As an interior designer, you know that the sofa is the centerpiece of the living room. It is the largest piece of furniture in the room and is typically used more frequently than other pieces. You have quite a few options when designing a living room, and each sofa provider gives you plenty of models and styles to choose from.

Keeping up on the latest trends in sofas is important. When a client contracts you to come up with a great design for her home, you have to be ready to impress her. Stay knowledgeable about different sofa styles and options so you're ready to give your clients what they're looking for.

1. Consider the fabric covering on the couch. Options include microfiber and leather and everything in between.

2. Measure the space you have to work with. The sofa you find for your client has to fit in the room and mesh well with the other furniture.

3. Think about the color scheme in the room. Each manufacturer offers color swatches to choose from, and the couch, of course, must match the decor of the room.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Recommend a traditional sofa

As far as standard couches are concerned, a wide variety of fabrics exists. Each has it's advantages and disadvantages, so talk to your clients about their family's lifestyle as well as their preferences. For example, a family with lots of pets may not want a sofa with fabric that's woven, since hairs can get stuck in between the fibers, making it hard to clean. A family with several young children may not want a leather couch for fear that it will get damaged. Spend some time with your client before suggesting ideal fabrics.

I recommend: Check out the great selection of fabric couches at Havertys Furniture. Choose from the microfiber sofas at Everything Furniture.

Suggest a futon-style couch

These types of sofas are no longer just for college dorms and bachelor pads. Upscale futons are on the market now and most are still less bulky than standard couches. For that reason, clients who don't have enough space for a sleeper sofa might want one of these if they still need to provide house guests with a place to sleep.

I recommend: Take a look at the different styles of futons available from Futon Creations. Check out the unique futon frames at Cottonwood Futons.

Find sofa providers that sell sectionals

These large pieces of furniture are intended for homeowners who have large families or have regular visitors. Lots of styles are available nowadays, from standard L-shaped sectionals to high-end sofas that include chaise lounges or recliners on each end.

I recommend: Design exactly what your client wants at Home Reserve. Check out the contemporary selection Crate and Barrel offers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As a licensed interior designer, you have access to design centers that showcase new and up-and-coming furniture and styles. Design centers can be rather large but most have directories and maps posted at each entrance. Locate the sofa directory listing and head over to check out the offerings. Each designer should have a sofa list you can take with you, detailing the specific products they offer.
• •  Regularly attending trade shows can ensure that you always have the latest sofa information. As you know, trends change rapidly and new styles are always coming out.