Is it time to upgrade a few key pieces of upholstery in your home?

If you’re shopping for, or planning to shop for things like sofas, chairs, or other upholstered furniture, it's important to know how to spot good quality pieces that will not only look great in your home but will also provide comfort and durability for many years.

From the frame to the fabric, there are several things to consider so that you’re making a wise investment.

This one is all about the best ways to save money and hassles!

I’m going to show you how to evaluate the key features of upholstered furniture, so you can recognize pieces that are well-made, stylish, and functional, and I’ll tell you what to look for and what to avoid so you don’t get stuck with a dud you’ll regret.

Ready to make some informed decisions about your next furniture purchase? Let’s get into The ultimate guide to spotting high quality upholstery.

1. Check the Frame:

It’s awesome to have a stylish new sofa, but it’s not all about looks… You’ll want to exam the frame before signing the bill.

there are a few key things to look for to ensure that it is of good quality and will last for a long time.

First, you’ll want to make sure the frame is made of hardwood, such as oak, ash, or maple. These woods are strong and durable and are the ideal foundation for a piece.

Softwoods, such as pine, are not as strong and can warp or crack over time, not good.

Laminated plywood is another great choice in frame material.

Many custom furniture companies have a version of a laminated plywood frame that entails thin pieces of plywood, glued together, and laminated with a shellac. Each layer of the plywood has an alternating grain pattern to give the piece the most structural stability.

This might seem like overkill but think about how much use the main family sofa gets.

All those bodies flopping, shifting, tossing. You want a frame that can withstand that amount of wear, right?

Ask your furniture store rep if they have a cut-away showing how their furniture is made. If they don’t, chances are their stuff might not be the best quality…

Next, you want to check the construction of the frame.

The best frames will have joints that are glued, dowelled, or screwed together. These joints provide the most secure and stable connection between the different pieces of the frame.

Joints that are held together with staples or nails are less stable and can wiggle apart over time.

You’ll also want to pay attention to the corner blocks.

Corner blocks are small pieces of wood that are used to reinforce the corners of the frame. They provide additional strength and stability. Look for corner blocks that are securely attached and made of the same hardwood as the frame.

Finally, you want to check the weight of the piece.

Good quality furniture will feel heavy and substantial, indicating that it’s made of solid wood and not lightweight materials like particleboard or MDF.

When I sold furniture years ago, I would see people lifting on the arms of sofas and chairs all-the-time, so don’t feel weird about doing that too. Furniture is expensive and you should take your time and explore all you can before making your finial decision.

Look at the Springs:

You might not thing that the springs are a big deal, but they’re the thing that makes a sofa comfortable, or not…

Here’s what you need to know for the best quality, comfort, and support.

First, you want to check that the springs are evenly spaced and securely attached to the frame.

This ensures that the weight of the person sitting on the piece is evenly distributed across the springs, preventing any one spring from bearing too much weight and becoming overstretched or broken.

You can check the spring attachment by pressing down on the seat of the piece and feeling for any movement or sagging. Don’t just push with your hands and arms. Sit on the piece so you get the full effect. If you feel like you’re listing to one side or the other, this is an indication that the piece is probably not made with the best spring support materials.

Next, you want to check the type of springs used in the piece.

The two most common types of springs used in upholstered furniture are sinuous springs and eight-way hand-tied springs.

• Sinuous springs are made of a continuous piece of wire that zig-zags back and forth across the frame. They’re less expensive to produce than eight-way hand-tied springs but are also less durable and may lose their shape over time. However, a heavy gauge wire in a zig-zag can be quite durable and long lasting. (More on that in a second…)

• Eight-way hand-tied springs, on the other hand, are individual coils that are tied together by hand in eight different directions. They’re more expensive to produce but provide superior comfort and durability.

Another thing to look for is the gauge of the springs.

The gauge refers to the thickness of the wire used to make the springs. Thicker wire is more durable and will provide better support than thinner wire. A good quality piece of furniture will typically use springs with a gauge between 8 and 11.

You’ll also want to check the support system for the springs.

The springs should be supported by a layer of webbing or mesh, which helps to distribute the weight of the person sitting on the piece evenly across the springs. A good quality support system will prevent the springs from sagging or becoming stretched out over time.

2. Examine the Cushions:

There are quite a few things to think about when considering the best cushions. And it’s not all about the comfort…

First, you want to check the density of the foam used in the cushions.

The density refers to how much the foam weighs per cubic foot. Higher density foam is more durable and will provide better support over time. A good quality piece of furniture will typically use foam with a density of 1.8 to 2.5 pounds per cubic foot.

Next, you want to check the type of foam used in the cushions.

The two most common types of foam used in upholstered furniture are polyurethane foam and latex foam.

• Polyurethane foam is less expensive but may break down over time, while latex foam is more durable and provides better support.

• If you have an allergy to synthetic latex, you might want to consider natural latex, which is naturally hypoallergenic and more breathable.

The main difference is synthetic latex is made from polymerized petroleum, aka chemicals. Natural and organic latex is made from natural materials like the rubber tree. There’s a cost difference, natural is more expensive because of the harvesting and manpower needed to produce it, but it’s better for you and the planet in the long run.

Check the construction of the cushions.

• Look for cushions that have a removable cover, this makes cleaning and maintenance much easier.

• Also, check that the seams of the cushion fabric to make sure they’re strong and secure. You don’t want the cushion splitting or tearing over time.

You’ll probably see literature about the piece nearby. Look for words like surged, top-stitched, reinforced stitching, fabric backing. You want to see how they describe the strength of their fabric construction.

As you inspect the covers, look for gaps in the seams, loose threads, and puckering on the corners. These usually indicate shoddy work. Keep in mind, stores will put out the “best looking” pieces on the showroom floor. If you see things that don’t look great in the store, you can surely expect that they will look much jankier in your house.

Consider is the filling material used in the cushions.

Some cushions are filled with down or feathers, which can be very comfortable but may require frequent fluffing to maintain their shape.

Others can be straight foam, which I talked about above. This type of fill is most common.

You might encounter a combination of fills:

• Foam and down, which is a more supportive base with a layer of softness on top.

• Foam and springs, where there’s a set of extra springs inside the cushion core. This tends to be the firmest feeling construction.

• You’ll even see foam, down and spring together sometimes.

• Also, memory foam is gaining a lot of traction in cushion core technology. This molds to your body and recovers slowly when you get up from the piece.

Last, consider the depth and shape of the cushions.

Cushions that are too shallow or too deep can be uncomfortable, while cushions that are too firm or too soft may not provide the right level of support.

3. Check the Fabric:

There are a few things to look for to get the best quality and use.

First, you want to check the durability of the fabric.

Look for fabrics that have a high rub count, which is a measure of how well the fabric will stand up to abrasion. A good quality fabric will typically have a rub count of at least 15,000 to 20,000 double rubs. Also, look for fabrics that are made of natural fibers, such as cotton or linen, because these materials are more durable and will hold up better over time than synthetic materials.

Next, you want to check the colorfastness of the fabric.

This refers to how well the fabric will hold its color over time and when exposed to sunlight. Look for fabrics that are rated for high levels of colorfastness, because these will be less likely to fade or discolor over time.

You’ll also want to consider the pattern and texture of the fabric.

Patterns and textures can help to hide stains and wear, making the piece look better for longer. However, be cautious of overly trendy patterns or textures, as these may quickly go out of style and may not be a good long-term investment.

Another important factor to consider is the cleanability of the fabric.

Look for fabrics that are easy to clean and maintain. This will help to extend the life of the piece. Leather or vinyl are more resistant to stains and spills and are easy to wipe clean. But some fabrics may require special cleaning or maintenance to keep them looking their best.

You’ll see a cleaning code on fabric samples that are displayed in the store.

• ALWAYS get a sample of the fabric that you can keep because that’s where you’re going to find the cleaning codes.

Some fabrics are:

• Solvent only clean-up, which means that you cannot use water to clean it.

• Some others are solvent/water clean, which defaults to use a non-water based cleaner, to be safe.

• Some fabrics are water clean-up, which means you can spot clean with soda or water, don’t saturate the fabric…

• Others are vacuum only.

See why you need that fabric sample? If you can’t get an actual sample, have the store print out all the cleaning requirements for the fabric you buy. It’s better to know for sure than to guess.

Finally, you want to consider the overall feel of the fabric.

Upholstered furniture is meant to be comfortable and inviting, so look for fabrics that feel soft and inviting to the touch. However, be cautious of fabrics that are too delicate or easily snagged because these may not hold up well over time.

So, when it comes to purchasing upholstered furniture, taking the time to evaluate the quality of the piece can make a significant difference in your long-term satisfaction and comfort.

A well-made piece of furniture will not only look great in your home, but it will also provide comfort and durability for years.

As you think about the key features of upholstered furniture, like the frame, springs, cushions, fabric, and construction details, you’ll know you’re selecting a piece that’s good quality and that will meet your needs for a long time.

Also, keep in mind that a higher price does not necessarily guarantee better quality. Always take the time to examine the key features so you can make the best-informed decisions.

With the right knowledge and attention to detail, you’re sure to find a beautiful and well-made piece of upholstered furniture to enhance the comfort and style of your home.

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I write about small space design and decorating, sustainable furniture options, positive self care and a variety of do-it-yourself home décor.

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Michael is Principal designer and blogger at Michael Helwig Interiors in beautiful Buffalo, New York. Since 2011, he’s a space planning expert, offering online interior e-design services for folks living in small homes, or for those with awkward and tricky layouts. He’s a frequent expert contributor to many National media publications and news outlets on topics related to decorating, interior design, diy projects, and more. Michael happily shares his experience to help folks avoid expensive mistakes and decorating disappointments. You can follow him on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook @interiorsmh.