Upholstery

How do you determine whether a particular sofa deserves to be center stage in your living room? The first thing you should do is take a seat. Does the back support you? Can you get up without a struggle? Then grill your salesperson about craftsmanship. To educate yourself before you begin to ask questions, study this cross section of an upholstered chair.

The inside story: Both the deconstructed chair and the sofa on the previous page are available from Lee Industries. Sofa No. 3895, $2,825, and chair No. 1895, $1,424, both shown with Monty fabric in raffia: www.leeindustries.com for store locations.

Frame
The best frame material for upholstered seating is kiln-dried hardwood, such as maple, which will remain straight and withstand reupholstering. Legs that are part of the frame are generally stronger than legs that are screwed into the base.

Upholstery Details
Look at the decorative edging. Is it straight? If the fabric has a pattern, does it line up at the seams? Cushion zippers should be a close, if not exact, match to the upholstery color. Seams should be crisp and straight. If there is a skirt, it should be lined and weighted to maintain good form for the long haul.

Padding
Ask about the padding around the frame. There should be at least two layers of it on the arms, to provide comfort and to keep the fabric from wearing out quickly. You shouldn’t feel any hard or sharp edges when you squeeze the arms and back.

Cushions
Well-made cushions enclose their contents snugly without puckering at the corners. Down is the most expensive stuffing, but it requires constant fluffing, and some people find it too soft. Down-covered foam offers more support. Avoid shredded foam, which loses its shape quickly.

Springs
Eight-way hand-tied springs indicate high quality. Each coil is tied eight times — from the front of the frame to the back, from side to side, and diagonally — allowing for maximum flexibility. Push down on the area underneath the seat cushion to see if the springs are evenly spaced. And listen: There shouldn’t be any squeaking.