Sofa Buying Guide

The Sofas & Stuff sofa buying guide

The Sofas & Stuff sofa buying guide

A sofa is where many of life’s moments unfold, from family gatherings to quiet nights in. Buying a new sofa for your home is a significant investment in creating a cherished and comfortable living space.

We deeply understand and appreciate the journey of buying a sofa that you truly love. The below sofa buying guide is your gateway to the ideal settee for your home, considering each aspect of the process to ensure that the delivered piece is everything you expect and more.

Buying with Sofas & Stuff

Purchasing an upholstered sofa from Sofas & Stuff means investing in a custom-made piece of furniture which expresses the essence of your lifestyle and home décor tastes. Our extensive range of sofa designs, fine quality fabrics and bespoke detailing options offer the opportunity to select a sofa that reflects your personal style without compromise.

Every sofa is crafted with an eye towards lasting beauty and enduring comfort, ensuring your handcrafted piece remains a cornerstone of your living space for years to come. We believe this is not only kinder to our planet but also gives your bespoke piece genuine value, affirming your investment.

Types of sofas

A ‘sofa’ can encompass a variety of distinct shapes, sizes and uses. Ahead of purchasing your new piece, consider which of the following sofa types might suit your living space best in look and functionality.

Classic sofas

A staple of a comfortable living room, but with versatile applications across the home, classic sofas, settees or couches are likely what comes to mind when you first think of the term.

Corner sofas

Wadenhoe corner sofa in Portland Brass velvet with natural daylight shining in the window behind it

Perfect for rooms with a little extra space, such as main lounges, a corner sofa is L-shaped or U-shaped, helping to define a living area and offering somewhere for the whole family.Corner sofa buying guide

Armchairs

From a cosy reading nook to a statement design flourish, an armchair is a versatile piece of furniture that completes any room and serves an array of functions.Armchair buying guide

Snugglers and loveseats

Abbotsbury Snuggler in Linwood Freya Mineral Contrasting Scatters in Cosmos Mineral Rugs supplied by Rugs of Petworth Landscape

A snuggler, or loveseat, delivers the comfort of a classic sofa on a smaller scale. They provide an exceptionally comfortable spot for one or two – including four-legged friends.Snuggler buying guide

Chaise sofas

The elegant silhouette of a chaise sofa is instantly recognisable and enhances a range of spaces. Our corner-style sofas with a chaise end blend classic design with modern comfort.Chaise sofa buying guide

Sofa beds

Big 3 seater sofa bed in Oak Leaf printed fabric design

For rooms with more than one function, a sofa bed offers comfort in both the sitting and sleeping experience. It is typically a classic sofa style with a pull-out luxury mattress.Sofa bed buying guide

How to choose the right sofa for you

Before making your decision, consider the below points. These pre-purchase considerations will guide you to choose a sofa that aligns with your daily life, factoring in everything from space and layout to pets or hosting habits.

Room

Measurements

Placement and layout

Access

Lifestyle

Comfort and support

Try and test

Our sofa sizes

Our classic sofas are available in four sizes; 2 seater, 2.5 seater, 3 seater, and 4 seater. 

While the below dimensions come as standard, with variations of up to 3 cm due to their handmade nature, we are able to modify seat depth to allow for a deeper or more shallow seat. 

For more comprehensive dimensions and measuring guides, select individual models on our website.

Sofa sizeWidth measurements
2 seaterFrom 135 cm to 180 cm
2.5 seaterFrom 160 cm to 200 cm
3 seaterFrom 174 cm to 225 cm
4 seaterFrom 204 cm to 246 cm

Sofa shapes

Along with the upholstery of your sofa, its shape is an important expression of your personal taste and interior design sensibilities. All of our sofa designs are crafted to offer timeless beauty that transcends trends; below are just some of the design options available to you.

Sofa backs

The back of your sofa is a question of both personal style and comfort needs.

Cushion backs

Scatter backs

Sprung or fixed backs

Buttoned backs

Sofa arms

Desired look, comfort and space availability will all influence the type of sofa arm you are seeking.

Howard arms

Square arms

Tapered arms

Scroll arms

Sofa seats

One of the central elements of your sofa, the seat can be tailored to match the comfort level you seek.

Fixed seats

Cushioned seats

Sofa legs

The legs of your sofa add the last flourish to a design, ranging from classic to contemporary in style and available in several finishes. Some of our sofas incorporate more than one style.

Turned legs

Tapered legs

Platform bases

Block feet

Bun feet

Sabre legs

Loose covers

Cushion fillings

The interior of your sofa cushions is central to the comfort of your bespoke piece. 

We offer three options to match your unique needs, offering varying levels of firmness and support, and can combine different sofa filling types if required.

Duck feathers

Quallofil Blue fibre

3F – Feather and fibre around foam core

Design considerations

Sofa upholstery

The freedom to upholster your sofa in any suitable fabric in the world is central to our philosophy. It is a highly personal choice, led by considerations such as existing décor, lifestyle nuances and your innate sense of style.

Our design consultants are full of wisdom about the thousands of fabrics on offer in our library. We heartily recommend speaking to the team at your nearest showroom; many of our customers are surprised to hear just how hard-wearing, versatile and long-lasting certain textiles can be in the home.

Below is some guidance which offers a helpful starting point to choosing a sofa fabric. We also invite you to select up to 8 free fabric samples to be delivered to your home.

Material typeFeatures
CottonClassic look and feelSoft and durableAvailable in a range of plains and patterns
Harris TweedAuthentic and instantly recognisableHardwearing fabricTimeless prestige and beauty
LinenNatural fibre with a relaxed lookBreathable and often cool to the touchMatures and ages gracefully
PatternedAdd visual appealCreate a striking focal pointExclusive collections with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and V&A
PlainAvailable in a range of hues and fabric compositionsVersatile and easy to pair with existing décorClassic and timeless appeal
Stain resistantHardwearing fabrics in a variety of materials and shadesEasy-to-clean fabrics in a variety of materials and shadesIdeal for homes with children, pets or frequent guests
Stripes and checksClassic and versatile patternsAvailable in a range of shades and fabric compositionsBeautiful in a variety of interior design styles
VelvetA classic pile fabricLuxury, opulent feel with a soft touchVarying weave structures to give a smooth or crushed look
ViscoseSmooth and soft feel, making it inviting and comfortableOffers the look of cotton or silk with higher durabilityCan be blended with other materials such as linen
WoolNatural fibresLong-lasting and durableNaturally stain-resistant