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The best tips to customizing any sofa, old or new.

A sofa is always the focal point to any living room. There is a wealth of choice available, as a result your home can be made as individual as you are yourself!

Before you commence purchasing you should check the amount of space you have available. It is very easy to buy an item of furniture which looks great in the shop, but is much too large for your compact size living room. Browse the collections of seating arrangements – the conventional 3-piece suite has been replaced by twin-seater settees, extra long loungers and corner seating arrangements. Consider existing furniture and how the new items will fit in.

Depending on the layout of your room and whether you opt for traditional or contemporary pieces, there is something to suit everyone.
Obviously where the family is large, more seating is required. A longer length settee, together with contrasting or matching armchairs would be ideal. Alternatively, two twin-seater settees or more intimate corner seating arrangements may be preferred for couples or small families. Work out what is best for your family and personalise to your individual taste.

For families, it’s essential that the fabric you choose is practical and can be easily cleaned or washed in the machine. With view to this, decide on hard-wearing materials such as heavy-duty cottons, leather or denim, preferably either mid to darker colours which won’t show dirt quite as easily. Only choose silks or velvets for rooms which don’t suffer the rough and tumble of small children or pets.

Compromises always need to be made. However, a lighter coloured seating arrangement can be customized and made more practical by adding lots of squashy, washable cushions, in either toning or contrasting colours. Large dramatic horizontal stripes or a splash of colour can add instant energy and character. Fringes can be sewn to existing furniture, either matching the chairs, curtains or colour scheme to add style and make it unique.

There are many fabrics on display to personalise your sofa. Rich jewel velvets and chenille look great against neutral colours on cushions. Moreover dramatic abstract designs appear striking and vibrant. Where existing seating is already patterned, neutral open-weave cushions add a touch of style. Pay as much as you can afford for long lasting fabrics, as the cheaper materials such as cotton and linen may wrinkle or tear. If you have a sewing machine you may be able to make cushions of your own design, making them really unique and very cost effective!

With the large array of sofas available in shops and online, the collaboration of quality materials, a little imagination and flair, you can personalise your home exactly to your individual taste.