There’s so many factors to consider when it comes to choosing the perfect sofa that allows for many cosy nights snuggling in front of the TV. From choosing the size, measuring your space, getting the right fabrics, who knew that there was a huge checklist of things to consider when shopping for a sofa?

A sofa goes beyond its upholstery, fabrics and pillows. It’s furniture where families, friends and couples can relax, watch telly, eat snacks and have great conversations. Choosing the right one can make a huge impact in your living space!

But there’s no need to worry - this guide will talk about all things sofa-related, so you’ll be able to choose the right one in no time. Before you know it, you’ll be relaxing after a long day on your new comfortable sofa as you watch your favourite TV series with your family.

Which Sofa Matches Your Lifestyle?

It’s definitely worth establishing the kind of lifestyle that you'd like to lead when it comes to choosing the perfect sofa. This is a great way to uncover which sofa is the most practical and comfortable in your living space.

We recommend that you consider things such as: do I have guests over often? Do I have a large family who all watches the telly together sometimes? Do I need more storage space? For these questions, we can recommend some sofa options that could work for you from day to day.

Frequent Guests & Overnight Stays

For those who often have guests over but don’t have a spare bedroom, a sofa bed makes a great option for you. When your friend or family member comes to stay the weekend, our sofa beds make temporary sleeping solutions for them to crash. With the easy-to-use mechanisms, your sofa can be transformed into a cosy bed in a matter of minutes.

Before, you might have been pumping up the blow up bed in time for your friend to stay the night, but with a sofa bed, no extra space is taken up or effort is required to give them a cosy place to sleep. These sofa beds also come with storage, so you can easily have spare bedding, blankets and pillows at reach when they stay over.

Storage Space

Are you someone who needs more storage space? Control the clutter and chaos with a sofa bed with storage and lead a more organised lifestyle from day to day. Hide anything you don’t want on show, such as blankets, electronics, children’s toys, books and much more to create more floor space.

Small Spaces

If you have a limited amount of square footage, whether you’re living in an apartment or the living room in your house is small, our 2 seater sofas can just be the perfect size for your space. Perfect if it’s just you or you’re lying with your partner, these sofas are ideal for compact spaces.

Those With Reduced Mobility

Older adults, or those with reduced mobility, can really benefit from our selection of high-quality recliner sofas. All with a touch of a button, getting up from your sofa will be nice and easy, and you can find the perfect sitting position as you read a book and drink a brew.

Their smaller and compact size makes them ideal for small living rooms and conservatories, making them quite versatile. Plus, they’re conveniently designed with USB ports, so you’ll be able to read your kindle, go on your phone or use your tablet without having to get up to charge it.

Our sofa recliners are even available on next day delivery! Get yours today before 12pm and have it in your living room the following working day.

Arm Chairs

Similarly to our sofa recliner chairs, our arm chairs are ideal for small spaces. Do you have a little reading nook in your home? Do you have a home office and would like somewhere to relax between working? Our arm chairs are perfect for creating comfy seating in little areas such as these ones.

Corner Sofa Design: Left-hand Or Right-hand Facing?

If you’ve decided that a corner sofa would be the best option for you, the next important step is to think about whether you need a left-hand facing or right-hand facing sofa. This refers to the long chaise end that is either at the right hand side or the left, as you’re looking directly at it.

Getting this wrong could mean that your sofa doesn't fit in your living space, possibly resulting in you having to return it. To prevent this, we suggest measuring the space in your living room and consider any surrounding furniture or doorways that could potentially obstruct your sofa. Consider any doors that open inwards, such as hallway entrances and patio doors.

Even though our sofas are boxed in sections, we recommend that you measure your entrance ways so the delivery process is smooth. The last thing you want is for your sofa to arrive and it doesn't fit up the stairs or through your front door!

What angle do you prefer to stretch out when watching TV? Where will your coffee table be positioned? These are also some important factors to consider for your comfort levels, so you can really enjoy your sofa each day.

Cleverly, some of our corner sofas have reversible chaise ends. This means you can swap the sofa into a right-hand facing one from the left, vice versa. While sofas with permanent chaise ends are still practical in the living space, reversible chaise end sofas provide you with a lot of flexibility. Maybe you’re moving homes often, you like rearranging your living room, or you’re unsure which configuration you’d prefer - either way, the reversible options are very versatile!

Size Guide: How To Measure Your Space For Your New Sofa

We’ve touched on how to choose between a left-hand or right-hand facing sofa, so now let’s take a look at what else you need for sofas in general. Start by measuring the overall width and length of the area where the sofa will sit, using a measuring tape and note down the dimensions somewhere so you’ll remember. This will indicate how much space the sofa will take up in your living room.

Next, consider the full design of the sofa, such as its depth and shape, just like with a corner sofa. Ensure that you have enough floor space so it doesn’t create any obstructions or trip hazards.

Think about the placement of the sofa amongst other furniture. Consider the position of coffee tables, TV units, radiators and windows to make sure everything is how you like it and has easy access.

Comfort Secrets Revealed: Other Details To Consider For Your Sofa

When shopping around for a new sofa, it’s easy to just look at the bigger picture. However, if you want to find the right one that matches perfectly with your comfort levels and lets you get the most out of your money, here are some other details to consider.

Seat Depth

Seat depth refers to how long the front edge of the seat extends into the sofa’s backrest. Many people have different comfort preferences when it comes to this, but taller people may feel more comfortable on longer seat depths. Shorter seat depths can benefit those who like to feel more upright when seated.

Seat Height

Higher seats are generally preferred by those who like to feel more supported while sitting up, but many people also like shorter seat heights for their relaxed and modern feel.

Cushion Options

Cushions are definitely something important to consider when it comes to customising your sofa. For example, many of our sofas come with the option to have a full back or a scatter back.

Full back sofas usually have less cushions, but they’re larger. They offer a firm amount of support and require minimal maintenance. Scatter back sofas have cushions that are more loose and are less structured, which can be arranged to suit your comfort.

Fabrics

For many, style matters. One of the best ways to enhance your décor is by choosing an elegant sofa that’s handcrafted with premium fabrics. We have a wide curation of materials to choose from when customising your sofa, so let's take a look at some examples:

Linen

Originally deriving from the flax plant, linen is a breathable and lightweight material to choose from. It’s very low maintenance and is available in a wide selection of colours, catering for those who love adventurous bold tones, as well as those who like sticking to their classic neutrals.

Plush Velvet

A big favourite, plush velvet makes much of our furniture look stylish in the living space, including our beds. With a plush velvet sofa, your living space can immediately feel luxurious and warm.

Jumbo Cord

Famous for its chunky texture, Jumbo Cord is not only a comfortable material to choose from, but it’s also trending all over the homeware scene right now. Suiting many modern interiors, it can make living rooms look incredibly warm and inviting.

Real Leather

Designed to stand the test of time, our real leather sofas are perfect if you're looking for sofas that are bound to last long-term. This natural material adjusts to your body heat as you sit on it, making it a cosy and comforting material option to choose from.

Maintaining & Cleaning Your Sofa

Whether you’re buying a two-seater, corner sofa, arm chair or recliner, looking after your sofa is essential for it to last many years to come. With these handy tips, you’ll easily be able to get the most out of your money with your sofa.

General Maintenance

To keep your sofa feeling fresh and as good as new, it’s a good idea to vacuum it regularly with an upholstery attachment. Living rooms see a lot of dust, hairs and crumbs, especially in busy households or if your sofa is used a lot during evenings and weekends!

Spillages

Accidents happen! Whether you’ve spilled your morning coffee or you’ve invited friends round for a gathering, spillages can happen, so it’s good to know how to prevent them from setting into stains.

It’s important to act immediately to prevent the liquid from setting, so have your cleaning supplies organised and in an area where you can easily access them in case a spillage occurs. Use a damp cloth to blot the area - only blot it, don’t rub. Avoid using any harsh chemicals as this can really damage the fabrics even more. Leave the area to dry naturally, open windows and doors for more air circulation. Your sofa should be as good as new, as though nothing ever happened!

Discover The Right Sofa For You Today

Choosing the right sofa is more than just about its style - it’s also about your lifestyle, storage needs and comfort levels. After reading this guide, we hope we’ve helped you choose the one that sits just nicely in your living room, whether you live in a small apartment or have a large living room in your home. Get in contact with us so we can answer any of your questions!