New Furniture and Home Essentials: Sofas, Tables and Storage

Buying furniture Canada-wide: measure before you order

A sofa that suits the room is no use if it can't get inside. Measure the route and compare each number with the listing's dimensions:

• Doorways: the clear opening with the door fully open, since the door and its stops can take away an inch or two.
• Hallways and corners: the width and any tight turns a long sofa has to pivot through.
• Stairs: the width, the lowest point of the ceiling above the steps and any landing where the piece must turn.
• Elevators: the door and the cab's width, depth and height; many condo buildings require a service elevator booking.

If your delivery involves stairs, a walk-up or building access rules, email support@gadgetcanada.ca before ordering.

Choosing a sofa size and seating

Start with who sits there every day. A loveseat seats two, a standard sofa usually seats three, and a sectional suits a larger household or the corner of an open-plan room. A shallower seat keeps you upright for conversation, while a deeper one is made for lounging. As a rule of thumb, leave about 30 to 36 inches (75 to 90 cm) for walkways and 16 to 18 inches (40 to 45 cm) between the sofa and the coffee table.

Table shapes and sizes for the room

Dining tables

Allow roughly 24 inches (60 cm) of table edge per person and about 36 inches (90 cm) behind each chair. Round tables suit small or square rooms, rectangular tables suit long rooms and bigger groups, and an extendable top handles holiday dinners without crowding the room the rest of the year.

Coffee and side tables

A coffee table about two-thirds the length of the sofa, and close to its seat height, usually looks balanced. Side tables work best at about arm height, so a lamp or a mug stays within easy reach.

Materials and care

Solid wood can be sanded and refinished over the years, while engineered wood with a veneer or laminate is lighter and usually more affordable. Metal and glass wipe clean easily, and upholstery should only be cleaned the way its care label allows. Use coasters and felt pads, wipe up spills quickly, and keep wood away from heating vents and strong sun, since dry Canadian winter air can be hard on it.

Small-space and apartment tips

• An apartment-size sofa or a loveseat on raised legs shows more floor, so the room feels larger.
• Furniture that does two jobs, such as a coffee table or bench with storage, saves space.
• A round or drop-leaf table frees up a narrow dining nook.
• Tall shelving makes use of vertical space; anchor it to the wall with an anti-tip kit, especially with children at home.

Choosing a trash can

Choose the capacity in litres to suit your household and your bags: many kitchens use 30 to 50 L, while a bathroom or home office needs only 5 to 12 L.

• Step pedal: hands-free and simple, ideal while you cook.
• Sensor lid: opens with a wave, but needs batteries or charging.
• Swing lid or open top: quick to use, though less effective at keeping odours in.

In the kitchen, a dual-compartment can makes sorting recycling easier. In the bathroom, a small lidded can with a removable inner bucket is the easiest to keep clean.

Warranty, returns and delivery

New furniture and home items carry a 1-year limited warranty against manufacturing defects. Returns are accepted within 30 days from delivery for unused items in their original packaging, so check the parts before assembly and keep the box until you're sure; see returns and refunds. Large items follow the shipping policy, and the shipping charge appears at checkout.

Want to spend less? Compare with open box furniture, or explore the rest of our New section.