DFS ‘Match Made’ event feedback thread - non attendee? Chance to win £300 voucher! NOW CLOSED

[JustineBMumsnet]

This is the feedback thread for the 11 Mumsnetters who attended an exclusive DFS event in London to be matched to their ideal sofa.

Here’s what DFS has to say: “We know that choosing a sofa that’s right for you is something which everyone wants to get right, but it can sometimes feel like a challenge. At DFS, we have nearly 50 years of experience designing and hand-making sofas and want to make the sofa buying process as simple as possible. ‘Match Made at DFS’ was a chance for Mumsnetters to see how simple sofa shopping can be, when you consult those in the know.

On Wednesday 19th July we invited 12 Mumsnetters along to be ‘Match Made’ to their ideal sofa. During the match making process the Mumsnetters and DFS sofa experts chatted in detail about their sofa requirements. From colour and style, to product protection and financing, the Mumsnetters put the know-how of the DFS experts to the test. At the end of the match making process, the Mumsnetters were given the chance to choose the right sofa to meet their needs and suit their lifestyle.”

See the DFS 'match-making' process in action with their 'Ultimate Sofa Buying Guide' video here:

Attendees, please answer the following questions on your experience at the event

• What did you enjoy most about the ‘Match Made’ event?
• Do you think that DFS has a good selection of sofas?
• What did you think of DFS before attending the event?
• Did your view of DFS change after attending the ‘Match Made’ event?
• Would you recommend DFS to a friend after attending the ‘Match Made’ event?

Non-attendees, please answer the following question to be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher.

• What do you think is the most important thing to remember when buying a sofa?

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

For me the most important thing is, will it fit in the space - check those measurements so that what you get is what you were expecting!

Non attendee
It has to fit in the space properly and the size has to suit your family needs.

We like lots of space and leg room to lounge about on so a long wide sofa with matching footstall is important to us.

A sofa is, before all else, somewhere to sit/slouch/lounge. It must therefore be comfortable.

Non-attendee - Several things, but from personal experience I would say one of the most important is the size available in whichever room you need to place the sofa in. Several family members have made the mistake of buying a sofa far too large for their sitting room, because they didn't measure properly. Some people tend to measure the area needed to sit on, not realising that sofas have extra padding on the sides.

I think this can be extended to all furniture. Trust me, you don't want to have to take time out to return them all.

Non-attendee
What do you think is the most important thing to remember when buying a sofa?

That you want it to last! So size, material, cleaning, shape, robustness are all issues. If it's too big, you are in trouble. Too small and you'll want to replace it too soon. Shape needs to be right for the room. It has to be robust for you - I have a dog that jumps on the sofa, and I'm very overweight, so the springs on my 3 year old suite are going already. Cleaning - see also: dog on sofa.

(non-attendee) the most important thing to remember when buying a sofa is simply comfort. I am very short so I don't want to lean too far back for my back to be supported, nor do I want my legs dangling off it if it's too high!

Non attendee - most important thing when choosing a sofa is comfort. I have a muscle fatigue condition so I need something that is comfy whether I'm well or my muscles have given up the game and I need to flop!

Price and choosing a sensible non cream colour.

Non attendee
Colour - light beige looked amazing for all of 2 weeks until day to day family life and the odd chocolate button destroyed it!
Also how it will get into the room - we had to take a door off.

Non attendee.

The most important thing for me is style and comfort unified in one sofa.

Non attendee

What do you think is the most important thing to remember when buying a sofa?

The comfort! Ours looks nice but isnt comfortable!

Non attendee:

• What do you think is the most important thing to remember when buying a sofa?

Practicality for cleaning/moving cushions and seat pads around to spread the wear; natural materials wherever possible; long enough to lie on for sick days and rainy day movie time; high enough back to doze without breaking your neck .

Non-attendee: that you can get it into your flat and it doesn't take too much space.

Comfort for everyone. I always have to compromise. I hate normal leather sofas, but if they're sofa and plushy I love them. The rest of the family have their own preferences, so we all have to compromise and select something 'good enough' for everyone.

Well when we brought our last sofa we wanted a sofa bed but actually 99% of the time it is used as our main sofa, and I wish now we had just brought a proper sofa. So I think people need to remember what it is going to be used for the majority of the time.

Non attendee here.
I think otherwise most important thing to remember when buying a sofa is the size of the room. Sofas look quite small in a large showroom. They can look enormous in a small living room

A colour that can hide many marks and a sofa that can cope with being used as a climbing frame and trampoline

• What do you think is the most important thing to remember when buying a sofa?

Having recently bought a new sofa, the most important thing for me was to be open minded and not just go for my usual plain neutral style. I ended up choosing a fab dark chesterfield instead!

Non attendee

Will it show up stains

Non-attendee

I think that the most important thing I look for is by far comfort, which is why I always like to try the sofas before I buy.

In fact, one of my first dates with my other half we ended up randomly on the sofa's at Debenhams testing them out.

A deep comfy blue velvet sofa is my ultimate goal buy!

That you measure and ensure it fits

Non attendee - Definately getting the correct measurements. Make sure it fits and if buying a corner sofa make sure you get the correct one ie: left or right corner, depending on where you want to put it.

Non attendee.

I'd say the most important thing is comfort. We had a sofa given to us that we never used because it just wasn't comfortable.

Non attendee

For us it has to be hard wearing, and able to handle family life, that involves DC’s who don’t understand the need to plump cushions, or brush off crumbs and chocolate before flopping onto the sofa, the cat who loves to sleep on the sofa and doesn’t wipe her paws

Non-attendee:

• What do you think is the most important thing to remember when buying a sofa?

Size! Is it the right size for you/your family AND for guests? We're saving to replace ours at the moment as although we love it and it's still in really good condition, it's rubbish for guests! DH and i are both quite small and we have plenty of space on it, but friends and family are not and suddenly what's a comfy two-seater for us becomes basically a one-seater possibly plus child - useless!