many of us are guilty of simply scanning through long jumbles of words. Misreading a text from your partner about what to pick up for dinner is one thing. Missing the part about what type of wood your new dining table is made of? You will end up eating that dinner on a solid pine imposter. Moral of the story? Read the entire product summary. Always click on any links or tabs leading to further information and read the boring “specifications” part too.

In addition to descriptions, pictures can speak a thousand words – or so they say. Browse through different angles of the item to get an impression of the real thing. Pay particular attention to images that don’t utilise a staged room. These will give you a better idea of whether the furniture is appealing on its own or not.

Quality, material and colour

One of the most difficult things to decipher from a mere picture is quality. That bed may look great on paper, but the cheaper the build the quicker it will end up as landfill. Photography taken under studio lights can also make colours and fabrics look different on screen. Purchasing furniture online means you most likely won’t have the luxury of inspecting it in person. This is where your reading skills come into play (see above point on “Description”). Learning about the makers behind these products become more important than offline shopping.

Review the materials listed and zoom in on fabric to get a better view of the texture. Decipher the difference between leather, “pleather”, MDF and solid timber so you are well armed for your next online splurge. Most online furniture brands offer free fabric samples to help you decide. Or a physical studio for you to visit in major metro areas such as Sydney and Melbourne.

Measurements

The three rules of choosing the right sized furniture online? Measure, measure, measure.

Picking the right furniture isn’t simply ensuring it complements the current styling of your interior. Ask yourself: how will that new sofa fit in to the current living space? It’s much easier to pull out a measuring tape a few times than to return a sofa because it won’t fit through the door. The last thing you want is to have to install your sofa via crane through the balcony.

Size is like colour; it can be hard to get a true representation of scale from a computer image. Consider the published measurements of the item as well as the size of the space you need to fill. This will help ensure your online purchase is a good fit – in every sense of the word. Find tools online that can help you choose by size easier.

Assembly requirements

A lot of online furniture will not arrive at your door preassembled. Logistically it is much easier to transport furniture that has been “flat packed” to reduce costs. You will have to put it together, so know what you’re getting yourself into before committing to buy. Most online furniture brands will have easy-to-view assembly guides on their website.

If wielding a hammer and nails is not your forte, ask a friend to lend a hand in exchange for a couple of beers. Or, simply hire a handyman from somewhere like Airtasker. It will help prevent accidental damage to your new goods and save you a few grey hairs.

Reviews

When you aren’t able to see your beloved online sofa in the flesh, online reviews are the next best thing. What better way to discover whether that sofa will live up to the comfort requirements of a Netflix binge than to hear it from those who have already tested it. If reviews for that particular piece of furniture don’t exist on the manufacturer’s website, cast a wider net with a Google search. If you are still drawing a blank, check out reviews for similar items by the same brand.

Reviews aren’t limited to the written form. Look at Instagram and Pinterest for images of the furniture in other people’s homes – you may be surprised to see how different it can appear surrounded by real life.

Shipping and returns

Never ever overlook the returns policy when purchasing furniture online. Shop with online retailers that give you time to reconsider your furniture choices. For example, Brosa offers a 7 day “no questions asked” returns policy – meaning you can return your purchase for any reason. These conditions may be a bore to read through but will save you a lot of heartaches if that sofa turns out to not be quite as perfect as you imagined.

In addition to returns, you should always take into account the total shipping cost. A cheap TV unit may not seem like such a bargain after a few hefty delivery charges. Avoid any nasty surprises by using the shipping calculator before divulging credit card details. Brosa offers free delivery for Sydney and Melbourne metro areas, which can save you a fortune.

Buying furniture online doesn’t have to feel like a gamble. Keep these tips in mind every time you shop for pieces to add to your home – and never feel swindled again.

Share your tips with us in the comment section.

How to choose the right dining chair for your home

by Milena Tsitovitch · Apr 30, 2018

When sprucing up a dining area, more often than not the focus tends to lie on the dining table. With so many options, finding one that suits your space and provides enough dinner party room can be a feat. It’s no wonder, then, that the actual seating where your family and guests place their precious tushes on can become a bit of an oversight.

Don’t just rush off to buy the first dining chairs that come with a “buy one get one free” promotion. Always take the time to consider the table, room and needs of your own family and lifestyle.

Mix and match

With even more dining chair options than there are tables, the easy solution would be to pick up a matching dining table and chair set and be done with it. But do you really want your dining room mimicking a stale, generic showroom? Like any other space in the house, your dining area should be a reflection of your personality. A matching dining set simply isn’t going to cut it! You don’t buy shoes and handbags (sorry gents) in a pre-wrapped bundle, so why should your dining room be any different?

These days it’s all about mixing and matching. Not only do you have the freedom to choose a stylish dining table, you also get to be creative with your seating. Who said you had to stick to one style? Dining chairs don’t have to match the table, let alone each other. Sure, mixing chairs can be a little challenging to pull off, but getting it right will make for a serious case of “va-va voom!” as Neal Whitaker would say. As long as each chair is of a similar height, the opportunities are almost endless.

Common design

Avoiding matching dining table and chairs does not mean heading in the opposite direction with polarising choices. It may be on-trend to pair contemporary seating with a traditional table, but too much of a contrast can leave the entire space feeling disjointed. Ensure a seamless flow in your dining room by picking furniture items with a common design feature.

There is no need to limit chair choices to a particular style, either. The aim is to make your dining room feel complete by creating harmony through colour, style, shape or material. That being said, too many similar elements will leave your dining room exuding that matching showroom feel. Take cue from the current elements of your dining table – it can be something as simple as the shape of the legs. Pair the Elizabeth dining table’s mid-century elegance with the sweeping curves of the Espen scoop back dining chair.

Shape and size

A chair is a chair is a chair, right? Considering they are designed to seat one person, you can be forgiven for assuming that all dining chairs are created equal. You may have found the perfect style chairs, but will they fit comfortably under your dining table?

When selecting chairs it is crucial to consider the size of your current dining table and overall room. An especially large dining table may dwarf a set of slimline Mia dining chairs and leave awkward gaps. On the other end of the scale, a petite round table surrounded by oversized numbers will leave your room feeling cramped. Imagine your future dinner parties. Will guests have enough room to move around the table? If choosing dining chairs with arms, be sure to account for the space needed for those arms – or you may end up with scraped chairs and guests who aren’t able to sit close enough to the table to enjoy your delicious cooking.

Function and maintenance

With open plan living becoming the new norm for modern families, dining tables are no longer reserved exclusively for dining. Before splurging on trendy seats, think about the day to day requirements: do your kids use the dining table to finish their homework on? A set of plastic Eames replicas may look super stylish – and boy do they look good on your Pinterest feed – but a couple of hours spent on paperwork may leave you longing for a soft, upholstered replacement.

Likewise, the material of your dining chairs should be one that reflects your lifestyle. Different materials can bring interesting elements to your dining room. For example, wood introduces warmth and leather carries formality and class. But each material comes with its own maintenance requirements. A regal set of Juliette dining chairs may look wonderful – and receive a myriad of compliments from your posh aunt. However, the upholstered fabric may not fare so well against the abstract spaghetti drawings of your children. If you are big on entertainment, opt for seating options that are light enough to move around without becoming awkward or cumbersome.

Choosing dining chairs that both stylish and low maintenance is the key to ensuring your dining room looks tasteful for years to come.

Get the right fit: The 5 S’s of choosing a sofa

by Aleczander Gamboa · Apr 19, 2018

Sofas are a core essential for your every home, especially in places with high traffic like the living room. From entertaining your guests to family movie night, sofas are guaranteed to be used daily, by everyone, in your home.

Contrary to popular belief, finding the right sofa for you isn’t as simple as buying the first design you see. To give you some clarity and peace of mind, here is a rundown of the five essential factors to think about when shopping for a sofa.

Size

Size is one of the most important considerations to make when choosing the right sofa. After all, if the sofa doesn’t fit your living room, then what’s the point? If you’re unsure about where to start in this area, we’re here to give a helping hand.

In terms of measurements, the general rule of thumb is to have the sofa approximately 152 cm long, 91 cm high, 102 cm deep, with about a 48 cm height for the seating. However, if you’re one for a cheeky afternoon nap every now and then, you need to extend the horizontal height too. In this case, extend the length measurements from 152 cm to 229 cm for enough comfort to lie down or nap.

But not everyone is amazing in mathematics (and that’s okay!). Simply remember the 2:3 rule instead. The sofa should be about two thirds the size of the entire room. If you decide to add in a coffee table too, that should then be two thirds the size of the sofa.

To visualise all of this properly, it’s a great idea to actually draw your measurements out onto a big piece of paper and cut it out. This gives a template of measurements that you can bring with you while shopping. It also saves you time from having to measure every sofa piece you see in stores or online.

Style

Style is another important consideration to make when sofa shopping, as style is often a reflection of your personality. It conveys to guests your tastes without you having to say a single word. With this in mind, it’s essential to keep the sofa style cohesive with the overall vibe of your living room.

There are few ways to approach style. The most common way is to make the sofa the centrepiece of your living room. Thus, the first piece guests will see is the sofa. Their eyes will then bounce to other pieces in the space, but regardless the sofa has done its job of enticing guests into the space. On the other hand, the second way is making the sofa blend into the entire room. When guests see your living room, they’ll notice the overall style of the space instantly, rather than be drawn to one piece at a time. So what you need to think about is whether or not you want the sofa to shout your style loud and proud, or do you want it to subtly whisper it instead.

Once you’ve sorted this out, the next step is to consider the unique aesthetic of the sofa. The top three most popular sofa styles, especially within our loyal Brosa community, are:

- French Provincial Sofas – classy and vintage are two words to describe this style. French Provincial furniture, especially sofas, are all about suave curves and smooth frames.
- Chaise Sofas – While generally simple in style, they more than make up for it through functionality. If you’re the type of person who loves putting their feet up after a long day at work, chaise sofas are the way to go. Note that the extra space to put your feet up means chaise sofas are typically bigger than your average sofa.
- Chesterfield Sofas – Chesterfield sofas are a classic cult favourite in the furniture world, and for good reason too. What really sets this style out from the rest is the tufted detailing, which gives a classy and chic vibe to any living room it’s in.

Shade

The shade of your sofa is an important consideration to make, as the colour of the sofa can evoke certain moods and feelings depending on the colour scheme. Ask yourself: how do you want the space to make you feel? Do you want it to feel calm? Neutral? Or even bold and passionate?

A good way to approach this is to consider the primary colours first, the mix and play with their different variants. You can go darker or lighter – whatever you feel like. To help you out, here is an overview of common colours and the moods they evoke:

Blue – Calming. This colour is said to help you feel more centred and serene.
Green – Lively. Green is recommended for those suffering from anxiety, as the shade helps you calm down and encourages inner zen.
Red – Passionate. Red is an excellent colour to show off your bold personality. The deep shade really helps the sofa to pop out in your living room, which is especially good if you’re using it as a centrepiece.

If you’re having trouble in this area, creating a colour palette may prove useful to you. We recommend digital tools like Coolers to do this.

Softness

Firmness and softness is another important factor to take into account when hunting for the right sofa. This depends on the purpose of the sofa. If you are using it for guests and only guests, a firm sofa is better. This is because generally, guests won’t be staying in the one place in your home the entire time. A firmer sofa makes it easier for them to not only sit upright, but easily stand up when needed. It’s never a good look having guests accidentally sinking into a soft sofa, or fumbling around trying to get up because they’ve sunk in too low.

On the other hand, a softer sofa is ideal for everyday family use. When you sit on a softer sofa and sink in, it creates more of an informal and casual vibe. Perfect for events like movie marathons, date nights indoors, or just a place for you to lounge on your own with a good book.

At Brosa, we offer a range of sofas with different softness levels. We have interviewed some of our customers and asked them to share their thoughts. Take a look at what people are saying about these different softnesses, and decide what’s the best for your home.

Pleasantly Plush

Relatively soft. Subtly smooth. You’ll feel it fit to the contours of your body when you sit. It gives you a cosy place to recline with gentle support.

Mellow medium

Not too firm. Not too soft. It’s right in the middle, and gives a bit of both. Designed for a crowd that’s hard to please.

Softly supportive

We’ve got your back. Literally. Layered foam filling provides a firmer fit. Supportive, with just the right amount of softness.

Strongly supportive

Our most supportive level is for those who prefer a firmer feel. It eases pressure points evenly across the body. Enjoy a better posture.

Sensibility & Practicality

And last but not least, ask yourself: is the sofa sensible to your home and requirements? For example, getting a big and spacious sofa would prove disastrous for a small space like an apartment. Whereas, a small sofa would look rather awkward if the space was especially large. When you’re trying to find the right sofa, it’s all about being practical to you. Not only does your sofa need to fit your budget, but also your lifestyle and your family (remember the family dog!) too.

When it comes to sense and practicality, it’s also essential to consider the material of the sofa. If you have any family pets, a leather sofa is ill-advised as their claws may accidentally rip through the material. On the other hand, if you opt for a sofa that uses fabric, ensure you have a spot cleaner on hand for any unexpected stains that shouldn’t be vigorously wiped off with a cloth.

Hopefully, this article provides you with a solid framework to think about when sofa shopping. While it would be perfect if a sofa fits all of these requirements, the reality is, most of them may not exactly fit every requirement you’re thinking about. So it comes down to a matter of preference – ask yourself: which of these factors are the biggest priorities for you and your home? Good luck!

Try our new sofa selection tool that helps you customise your requirements and finds the perfect match for you.

Have any other tips for sofa shopping? We’d love to know in the comments below!