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 part with your cash. 

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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, like deep red leather. 

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

Modern sofa styles are characterised by clean lines and neutral colours. 

If your decor is minimal and you would 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 fabrics: 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 had bought a sofa in the past 10 years, almost 80% of wool-blend sofa owners reported 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 to leather is the price. It's a real investment.
• Can feel chilly to touch when you first sit down in the winter, and get hot and sticky in summer.

Synthetic fibres

Pros:

• 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.

• Cost effective options are available.

Cons:

• Some synthetic fibres can be less durable than natural.

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 faux-leather sofa owners reported 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 is not 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, making it feel like your sofa is giving you a big hug at the end of the day.

Fibre sofas have 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, and require very little maintenance, although 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. 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 out in store. Expect a foam sofa to lose a little volume in time.

Feathers

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

However, that sink-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 feather is 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.

Check out our sofa sales guide for the cheapest offers on our top-rated sofas

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 of sofas to choose from. However, it is much harder to judge the quality and comfort of specific sofas. 

How do I know what size sofa to buy?

The most important part of buying a sofa online is checking 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 will also want to ensure your sofa will be a good distance from your TV. 

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. 

Should you try a sofa before you buy it?

If you can, it's best to see a sofa in store before you make a purchase. Not only can you check if it's comfortable, you can also get a better idea of what it looks like and the quality of the build.

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

Make sure you check a brand's return policy before you buy – 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 instore, check out our best sofas page to get an idea of the brands that are most loved by their owners. It also contains information on brand guarantees and returns periods. 

Average sofa dimensions

A three-seater is considered to be standard size, and will work well in most living rooms. When deciding on a sofa length, you should consider both the size of your room and how many people will use it 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 make a purchase. 

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

Check out our guide to cleaning a sofa for our maintenance tips

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-back 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-back 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 is well lit. 

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