It’s possibly the biggest furniture purchase you’ll make, so how exactly do you choose a sofa? Put your feet up – we’ve got sound advice and some seats for inspo
FEATURE Ellen Finch
Curved, angular; patterned, plain; big, small and everything in between: your sofa is a scheme-defining furniture purchase – and probably one of the biggest you’ll make for your home. No wonder, then, that it can be such a paralysing decision – but if you allow yourself to be creative, it ’s a fun one too, giving you the opportunity to play around with shape, colour, pattern and texture to your heart’s content.
Of course, before you can get to those bits, there’s the vital process of measuring up. This isn’t just about practicalit y: it ’s also about ensuring that it balances a room, rather than over whelming (or underwhelming) it. ‘You must think about what will function well within your available space, how it will look in an aesthetic sense when set against your other furniture, and crucially, how it will impact the f low of movement in the room,’ says Suzanne Musumeci, head of sales at Sofas &Stuff. On the more practical side, ‘your sofa needs not only to fit within your space, but also to navigate doors, hallways and tight corners. Ta ke note of potential obstacles like radiators, shelving, skirting boards and light fixtures. The width of the narrowest points should exceed the sofa’s height.’ If you have any doubts, most good companies will arrange an access check for you – and if it ’s on the small side, you can always consider amodular design.
It ’s difficult to choose a sofa shape without being inf luenced by the mood of the moment – and with sculptural curves the standout trend of last year, you might still be tempted by them. ‘Sinuous shapes have gained popularity for their ability to infuse spaces with an organic f low,’ says Suzanne. ‘They create a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere in living rooms, thanks to their visually appealing, cocooning design. Curved sofas and armchairs also tend to draw the eye and ser ve as a compelling focal point, irrespective of the room’s size.’
For Nick y Line, chief product officer at Loaf, the shape and configuration of your sofa depends on what you’re using it for. ‘ We’ve seen real demand for our larger laid-back sofas,’ she says. ‘Grow th in our modular styles, with real choice of formats from chaises to U-shaped configurations, bring amazing comfort and space to bundle the whole family on for movie night, gather with friends for drinks and nibbles, or spread out and lounge after a long working day.’
And of course, certain styles are classics for a reason: button-back and Chesterfield are timeless. ‘It can be a difficult choice to make but if in doubt, a timeless st yle, like our
