Master the art of buying a sofa and you'll soon be sitting pretty, says Anna McRae, Creative Director of Melbourne furniture manufacturer, Molmic.

Decide on a budget

With sofas, budget is a guide to quality. The longer you want a sofa to last, the more you need to spend. Frame, structure and fabric quality are all important indicators of the lifespan of a sofa, as is the guarantee. Its longevity will also depend on how often it is used, so spend big if the family - and pals - will be lounging on it daily. On average, $3000-$5000, using a medium-price fabric, is what a good-quality, Australian-made sofa should cost.

Measure, measure...

Measure for two things: to make sure the couch fits the scale of the space; and to check that your purchase will fit through the door when delivered.

Consider construction

Look for solid-frame construction, using kiln-dried and forest-renewable timbers, with hardwood rails, mortice-and-tenon joins and steel-sprung seating.

Suit you - and your room

If space is tight, look for linear designs that have smaller arms and proportions but don't compromise on seating space.

If you have a large open-plan living area, modular, contemporary styles are more suited. A three-seater is preferable to a two-seater - you fit more bums on seats without paying much extra.

Test-drive in the showroom

It's a personal thing, but generally look for a high-density foam or quality feather and/or fibre seating. Whether you choose soft or firm seating will depend on the sofa style and your personal preference.

Get your fill

If you love a sumptuous, relaxed look and don't mind plumping and rotating cushions, feather seating is right for you. If you prefer this look with low maintenance, foam and feather wrap is a better option. For a sofa with a more structured, streamlined appearance, high-resilient foam and fibre-wrap fillings are the way to go.

Choose your cover

Quality natural textiles, made from pure cotton, linen or wool, look great but cost more and you need to be mindful of colour fastness, stain-resistance and wear. Synthetic fabrics provide good value and are generally easier to clean. Leather is a popular upholstery option, but requires more maintenance - grime and body oils can become ingrained, so regular cleaning is essential.

Molmic; 1300 812 413.

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