Five Tips for Selecting Your Perfect Sofa Size and Appearance

When purchasing living room furniture, the sofa ranks among the big ticket pieces in a home. From size to colour, learn some insider tips on how to select the perfect sofa.

Accurate Measurements Are Vital 

The first step when selecting a new sofa is to measure the room's ceiling height and space available. A large sofa can fit into a smaller space when the room is balanced by the sofa's height and shape. One way to test out a sofa before purchasing it is to cut a paper template the size and shape of the potential sofa, place it in the desired location, and then evaluate how it balances with the other furniture in the room.

Height, Width and Length of the Sofa

If the ceiling is eight feet or lower, a low-profile sofa will fill the space more naturally. If the ceiling exceeds eight feet, a high-backed sofa provides a better balance. Lifestyle may play a role in the size of the sofa as well. When looking for a sofa that's long enough for a nap, designers often recommend a length of at least 90".

Balancing the Living Room Furniture

Since the living room is usually the most trafficked room in the home, the sofa is vital to the room's spirit and activity. For a traditional design, the sofa should have a scroll arm. The arm should be square to match with modern aesthetics. Also, be sure to keep an abundance of space among tables and chairs to ensure easy movement throughout the room.

Proportion Is Important With a Sectional

An L-shaped sofa can overwhelm a room. As a result, a sectional sofa with a tight back should be upholstered with attached fabric and padding—with no loose cushions. This will create a more streamlined profile for smaller spaces, which can be enhanced with throw pillows and accent pieces.

The Sofa's Colour and Look

In choosing the sofa's colour, take cues from other elements in the room. Some designers recommend upholstering the sofa in the same solid colour as the wall or curtains to create a cohesive design. Alternatively, choosing an accent for the sofa can make a bold statement but should be balanced with complementary colours in the chairs and rug.

For more than 40 years, Nordesign has been the leading source of stylish, high-quality furniture for the entire home in Western Canada. Visit our showroom to see the full range of our dining, recreational and living room furniture and accessories at affordable prices. Please call us at 403-252-8220 or fill out our contact form.

Three Things to Consider When Choosing Fabric for Your Sofa

When choosing the perfect upholstery for new living room furniture, homeowners must think about a range of lifestyle factors and preferences. Keep these three considerations in mind when selecting fabric for a custom piece.

1. Colour  

While the choice of colour is mostly an issue of preference, lifestyle factors come into play for those who have children or pets. Darker fabrics effectively hide stains and spills, which makes them appropriate for more casual living spaces. These hues also work well in media rooms or home entertainment areas without a lot of natural light. Lighter colours lend living room furniture an air of sophisticated elegance for a more formal space. Bright white and natural colors have also been receiving more attention lately and may be worth looking into for busy homes. Blues and greens are an excellent way to add a pop of colour for those who are shy about bold hues.

2. Fabric Makeup

Natural fibres, which include cotton, silk, linen and wool, feel softer against the skin but don't hold up as well as synthetic blends. For furniture that will look great for years, opt for natural fibres that are combined with acrylic, polyester or viscose. Also, consider the weave of the fabric. Thicker weaves are more textured and provide a casual look, while smoother fabrics accentuate more formal living spaces.

3. Durability

For living room furniture that will stand the test of time, opt for patterns that are woven into the fabric rather than printed on the surface. Microfiber protects from wear and tear if you have pets or expect the piece to get heavy daily use. It also has antimicrobial properties that prevent allergen build-up. Fabrics with fade-resistant properties are best for use in rooms with a lot of natural light. 

Visit Nordesign in Calgary to explore our furniture showroom, which features thousands of quality pieces including custom sofas and sectionals.

How to Master Throw Pillow Arrangement

Learning the art of throw pillow arrangement can brighten up and enhance any piece of living room furniture. Throw pillows bring in texture, colour and intrigue to a room in a simple yet functional way. Using them effectively is an art that can add some flavour to any design.

Like any fine art, there are a few ways to implement it. Every sofa collection has various ways to decorate with pillows, but ultimately it will depend on the home's aesthetic and colour palette.

Colour and Texture 

Play with colour. For a fluid appearance, building a monochromatic palette using neutral tones works wonders. The pillows build on the colours of the furniture and work together beautifully to create a cohesive masterpiece.

Contrast works differently. The result is still art, just with a few unexpected pops. Use the colour wheel as a guide to select throw pillows on the opposite end of the spectrum from the sofa or other furniture. Be sure one colour is dominant in the design, but add in a few other accent pieces in the complementary colour to tie the whole room together.

Switching up texture is possible, too. The only problem is that it can be a bit tricky to handle. When there are different textures everywhere, the space looks cluttered. Add in one interesting textured throw pillow to the design, but keep the rest of the pillows more neutral.

Placement

Symmetry is a common choice, especially for sleek modern designs or more traditional aesthetics. Start on the edges of the sofa with the largest throw pillows, which are called anchor pillows, and build inward to create the symmetrical design. Try mixing up the size and shape of pillows, especially with the central pillow that acts as a focal point in the design.

Asymmetry can work. However, it depends on the use of graphics, colours and textures. Merely having a few more pillows on one side is not going to make asymmetry look good. There has to be some interesting element that keeps the balance between both sides without making them look the same.

For more living room inspiration, check out the Nordesign showroom in Calgary for furniture and home accents to match any style.

Bedroom Furniture: Buying Complete Sets vs. Individual Pieces

When shopping for new bedroom furniture, homeowners often face the daunting choice of buying a complete bedroom set or selecting individual pieces instead. Luckily, there are benefits to both options, and deciding what to buy can be as simple as figuring out what your priorities are when it comes to convenience, style and price.

Buying Bedroom Sets 

Convenience is a huge reason to buy bedroom furniture as a complete set. Sets generally contain all the basics—a bed, chests of drawers, mirrors, nightstands and the like. When bought together, the pieces in a bedroom set are already pre-matched to one another, making design considerations much simpler.

As is usually the case when buying things together, sets can also offer greater savings than buying pieces individually. The whole bedroom can be ready to go with just one easy purchase.

Buying Individual Pieces

Buying individual bedroom furniture pieces is the way to go for homeowners who are a little more particular about style and space. While sets offer the convenience of being pre-coordinated, buying individual pieces allows for more flexibility when it comes to the overall room design and the selection of matching décor.

Buying individually can also be a money-saver. Sets are great if each included piece has a place and function in the bedroom, but buying individually means only getting the pieces that you want and have the space for.

A great way to get the best of both options is to buy a small set—perhaps only two to four pieces—and then add on individual items as desired. This would provide much of the convenience and savings of buying a complete set, plus the ability to add personal flair and functionality with individual pieces.

For an in-person look at the bedroom sets and pieces we offer, visit Nordesign's showroom in Calgary.

Five Favourite Fall Home Trends to Try

Fall is in full effect, and the beautiful trees in Prince's Island Park are already starting to change colour. To complement the changing season, homeowners can make a big impact with the latest trends in furniture, accents and other aesthetic elements. Here are our five favourite home trends for this fall.

1. Forest Green

This deep, rich hue brings the outside in with a fresh twist on the neutral earth tones of yesteryear. Dark forest green is appearing in unexpected places like kitchen cabinets and draperies, often paired with natural woods, leather and brass accents.

2. Rounded Furniture 

Mid-century modern couches with their sharp lines and angles are being replaced with softer lines and plush, inviting cushions. These dynamic pieces include horseshoe sectionals, round ottomans and oval or circular coffee tables. Mix and match silhouettes for an even trendier look.

3. Stained Glass

The new iteration of stained glass in the home isn't in the windows; rather, this iconic art form is returning as wall hangings and other decorative pieces.

4. Velvet

As more individuals strive to create a personal sanctuary at home, soft velvet is the perfect choice for fall. Sink into living room furniture with upholstery rendered in jewel tones like rich merlot and the aforementioned forest green.

5. Black Finishes

While stark stainless steel and warm copper and brass have been the hottest options in fixtures for several years, matte black is making a comeback for the metal items in many homes.

For more decoration inspiration, visit Nordesign's Calgary showroom for the largest collection of contemporary furnishings in the area. Whether shopping for a few home decor items or furniture for the entire living space, individuals are impressed by our incredible selection of high-quality, stylish products.

Brand Highlight: What Makes "Stressless" Furniture Special?

For the past 20 years, Stressless furniture by Ekornes has lead the way in developing furniture that is as comfortable as it is beautiful. They use a uniquely modern approach to crafting furniture, adapting to an individual's body and movements to create a naturally relaxing experience.

Contemporary Style, Cutting-Edge Comfort 

The sofas, recliners and ottomans of Stressless are plush and unbelievably comfortable, and they somehow manage to appear both timeless and thoroughly contemporary. The designs rethink the way furniture adapts to the body. This is accomplished through soft contours, luxurious cushions and the patented Glide system. The Glide system has a wheel that allows individuals to adjust the grip to suit his or her preference. The wheel stays at this setting until it is readjusted. Models with the Glide system include the following:

- Ambassador, Consul and Diplomat chairs

- Buckingham and Windsor lines

- Mayfair

- Legend family

- Wing and Eagle chairs

- Sunrise family

Many of these seats feature 360-degree swivel and the Stressless signature base.

The BalanceAdapt System

In addition to Glide, Stressless has also recently introduced a new feature, the BalanceAdapt system. Chairs with BalanceAdapt automatically adjust to the user's weight and movement, creating a seamless experience that is the ultimate in comfort. Models with BalanceAdapt include the Stressless Skyline and Stressless View, each of which has an available ottoman.

For more information about where to buy Stressless furniture in Calgary, explore the Nordesign showroom, view current promotions and learn more about their selection of Stressless furniture.