Remodeling and Home Design

Know Your Roll Arm

When it's time to order custom upholstery sofas, you need to be aware of quite a few things.

First of all, from the 'just browsing' stage to the ' estimated date of delivery' stage, you're looking at anywhere from 6 to 14 weeks lead time.  That's number one, so you need to budget a timeline that'll accommodate customization.  Well made furniture constructed to your specifications will take careful manufacturing and a skilled delivery.  *SIDE NOTE-  If you're looking to have a new upholstery piece created to suit your summer home, now is the time to order.*

Second of all, there are many different sofa shapes, arm and leg styles, and skirt and finish options that you're going to need to opt for and with so many choices, it can be a daunting task.  We've compiled the top sofa shapes and illustrated the features you'd typically find on the DRH showroom floor on our Sofa Guide below.

Here's what the team generally recommends.

1) When you have the choice between a cushion bench or a spring bench, you might want to consider the spring.  They tend to keep their shape longer and are more resistant to settling.  If spring bench cushions are not an option, keep in mind that the more dense the cushion, the longer the shape will last but it is a firmer sit.  If you want to sink into a sofa, avoid spring or dense cushions and go for a down blend cushion with a poly core.

2) Be sure to look for reinforced frames, ones that are made of hard wood or kiln dried wood.  This helps to avoid the frame from splitting or cracking with use and the furniture will maintain is shape for a longer period of time.  You don't want your sofa creaking every time a guest takes a seat or stands back up.

3) Understand your fabric options.  You can have natural or synthetic fabric.  Natural fabrics consist of cotton, linen, wool, silk and rayon.  They work very well with prints but must be cared for more consistently and can fade over time if placed in direct sunlight.  Synthetic fabrics consist of acrylic, polyester, nylon, olefin and polypropylene.  These fabric options are more durable and stain resistant.  They're great options for kids or pets in the home or for a piece that will be frequently and well used.  They can pill over time with heavy use.  Then there is leather.  This is also a great option for high traffic use or for home with pets and kids.  It's wipeable and can be stain resistant, but as with any of these fabric options, you must exercise care when attempting an at-home cleaning or stain removal.  Always avoid sharp objects around any upholstered item.  Tears cause tears.

There's plenty more to know and that's why DRH has a well trained team ready to help you select the perfect configuration for your home.  Hope this helps!