Caring for your sofa

Sofas are one of the most frequently used pieces of home furniture and with prolonged use it is inevitable that the fabric upholstery will start to show signs of wear and tear. Though this doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy many years of service from your sofa, you just need to take care of it.

Before going on to how to care for the fabric and sofa its self a couple of major things to avoid are 1: try and keep the sofa out of areas that will receive prolonged exposure to sunlight as much as you can 2: If you have pets, especially cats then you will need to be very vigilant about what they do with their teeth and claws.

If you have a fabric sofa

Accidents are bound to happen and for the best possible clean nothing will beat a professional service. But if it’s only a small spill, tackling it yourself shouldn’t be too taxing. Firstly you must resist the temptation to rub the stain, this will only drive it deeper into the padding, instead wipe the sofa with a damp cloth (not a wet one) and then wipe with a soft dry cloth straight away.

Vacuuming or brushing the fabric weekly will help remove dirt which can add to colour fading and general wear and tear. Also do your best to keep the sofa away from sources of heat and light to further minimise fading.

Ever wanted to know the history of Lloyd Loom furniture – Find out here

If you have a leather sofa

Fairly impossible to avoid to a degree but do your best not to spill anything on the leather but if the inevitable does happen treat just like the fabric sofa; wipe the sofa with a damp cloth (not a wet one) and then wipe with a soft dry cloth straight away. Never use any solvent based cleaners and try and keep sharp objects or anything that could cause a cut or scuff away from the sofa as it could prove to be very hard to rectify.

If vacuuming, vacuum cracks and crevices gently.

What about the cushions

Remove all the cushions that you are able to, hold from the opposite side and then give them a good squeeze to give them a reshape. If you cushions are the same material either side then rotate them to spread the ware evenly over time. You should aim to repeat this process around once a month for foam cushions but for feather filled cushions try to do it weekly.

If you would like any more advice or information, then please give us a call on 0115 9258347 or email us at info@kingsinteriors.com where a member of staff will be only happy to assist.

Five signs you need a new sofa!

How do you determine the signs it’s time for a new couch? When it comes to our homes we generally love everything in it, or at least we did at one point! You may love your trusty sofa –reliable, cosy, and even moulded into your shape - a good sofa can even hold good memories!

However, sometimes, we love them too much, which makes it difficult to let go when we should! If you are on the fence about whether or not to replace your old faithful couch, consider our signs it’s time for a new one!

You’re sinking....

The cushions are flattening; your knees are creeping up to your chin when you sit down, and leaving the couch seems like an almost impossible task. If your inking a little too far into your couch, it’s time to jump ship.

Fading away?

Your new friend from work comes over for lunch - “Ooh I love your sofa, Dave would never let me have a pink sofa!” You smile politely, far too embarrassed to admit that the now fuchsia two-seater was once in fact a burgundy red number! When your sofa starts to fade in colour it’s a big clue it’s time for something new!

Moultee settee?

Fringing can look great on a leather jacket or some denim shorts – not so much on your sofa! When your couch starts shedding its outer shell, and even when the fabric begins to fray a little, it may be time to consider a new sofa!

Creaky couch?

If your guests jump out of their skin thinking they may have sat on a mouse when they take a pew on your beloved couch, it’s probably a sign to get rid! A squeaky couch is basic screaming -“replace me pleaseee, I can’t bare you sitting on me anymore”. Do the kind thing.

You’ve lost that loving feeling

The final and perhaps most given reason you may be in need of a new sofa is that you simply don’t love the way yours looks anymore! Most of us wouldn’t dream of wearing something we wore 10 years ago, so chances are you’re not mad about the interiors you had back then either. If your sofa doesn’t fit in with you decor anymore, it’s time you brought it up to date!

We have a sofa for everyone here at Kings. You will find luxury sofas, fabric sofas, loose cover sofas, leather sofas, Knole sofas, Chesterfield sofas, chaise longues and sofa beds! See our full range here.

Out with the old and in with the new (sofa)

When your old, well-loved, but worn sofa is ready to be replaced, it is always easier to put off the inevitable chore of purchasing a newer model. A comfortable sofa is a wonderful thing. A place to chat, nap, entertain, read and watch television it is easy to become accustomed to the model that you own.

Usually the focal point of a living room or family room, the right sofa can be a sizeable investment. But replacing your existing one can be a surprisingly stressful and costly experience once you have organised transport to relocate your existing one or taken it to the local dump.

As a big commitment, choosing the right sofa that matches both your home and lifestyle is a serious decision and one that is likely to affect your home for a long time, taking up space and anchoring your decorative theme.

Many people fail to research and shop around, with this in mind; we want you to be prepared and to make a well-informed investment that will happily shape your home.

Here are few things to consider when purchasing your new sofa:

Size

Most homeowners usually follow the general rule that a large room will usually dictate a larger sofa and vice versa, but other items of furniture will need to be taken into consideration too. For instance, will you want to purchase matching chairs for the same room, a coffee table perhaps or create a more spacious minimalistic living space?

Sofas, while being the main focus of a living room, should not overwhelm but in the same way they should not be too small. If you live in an apartment a two-seater sofa may be your best option with a side chair. Just because you may opt for a smaller sofa, it doesn’t always mean compromising on weaker styles either.

Consider a sofa such as the Duresta Southsea, available in varied size options and upholstery styles.

Upholstery

If you have young children or pets you may want to have these in mind when choosing the type of fabric or leather that you want to adorn your chosen furniture. Consider a strong but durable fabric if this is the case. While some people may consider leather difficult in such households, it is actually easily cleaned and cared for with regular maintenance and these do come in various grades and qualities.

Patterned fabrics will also camouflage stains much more easily although neutrally coloured fabrics and leathers are likely to be timeless in style and can be dressed up with cushions and bolder statements pieces. 

The feel of the upholstery you choose should be enough to evoke the feeling of comfort.

Our ranges of Contrast upholstery provide something for every type of household and decor.

Shape & Style

With the resurgence of period and vintage revivals in combination with contemporary interior design styles, there is a healthy variety of shapes and styles of sofa to choose from. While this is good, it can make it extremely difficult to choose the right sofa for your home.

The lines of a sofa’s shape and frame are an important aspect of the overall look of your seating option in turn setting the tone for the entire room that it is in, particularly if you  have chosen it to become the main focal point of your living room.

If you are looking for a show piece it is likely you will want something more flamboyant, like a Chesterfield sofa for example, however if you have a busy household with children or many visitors you will want a shape and style that is easily accessed, durable and simple in design.

Modern sofas have simple shapes with subtle curves while traditional sofas tend to be more rounded with the addition of buttons. Combinations of styles are available.

If you’re looking for a simple leather sofa design that boasts durability and practicality, consider the Wade Upholstery Berrington sofa. 

Knowledge

When you have your ideal designs, styles, functions and fabric styles in mind browse various furniture stores and ask the staff about the ranges, that way you are likely to find a retailer that you can build trust and confidence in.

Choosing a store you can trust with salespeople who can answer your questions without being rushes or pressured makes your purchase of the right sofa much simpler.

All of our staff at our various showrooms in Nottingham have extensive knowledge about all of our sofas and will patiently guide you through the process of selecting the style and design that you want for your home.

With various sofa brands, designs, sizes and styles available you’re sure to find the right sofa with Kings. If you live in Nottingham, Derby or surrounding areas, pop into one of our showrooms today or contact us.