Consumer Articles From the HFC - Spring For A New Sofa When You Need It Most - In The Fall

Furniture World Magazine

Quick: list four fall activities. Leaf raking, pumpkin carving, cider sipping--and sofa shopping? Absolutely, says the Home Furnishings Council. It may not top the traditional list of seasonal fun, but fall is an increasingly popular time to spring for a new sofa--and for a number of good reasons. Get it home for the holidays. Your summer tan may still be fading, but holiday entertaining is just around the comer. And if you want to give the house a facelift, you can't wait till the turkey is in the oven to get started. There's bound to be some time needed between spotting a sofa and seating your guests on it--an early fall purchase assures your couch will be ready to party when you are. "Fall is historically the time to rediscover your house and take care of things you've ignored over the summer," says Dennis Valkanoff, with Tennessee-based furniture maker England/Corsair. "People want to get ready for the holiday season and spruce up rooms for entertaining." Animal Instinct. Our heads know we have central heat, but our hands are still readying the nest for the cold months ahead. "People really burrow in during the fall," says Michael Delgaudio with North Carolina-based Century Furniture. " Whether it's stocking up on firewood or buying a comfy couch, we all want to prepare the den for winter." Sofa as a pick-me-up for the spirits. Face it--the onset of winter can bring on the blues. "You've been outside all summer, and now you're getting ready to be indoors for several months," says Tom Baldwin with Iowa-based Flexsteel Industries. "Brightening up your home improves your spirits and makes you feel better about being in the house all winter." Maxi-makeover on a mini-budget. A new sofa is a major purchase--but it also gives major results. "It's the quickest, most inexpensive way to give your main living area a makeover," adds England Corsair's Valkanoff. "A new car costs $20,000, and you spend relatively little time in it. You spend a great deal of time in your family room, and for $1500 you can give it a whole new look." In the end, the simplest reason may also be the most persuasive--a fall purchase buys you the most lounging time. "You don't buy a boat in late fall," says Flexsteel's Tom Baldwin, " and you don't buy a sofa when you're leaving on summer vacation. You buy it when you know you'll be using it." The Home Furnishings Council, a national, nonprofit organization of manufacturers, suppliers and retailers, is dedicated to providing inspiration, information and guidance for consumers in furnishing their homes. Consumers can call 1-800-521 -HOME to learn where they can pick up their free copy of the latest edition of HAVEN & Planning a Comfortable Home decorating guide.