Sofa buying guide: 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 commit to buy. 

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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. 

Traditional sofas tend to have more decorative designs and come 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.

Modern-style sofas are characterised by clean lines and neutral colours. 

If your decor is minimal and you'd prefer to steer clear of ornate designs, consider this type of sofa. 

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

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

Sofa fabric types: pros and cons

Whether you go for soft leather or a relaxed-look linen, your sofa fabric will set the tone for your living room. Plus, according to our research, it can also determine the durability of your sofa. 

Here we summarise the key pros and cons of popular sofa 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'd bought a sofa in the past 10 years, almost 80% of wool-blend sofa owners reported that their sofa 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 in the winter, and can get hot and sticky in 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 brilliantly durable and low-maintenance. Some of the most durable types include:

microfibre – because of its tightly woven fibres, microfibre is a stain-fighting, colour-holding champion
polyester – like microfibre, polyester is highly stain-resistant and durable, but it does need a little more upkeep than other options
olefin – this material was designed to be an even more fade-resistant alternative to polyester. A great option if you want a brightly patterned or dark-coloured sofa.

Cons:

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

Faux leather

Pros:

• As a cheap alternative to real leather, faux leather can be an appealing choice.

Cons:

• Faux leather is prone to cracking, peeling and developing holes, so it's not very durable. In our survey, 45% of those who own a faux-leather sofa reported that their sofa was damaged in the 10 years since they bought it.

For more information on different materials, see our guide to the most durable sofa fabrics

Sofa cushion fillings

Although this isn't the most interesting part of buying a sofa, it's important to think about the filling, as it affects how comfy the sofa is to snuggle up on.

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

Fibre

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

However, they require a fair bit of upkeep to preserve their appearance. Plumping and turning cushions every day is important to maintain the feather-like feel.

Foam

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

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

You can choose the density of your foam depending on how firm you want your sofa to be. 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.

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.

Blended fillings

Sofas containing a blend of different filling types 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.

How to buy a sofa online

There are a few key factors to decide on when you buy a sofa, including comfort, size, quality and style. 

Buying online can be an advantage, because you have a huge 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 what it looks like and the 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 main 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, check out 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. 

How do I know what size sofa to buy?

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

Measure the size of your living room and make note of any immovable features or objects. It's best not to place your sofa in front of a radiator, as it will block heat. You should also ensure that your sofa will be a suitable distance from your TV – this will depend on the size of your television. Find out more about ideal viewing distances in our guide: 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 what sofa length to choose, you should consider both the size of your room 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 for sofas says that your sofa should be about two thirds of the length of the wall against which it's placed. 

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

This will ensure your room feels proportionally balanced. 

Like all interior design, this is not 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 a sofa for your space. 

See how to clean a sofa for top maintenance tips

Which? expert sofa buying tips

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

1. Your appetite for maintenance Velvet might look great in-store, but you'll need to vacuum and brush it regularly to keep it looking good. In contrast, earth-toned synthetic blends will stand up well to even the roughest wear and tear without needing a lot of attention. 
2. The impact of sunlight 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.
3. Access to your living room Once you've decided on the right-sized sofa for your space, you need to make sure that you'll be able to get it there. Measure all your doorways and halls to ensure you can get your sofa inside. 
4. Your physical health: 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. 
5. Trends It can be tempting to buy the latest trend in interior design, but remember it could end up looking dated quite 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're getting rid of an old sofa, see our sofa disposal guide for more information

Sofa styling tips

Styling your sofa starts with choosing the right one for your space. Then you'll need to buy the right accessories to dress it up. Click through our gallery for some styling tips. 

If your living room is small, create the illusion of space with a low-backed sofa with slim legs and a gap between the sofa and the floor. A common mistake is squeezing a large sofa into a space that's too small for it. Let your sofa breathe by giving it the room it needs. 

If space isn't an issue, then high-backed sofas look great in rooms with high ceilings. Modular sofas enhance open-plan rooms and offer flexibility, so consider a corner sofa with a removable chaise section or two.

When it comes to accessories, consider how you use your sofa – if you're aiming for comfort, add throws and pillows. If you like to read or craft on your sofa, make sure it's well lit. 

Considering a sofa bed? Check out our sofa bed buying guide