Choosing the best sofa to place in your home is not a decision that should be taken lightly. After all, it is such a central piece of furniture within the living space and should ideally be used for years to come. There are few things worse than an uncomfortable sofa – that rude shock of being repelled by the very cushions you were hoping to sink back into,’ says House & Garden columnist and all round interiors expert, Rita Konig, in her guide on how to choose a sofa. Naturally, comfort is key when picking out the very best sofas for you, but making sure it nestles happily into its surroundings is half the battle.
What is the best sofa?
Before answering that question, it is important to consider the purpose your sofa will be serving. Of course, at a basic level all sofas do the same thing, but taking the time to figure out what your priorities are will result in a much better choice. If you are buying this piece of furniture for a formal living room, plush upholstery is key, and an upright backrest or high back will ensure your guests are supported. If you live in an open plan space and your new sofa is going to demarcate a different living area, then ensure it has the presence to do this well; a chesterfield sofa with large armrests or a corner sofa should do the trick nicely. Though if you’re looking for the latter, we recommend jumping over to our dedicated guide on the best corner sofas. We also have a handy guide to the best sofa beds, if you’re looking for a sofa with multipurpose benefits. For slumping in front of the TV or lounging around with a book, anything with comfy deep seats, or additional seat and back cushions will keep you in comfort; though do bear in mind these will need plumping frequently to stay looking sharp.
A sofa will ideally be with you for a long time and a good one will serve more than a few generations. Sprung, horsehair seats are a more expensive choice but will last longer than foam seats and cushions, so if you want to splash out, then try to keep an eye out for retailers who offer that composition. The most comfortable sofas do tend to be the former.
The best sofas to buy, at a glance:
Don’t have time to read our full guide? Fret not. We’ve compiled at a glance information, so you can quickly see what sofa is best for you.
Our latest go-to for large furnishings, Darlings of Chelsea have a number of stylish pieces on their roster. Their pieces are handmade, high-quality and many of their styles come in a range of sizes and options (the Lincoln can be specified as a sofa bed, two or three seater sofa), so you won’t be left choosing between style and form. The Lincoln is a smart, Howard style sofa with a tight sprung back and curved arms. A traditional style, the Lincoln will stand the test of time.
Product dimensions: H83 x W199 x D92cm
The 2 seater Marlow sofa is an ideal option for those looking for a smart, quality sofa that won’t break the bank. It comes in three sizes, small, medium and large, and there is also a matching armchair. The 2 seater would be ideal for someone looking to affordably decorate their first home, especially if it is a smaller space like a flat and floor space is perhaps in short supply. We love the detail of the contrast piping in olive green. It’s a firmer sofa, so one thing to bear in mind is that you won’t be sinking deeply into its seat cushion as you would with other options on our list.
Product dimensions: H81.5 x W162 x D81cm
The Olivier sofa from Soho Home blends incorporates curved lines, boucle and oak-veneered birch legs for a solid yet elegant design. There is a certain midcentury flair to the sofa’s contemporary design, without it feeling excessively retro. The stylish piece is inspired by the seating areas in 180 House.
Product dimensions: H85 x W221 x D91cm
A timeless style, this sofa will endure through trends and can be upholstered in a large range of linens. One bonus is that it has washable, removable linen covers, so they’re easy to whip off quickly and throw in the machine, in case of a red wine disaster. A range of fabric options and colours are available, and each sofa is bespoke and made to order, so ordering free fabric swatches to look at and feel before placing an order is encouraged. Every sofa takes 8-12 weeks to make, and is subsequently delivered within 7-14 days, so this is not the sofa to choose if you’re in a rush to receive your new sofa. There’s also an £80 delivery charge.