The center of any home is the living room and the center of that room is the couch. Although it’s true that most of the attention is directed toward the television, you need a nice place to sit while you watch it. You want your couch to be comfortable for your family and guests and also to suit the design style of the room.
Choosing the right color or pattern for your couch is an important consideration. You want it to suit the design aesthetic you are trying to create. Equally important is the fabric. It has to look right and feel right, and it’s nice if it’s easy to clean.
Leather
A common choice that works very well in contemporary-style living rooms is leather couches. Leather is a natural material that has a bold and sophisticated look. It comes in a variety of colors and is soft and comfortable to sit on. Leather does require extra care. There are liquid cleaners and conditioners that can protect it from moisture and stains as well as bring out its shine and luster. Leather takes some extra care but it can be well worth the effort.
Velvet
A unique sofa fabric that many people like is velvet. It’s very soft and comfortable and has a luxurious look that can add to the decor of your living room. It comes in many colors and can be double-woven for an even softer feel and look.Â
Although velvet is easy to decorate around, it does have its drawbacks. It’s not an easy fabric to clean. Velvet garments have to be dry-cleaned. This is not possible for furniture. To keep a velvet couch clean, you have to vacuum it regularly and use a steam cleaner when it stains.
Another issue with velvet is that it wears out quickly unless it’s handled gently. If you have small children who slide or jump on and off the furniture, velvet may not be for you.
Plain Weaves
Plain weaves, such as twill, canvas, and linen are durable fabrics that generally come in a variety of solid colors. Although they don’t have the sophisticated look of leather or the luxurious feel of velvet, plain weaves are durable. They stand up well to pets and children and have a simplicity that can help show off the lines of the sofa. These are classic fabrics that have been around for a long time and for good reason.
Textured Weaves
Textured weaves have the durability of plain weaves but come in interesting patterns with multiple colors. This makes them excellent pieces to build a color scheme around. They can stand out against a neutral room or blend into a more dynamic look. The textures also hide stains which is a plus for large families.
When decorating a living room, most people start with the couch. The size, design, and color are important elements. It is also a good idea to consider the fabric of your couch. The look, feel, and amount of care it needs are all factors to keep in mind.
