What are some key elements to consider when furnishing a “show stopper” living room?  Pay attention to the visual appeal, comfort and practicality of each piece respectively.   Use your  all of your senses to achieve these elements.  Bring in a professional, a friend or spouse to help select the fabrics.  The process can be time consuming.  So the more help you can get the better.  Consider selecting one sofa with a repetitive pattern on a soft and beautiful background.  Bring in one or two skirted, arm chairs (depending the size of the room) to coordinate with the sofa.  Add in your choice of coffee table complete the furnishing process. 

SOURCES: Library Sofa (72w 37d 36.5h) from Julian Chichester.   Skirt Arm Chair 38w 36d 36h – C.R. Laine Upholstery.  Coffee Table (white marble top, chrome base) 36diam 14h – Design Within Reach.

What makes sofas and chairs replaceable?  If you can feel the bone (sofa frame) on the arms and feel yourself sinking down then it is time to say bye, bye to the old upholstery.  If they are irreplaceable then there are options, ie re-upholster or have them slipcovered.  Determine them prices for the new pieces and the costs for recovering them.  If they are similar then I would suggest buying new. 

First on my list for buying new sofas or chairs would be the style, comfort and price.  We would love to help select the style and determine your comfort level.  We would help coordinate the new upholstery fabric with your existing pieces.  We have over 800 fabric samples to select from. The value that you get from new sofas and chairs are greater these days.  Domestic manufacturers are throwing a few more incentives than previously. 

I am amazed sometimes at how my clients put up with saggy, clonker sofas and chairs.  There were no space anything else and have short life term. They took up spaces that could be filled up with quality sofas and chairs.  

Picture above is an example of a customized loveseat purchased for a living room condo in Rockville Town Square.  In this floor plan is the 58 inches wide loveseat, arm chair with matching ottoman and two accent chairs.  It also has a small reversed mirror coffee table.