The Blankspace guides
Furniture, answered.
How to choose, measure, place and look after the pieces you live with. Straight answers first, the reasoning after, written by people who make furniture to order for a living.
Sofas and seating
9 guides
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How to choose a sofa: frame, springs, cushions and fit
To choose a sofa, start with size: measure the room and every doorway on the delivery route. Then check the construction: a kiln-dried hardwood or quality plywood frame, sinuous springs, webbing or pocketed coils, and dense foam…
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- Styles Types of sofas: 15 sofa styles and how to recognize them The main types of sofas are defined by arms, back and frame: Chesterfield, Lawson, camelback, English roll arm, tuxedo, mid-century modern… Read the guide
- Terminology Couch vs sofa: is there a difference? Today there is no meaningful difference: couch and sofa describe the same piece of furniture, and the choice is mostly regional and personal… Read the guide
- Buying Sofa vs sectional: which should you get? Choose a sectional if your room is roughly 12 × 12 ft or larger, you regularly seat four or more, and the sofa will anchor a corner or define an… Read the guide
- Sizing Sofa dimensions: standard sizes and how to measure A standard three-seat sofa is typically 72 to 90 in (183 to 229 cm) wide, 32 to 40 in (81 to 102 cm) deep and 30 to 36 in (76 to 91 cm) high… Read the guide
- Sectionals Sectional sofa guide: types, configurations and sizing The main types of sectional sofa are L-shaped (corner), chaise, U-shaped, bumper, curved and modular. Left-arm facing (LAF) and right-arm facing… Read the guide
- Recliners Power recliner vs manual recliner: how to choose a recliner sofa A manual recliner uses a lever, pull tab or body pressure to recline; it is simpler, needs no outlet and usually costs less. A power recliner uses a… Read the guide
- Armchairs How to choose an accent chair: types of armchairs and how to pair them Choose an accent chair by job first, then size. For lounging, pick a deep club or lounge chair; for upright conversation or reading, a wingback or… Read the guide
- Pets Best sofa for pets: fabrics, leather and features that survive dogs and cats The best sofa for pets has a tightly woven performance fabric or microfiber, or a protected (pigmented) leather, plus removable, washable covers and… Read the guide
Leather, fabric and care
6 guides
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Leather vs fabric sofa: which is better for you?
Leather is usually the better choice if you want easy wipe-clean care, resistance to pet hair and dust, and a sofa that ages with character. Fabric is usually better if you want a warmer, softer feel, more colors and textures…
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- Leather Types of leather for furniture: grades, finishes and how to choose Furniture leather is defined by two things: the grade (which layer of the hide it comes from) and the finish (how it is dyed and protected)… Read the guide
- Leather How to clean a leather sofa: step by step, by finish and by stain To clean a leather sofa, first identify the finish and spot test in a hidden area. Vacuum crevices with a soft brush, then wipe the surface with a… Read the guide
- Fabric How to clean a fabric sofa: by cleaning code, by stain, step by step To clean a fabric sofa, first check the cleaning code on the tag: W means water-based cleaner, S means solvent only, W/S means either, and X means… Read the guide
- Fabric Best upholstery fabric for a sofa: types, rub counts and cleaning codes For most homes, the best sofa fabric is a tightly woven performance fabric or a synthetic blend such as polyester or microfiber: durable… Read the guide
- Care How long does a sofa last? Lifespan by build quality, and how to make yours last longer A sofa typically lasts 5 to 7 years if it is budget-built, 7 to 15 years if it is mid-range, and 15 years or more if it is well made. The frame… Read the guide
Sizes and rooms
7 guides
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How to arrange living room furniture: layouts, distances and rules of thumb
Start with a focal point (a fireplace, window or TV) and face the main sofa toward it. Group seating so people sit roughly 4 to 10 ft apart, keep walkways 30 to 36 in wide, and leave 14 to 18 in between sofa and coffee table…
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- Sizing Coffee table size guide: how big should your coffee table be? A coffee table should be about two-thirds the length of your sofa, sit within 1 to 2 inches of the sofa's seat height (usually 16 to 18 in tall)… Read the guide
- Sizing Rug size guide: what size rug for your living room, bedroom and dining room Most living rooms need an 8x10 or 9x12 rug. Choose a size large enough that at least the front legs of the sofa and chairs rest on it, and leave a… Read the guide
- Sizing Dining table size guide: dimensions for 4, 6, 8 and more A rectangular dining table for six is typically 72 to 78 inches long and 36 to 40 inches wide; a round table for six is 54 to 60 inches across… Read the guide
- Sizing Dining chair guide: height, size and how to choose Standard dining chairs have a seat height of 17 to 19 inches (43 to 48 cm), made for tables 28 to 30 inches (71 to 76 cm) high. The key number is… Read the guide
- Sizing Bed sizes: mattress size chart and how to choose Standard US mattress sizes are twin 38 x 75 in, twin XL 38 x 80 in, full 54 x 75 in, queen 60 x 80 in, king 76 x 80 in and California king 72 x 84… Read the guide
- Sizing Nightstand height guide: how tall should a nightstand be? A nightstand should be about level with the top of your mattress, ideally within 2 inches (5 cm) above or below it. For most beds that means a… Read the guide
Custom furniture
5 guides
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Custom furniture: how it works, what you can change and what it costs
Custom furniture is built to order after you choose its specifications: usually the size, configuration, fabric or leather, cushion fill, legs and finish. Made-to-order pieces start from an existing design and let you change…
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- Sofas How to design a custom sofa: size, depth, arms, cushions and covering To design a custom sofa, start with the room: decide the width (leave 30 to 36 in walkways), then choose seat depth by how you sit (21 to 24 in… Read the guide
- Sectionals Custom sectional sofas: shapes, sizes and how to plan one Plan a custom sectional by choosing the shape for your room (L-shaped, chaise, U-shaped or modular), then the length of each side from the walls and… Read the guide
- Buying Made-to-order vs in-stock furniture: cost, speed, quality and when each makes sense Choose made-to-order furniture when you want a specific size, covering or finish and can wait several weeks to a few months; choose in-stock… Read the guide
- Buying Buying furniture in the San Francisco Bay Area: delivery, stairs, small rooms and earthquakes When buying furniture in the San Francisco Bay Area, measure the whole delivery route first (narrow Victorian and Edwardian stairwells, tight turns… Read the guide
Colour, styling and craft
4 guides
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How to choose a sofa color: neutrals, statement shades and what actually works
Choose a sofa color by starting with what stays put: your floor, walls and the light the room gets. Pick a neutral if you change decor often or want the sofa to recede; pick a statement color if you want it to anchor the room…
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- Decor Throw pillow size guide: what size pillows for your sofa Most standard sofas suit 20- or 22-inch square throw pillows. Use 18-inch pillows on low-backed or compact sofas, and 22- to 24-inch pillows on deep… Read the guide
- Quality How to tell quality furniture (and whether Italian furniture is worth it) Quality upholstered furniture typically has a kiln-dried hardwood or engineered frame joined with dowels, glue and corner blocks rather than staples… Read the guide
- Glossary Upholstery terms glossary: sofa and chair vocabulary A, Z Key upholstery terms: kiln-dried means frame wood dried to low moisture so it won't warp. Sinuous springs are zigzag wires; eight-way hand-tied… Read the guide
Calculators
- Will my sofa fit through the door? A sofa usually fits through a door if its depth or its height (whichever is smaller) is less than the door’s clear open width… Open the sofa fit calculator
- What size rug do I need? For a living room, leave roughly 12 to 18 inches of bare floor around the rug and choose the largest standard size that fits… Open the rug size calculator
- How many people fit at my table? Allow about 24 inches of table edge per person (30 for armchairs). A 72×36 inch table seats six, a 48 inch round seats four, a… Open the dining table calculator
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