How to choose a sofa: what to consider

A sofa is the piece of seating you live with longest. These are the things worth settling before you choose one. The numbers are common rules of thumb, not fixed rules.

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Measure first

Measure the room, and the route in: doors, hallways, stairwells and lifts. A sofa that does not fit through the door is a common and costly surprise. Modular or flat-pack designs make this easier.
Leave about 40-50 cm between the sofa and a coffee table, and room to walk around it.

Size and seat

Labels such as "two-seater" differ between makers, so compare the width in centimetres.
Seat height is commonly about 40-46 cm. A deeper seat (60 cm or more) suits lounging; a shallower one suits sitting upright and getting up easily.

Comfort

Firmer or softer depends on the filling: foam, feathers, fibre or a mix. Feather-filled cushions need plumping; foam holds its shape.
If you can, sit on one before buying, and check the return terms.

Fabric and covers

A fabric's abrasion rating (often given as a Martindale number) shows its resistance to wear: higher means more resistant, and 15,000 or more is commonly cited for everyday family use.
Natural fibres such as wool, linen and cotton breathe and age differently from synthetics. Leather patinates with use. Light colours show wear and stains sooner.
Check whether covers are removable and how they can be cleaned.

Frame and construction

Solid wood or plywood frames are generally more durable than particleboard. Ask how the frame is joined.

Longevity and repair

Replaceable covers, cushion inserts and legs extend a sofa's life. Modular systems let you add, remove or replace one part.

Questions worth asking the maker

Exact dimensions and weight, what the frame and filling are made of, whether fabric samples are available, and the delivery, assembly and return terms.

Sources and further reading

A label covers one aspect of a product, such as where the wood came from or which chemicals are in a textile, not its whole footprint. These pages explain what each covers; they are not endorsements, and Formground does not rate products.

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