Sofa buying guide: expert advice on how to buy a sofa

Buying a new sofa doesn’t have to be expensive, but it does take time and consideration. 

You need to pick a style that suits your space, a colour you love, a material that lasts and – after all that – it has to actually fit through the front door.

Get to grips with the various sizes, fillings and finishes before you buy. 

See our best sofa shops page to find the top brands, as rated by real shoppers

How to buy a sofa

When buying a sofa, it's easy to focus on design, but there are some practical considerations, too.

Planning: lifestyle, budget, and measurements

• First, think about how many people will be using your sofa – say, when you're watching TV. Will a two or three-seater suit your space and family best? Are you comfortable sitting, or do you prefer to stretch out?
• Make note of your budget – writing it down will help you stick to it.
• Consider where you'll place your sofa, whether you'll have enough room to move around it, and whether you'll have space for a side table or coffee table. See below for our tips on getting those all-important measurements right.
• If you're lucky enough to have a living room with lots of natural light, remember that it could cause bright colours and designs to fade over time.
• Once you've decided on the right-sized sofa for your space, make sure you can get it there. Measure all doorways and hallways to ensure it can fit.

Choose the type and style of sofa

• It can be tempting to buy into the latest interior design trend, but it could look dated quickly. If this is the sort of thing that would bother you, opt for a neutral, timeless style that will always look good.  
  
• If you struggle to stand up unassisted, a riser chair or sofa could help. In addition, although a sinking-in feel can be luxuriously comfortable, a firmer sofa is much more supportive if you experience back or neck pain. 

Choose the sofa fabric and filling

• If you have young children or pets, the fabric's durability should be a key consideration. A tough, stain-resistant fabric will resist tears and dirt, and keep your sofa looking good for longer.  Earth-toned synthetic blends will withstand even the roughest wear and tear without requiring much maintenance. 
• Some fabrics, such as leather and velvet, require additional maintenance. Velvet may look great in-store, but you'll need to vacuum and brush it regularly to maintain its appearance. See our guide to sofa fabrics below for the pros and cons of cotton and wool blends, leather and synthetics.

Learn about the best free sofa disposal methods

How to measure for a sofa

The most important part of buying a sofa is checking that it will fit in your home. 

Measure your living room and note any immovable features or objects. It's best not to place your sofa in front of a radiator, as it will block the heat. You should also ensure that your sofa will be a suitable distance from your TV – this will depend on the size of the set. Find out more about ideal viewing distances in our guide to what size TV should I buy? 

You should also make sure you can get your sofa into your living room. That means getting it through your front door, then through any hall, landing or staircases. 

Average sofa dimensions

A three-seater is considered a standard size and will work well in most living rooms.

When deciding on a length, consider both your room size and how many people will use the sofa at any one time. 

You should also check the height (from the floor to the top of the sofa) and depth (from the back of the sofa to the front) before you buy. 

The average sofa is around 80cm high and 89cm deep, but you can look for different options if this doesn't work for you.

What is the 2/3 rule for sofas?

The two thirds design rule says that your sofa should be about two thirds the length of the wall where it's placed. 

In addition, any surrounding decor (for example, art hung above the sofa or a coffee table placed in front of it) should be about two thirds of the length of the sofa itself. 

This will ensure that your room feels proportionally balanced. 

Like all interior design, this isn't a hard and fast rule – you might not even want to place your sofa against a wall – but it's a good starting point when choosing one for your space. 

Sofa fabric pros and cons

Whether you go for soft leather or a relaxed-look linen, the fabric will set the tone for your living room. Additionally, our research shows it can help determine a sofa's durability. 

Here, we summarise the key pros and cons of popular fabrics.

Cotton and wool blends

Pros:

• A huge range of colours and patterns to choose from.
• Cotton and wool-blend sofas tend to feel comfortable and are easy to clean.
• They are super-durable fabrics. In our survey of more than 2,000 Which? members who had bought a sofa in the past 10 years, almost 80% of wool-blend sofa owners reported that theirs had no damage. 
• Combining synthetic and natural fibres can bring out the best in both materials – for example, wool is naturally warm, and adding polyester can help it to hold its shape. 

Cons:

• Natural-blend fabrics, especially those including wool, are prone to pilling, so they do require some upkeep to remain looking as good as new. 

Leather

Pros:

• Leather ages beautifully – it softens with age and scuffs or marks only add to its character.
• It's very durable and easy to clean. 

Cons:

• The main disadvantage of leather is the price. It's a real investment.
• It can feel chilly to touch when you first sit down on it during the winter, and it can get hot and sticky in the summer.

Synthetic fibres

Pros:

• Cost-effective options are available.
• Once considered a poor alternative to natural fibres, new and innovative synthetic sofa materials are often extremely durable and low-maintenance. Some of the most durable types include microfibre, polyester and olefin. 

Cons:

• Some synthetic fibres can be less durable than natural ones.

Considering a sofa bed? See our buying guide

Sofa cushion fillings

Although this isn't the most interesting part of buying a sofa, it's essential to consider the filling, as it affects how comfortable the sofa is to snuggle up on.

The three main fillings are feathers, fibre, and foam. You might also opt for a blend of two or all of these options. 

Feathers

Natural, luxurious and comfortable, a feather-filled sofa invites you to sit down and sink in. Feathers provide a softer, less structured look than foam. 

However, that sinking-in feeling comes at a price: cushions will need regular plumping and turning to keep their generous, rounded look and soft support.

Fibre

Crafted from hollow polyester strands filled with air, fibre fillings compress when you sit, giving sofas a soft, relaxed feel and a plump appearance. 

However, they require significant upkeep to maintain their appearance. Plumping and turning cushions every day is essential to maintain the feather-like feel.

Foam

Of all fillings, foam provides the firmest support and a more structured appearance. 

Foam sofas keep their tailored shape, even with constant use. They require minimal maintenance, although occasional cushion turns will help ensure the sofa wears evenly. 

You can choose the foam density to adjust the firmness of your sofa – a higher-density foam will be firmer (and better maintain its shape).

All new foam loses about 15% of its hardness over the first six months of use. This means that a foam sofa may initially feel a little firmer than it might have done when you tried it out in-store. Expect a foam sofa to lose a little volume over time.

Blended fillings

Sofas with a blend of fillings are becoming more popular. 

Feathers on their own can clump together, so feathers are often mixed with foam to create a soft sofa to sink into. 

On the other hand, feathers can be combined with fibre to give cushions a little extra resilience.

Learn about how to deep clean your sofa, using products you have at home

Sofa styles

Style is one of the most important considerations when choosing a new sofa.

Don't just think about appearance – consider the scheme of your living room and the size of the space. 

Clean lines and neutral colours characterise modern-style sofas. 

If your decor is minimalist and you'd prefer to avoid ornate designs, consider this type of sofa. 

They're also easier to clean, and if you opt for deep-filled sofas, they will be very comfortable.

Traditional sofas often feature more decorative designs and are available in rich colours and materials, such as deep red leather. 

If you like rolled arms, button backs or warm colour schemes, these sofas are worth considering.

How to buy a sofa online

There are a few key factors to consider when buying a sofa, including comfort, size, quality and style. 

Buying online can be advantageous because you have a wide range of styles to choose from. However, it's much harder to judge the quality and comfort of specific sofas. 

Should you try a sofa before you buy it?

If you can, it's best to see a sofa in-store before you buy. Not only can you check whether it's comfortable, but you can also get a better idea of its appearance and build quality.

If you can't try the specific sofa you want, consider visiting a sofa store anyway. That way, you can test different sofa fillings and materials, so you know what to look out for (or avoid). 

Make sure you check a brand's return policy – if you're indecisive, you'll want to be able to return your sofa if you aren't happy with it. 

Which? sofa reviews

Our sofa reviews cover all the leading brands in the UK and come from people who really own the sofas. They rate all the key features, including comfort, quality and durability. 

If you want to buy a sofa online or in-store, see our best sofa shops guide to get an idea of the brands that are most loved by their owners. It also includes information on brand guarantees and return periods.