Let’s face it, we spend alot of our time on the sofa, which makes it all that more important that you pick out the perfect one for you, that you’re going to love for a number of years. A sofa can be a hefty investment for many of us, so you’ll want to pick a comfy durable couch that you won’t get sick of, or resent buying within a short period of time. If you’re moving soon, the Seattle Times has compiled a list of tips on picking out the perfect sofa for your rental.

Don’t buy a sofa with loud fabric you’ll likely get sick of in a few years. If you choose a sofa with is covered in big floral or loud stripes that you enjoy now, you might end up getting sick of it before you wear it out, and a couch in good condition that you hate, is a resented one. Pick a neutral fabric you can jazz up with changeable accent pillows. If you MUST have a loud piece of furniture, you can certainly do so, but maybe choose a bright ottoman, or side chair. Don’t choose a fabric or color that is high maintenance; you’ll likely spill on it, dogs will shed hair, food crumbs will make their way into crevices…you’ll want something you can easily clean and make like new. Don’t buy a sofa you wouldn’t want to sleep on, you might have guests over, fall asleep watching TV, and it’s crucial you don’t buy a sofa until you sit in it like you would at home, and make sure the shoe fits! For more information on finding the right couch for your home, visit the Seattle Times.