Fabric Samples
Above photo: Madison sofa
Given the amount of time you and your guests will spend sitting on a sofa throughout your lives, investing in the right sofa is not a decision you should make lightly. Whether you’re on the market for a sofa upgrade to enhance your living interiors, or if you’re currently at the research stage before settling on a sofa for your first home, there are a number of considerations to pay careful attention to before you invest. Making the right decisions when it comes to size, practicality, comfort and design will inevitably guarantee years of enjoyment – so it’s paramount to keep these preferences in mind before you shop.
Let us take you now through the steps to choose your perfect sofa at Delcor.
Photo: Smithfield sofa
1. Visit your nearest Delcor destination showroom
Here at Delcor, we have years of experience under our belts when it comes to helping our clients settle on a piece of true luxury for their home. Our destination showrooms present our model styles in beautiful and inspiring surroundings. Take time to thoroughly browse the showroom and try the models you are interested in. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and relax, there is no pressure here!. You can find the perfect style for your home. Each of our furniture specialists are trained to offer impartial advice, to help you understand the various sofa sizes, fillings and finishes that would complement your individual interior goals. If you’re not able to book your own design consultation with our experts, here are a number of recommended tips and tricks from our Delcor specialists on how best to choose a quality sofa. You do not need to have a consultation to visit the showrooms, you can visit whenever you wish. Find out the opening times for your nearest destination showroom. You can also find out in advance which model styles your nearest destination showroom have for you to try,
Photo: Choose from a world of fabrics at Delcor
2. Order sample swatches
Here at Delcor, we’re often asked ‘what is the best material for a sofa?’ and whilst we have a number of favourable options, it ultimately depends on clients’ individual preferences. For example, if you’re a growing family looking for a reliable, comfortable sofa that will withstand messy fingerprints and frequent spills, then an easy-to-clean, wipe away material is recommended. Perhaps you need to consider your four legged family members? There are practical hard wearing and washable fabrics suitable for busy homes and pet friendly ones too. Or if you envision your sofa as a statement piece? To create something special to complement your interiors, that won’t have to withstand frequent use, then we have a wide range of opulent fabrics and designs that will really stand out and make a statement. This is your chance to create something totally unique for your home.
We offer clients the chance to request samples from our world of upholstery fabrics. From velvet to chenille, to plain or textured – there really is something for everyone. We will help you define your exact sample preferences, to help you make the right fabric decision before you choose a sofa. Our consultants will order your choice of fabric samples which will arrive at your home in just a few days. Then you can examine them in the comfort of your home and find the perfect choice for your scheme.
When you receive your samples live with them, test them in artificial and natural light, see how they hold up against spills or even let pets have a scratch at the samples, these small but efficient tests will give you a rough idea of which fabrics are right for you and your family.
Whether you opt for a hard-wearing leather, or a matt-finish velvet, we offer our clients the ability to apply any fabric preferences to each of our bespoke sofa designs. As we build everything in our own Northumberland mill, our specialists are able to craft a unique sofa to clients exact preferences, right down to specific fabrics, sizes and colourways.
Photo: Oxford sofa
3. Think of longevity
Longevity often comes hand in hand with budget preferences and, while a cheaper sofa may appear more affordable on the surface, the deteriorating quality of the sofa over time reveals that the opposite is often true. Whilst it may be tempting to purchase a more affordable sofa, chances are that cheap sofas will end up becoming more expensive in the long run, as frequent upholstery requirements or full replacements can become costly. We recommend that each of our clients who are looking to purchase a new sofa consider buying from a reputable supplier that can offer a solid sofa frame. Spending as much as your budget allows on a solid, hardwood frame will see you through many years of lounging, as hardwood frames can withstand a lot more usage over metal alternatives.
When it comes to settling on a sofa, it also pays to be mindful of the manufacturer’s sofa guarantee. This gives clients the confidence to invest in a sofa that will confidently last a number of years – with reassurance that, if anything goes wrong, the sofa guarantee will offer a replacement. Here at Delcor, the timber we use for our bespoke sofa designs is hand-selected and cut at our own sawmill in Northumberland, so we can confidently guarantee the quality and longevity of our sofa frames. As a big part of our business is refurbishing older Delcor furniture from the past, it is not unusual for sofas of 15 years old, or forty years old to come back! It is why we are so confident to offer a 50-year frame guarantee*
As well as paying close attention to detail, we also proudly wear the Manufacturing Guild Mark of Excellence, an established award given to a select number of Britain’s top furniture manufacturers. We’ve held this title since 1993, so it’s safe to say we know a thing or two about high-quality furniture.
Photo: Fontaine sofa
4. Think of practicality
Lastly, practicality often goes overlooked – but it’s one of the most important deciding factors that will allow you to make the most of your new sofa in the years to come. Many clients remember to take specific dimensions, but often forget to measure limited access spaces your sofa will have to pass through on delivery. If access is limited (common access issues range from low ceilings or narrow doorways) then you do not have to worry because all our furniture can be cleverly delivered in sections and be assembled in your room. This takes all of the stress out of worrying so that you can thoroughly enjoy the experience of receiving your Delcor handcrafted masterpiece!
Find out about our assembly on site service.
It also pays to be mindful of the overall depth of your sofa, as depth rarely ever changes from smaller to larger sofas and, whilst you may believe your chosen sofa size has the right dimensions for a room, the depth could limit walking space and future interior plans. The good news is that it’s never been easier to customise a sofa (size, depth and all) to make it really work for you and your space at Delcor.
Since all of our custom sofas are made in-house by our team of talented artisans, our clients have the ability to customise every aspect of their sofa design, from dimensions, to seat interiors and more. Using one of our existing sofa designs as a blank canvas, our high-quality sofas are then able to be built to size and customised entirely – right down to feet and leg options.
Find out about made to measure furniture at Delcor.
Photo: Chelsea fixed back sofa.
5. Choose your perfect style sofa
From our well loved Lofa sofa to the classical Chesterfield sofa for traditional designs. Or for more modern looks why not try the Metro sofa with its angular modern styling, or the Watson sofa a style that can fit effortlessly into modern or traditional interiors. There really is a style to suit everybody and every home. Whatever style sofa you’re looking for, bring your vision to life at Delcor. Remember, each style comes in a range of different sizes and can also be modified to perfectly suit you. With years of experience and a stellar industry reputation, our close-knit team of talented craftspeople work alongside clients to help make your sofa dreams a reality.
Whether you prefer to see our bespoke sofa designs in person by visiting one of our signature furniture showrooms across the UK, or you chat to us firsthand, either via a free bespoke design consultation or over the phone, no job is too big or small for our technicians, and we’re here to offer impartial guidance and advice every step of the way.
Photo: Watson sofa
Some more tips!
Think about your room, who uses the space and how. Do you want to lounge about after a hard days work with your feet up? The Magnum sofa is perfect for you! Generous depth and incomparable comfort with the fully sprung base. Or perhaps you want a more formal space? Elegance and style go hand in hand with the Edwardian sofa. Do you like to entertain? You could consider a corner unit or a unit with chaise. The Soho offers a range of different units that you can configure to suit your room.
Think about the colours you would like to bring to your room, and the textures of fabrics you like. Bring a mood board or samples of wallpapers or carpets. Our talented consultants will help you find something perfect for your scheme. We have accounts with most of the worlds fabric houses, so if you see something you like, the chances are we can obtain it for you.
Remember this is your chance to create something totally unique for your home. Enjoy the creative process and the journey to make something very special. You wont be rushed, we will help you all the way from choosing your model style, to your perfect comfort of interiors, and finally your upholstery.
Finally, remember that in the future you can have your Delcor furniture refreshed and updated with our refurbishment service.
Join our Delcor family and see why our furniture has been loved and cherished by generations of customers since 1967.
Still looking for sofa inspiration? Take a look at our full luxury sofa collection online at Delcor as an excellent place to get started.
Best wishes
Christopher Hopkins, Delcor Brand Manager.