How to Choose a Sofa: 10 Things to Consider Before Buying

Choosing a sofa is one of the biggest furniture decisions you will make for your home. It needs to look right, but it also has to suit the way you sit, fit comfortably into the room, cope with everyday life and — importantly — actually make it through the front door.

With so many styles, sizes, fabrics and cushion fillings available, knowing how to choose a sofa can feel more complicated than it needs to be. The best place to start is not with colour or current trends, but with how you want the sofa to work in your everyday life.

This sofa buying guide covers ten important things to consider before ordering, from seat depth and frame construction to fabric samples, washable covers and delivery access.

If you are already comparing styles, you can also browse our complete sofa collection.

1. Decide How You Actually Like to Sit on a Sofa

Before thinking about colour, fabric or even style, consider how you use your sofa.

Do you sit upright with your feet on the floor? Curl your legs underneath you? Stretch out to watch television? Lie down to read? Or regularly have several people lounging on the sofa at the same time?

Your answer will help determine the right seat depth, seat height, back height and overall sofa size.

A deep sofa can be wonderful for relaxed lounging, but someone who prefers sitting upright may find an excessively deep seat less supportive. Likewise, a lower-backed sofa can create a sleek contemporary look, while a higher back may suit someone who prefers more upper-body support.

A chaise can also be useful if you regularly sit with your legs up but do not want a separate footstool.

Gianna Curved Sofa

The Gianna Curved Sofa, for example, combines a sculptural silhouette with generous seating. Checking the actual seat measurements is much more useful than relying simply on descriptions such as “large” or “comfortable”.

2. Measure the Room — and Your Delivery Route

Measuring the space where the sofa will sit is essential, but that is only half the job.

Start by checking:

• the maximum sofa width;
• the overall sofa depth;
• the sofa height;
• the amount of space needed to walk around it;
• the position of radiators, windows and doors; and
• the relationship between the sofa and other furniture.

A useful trick is to mark the sofa's footprint on the floor with masking tape. This makes it much easier to understand how much physical space the sofa will occupy than simply looking at measurements on a screen.

Do Not Forget Delivery Access

Measure every part of the route from outside your property to the final room, including:

• front and internal doorways;
• hallway widths;
• tight corners;
• staircases and landings;
• lifts;
• ceiling height where furniture needs to be turned; and
• any particularly narrow access points.

Pay particular attention to turning space. A doorway may technically be wide enough, but a long sofa may still be impossible to manoeuvre around the corner immediately behind it.

Nova Washable Loose Cover Sofa

Individual product pages should give you furniture dimensions and recommended delivery-clearance information. Check these carefully before ordering rather than assuming removable legs alone will solve an access problem.

3. Look at the Sofa Frame and Construction

A sofa's upholstery is what you see, but its frame is what gives the piece its underlying structure.

When comparing sofas, look for clear information about how the frame is made rather than relying only on descriptions such as “premium” or “luxury”.

Useful things to check include:

• the material used to make the frame;
• how the joints and corners are reinforced;
• the construction of the seat base;
• whether the manufacturer provides clear specifications; and
• what guarantee is provided for the frame.

Also check exactly what a guarantee covers. A frame guarantee is not necessarily the same as a guarantee on upholstery, cushions or normal wear.

Construction can vary between sofa models, so check the specification of the individual sofa you are considering rather than assuming every design is built in exactly the same way.

4. Choose the Right Sofa Cushion Filling

What is inside your sofa cushions can affect comfort just as much as the external design.

There is no universally “best” cushion filling because different people want different things from a sofa.

Feather Cushions

Feather can produce a softer, more relaxed and sink-in feel. The trade-off is maintenance: softer feather-filled cushions generally need regular turning and plumping to redistribute the filling and maintain their appearance.

Foam Cushions

Foam can provide greater structure and usually requires less daily maintenance. The density and construction of the foam will influence whether the seat feels soft, medium or firm.

Fibre and Combination Fillings

Fibre and combinations of foam, fibre or feather can offer a balance between softness and support.

The most useful question is therefore not “Which filling is best?” but “How do I want my sofa to feel, and how much maintenance am I happy to do?”

Prati Washable Loose Cover Sofa

The Prati combines deep seating with removable cushions, making it a useful example of why cushion construction and seat proportions should be considered together rather than independently.

5. Choose Upholstery for Your Lifestyle, Not Just Its Colour

The right upholstery has to work with the way the sofa will actually be used.

Before choosing a fabric, ask:

• Will the sofa be used every day?
• Are there children or pets in the home?
• Will people regularly eat or drink on it?
• Is the sofa exposed to strong sunlight?
• How important is easy cleaning?
• Do you prefer a smooth or highly textured finish?

Then look at the actual specification of the fabric. Composition, cleaning instructions and durability information such as the Martindale rub test can be much more useful than simply categorising a fabric as linen, velvet or cotton.

Different velvets can have very different durability and cleaning properties, just as different linens can vary substantially in composition and performance.

You can order free fabric swatches before making your final upholstery decision.

6. Always View Fabric Swatches in Your Own Room

A fabric can look surprisingly different in your home from the way it appears on a phone or computer screen.

Natural daylight, warm lamps, cool artificial lighting, wall colours, flooring and surrounding furniture can all change how you perceive a colour.

Once your swatches arrive, look at them:

• in the morning;
• in afternoon daylight;
• under your evening lighting;
• next to the flooring;
• against curtains and wall colours; and
• beside furniture that will remain in the room.

Do not judge colour alone. Touch the fabric, fold it and look at its texture from different angles.

Lorenzo Sculptural Sofa

Colour can be especially important on a sculptural sofa such as the Lorenzo, where the upholstery covers a large uninterrupted surface and becomes an important part of the overall design.

7. Think About Cleaning, Removable Covers and Everyday Life

This is one of the most important considerations for a sofa that will be used every day. A beautiful fabric may be perfect for a lightly used formal sitting room but less practical in a busy family living room.

If children, pets, guests, food and everyday lounging are part of life in your home, think about cleaning requirements before you choose the upholstery.

A loose cover sofa can be particularly useful because the outer upholstery can be removed. On washable models, this gives you a level of flexibility that fixed upholstery cannot provide.

Lilly Washable Loose Cover Sofa

The Lilly Washable Loose Cover Sofa is a particularly good example of how comfort and practicality can work together. Its sofa cover, seat cushion covers and back cushion covers are removable and washable at 30°C, making it well suited to everyday family living.

Lilly has a softly tailored silhouette, gently shaped arms and a standard seat depth of 55 cm. The seat depth and height can also be customised, and bespoke sizing is available, so the sofa can be adapted to different rooms and ways of sitting.

It is available in linen, cotton, velvet and a wide range of other upholstery options. You can also order an extra set of compatible covers, which is useful if you want another set available while one is being cleaned or if you want to refresh the colour or fabric later.

Always follow the care instructions supplied for the exact sofa and fabric rather than assuming that every removable cover should be cleaned in the same way.

8. Choose a Sofa Style You Will Still Like in Years to Come

A sofa does not need to be boring to be timeless.

Instead of asking whether a design is currently fashionable, ask whether you genuinely like its underlying shape and proportions.

Look at the elements that are more difficult to change:

• arm shape;
• back height;
• leg style;
• overall silhouette;
• seat proportions; and
• whether the design feels appropriate for your home.

Fabric and cushions can sometimes be refreshed later. The basic architecture of the sofa usually cannot.

Monte Removable Washable Cover Sofa

A relatively simple silhouette such as the Monte can move between different interior schemes because its character does not depend on excessive decorative detail.

If that is the direction you prefer, browse our modern sofa collection.

9. Decide Whether You Need a Standard Sofa, Chaise, Corner Sofa or Sofa Bed

Think beyond the familiar two- or three-seat sofa. The right configuration depends on the room and what you need the furniture to do.

Sofa With Chaise

A chaise gives you space to stretch out without requiring a separate footstool. It can work particularly well in a room used primarily for television and relaxed lounging.

Corner or Sectional Sofa

A corner or sectional sofa can provide generous seating and help define a zone in an open-plan room. Modular designs may also provide additional flexibility if your requirements change.

Sofa Bed

If you regularly host overnight guests but do not have a dedicated guest room, a sofa bed can make much better use of the available space.

Bespoke or Made-to-Measure Sofa

If standard dimensions do not work in your room, investigate whether the design can be adapted. Altering the width, seat depth or configuration can sometimes produce a much better result than compromising with an unsuitable standard size.

Turin Contemporary Sofa With Chaise

The Turin Sofa With Chaise is a good example of how a chaise can add dedicated lounging space while keeping the seating visually connected.

10. Check Reviews, Lead Times, Delivery, Returns and Guarantees

Once you have found a sofa you like, take a little time to investigate the practical details before placing the order.

Check:

• customer reviews — particularly comments about comfort, quality and delivery;
• production or delivery lead time — especially for furniture produced specifically for your order;
• delivery charges and exclusions;
• returns policy — and whether bespoke or customised furniture is treated differently;
• frame guarantee and exactly what it covers;
• fabric and care instructions; and
• who is responsible for checking delivery access measurements.

Price matters, but it should be considered alongside construction, comfort, upholstery, service and how long you expect to keep the sofa. A cheaper sofa that does not fit your lifestyle is not necessarily better value.

Florence Classic Sofa

A classic design such as the Florence Classic Sofa also demonstrates why specifications matter: seat depth, seat height, cushion construction and overall dimensions can tell you much more about whether a sofa suits you than a photograph alone.

Quick Sofa Buying Checklist

Before ordering your sofa, check that you can answer yes to the following:

• I know how I prefer to sit and what seat depth suits me.
• I have checked the sofa's full dimensions.
• I have measured every important delivery access point.
• I understand the frame construction and guarantee.
• I know what the seat and back cushions are filled with.
• I have chosen upholstery suited to how the sofa will be used.
• I have viewed physical fabric swatches in my own room.
• I understand the cleaning and care requirements.
• I have checked the production or delivery lead time.
• I understand the returns conditions for the sofa I am ordering.

Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing a Sofa

What Should I Look for When Buying a Sofa?

Start with comfort, dimensions and construction. Check the seat depth and height, frame specification, cushion filling, upholstery, cleaning requirements and delivery access. Style matters, but a beautiful sofa that is uncomfortable or cannot be delivered into the room is not the right sofa.

How Do I Know What Sofa Size to Buy?

Measure the available floor space and consider the amount of room needed to walk around the sofa. Marking the sofa's dimensions on the floor with masking tape can help you visualise its footprint. Remember to measure doorways, halls, stairs and other delivery access points as well.

What Is a Good Sofa Seat Depth?

There is no single ideal seat depth. A deeper seat generally suits relaxed lounging and curling up, while a shallower seat can feel more supportive for upright sitting. Always check the individual seat-depth measurement rather than relying on the sofa's total depth.

Which Sofa Filling Is Most Comfortable?

Comfort is subjective. Feather tends to create a softer, more relaxed sit but usually needs regular plumping. Foam can provide more structure and lower maintenance, while fibre and combination fillings can balance softness with support.

What Sofa Fabric Is Best for a Family Home?

Look at durability and care instructions rather than choosing by fibre name alone. A quality upholstery fabric with an appropriate Martindale rating and practical cleaning instructions may be more important than whether the material is labelled linen, velvet or cotton.

Are Removable Sofa Covers Worth It?

They can be particularly useful in busy homes because the upholstery can be removed for cleaning according to the individual care instructions. A washable loose cover sofa such as the Lilly Washable Loose Cover Sofa combines removable covers with the comfort and appearance of a fully upholstered sofa.

Are Loose Cover Sofas Good for Children and Pets?

They can be an excellent option for busy family homes and pet owners because removable covers make everyday care easier. On washable models, spills and marks can be dealt with according to the sofa's washing instructions rather than relying entirely on cleaning fixed upholstery.

Should I Order Sofa Fabric Samples?

Yes. A screen cannot accurately reproduce every fabric colour and texture under your home's particular lighting. Physical swatches also allow you to compare the upholstery with walls, flooring, curtains and existing furniture. You can order free fabric swatches here.

Should I Buy a Trendy or Classic Sofa?

Choose a sofa whose underlying shape and proportions you genuinely like. Trends can provide inspiration, but a sofa is a substantial purchase, so comfort and suitability for your home are more important than following a short-lived look.

Take Your Time Choosing the Right Sofa

The right sofa is a balance of comfort, proportion, construction, fabric and practicality.

Start with the way you actually live rather than choosing from appearance alone. Decide how you like to sit, measure carefully, understand what is inside the cushions and frame, order fabric samples and think realistically about cleaning and maintenance.

Then choose the shape and style you love.

A little more research before ordering can make the difference between a sofa that merely looks good on delivery day and one that genuinely works in your home for years.

When you are ready to compare options, explore our complete sofa collection, including washable loose cover sofas, modern sofas and curved sofas.

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