How to Choose a Sofa You Will Keep

A sofa is usually the largest piece in a living room and the one you use most. It is worth deciding what you need from it before you decide what you like the look of.

Start with how you sit

Do you sit upright with guests, or curl up with a book? Does anyone stretch out for a nap? Deeper seats suit lounging, while shallower ones are easier for sitting upright and getting up again. Try a sofa the way you would really use it, for longer than feels polite.

Look past the fabric

The covering is what you notice first, but the structure underneath decides how the sofa ages.

• Ask what the frame is made of and how it is joined.
• Ask what the cushions are filled with, and how much care they need to keep their shape.
• Sit at both ends and in the middle, because comfort can vary across the seat.

Be honest about daily life

Children, pets, sunny windows and red wine all matter. A pale fabric can work well in a quiet room and be a daily worry in a busy one. Ask to see the material in the light it will live in, if you can.

Think about the whole room

Check the size against the room, not only the wall it will sit on. Leave space to walk around it, and think about how it will sit with the rug, lighting and side tables. Then measure the way into your home, because a sofa has to get through the door first.