Buying a new sofa can seem a little bit daunting, especially once you start delving in to the myriad of options available. We want to help guide you on what’s best for you and your home before you buy, so that you’ll be delighted with your choice once your new sofa takes pride of place in your home.

Most people consider three main things when selecting a designer sofa – what it looks like, how comfortable it is, and of course, how much it costs. But, there are a number of other considerations which play a part when choosing the perfect sofa.

Choosing the right size sofa for your home

First of all, size is important, both in terms of getting your sofa into the desired room and how it will ultimately look. Always measure up at home before committing to your choice. Think about any narrow stair cases, awkward corners or other obstacles that the sofa might have to fit around. To help with ease of access, some larger sofas come with detachable arms. Most corner or chaise ended sofas come in two parts which can be easily assembled once they’re in place in your home. Furthermore, most sofas are delivered without the legs attached.

Scale is also extremely important. An oversized sofa in a small room can make the space appear even smaller. Similarly, a small, low-backed sofa in a room with high ceilings will look out of place. if possible, lay out sheets of newspaper to the dimensions of your sofa on the floor of your room. That way, you can see how much space it takes up, and just as significantly, how much space is left for you to move around.

In large rooms and open planned spaces, higher backed sofas will help to break up and define the space. A lower backed sofa, may still fill the space but gives a greater sense of spaciousness. Small rooms need not be difficult; on the whole, two seater sofas are designed and proportioned to suit smaller rooms.
Most sofas come in a range of sizes and configurations. If space is really at a premium, choose a two seat sofa such as the Made Jonah which will comfortably seat two people and still look great.

Selecting the sofa’s fabric or material

Durable fabrics

If you have a growing family, pets, or simply want your sofa to last a long time, it pays to think carefully about the fabric you choose. Removable, loose covers are ideal if you’re worried about spills. We’d recommend buying a second set of covers to use while the first is being cleaned. Choosing a different colour means you can change the look of the room whenever you like. Alternatively, you can choose a wipe clean or stain resistant fabric.

Velvets and pile materials

Remember that velvets, and other materials with a pile, can shade and crush over time. So, if this is something that concerns you, go for a robust chenille or flat woven fabric instead.

Leather

Leather is often considered a hard wearing option as a simple wipe with a damp cloth is normally enough to restore its good looks. However, aniline and semi-aniline leathers which are natural and have little or no protective coating may scratch and stain if not treated with care.

Considering the level of comfort of your sofa

Finally, always consider the level of comfort you’re looking for and the amount of maintenance you’re prepared to do to keep your sofa looking pristine.

A feather-filled cushion can delight with its luxurious sinking feeling as you relax into it. But, unless you like the shabby-chic look, your seat cushions will probably need plumping every day.

For a firmer sit, go for foam cushions which will retain their shape with minimal attention. Try to turn your seat cushions occasionally to even out any wear.
Fibre-filled cushions, or a mixture of fibre and foam or fibre and feather are a good compromise.

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Whatever you’d like your sofa to be, we almost certainly have something to suit. Browse our Sofas and Armchairs category to view the many alternatives.