How to Choose a Sofa: The Complete UK Buying Guide

A sofa is probably the most used piece of furniture in your home and one of the more expensive. It is also easy to get wrong, because the things that matter most (how deep the seat is, how the cushions hold up after a year, whether it fits through the door) are exactly the things a photograph cannot show. This guide walks through the decision in the order that avoids regret.

Step 1: Decide what the sofa is for

Before you look at a single product, write down what the sofa has to do. A sofa that seats a family of four on a daily basis is a different purchase from a second sofa in a spare room, or a sofa for someone who works from home on it. Think about:

• How many people sit on it most days, not on the busiest day of the year.
• Whether anyone sleeps on it, even occasionally. If so, look at sofa beds.
• How people sit. Upright with a laptop, curled up with a book, or lying full length for a film?
• Who else uses it. Children, pets, visitors and older relatives all have different needs.

Step 2: Measure before you browse

Measure the wall or space the sofa will occupy and leave about 60cm of walkway in front. Then measure the route it has to take: the front door, the hallway, stairs, turns and the door of the room itself. Our guide to how to measure for a sofa walks through it, and our delivery day guide covers what to do if it is tight.

Step 3: Choose the type

Step 4: Pick a fabric that fits your household

The fabric decides how the sofa looks, how it feels and how much effort it takes to keep it looking good. Our fabric comparison has the detail; the short version is:

• Corduroy and jumbo cord are warm, textured and good at hiding everyday marks.
• Velvet feels plush and looks rich, but rewards gentle care.
• Chenille is soft and cosy, with a slightly tufted surface.
• Linen-look weaves are light and airy, and suit bright rooms.
• Faux leather and leather wipe clean in seconds and do not trap hair or crumbs.

If you have children or pets, read our guide to sofas for families and pets before you decide.

Step 5: Look under the cover

Two sofas that look identical can differ hugely in how long they last. The parts that matter:

• The frame. A wooden frame (listed as solid wood on good listings) is what keeps the sofa square. Frames that creak or flex when you sit on the arm are a warning sign.
• The seat filling. High-density foam holds its shape better than low-density, and memory foam gives a slower, moulded feel. A spring system underneath adds bounce and support.
• Seat depth and height. A deeper seat is better for lounging; a shallower one is easier to get out of. Compare the listed figures with the sofa you sit on now.
• Maximum load. A listed weight capacity tells you something about how the sofa is built.

Step 6: Think about extras, but do not overpay for them

USB ports, cup holders, storage ottomans and LED lighting are genuinely useful if you will use them, and pointless if you will not. A storage ottoman is the extra that most people end up glad of. Everything else is a nice finishing touch.

Step 7: Check the safety label

Upholstered furniture sold in the UK must meet fire safety regulations and carry a permanent label. Check that your sofa has it when it arrives, and keep the label attached.

Step 8: Plan the delivery and the first week

Clear the route, make sure someone is there to help carry, and unpack carefully. If the sofa arrives compressed, give it time to expand. Keep the packaging for a few days in case anything is wrong.

A simple way to decide

If you are torn between two sofas, pick the one whose listed dimensions you have actually checked against your room, whose fabric you would be happy to clean, and whose seat depth matches the sofa you already like sitting on. Everything else is detail.

Ready to look? Browse every sofa or start with the type that fits your room from the table above.