Settle into the perfect sofa

Choosing the perfect sofa is kind of a big deal. Not only do you need to like it, but your guests need to LOVE it. Too soft, too firm, just right? Does it need to be pet-protected or child-friendly? And you haven’t even picked a colour yet!?

Phew! That’s a lot to think about. No wonder your head is spinning.

Lucky for you we’ve put together this easy-peasy buying guide to help you find the perfect sofa. Let’s settle in.

We’ve got your type (of sofa)

The two-seater sofa is everyone’s type. Compact, it’s the perfect partner for smaller spaces. For couples who want to cosy up or families with space for more than one.

Want to spread out? Add an extra space with the three-seater sofa. Thoughtfully designed to fit into the corner of a room, these provide ample seating without the need for extra chairs, making them ideal for families and entertaining friends.

The modular sofa is an interior game changer. Literally. Mix it up, move it about, make your space truly yours. With three seats or more, large spaces are the perfect playground for this type of sofa.

The ultimate space-saver? A corner sofa. Sleek yet practical, it offers plenty of seating without the need for multiple sofas. In open-plan spaces, use it to subtly zone your room—just tell everyone it was your idea, and we won’t say a word.

A sofa of leisure, the chaise sofa is an indulgent style. It’s not restricted to any size. Perfect for those who don’t want to be restricted by the sides of corner sofas. Stretch out and pop your feet up (shoes off!).

Take the weight of the day off with a chilled chaise longue. This statement-making occasion chair feels at home in the living room, bedroom, and any room in between. The curved arm makes a convenient rest for your elbow when you’re nose-deep in a real-good book.

Short on space? A sofa bed is the perfect solution, offering extra seating and a comfortable place to sleep. Easy-to-assemble click-clack designs transform from sofa to bed in minutes. To help you find the right fit, we’ll let you know whether a style is best for everyday or occasional use. We also offer foam fold-out and three-part metal action sofa beds in Avalon, complete with a mattress.

Measure of success

No one wants the gut-wrenching realisation that their sofa doesn’t fit after it’s been delivered… So, to avoid post-delivery regret, here are a few tips to help you get the measure of things just right.

• Clear your space and measure the maximum width and length available.

• Shortlist your favourites? Mark out their dimensions with tape to visualise the space they’ll take up.

• Plan ahead—measure doorways, hallways, and staircases to ensure your sofa fits on delivery.

• Check packaging dimensions against your route—because it looks better in your home than on the street!

What is the best sofa for a small living room?

If you've got a small living room, there are a few design tricks we want to share with you to help you create the illusion of space (there’s no gatekeeping here).

A sofa that has a low back or taller legs will allow more light to flow around it, which will make your living room feel more spacious. Our foam fold out sofa beds are also a great option, with a compact footprint, they also double up as a perfect place for guests to stay.

Which sofa fabric is right for me?

There’s more to consider here beyond colour and hand-feel, let us tell you. We’ll take you through all the sofa fabric types and how they fit into your lifestyle.

It’s only natural (fibres)

Breathable and soft, natural cotton is usually on the more expensive side simply because it’s so darn comfy! One thing to note is that cotton can be prone to wrinkling, so handle with care!

Our love for linen knows no bounds. More durable than cotton this is the family home’s saviour. Linen offers that lived-in look with natural creases that soften over time. The fibres are hypoallergenic (an allergy sufferer's dream) and super breathable, so no sticking to the sofa in the height of British summer. Other than a little ‘fuzz’ over time, linen covers are easy to clean and maintain and resist fading so no need to hide from sunny spots.

The cosy contender. Wool is the perfect accompaniment to any interior style. No colour is off-limits. The pile of this sofa fabric makes it perfect for cosying up on frosty winter evenings, while it keeps you cool when you need to retreat from the summer heat.

The fabric that does it all

Polyester has both the ‘p’s covered, people and pets. This super-duper durable synthetic fabric comes in an array of colours, it makes a great base which you can splash an additional pop of personality with scatter cushions and textiles.

The indulgent one. Velvet. Thanks to the way it’s woven, the deep pile oozes luxury (you can’t help but run your hands over it) and warmth. It isn’t for the faint-hearted, velvet requires a lot more TLC than the other sofa fabrics.

As tough as leather

The leather look is a classic. Rustic, contemporary, you name it - leather has a place. As well as looking stunning, and only getting better with age (like us all), leather is natural and easy to care for. Mucky pups (aka pets and children)? No problem.

Leather is treated during production to create different finishes. If you're considering investing in a leather sofa, here's our guide to picking the right one for you:

Full grain or aniline leather has a soft, natural feel known for its visible natural marks to create that vintage look we all love. Aniline leather is dyed but doesn’t have a top coat, which is why it’s so soft and breathable compared to other leathers. If you want a leather sofa that’s going to age over time, aniline leather is for you.

Semi-aniline leather is dyed with a thin finishing coat so if you want a little more protection for your sofa, this is a more durable option. It’s still soft and will show visible marks depending on the leather’s natural patina. Semi-aniline leathers will age over time, altering their appearance for that lovely authentic worn look.

Corrected grain leather is treated and buffed to remove its natural blemishes, and embossed for a more uniform texture so you get a sleek finish, perfect for you contemporary connoisseurs. Because of how they’re treated, corrected grain leathers are durable and resistant to fading, keeping them looking smart and sharp for longer.

Bonded leather is manmade, leather fibres are bonded together to create a uniform texture. The final result is a material that looks like natural leather (but is friendlier on your budget).

The soft stuff in life

It's what's inside that counts – and the same goes for sofas. Sofa fillings need different levels of maintenance, and they vary in comfort and give. When picking a filling, it’s going to be about how often you use your sofa, and how much upkeep you're willing to put in.

Foam-filled sofas offer a firmer seat and look more structured which is ideal for a modern look. They'll lose about 15% of their 'firmness' in their first six months – something to remember if you're testing sofas in our showroom.

Feather-filled sofas are all about luxury (perfect for relaxing, sink in moments). Because feather filling is natural, feather-filled sofas are more expensive, but if cared for properly they'll last as long as you want them to. Plump your cushions regularly – we’re talking every few weeks – to keep them looking plush. Feather fillings are captured within down-proof inner lining containment bags (but sometimes a feather or two will slip the net).