If you’re looking at buying a fabric-upholstered sectional sofa with wooden legs from ARV Furniture in Mississauga, Ontario, here are some key mistakes to avoid, tailored specifically for sectionals with fabric upholstery and wooden legs — plus what to check in store. (You can use these as a checklist when you go.)
🚫 Mistakes to avoid & what to watch for
1. Skipping accurate measurements and not checking access
Mistake: buying a large sectional and discovering it won’t fit through your front door, hallway, or up the stairs.
What to check: Measure the room (length, width, height), but also: measure the entry path (doorway, stairwell, elevator if applicable). Confirm the sectional’s footprint (length + depth).
Specific to ARV / Ontario: be mindful of narrow Canadian condo hallways or older homes with tight stair landings.
2. Choosing style over function (fabric type & usage)
Mistake: choosing a fabric simply because you like the look, without considering how you’ll use the sofa (kids, pets, heavy usage).
What to check: Fabric durability: is it “performance” fabric (stain-resistant, tightly woven) or delicate?
Fabric colour and pattern: a very light fabric may show stains quickly.
Cleaning / maintenance: can you easily clean spills? Are cushion covers removable?
Wooden legs add another dimension: will they scratch your floor? Are they sturdy and well-attached (see below)?
3. Ignoring orientation, modular flexibility & future moves
Mistake: buying a sectional that only works for your current room layout, but can’t be reoriented, or won’t fit your needs if you move.
What to check: Is the chaise on the correct side for your space (left-facing vs right-facing)?
If modular, can the pieces be rearranged later?
Since you’re in Ontario (and maybe will move or redecorate), a flexible layout may pay off.
4. Neglecting the frame, legs (wooden) and build quality
Mistake: over‐focusing on the appearance and under-investigating the build. A sofa may look pretty but under-constructed it will sag, wobble, or wear out quickly.
What to check: Frame material: ideally kiln-dried hardwood, not particle board or light cheap wood.
Joints & legs: legs should be well attached (screws, bolts, not just glued). With wooden legs, check they are sturdy, not wobbly. One guide says: “Lift one corner of the sofa 6 inches — if the other front leg doesn’t follow, frame may be twisting.”
Wooden legs: If you have hardwood or tile floors, ensure the legs won’t scratch the floor and that they sit level.
Fabric + legs: With wooden legs you can see the sofa base; check the clearance, check if dust will accumulate under.
5. Poor fit for space / scale issues- Mistake: buying a sectional that is too big for the room (dominates it or restricts traffic) or too small (looks out of place).
What to check: How much room will you have to walk around the sofa? Leave adequate clearance (commonly ~30 in or more walk space).
Are the depth and height of the sectional proportionate to your room’s scale? A deep lounge-style sectional may be too bulky in a smaller living room.
Consider your open-plan spaces: will the sectional form a barrier or work as a zone divider?
With wooden legs, sometimes the elevated look of legs gives a lighter feel — which can help in smaller rooms — but make sure it still fits.
6. Choosing the wrong fabric for your lifestyle
Mistake: selecting a delicate fabric (linen, light weave) when you really need something rugged for kids/pets/spills.
What to check: Is the fabric labeled “performance”, “stain-resistant”, “pet-friendly”?
How will the fabric hold up to daily use (sit, lay down, throw cushions, maybe pets)?
Does the fabric bleech or fade if sunlight hits it (relevant in Ontario with strong sunlight at times)?
Wooden legs: since the sofa is somewhat “elevated”, dust/dog fur may collect underneath — factor in cleaning.
7. Ignoring delivery, delivery path & timelines
Mistake: ordering and assuming it’ll be delivered easily — when actually pieces are too large, or delivery is delayed, or you have to pay extra.
What to check: Delivery path from truck to room: check door widths, hallways, elevator. Will the sectional come in pieces (often modular) or one large piece?
Wooden legs: sometimes legs are attached after delivery to reduce bulk — ask.
Ask about lead times (especially if custom fabric) and what happens if the product is delayed.
For ARV Furniture (Ontario), check shipping charges & scheduling (they deliver across Ontario) and factor in any possible re-delivery fee if missed. (Relates to their terms you already have.)
8. Failing to check colour/texture in real life
Mistake: ordering purely from photos and expecting the fabric colour/texture to match what you see on screen — often disappointing.
What to check: Request a large fabric swatch (not just a small sample) so you see how the fabric looks in your lighting.
Consider how the fabric looks in your living room light (day & evening).
With wooden legs, check how the wood tone looks under your lighting (natural + artificial) and how it coordinates with your floor/furniture.
9. Over-looking maintenance & long-term durability
Mistake: buying a sofa and thinking “I’ll deal with stains later” or “legs look pretty” but forgetting maintenance and wear.
What to check: Are the cushion covers removable (for cleaning or replacement)?
How easy is it to get matching fabric in future if a section needs replacing?
For wooden legs: will they wear, scratch, or need refinishing over time? Are there spare legs available?
