Sofa: Features, Classification, Applications and Selection Notes

A sofa (sofa, couch or daybed) is a piece of furniture with a frame made from materials such as wood, steel, plastic, etc. Sofas have foam and spring cushions, and are covered with leather or fabric. This type of chair usually has many seats, suitable for living rooms or waiting rooms.

According to Nestle statistics, up to 60% of Vietnamese families own at least one sofa set, showing the popularity of this piece of furniture in modern architecture.

Sofas are classified in many ways such as:

  • Classified by style and design: including sofa bench, corner sofa, single sofa and sofa bed.
  • Classified by upholstery material: there are genuine leather sofas, imitation leather sofas, fabric sofas and synthetic fiber sofas.
  • Classified by style: such as modern, classic, neoclassical and Scandinavian.

Sofa sets are often widely used in living rooms, bedrooms, living rooms, offices, etc. to create a space for relaxation, work, study, etc.

TTherefore, you need to pay attention to the size, style, material, color, function and price when choosing a sofa for your living space. Let's learn more about sofas through the following article!

Learn about sofas
Learn about sofas

1. What is a Sofa? What are its characteristics?

A sofa (sofa, couch, daybed) is a piece of furniture with a frame made of wood, steel, plastic, etc., with foam cushions, springs and covered with leather or fabric. Sofas usually have many seats, suitable for living rooms and waiting rooms.

Sofas were introduced to Vietnam a long time ago, during the French colonial period. Before that, the armchairs in ancient Egypt were considered the predecessors of today's sofas, favored by wealthy aristocratic families. Through many conquests, sofas were learned and developed by Westerners.

Sofa features:

  • Big size: Sofas are usually larger in size than other types of chairs. This allows more people to sit on the chair at the same time without being limited by space.
  • Soft surface: The seat surface is made of soft materials such as foam, cushion or padding to create a comfortable feeling when sitting.
  • Handrail: Most sofas have armrests on either side, giving the sitter something to lean on and enhancing comfort.
  • Backrest: The backrest is high and comfortable so that the sitter can lean back and rest.
  • Sturdy frame: Sofas are built with sturdy frames made of wood, metal or other materials to ensure durability and stability.
  • Peripheral cover: The upholstery of a sofa can be leather, fabric or other materials, creating beauty and style for the chair.
Sofa (illustrative photo)
Sofa (illustrative photo)

2. How Are Sofas Classified?

Sofas are classified in a variety of styles (bench, corner, single, bed), upholstery materials (genuine leather, imitation leather, fabric, synthetic fibers) and design styles (modern, classic, neoclassical, Scandinavian), meeting many different needs and preferences.

2.1. Based on style and design

Sofas come in a variety of styles to suit different needs and spaces. Popular types of sofas include:

  • Sofa: Simple, neat I-shaped design, suitable for small living rooms. Sofa size usually ranges from 1,6m to 2,2m, can comfortably seat 2-4 people.
  • Corner sofa (L-shaped, U-shaped): Take advantage of corner space, create spacious seating, ideal for large families. L-shaped corner sofas are usually 2,4m x 1,6m or larger in size, while U-shaped sofas can be up to 3,6m x 2,4m.
  • Single sofa (armchair): A sofa for one person, placed next to a large sofa or used as a reading chair. The size of a single sofa is usually from 80cm to 1m wide, and from 70cm to 90cm deep.
  • Sofa bed (multi-function): Combines sitting and lying functions, saving space for small apartments. The sofa bed can be extended into a bed with dimensions from 1,2m x 1,9m to 1,6m x 2m.
Sofa
Sofa
L shaped corner sofa
L shaped corner sofa
U-shaped corner sofa
U-shaped corner sofa
Single sofa
Single sofa
Multi-function sofa bed
Multi-function sofa bed

2.2. Based on upholstery material

Upholstery material is an important factor that determines the aesthetics, durability and price of a sofa. Common types of upholstery materials include:

  • Genuine leather sofa: Luxurious, durable, easy to clean but expensive. Genuine leather sofas can be used for 20-30 years if well maintained.
  • Leatherette sofa (PU, PVC,…): Looks like real leather, cheaper but less durable. The average lifespan of faux leather sofa is 5-7 years.
  • Fabric sofa (felt, velvet, rough, canvas,...): Diverse in color, pattern, breathable, environmentally friendly. However, fabric sofas are more susceptible to dust, water absorption and fading than leather sofas.
  • Synthetic fiber sofa (polyester, acrylic): Combines the advantages of many fabrics, easy to clean, good waterproofing. The durability of synthetic fiber sofas can be up to 10-15 years.
Genuine leather sofa
Genuine leather sofa
Leatherette Sofa
Leatherette Sofa
Velvet sofa
Velvet sofa

2.3. Based on design style

Sofas can be classified according to design style, suitable for the homeowner's preferences and interior space:

  • Modern sofa: Simple, sophisticated design, using neutral materials and colors. Modern style accounts for about 40% of the sofa market.
  • Classic sofa: Luxurious, sophisticated design with curves, patterns and high-quality materials. Classic sofas often use natural wood and genuine leather, accounting for about 20% of the market.
  • Neoclassical sofa: Combining classic and modern beauty, bringing noble beauty. Neoclassical sofas often use neutral colors and luxurious materials.
  • Scandinavian Sofa: Minimalist, clean design with bright colors and natural materials. Nordic style is increasingly popular in modern apartments.
Modern style sofa
Modern style sofa
Neoclassical style sofa
Neoclassical style sofa
Classic style sofa
Classic style sofa
Nordic style sofa
Nordic style sofa

3. Application of Sofa

Sofa is a multi-purpose furniture, can be used in many places such as living room, bedroom, living room, office... to create a space for relaxation, work, study...

  • Living room: Creates a highlight for the room and brings comfort to the user when receiving guests, watching movies, reading books, chatting, etc.
  • Bedroom: Decoration or as a place to relax, read books. Sofa bed can also be used as an extra bed for guests.
  • Living room:The sofa is the ideal place for the whole family to gather together after a long day to watch movies, play games, chat,...
  • Office: Used in offices to create a reception area for customers or a relaxation area for employees.
  • Hotel: Usually placed in hotel lobbies, waiting rooms or bedrooms to provide comfort to guests.
  • Store: The sofa can be used in a waiting area for customers or as a relaxation area for employees.
  • Cafe: Sofas are popular furniture in coffee shops, helping to create a cozy and comfortable space for customers.
  • Garden: Place a sofa in the garden to create a space for relaxation, chatting or receiving guests.
Bedroom sofa
Bedroom sofa
Living room sofa
Living room sofa
Office sofa
Office sofa
Hotel sofa
Hotel sofa
Garden sofa
Garden sofa

4. What to Note When Choosing a Sofa?

When choosing a sofa, you need to pay attention to size, style, material, color, function and color to ensure you choose the sofa that best suits your needs and space.

4.1. Size

The size of your sofa should be appropriate for the space in your living room. A sofa that is too large can make your living room feel cramped, while a sofa that is too small may not meet your needs.

Note, the height of the sofa to ensure it is suitable for the height of the user. The height from the seat to the floor should range from 40 to 45 cm.

4.2. Design

The style of the sofa should match the decoration style of the room. If you like modern style, choose a sofa with a simple, elegant design. On the contrary, with a classic style, you should choose a sofa with a sophisticated, elaborate design.

Consider whether the style of the sofa will fit the location. For example, if you are placing the sofa against a corner, choose a corner sofa or a sofa with low arms.

4.3. Material

The material of the sofa can affect the feel of the product and its durability. Popular materials include leather, fabric, etc. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you need to consider carefully before deciding.

4.4. Colors

The color of the sofa should be in harmony with the overall color of the room. You should choose a sofa color that is similar to the color of the walls, floors or curtains.

Consider whether the color of the sofa is easily stained or not. If you choose a bright colored sofa, you need to clean it regularly to keep it clean and beautiful.

4.5. Function

If you need a sofa for relaxing, choose a sofa with soft foam cushions and a high back. Conversely, if you need a sofa for watching movies, choose a sofa with a suitable headrest and recline angle.

It is important to note some other functions of the sofa such as having storage compartments, being able to convert into a bed, integrating an additional engine...

4.6. Price

There are many different sofa prices on the market, you should consult the prices of many stores before buying. Do not be greedy for cheapness and buy a poor quality sofa that is easily damaged.

In addition, you also need to note some other issues such as:

  • Sofa brand: You should choose to buy sofas from reputable brands to ensure quality and good warranty service.
  • Warranty: You should ask carefully about the sofa's warranty before buying.
  • Where to buy sofa: You should buy sofa at reputable stores with showrooms so you can directly see and experience the product.
Experience in choosing the right sofa
Experience in choosing the right sofa

Sofa Related Questions

What is the difference between genuine leather sofa and industrial leather sofa?

Genuine leather sofas are made from animal skin (cow, sheep, goat) through a natural tanning process, are highly durable (20-30 years), soft and luxurious but expensive (from 50-100 million/set).

Industrial leather sofas are made from PU and PVC synthetic leather through an industrial production process, looking like real leather but with lower durability (5-7 years), harder and hotter, and cheaper (from 10-30 million/set). See more details about leather interior: characteristics, classification, applications and effective preservation methods.

What is the difference between sofa frames made from natural wood and industrial wood?

  • Natural wood frames (oak, beech, poplar) are durable, strong, and less susceptible to warping and termites, but are expensive and heavy.
  • Industrial wood frames (plywood, MDF) are lightweight, highly stable, moisture resistant, reasonably priced, but less durable than natural wood.

You can refer to the article: Should choose natural or industrial wood when making furniture? The topic has the best comparison!

Should I choose foam or spring mattress for sofa?

Depending on your needs and financial ability, decide whether to choose foam or spring mattress for your sofa. Foam cushions are highly elastic and soft, lighter and cheaper but easily sag after 3-5 years of use. Spring cushions are more elastic and supportive, keeping the shape of the sofa but are heavier and more expensive, requiring a sturdy frame.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of felt and canvas sofas?

  • Felt and velvet have a soft, warm surface, good absorption, and come in many colors, but are prone to dust, wrinkles, and fading.
  • Canvas has a rough, cool surface, good absorption, and is environmentally friendly but wrinkles easily, is not colorfast, and has limited patterns.

What is the suitable sofa size for a 15-20m2 living room?

For a living room of 15-20m2, you should choose a sofa with a length of 1,6-2,2m (2-3 seater sofa), depth of 70-90cm, height of 70-80cm. The sofa area takes up about 1/3 of the living room area (5-7m2) to ensure space for moving and arranging other furniture.

How are cleaning and maintenance of leather sofas and fabric sofas different?

  • Leather sofas should be cleaned weekly with a damp cloth, vacuumed and wiped with a specialized solution, avoiding getting the leather wet and exposing it to direct sunlight.
  • Fabric sofas should be dry cleaned every 1-2 months, using specialized neutral detergent.

How to arrange sofa in living room according to feng shui?

How to arrange sofa according to feng shui in living room:

  • Arrange the sofa with its back to the main door to avoid being directly exposed to bad air.
  • Place the sofa against a sturdy wall behind your back to create a sense of security and stability.
  • Place the sofa away from fireplaces, air conditioners, and windows to avoid dryness, heat, and mold.
  • Choose a sofa with a color that matches the homeowner's destiny to bring luck and fortune.

How to remove odors and mold on sofa?

To remove odors and mold on the sofa, you should:

  • Use a vacuum cleaner or baking soda to absorb moisture and deodorize.
  • Clean with a damp cloth soaked in a specialized deodorizing spray for sofas.
  • Dry the sofa in a cool place, use a fan or dehumidifier to dry quickly.
  • Place a bag of activated charcoal or dry coffee beans on the sofa to absorb moisture and inhibit mold.

Which unit designs and tailors reputable sofas in HCM?

SmartDecor is a reputable interior design and construction company with over 10 years of experience in the industry, specializing in providing complete interior solutions for homes, offices, shops and other commercial spaces.

Refer Some sofa models at SmartDecor:

Some sofa products at Smart Decor
Some sofa products at Smart Decor

Why should you choose SmartDecor to design and tailor sofas?

  • Owning a team of experienced architects and engineers, highly specialized in the field of interior design.
  • Can be designed in many different styles, from modern, luxurious to classic, cozy, meeting all customer requirements.
  • Has its own furniture factory with modern equipment, meeting customers' tailoring needs.
  • Provide full range of high quality interior materials.
  • Providing full construction services, including design, production, construction to completion and handover of the project.
  • Competitive prices.

Contact SmartDecor for more details!

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