Interior designer Bobbie Snow O'Neill gives tips that are a great help in choosing well-made upholstered furniture to fit your needs and lifestyle. The first thing to do is determine your needs. Take into account the room where the piece will be located, considering both the room's use and size. Then analyze your lifestyle and the use the furniture will get -- whether it will be in a casual setting and used by children and pets as well as adults or in a more formal setting. At the showroom try out several pieces of furniture to see what you like. Ask to see how a piece is constructed: many stores have cutaways that show the construction of a piece. When looking at a piece, the most important parts to consider are the coils and the springs, which provide seating support. Look for eight-way hand-tied coils and sturdy springs made of high-quality metal, both of which indicate a high-quality piece of furniture. Check the firmness, or support, of a piece of upholstered furniture by sitting in it and taking a look at a construction cutaway. Some pieces are made to give a lot of support, while others, like those filled with goose down, are made so that you can sink down into them. The frame of a piece of furniture determines its overall strength. The best wooden chair frames are made of kiln-dried oak. Kiln-drying pulls moisture from the wood so it won't warp or crack. Since the average life span of an upholstered piece is seven to eight years, it makes sense to buy the best quality you can afford. Many patterns and weaves are available, including stripes, florals, tapestries and jacquards. When deciding on fabrics, keep in mind the kind of use the piece will get. A sturdy dirt-disguising fabric is best for furniture that will be used by children and pets. Most new upholstered pieces are treated with a stain-resistant finish. Keep upholstered furniture in top shape by having it steam-cleaned regularly, and make sure to have a stain-resistant coating applied after each cleaning. Sofas come in several styles: tuxedo style, with loose cushions and arms set at a comfortable height (figure A); traditional, with tight back cushions sewn to the frame (figure B); bench seat, with a seat made of just one cushion (figure C); and chaise longue, a popular, casual style with soft, loose cushions perfect for relaxing (figure D). Before you buy, look at the back of the piece: You might decide to float it in the room, and you want to be sure it looks good from all sides.
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