We understand that choosing 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 guide. Hopefully it'll give you the help you need to find your dream sofa!

Fabric Options

Chenille is our most popular fabric choice. Made from woven yarn of fabric, it's soft to the touch, has a gorgeously soft sheen to it, and is incredibly durable. Discover our best-selling Alfie range, upholstered in a choice of 8 chenille colours.

Velvet is very popular and with good reason! It 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 allow many stains to be easily rubbed off. They're also resistant to snagging. Velvet is, however, quite absorbent so liquid spills need to be dealt with quickly. Smooth the surfaces and plump the cushions regularly to prevent creases from forming.

Synthetic (usually polyester blends) offer a durable option. Their hard wearing nature means they're perfect if you have children or pets. The fabric is very resilient to fading, creasing and wrinkling. Polyester cushions can stretch over time so remember to plump them regularly and flip them to even out the wear.

Leather offers real character to a sofa. The fabric will age beautifully and bring character to the piece as it gets older. It's easy to clean with a damp cloth and it offers a good amount of resilience to stains. Leather is generally higher priced than synthetic options (but can last much longer). It can feel cool to the touch when you fist sit down, which can be a drawback for some people. Care needs to be take with sharp objects as leather can puncture more easily than other fabrics.

Synthetic leather, sometimes referred to as faux or PU leather, offers the look and texture of real leather but without the cost. It's also very durable and easy to wipe clean.

Care Guidance: When it comes to deep cleaning sofa fabric, it is highly advisable to seek advice from a professional cleaning service. Their expertise and specialized knowledge can ensure the best possible results while preserving the fabric's quality.

However, if you decide to clean the sofa yourself, remember to exercise caution. Regular vacuuming with a brush attachment will help remove dust effectively. 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 fabric.

Prior to use, it is crucial to test any cleaning products on an inconspicuous area to avoid potential damage or discoloration.

Sofa Filling Material

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 fibre - the occasional flip to even wear will usually suffice.

Caring for your cushions is a breeze - use the table below to find the best care for the appropriate type of cushion:

Foam filled cushions offer great comfort with relatively low maintenance. They feel firmer than the Fibre filled cushions and go back to their natural shape when they are not in use and will be ready to give you the same level of support the next time you sit back down.

Whilst foam cushions are low maintenance you will still want them looking their best. Just give them a weekly plump-up to keep them looking great, as cushions will soften with use - particularly where you sit. If you have loose seat cushions on your sofa, just turn them over regularly to keep them in shape.

Fibre gives a soft and relaxed feel that invites you to sit down and sink in! If you like to feel like your sofa is giving you a big hug, then fibre could be the one 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 for you.

Foam and fibre wrap cushions provides the best of both worlds. They have 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 through the years. Plump weekly (or more often) to keep them looking their best. Flip cushions where possible to even the wear on each side.