Sofa buying guide: How to choose a sofa

Put your feet up and discover how to choose your dream sofa with Roseland Furniture.

We understand that buying a new sofa for your home can be a daunting process. With so many styles, fabrics, sizes and colours to choose from, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. That's why we've put together this step-by-step sofa guide!

Whether you’re kitting out a spacious living room or shopping for a smaller apartment, read on for practical advice on how to choose the right sofa for any living space.  

What type of sofa meets your needs?

Sofas come in a variety of shapes and specifications, so you’ll need to have a think about what will work best for you.

Size and seating capacity

Start by working out how many people the sofa will need to accommodate on a regular basis, accounting for guests too. Smaller 2-seater sofas or snuggle chairs (which are slightly bigger than an average armchair) are perfect for 1 or 2 people, whereas if you have a larger family or like to entertain, you may want to think about a 3-seater sofa, 4-seater sofa or corner sofa, which will offer ample more room.

Usage and lifestyle

If you like to put your feet up or take naps, then a chaise sofa or corner sofa will be perfect. You could also consider a couch with a built-in recliner function if you want more versatility from your investment. Couches with higher arms are better choices for formal spaces, and pieces with prominent design features are your best bet if you want your sofa to act as a head-turning focal point in your home.

Space considerations

Make sure you choose a sofa that doesn't take up so much space that the room becomes overcrowded and lacks good flow. If you want the option to increase seating when you need to, but space is at a premium, consider modular sofas. Their customisable configurations make them a practical solution that are perfect for rooms of most sizes – and their detachable sections make it easy to move and clean them. 

What to consider when measuring the space for your new sofa

The depth and width measurements of our sofas relate to the deepest and widest points of the sofa, so these should be used when planning floor space.

Mark out the size of your desired sofa on your floor with masking tape or newspaper to get a feel for the space it’s going to take up in your room. Make sure you can walk around it easily and that doors and cupboards open freely and remember to account for skirting boards.

You’ll also need to check the seat size dimensions to make sure they are roomy enough to accommodate you and your loved ones. We provide these dimensions on our sofa product pages.

Most sofas (excluding corner units) will arrive in one piece, so double check that it will fit through your doorways or up your stairwells – especially if you live in a flat or an apartment, where access can be trickier, and corners can make manoeuvring furniture that much harder. Measure up before you start shopping, so you’re not left red-faced on delivery day!

Fabric options

Not sure which material to go for? Here’s everything you need to know in our quick fabric sofa buying guide.

Chenille is our most popular fabric choice

PROS: Made from woven yarn of fabric, it's soft to the touch, has a gorgeously soft sheen to it, and is incredibly durable. Its strong weave means it’s suitable for everyday use and its distinctive aesthetic can be used to add warmth to any interior.

CONS: Spot-cleaning can be difficult, as Chenille absorbs liquid spills easily. If placed in a sunny room, you might find that its colour fades over time.

You might like: Alfie 2 Seater Sofa, upholstered in a choice of 8 colours

Velvet is in demand, too – and for good reason!

PROS: Luxurious velvet lends itself very well to bold, striking colours and its texture adds depth and a feeling of richness to the fabric. Our synthetic (polyester) velvet covers are durable, and any stains can be rubbed off straightaway. They're also resistant to snagging.

CONS: This fabric is quite absorbent, so spills and accidents need to be dealt with quickly. It’s also prone to being crushed under pressure, so you’ll need to smooth the surfaces and plump the cushions regularly to prevent creases and other marks from forming. Velvet is not a sensible choice for homes with pets, either.

You might like: Skye Velvet 3 Seater Sofa

Synthetic blends, usually made of polyester, offer a durable option

PROS: Their hardwearing nature means synthetic sofa fabrics are perfect if you have children or pets. You’ll be pleased to know that this material is very resilient to fading, creasing and wrinkling, and can be treated to increase its resilience to stains and spills. It’s also easy to clean with just soap and water.

CONS: Polyester cushions can stretch over time, so remember to plump them regularly and flip them to even out the wear. These kinds of synthetic fabrics can feel warm in hot weather, too.

You might like: Morgan 3 Seater Sofa

Leather adds real character and depth to any sofa

PROS: Leather sofas will age beautifully and bring unique aesthetics to your piece as it gets older. It's easy to clean with a damp cloth and it offers a good amount of resilience to stains.

CONS: Leather is generally higher priced than synthetic options (but can last much longer). It can feel cool to the touch when you first sit down, which can be a drawback. Care needs to be taken with sharp objects, as leather can puncture more easily than other fabrics.

You might like: Nina Leather Chesterfield 4 Seat Sofa

Synthetic leather offers the look and texture of real leather but without the cost

PROS: Sometimes referred to as faux or PU leather, it’s a much more budget-friendly option than the real thing. Like other synthetics, it's also very durable and easy to wipe clean.

CONS: Faux leather will crack or peel in time, so there’s no hiding its age. It also doesn’t develop the same patina (or softness) as real leather.

You might like: Oakley Faux Leather Corner Sofa

Sofa styles

Choosing the right sofa style for your interior will take your look to the next level. 

Modern sofas are characterised by clean lines, sleek silhouettes, and often neutral or monochrome colour schemes. They typically have metal or wooden legs and come in low-profile designs, making them ideal for contemporary or industrial interiors.

Classic or traditional sofas are more ornate, often featuring rolled arms, tufted backs, and lush fabrics like velvet or leather. These designs are timeless and lend a sense of formality and elegance to a room.

Minimalist sofas strip down all excess, focusing on simplicity and function. They usually have boxy shapes, solid shades, and no fancy embellishments.

Mid-century modern sofas, with their tapered legs and angular frames, offer a retro touch while maintaining enough of a contemporary feel. These are ideal for both contemporary and eclectic spaces whilst giving a nostalgic nod to 1950s design.

Sectional or modular sofas fit well in family-friendly or casual spaces. Their customisable shapes make them suitable for open layouts or rooms that require flexible seating arrangements.

Sofa colours

The sofa shade you choose will play a major role in bringing your room’s design together.

In small rooms, opt for light colours like soft beige, pale grey, or off-white to make the area feel larger and airier. In larger or well-lit rooms, you can go a bit bolder with navy, lagoon blue, or even jewel tones like emerald or gold for a striking focal point.

If your room has limited natural light, avoid dark tones that may make the space feel heavy. Instead, try warm neutrals like mink or soft pastels.

In rooms that are consistently bright, use darker or richer colours to add depth without overwhelming the space.

When coordinating your choice of sofa with your existing décor, you’ll need to consider the overall palette. Neutral tones (like cream, grey and sand) are easy to dress up with brightly coloured cushions or throws and can provide an adaptable base tone if your design is still evolving and you’re not sure which direction you want to go in just yet.

If you want to inject a bit more personality, go for striking statement sofas in blush pink, rust, or even velvet green.

Sofa care and maintenance: Guidance for every couch

When it comes to deep cleaning sofa fabric, it’s best to use a professional cleaning service. Their expertise will ensure you get the best possible results while preserving the fabric's quality.

However, if you decide to clean your sofa yourself, remember to exercise caution. Generally speaking, regular vacuuming with a brush attachment will help remove dust effectively from most fabrics. If needed, gently sponge the fabric with a damp cloth, taking care not to over-wet it. Allow the fabric to dry completely before using the sofa. Avoid using strong liquid cleaners as they may damage the material. And remember, it’s essential to test any cleaning products on an inconspicuous area to avoid potential damage or discolouration.

Here’s some fabric-by-fabric advice:

Chenille should be vacuumed regularly with a brush attachment to prevent dust buildup. Spot clean spills immediately with a mild detergent, but avoid excessive water, which can distort its texture. Keep Chenille away from direct sunlight to prevent fading.

Velvet needs gentle care. Use a soft brush or a steamer to lift the pile and keep it looking smooth. Blot spills, don’t rub, and consider professional cleaning for deep stains. Avoid placing velvet in high-traffic or sun-exposed areas to preserve its luxurious look.

Polyester blends are generally low maintenance. Vacuum weekly and wipe spills with a damp cloth. Most are stain-resistant but always check the manufacturer’s cleaning code before using chemicals to get rid of any marks.

Leather benefits from regular dusting and occasional conditioning to prevent cracks. Wipe with a damp cloth for daily cleaning. Avoid harsh cleaners and protect leather from direct heat and sunlight.

Faux leather is even easier. Just wipe with a damp cloth! It can peel over time, though, so use a vinyl conditioner periodically and avoid abrasive scrubbing.

Sofa filling materials 

Our range of sofas offer two different filling materials: foam or fibre (or a combination of the two).

Fibre cushion filling is made from hollow strands of polyester. These contain a lot of air which compresses when you sit down. This makes for a super-soft couch to sink right into! The drawback of fibre is that it doesn't retain its shape quite as well as foam, so cushions will require daily plumping.

Foam cushion filling, on the other hand, offers a firmer feel and bounces back to its original shape when you stand up. They require much less looking after than their fibre counterparts; the occasional flip to even wear will usually suffice.

Cushion care

Foam filled cushions offer great comfort with relatively low maintenance. They feel firmer and more supportive than fibre filled cushions and go back to their natural shape when they’re not in use.

Whilst foam cushions are easy to look after, you’ll still want them to look their best. Just give them a weekly plump-up, as they will soften with use. If you have loose seat cushions on your sofa, turn them over regularly to keep them in shape.

Fibre cushions provide a soft and relaxed feel that invites you to sit down and sink right in. If you like to feel like your sofa is giving you a big hug, then fibre could be the best cushion filling option for you! Fibre cushions need to be turned over and teased on a regular basis to put the air back into the fillings. Like cotton wool, the fibre inside is easy to compress and can become matted, but if you care and maintain the fibre cushions properly, this won't be an issue.

Want the best of both worlds? Try foam and fibre wrap cushions. These boast a foam core which is wrapped in a fibre quilt. The fibre wrap gives you all the support required for sitting up with added comfort for laying down. It also keeps its shape beautifully. Plump weekly (or more often) and flip foam and fibre wrap cushions to even the wear on each side.