Sofa frames are generally made out of metal or wood. Metal is most common in sofas that might have moving parts, such as recliner sofas or futons. Metal is a solid sturdy option that lends itself well to most sofa roles. Wood sofas can also be solid and practical, as well as beautiful. Although, if you are investing in a wood sofa it is important that you invest in the right type of wood. High quality woods such as Oak will last under stress much longer than materials such as particleboard or plastic.
Leather sofas are most commonly regular or reclining sofas. Leather is always a great look it offers durability, style and comfort. But, if you choose a leather sofa you will want to be sure it is properly taken care of.
• Your leather will need to be cleaned regularly with a commercial leather-cleaning product. Follow the instructions on the bottle to insure the best results.
• Spills need to be handled immediately to prevent any permanent staining or color loss.
• Leather sofas should not be put in direct sunlight. The leather has a tendency to bleach, dry, or crack.
• A few times per year you should use a leather conditioner to keep your sofa looking and feeling new.
Upholstery Fabrics: Other fabrics tend to offer a wider range of selection than leather can. Fabrics can come in a number of different styles and patterns.
If you opt to go with a non-leather fabric, there are other things to consider. If your sofa is going to suffer wear from friends, pets, and kids you may want to choose a cleanable fabric that is tightly woven in order to avoid stains and snags. A fabric like micro-fiber or olefin is a solid durable option in such case, though olefin may fade a bit in direct sunlight.