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Sofas are a big financial investment, so it's important to think about things like the size and dimensions of the room it will be in and what you would like it to feel and look like - because hopefully, you will be spending a lot of time on it. There are many different types of sofas in a varied price range, so it can feel a little overwhelming to choose one.
Would you prefer sleek leather, classic velvet, or simple fabric? Are you looking for a sofa bed, chaise or corner sofa? Fear not! Our handy buying guide and top ten recommendations include all the information you need to find the perfect place to lounge from high-quality brands at online stores such as Amazon and John Lewis. Moreover, we partnered with interior designer Belen Dakak to review and fact-check the article to deliver the best information.
Belen is an interior designer (residential and retail design), having worked for top retail brands including Estee Lauder, Seasalt and John Lewis, as well as working with private clients on residential projects and RoomLab, an online interior design platform.
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
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Belen is an interior designer (residential and retail design), having worked for top retail brands including Estee Lauder, Seasalt and John Lewis, as well as working with private clients on residential projects and RoomLab, an online interior design platform.
The requirements of a person living alone compared to a family of five with a dog are quite different, and this will be reflected in your choice of sofa. It's very important to keep in mind the importance of the dimensions that suit you. Not all 2 or 3 seaters (or corner sofas) are the same size and some have larger arms/sides as well so take up more room.
Keep in mind things such as how the arms and size of the back of the sofa might look stylish, but they do tend to lack support when compared with those you can rest your head and neck on. And consider how much you really want sides high enough to rest, or lean on.
Larger traditional sofas are great for two people who want to spread out or seat more people. This type can be great for shared houses or communal working spaces. In terms of design, traditional sofas are often a good choice if you have a small or unusually shaped space, a lower budget or simply like the look of a more compact settee.
We all know what a chaise longue is but chaise sofas, or chaise end sofas, are very popular. They look similar to a corner sofa but are an L shape, with one seat longer than the rest to stretch out or lounge. Always an elegant option, although you may end up fighting over who gets the end seat!
Why not really cosy on your new chaise longue with one of these weighted blankets here.
There are many different types of sofa beds, from very basic to the more expensive ones that double up as regular traditional or chaise sofas during the day. Two-fold sofa beds are the most common, where the cushions can be removed, and a mattress and supports are pulled out from within the base of the sofa.
Fold-away style sofa beds are a cheaper alternative, where the mattress is a simple affair that folds away as the seat of the sofa when not in use - removing the metal or wooden supports and placing the mattress directly on the floor. Click-clack beds are the most popular. They're the most sturdy and feel just like any standard bed when they're up.
Some sofa beds are designed for daily use whilst others are a more occasional option, and they can vary in size. You might want to think about the purpose you are buying for and how much you want to spend, as there are many varied options to choose from.
If you're going for a sofa bed, don't forget your pillows. Here's a great run down of the best memory foam pillows.
Corner sofas have two sections, usually in an L shape or symmetrical formation, depending on their size and style. They are great for providing seating for large families and can save space as they tuck into corners of rooms.
However, you may want to take stock of the shape and size of your space if you are considering a corner sofa. They are best for bigger living spaces and are sold as LHF and RHF, which refers to whether it is left-hand facing or right-hand - this is crucial to getting a sofa to fit the right way round in your room.
Coming in a variety of sizes and styles, corner sofas also come in reclining options, and as sofa beds and even ottoman alternatives. If space is limited at home, consider one with a chaise longue for extra seats and leg room.
Wool, cotton, linen (natural fabrics), and polyester (synthetic fabric) are some of the most common fabrics used to upholster sofas. Wool is easy to dye, so it comes in a wide range of colours and
patterns.
It can also be blended with other synthetic fabrics to give them better qualities. Wool-synthetic blends can be made more resistant to pilling, soiling and fading. The only downside of wool is that it is expensive though long-lasting.
Cotton, linen and polyester are some of the most common fabrics used to upholster sofas. Cotton is breathable and soft, being a natural fibre, and can create a relaxed feel. Linen is also a natural fibre, but it's slightly more hardy and durable than cotton, with a more lived-in look. Make sure to check the covers are removable and washable. This is an excellent option for those with children or pets.
Like organic cotton, linen is hypoallergenic, making it great for those with skin allergies. On the other hand, polyester is a synthetic fibre but is also super durable, making it another great option for families and pets. It's very widely used in furnishings and comes in a range of textures and styles.
Velvet is soft and luxurious, characterised by its dense pile of evenly cut fibres. Historically velvet was made from pure silk, which is extremely expensive, but today it's made from a combination of natural and synthetic fibres such as cotton and polyester.
Velvet can be more flammable than other upholstery fabrics, but this isn't true for all types of velvet fabric. Velvet sofas are a little more high maintenance than ones made from other materials and need a little TLC, but its grandiose style is guaranteed to make it a statement piece.
Leather sofas are easy to look after, durable and make any room look great. Leather is a natural material that gets better with age and can be treated in the production process to create different finishes.
A popular type used for sofas is full-grain or aniline leather with a soft feel that is characterised by natural marks creating an authentic look. Aniline leather is dyed but doesn't have a topcoat, making it more breathable - this type of leather ages beautifully over time.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | John Lewis Swoon Latimer Large 3 Seater Chaise End Sofa | £1,499.00 Mid | An Extra-Deep and Comfortable Sofa | ||
2 | West Elm Newport LHF Chaise End Sofa, Performance Linen Dark Putty | £3,098.00 High Mid | Bring a Touch of 60's Seaside Glamour to Your Home | ||
3 | John Lewis & Partners + Swoon Lyon Medium 2 Seater Sofa | £1,199.00 Low Mid | A Collaboration Made in Heaven | ||
4 | Swoon Latimer Large 3 Seater Chaise End Leather Sofa | £3,399.00 High | A Laidback Choice Made From Beautiful Materials | ||
5 | John Lewis Cromwell Chesterfield Large 3 Seater | £1,799.00 Mid | The Ideal Statement Piece That's Doesn't Skip on Comfort | ||
6 | John Lewis & Partners Swoon Lyon RHF Chaise End Sofa | £1,999.00 Mid | A Delightfully Modern End Sofa | ||
7 | Halo Groucho Small 2 Seater Leather Sofa | £1,149.00 Low Mid | A Fantastically Modernist Piece of Furniture | ||
8 | John Lewis & Partners Java II Large 3 Seater Sofa | £1,799.00 Mid | Beautifully Designed and Customisable in Over 200 Fabrics | ||
9 | Homescapes Velvet Sofa Bed | £229.00 Low | A Reasonably Priced Minimalist Sofa Bed for the Spare Room |
Simply the ultimate in decadence and luxury, this sofa is also a real homebody type. Latimer has a soft seat and back cushions for lounging at the end of the day, and it's finished off with birch detailing, it all comes together to make a sofa you'll be excited to come home to.
With its super squishy arms and extra-deep seats, it'll make you feel like you're actually inside it, in a good way! There is a choice of many fabrics sourced from the finest mills in Europe, and we love the contrast of the wooden feet with the deep green velvet material, which is why we've chosen it for our number one spot.
The Brigitte Bardot of sofas, the Newport look's great anywhere. Its design is casual and coastal-inspired, and it can make any room feel a little bit like you're by the beach!
Super stylish, yet surprisingly, it's exceptionally comfortable and has a real laidback feel about it. Our favourite features are the deep seats, clean, unfussy lines and the kiln-dried wooden platform that gives it a breezy aura.
This collaboration between John Lewis and the inimitable Swoon is luxurious yet practical. Coming with a double 15-year guarantee on both the sofa as a whole and the frame, you can kick back and relax.
The best thing about this sofa is the firmness and structure it has, whilst being unbelievably comfortable. The buttoned back, piping and brass-capped legs are gorgeous details giving it a Mid-Century feel.
If you're looking for something contemporary whilst being laidback and super comfy, the Swoon Latimer might be the one for you. It has those deep seats and is so comfortably designed you might struggle to get back up.
The leather seating adds to the comfort and subtle luxury, and a lot of thought has gone into the detailing. John Lewis is the go-to place at the moment for exemplary furniture with the right details.
The signature look of bachelor pads, professor's offices and smoking rooms, this beautiful leather sofa looks great as a rustic piece in any home setting. This classic Chesterfield sports beautiful soft leather which comes in seventeen different colour options.
It may be a two-seater, but it is spacious and wide with fabulously deep comfy seats. Upholstered in aniline leather, it feels soft and shows off the material's natural flaws, complimenting vintage details like the button design on the back and base.
Sofas in this range take a leaf out of the relaxed Italian design, and, as they say - when in Rome, do as the Romans do! A great thing about this sofa is its neutral feel and soft lines, which can fit well into most rooms and spaces that are already designed.
Perfect for families, flatmates and couples, this sofa is a gorgeous soft grey that compliments many a wall colour, and it's big enough to share or to luxuriate on whilst having a chilled evening in.
This demure piece from Halo is ideal for hip single pads, a couples cosy den or collaborative or creative spaces. It has serious Modernist vibes and adds a real edge to a minimalist living room or bohemian pad.
The legs require assembly on this one too, but we love how low it is to the floor, slightly raised by glamorous gold feet which provide a contemporary feel. Another plus is that this range comes in three different leather options.
This elegant three-seater sofa looks and feels compact within a room, which is great for those with smaller or squarer living spaces. There's a choice of a whopping 213 fabric and colour options, and two different leg finishes in this range, all with a 15-year frame guarantee.
This sofa supports you well when you sit, and the springs help retain the cushion shapes, meaning there's no sagging to worry about! It also has air pockets that provide natural ventilation to keep things fresh and 100% recyclable springs. The legs require some assembly, but with all the other benefits, it's worth it.
Comfortable and good value, this upholstered three-seater doubles up as a single sofa bed and doesn't look bad either. Minimalist design is often a good choice when the budget is low, and this sofa does exactly what it says on the tin.
Homescapes range comes in a variety of bold and attractive colours in a plain fabric or velvet material. However, this sofa doesn't have any extra details such as arms to add extra comfort, and some assembly is required, but that can be expected at this low price.
No. 1: John Lewis|Swoon Latimer Large 3 Seater Chaise End Sofa
No. 2: West Elm|Newport LHF Chaise End Sofa, Performance Linen Dark Putty
No. 3: John Lewis & Partners + Swoon|Lyon Medium 2 Seater Sofa
No. 4: Swoon|Latimer Large 3 Seater Chaise End Leather Sofa
No. 5: John Lewis|Cromwell Chesterfield Large 3 Seater
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