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Sofas, Loveseats & Sofabeds

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Frequently Asked Questions

A sofa should take up roughly two-thirds of the wall it sits against: enough to anchor the room without crowding it. Two-seaters usually measure 150–180 cm and three-seaters 190–230 cm. Measure the route as carefully as the room, including doorways, stair turns and lift depth, and look for a minimum access width on the product page, since that is where most deliveries come undone.

Durability shows in the Martindale rub count: 15,000–25,000 suits general domestic use, and 30,000 or more will cope with children, pets and daily lounging. Tightly woven wools, performance velvets and leather wear most gracefully, and leather softens with age. Loose-weave linen and bouclé are beautiful but snag easily under claws, so they suit quieter rooms or homes without pets.

A corner sofa seats the most people per metre of floor and gives an open-plan room a clear centre. A three-seater paired with one characterful armchair is more flexible, easier to rearrange and far easier to move house with or carry through a period doorway. For corner sofas, left- or right-hand facing is decided as you stand looking at the sofa from the front.

The better ones are entirely comfortable. Look for a pull-out mechanism with a pocket-sprung or memory-foam mattress at least 12 cm deep, as click-clack designs that fold the seat flat rarely give a restful night. For frequent guests, a separate mattress matters more than the sofa's looks. Measure the room with the bed fully open, allowing space to walk around it.

Quality is mostly hidden beneath the upholstery. Look for a kiln-dried hardwood frame with jointed corners rather than staples alone, sprung seat suspension rather than webbing on its own, and high-density foam cushions, ideally wrapped in feather or fibre. Removable, zipped covers extend a sofa's life considerably. Product pages that list frame, suspension and cushion fillings in detail are a good sign.

A well-made three-seater with a hardwood frame and sprung seat typically costs about £1,000–£2,500. Below roughly £600, the saving usually comes from the frame or suspension; above £3,000, you are paying for design provenance, natural fabrics or made-to-order upholstery. Made-to-order sofas are often excluded from the usual 14-day cancellation right, so check the retailer's policy before ordering.

Sofas, Loveseats & Sofabeds

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Frequently Asked Questions

Sofas, Loveseats & Sofabeds

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Design Stories

Frequently Asked Questions

What size sofa do I need?+

What is the most durable sofa fabric?+

Should I choose a corner sofa or a three-seater?+

Are sofa beds comfortable enough for regular use?+

How can I tell if a sofa is good quality?+

How much should I spend on a good sofa?+