7 Questions to Ask Before You Buy a Couch

You're going to want to go with something heavy and tightly woven, says Hilary Robertson, antiques buyer and interior stylist for Elle Decoration, Vogue Living and Telegraph Magazine. Velvet is surprisingly durable. "But if you are really investing in a piece, mohair is the one to go for," Robertson says. Woven from goats' hair, it's crease-resistant, long-lasting and surprisingly versatile. It works with most shapes and sizes—from Chesterfields to streamlined sleeper sofas. For slipcovers you can easily throw in the wash, try army duck (thickly woven cotton fabric), velvet or heavy linen.