Before You Sit: Choosing the Right Sofa
A sofa anchors a room — and your routine. Choose well and it’s a quiet luxury you’ll live with and love every day. Rush it and you’re stuck with a compromise for years. This is a short, design-led guide to what actually matters when choosing a sofa: scale, support, construction, filling, fabric and the simple questions to ask in store.
Begin With How You Live
Before you fall in love with a design, there are a few important questions to ask yourself:
- Who uses it? (adults/kids/pets / overnight guests)
- How will you use it? (daily lounging / TV / formal sitting/reading)
- How long do you want to keep it? (a few years / 10+ years / forever)
- Do you move homes frequently? How might it look in a different space?
- Do you entertain regularly? Do you need modular pieces?
Your answers decide whether you need firm, structured support or a softer, sink-in sofa and most importantly what size.
Measure Like a Designer
Room & flow: Measure overall room width and circulation. Leave 60 cm clear in front of the sofa and 90cm for transitions and walkways in open plan spaces.
Doorways & access: Measure every doorway, stairwell and lift (height, width, diagonal). It’s always better to check twice and consider a modular sofa if access is tight.
Your size guide references:
- 2-seater: 150–180 cm — a compact choice
- 3-seater: 200–250 cm — most versatile
- 4-seater: 260–300cm — for larger spaces
- Sectional/corner: custom — let our stylist map yours onto the floorplan
- Seat heights range from 42–48 cm.
- Seat depth usable: 50–65 cm (deep lounging 60–75 cm).
Support & Comfort: What Counts
Softness alone isn’t comfort. It’s seat fill + support structure + back angle.
Common fills
High-density foam — firm, holds shape (great for family life)
Foam + feather wrap — structure plus a soft top layer
Feather/down — plush, requires daily fluffing (always pick a sofa where the feathers are divided into channels)
Pocket springs/coils — resilience and lift (higher-end)
Practical test: sit for five minutes in your usual position: slouch, cross your legs, read an online article, and then decide if you feel comfortable.
Fabrics & Finishes
Match fabric to life: performance linens and tightly woven cottons for high traffic; treated leathers for easy cleaning. Natural fibres (linen, wool, cotton) give texture but need more care; performance fabrics look like natural fibres but repel stains better.
Leather note: aniline = softer, natural finish; pigmented = easier care.
Keep it Looking Good
Rotate and flip loose cushions regularly
Fluff feather cushions daily for the first month.
Blot spills immediately — don’t rub.
Vacuum with a soft brush.
Avoid direct sunlight.
Professional clean every 12–24 months for fabric; specialist leather care as needed.
The In Store FAQs
Q: Foam or feather?
A: For everyday family life choose high-density foam or foam-core + feather wrap. Feather if you want plush and don’t mind maintenance.
Q: How long should a quality sofa last?
A: With a hardwood frame and good springs, expect 10 years or more with regular care.
Q: Are performance fabrics luxurious?
A: Yes — modern performance textiles are tactile and refined.
Need assistance making these big decisions? Pop into your local showroom — bring room photos, measurements and we’ll sit, compare and find the sofa you’ll actually want to live with. Book a complimentary in store consultation for an in depth look into your space.