Choosing a sofa starts with the room, not the colour. Before comparing fabrics or deciding whether you prefer beige, grey or something bolder, work out how much space you have, how many people need a seat and what you actually need the sofa to do.
A sofa for two people in a small living room has a very different job from one used by a family of five every evening. The right choice might be a compact two seater, a corner sofa that makes better use of two walls, a U-shape for more seating, a sofa bed for overnight guests or an electric recliner if adjustable comfort matters most.
This guide takes you through those decisions in the order that matters, from measuring your room and choosing a configuration to checking access, delivery and the guarantee before you order.
Start with the room and how you use it
Before looking at individual sofas, answer five questions:
- How many people regularly need a seat?
- How much usable floor space do you have?
- Which walls can the sofa sit against?
- Do you need the sofa to do anything besides provide seating?
- Can the sofa actually get from your front door to the room?
The last two are easy to overlook. A sofa might need to double as a guest bed, provide storage or recline for film nights. Even a sofa that fits perfectly once assembled is no use if its sections cannot get through the hallway or around the stairs.
Work out what the sofa needs to do before deciding what it needs to look like.
Measure the space before choosing a sofa
Measure the space the sofa will actually occupy rather than simply measuring the entire room.
Record the available width and depth, then note anything that reduces the usable space, including:
- doors and the space they need to open;
- radiators;
- windows;
- fireplaces;
- alcoves;
- existing furniture; and
- the main walkway through the room.
If you are considering a corner sofa, measure both sides. The return or chaise has to fit the second wall as well as the main section fitting the first.
For a U-shape sofa, check the complete width and leave enough usable floor space around both returns.
Mark the sofa out on the floor
Dimensions on a screen can be difficult to picture in a real room. Masking tape gives you a much clearer idea.
Take the dimensions from the product page and mark the sofa's footprint on your floor. Then leave the tape there and use the room normally.
Ask yourself:
- Can you still walk through the room comfortably?
- Does a door hit the proposed sofa?
- Would the chaise block the natural route across the room?
- Is a radiator being obstructed?
- Is there enough room between the sofa and coffee table?
- Can cupboards and other furniture still open properly?
This is a better test than asking whether a sofa technically fits. A sofa can fit between two walls and still be too large for the room.
You can also use our Check if it will fit tool to compare your room measurements with sofa sizes.
Choose the sofa shape before the colour
Once you know how much usable space you have, decide which sofa configuration works with it.
| Sofa type | Works well when | Check before buying |
|---|---|---|
| 2 or 3 seater | You want straightforward seating along one wall | Overall width, seat depth and available walkway |
| Corner sofa | You want to use two sides of the room and create more connected seating | Orientation and both side lengths |
| Universal corner | You want more flexibility over which side the chaise sits | How that particular model can be configured |
| U-shape | You need more connected seating and have a wider room | Total width and space around both returns |
| Sofa bed | The room also needs to accommodate overnight guests | Space required when the bed is open |
| Electric recliner | You prioritise adjustable seating and relaxation | Reclining clearance and power requirements |
Should you choose a straight sofa or a corner sofa?
A straight sofa sits primarily along one wall. That makes it relatively simple to position and can work particularly well where several walls need to remain clear.
A corner sofa uses two directions of the room. That can make effective use of an otherwise empty corner while creating a larger connected seating area without filling the room with several separate chairs.
Do not assume a corner sofa is automatically too large for a smaller living room. The important figure is its actual footprint.
In some layouts, one correctly sized corner sofa can use the available space more efficiently than a straight sofa with additional chairs around it.
Left-hand, right-hand or universal corner?
If you choose a corner sofa, orientation is one of the first things to settle.
On Furniture Lovers, left and right are described as you stand in front of the sofa and face it.
- Left-hand corner: the chaise or return is on your left as you face the sofa.
- Right-hand corner: the chaise or return is on your right as you face the sofa.
- Universal corner: the layout can be configured with the chaise on either side where the individual model allows it.
Sit on the sofa and the sides appear to swap, which is where much of the confusion comes from.
Do not rely on the words left and right when comparing different retailers because naming conventions can differ. Check the photographs and individual product specification.
For the full explanation, read our left-hand vs right-hand corner sofa guide.
You can also browse:
When does a U-shape sofa make sense?
A U-shape sofa has a return at both ends, creating connected seating around three sides of the space.
It can work particularly well for larger households, entertaining and rooms where the sofa forms the main social area.
Unlike a conventional corner sofa with one return, there is no left-hand or right-hand side to choose because the sofa extends at both ends.
The trade-off is space. U-shape sofas can have a substantial footprint, so check the complete dimensions rather than judging the size from photographs.
Mark the complete outline on your floor before ordering and make sure the two returns do not interfere with doors, walkways or other furniture.
Do you need a sofa bed?
If you regularly have overnight guests but do not have a permanent spare bedroom, a sofa bed allows the same floor space to perform two jobs.
During everyday life it provides seating. When somebody stays overnight, it can provide additional sleeping accommodation.
Sofa beds can therefore be particularly useful in:
- apartments;
- smaller houses;
- home offices;
- multipurpose rooms; and
- homes without a dedicated guest bedroom.
The important measurement is not only the sofa when closed.
Check how much room the sofa requires when the sleeping section is open and whether surrounding furniture will need to be moved.
If you already know you need both functions, browse our sofa beds.
If the room specifically needs a corner layout, you can narrow the choice further with corner sofa beds.
Would built-in storage make the room more useful?
Storage is easy to dismiss as an extra feature until you live in a room where space is limited.
Depending on the individual model, hidden sofa storage can provide somewhere to keep items such as blankets, throws, cushions or occasional bedding.
It becomes particularly useful when combined with a sofa bed because one piece of furniture can potentially provide three functions:
seating + sleeping + storage.
Instead of counting how many features a sofa has, think about how many useful jobs it allows one area of your room to perform.
Would you actually use an electric recliner?
Electric reclining can be valuable if your sofa is where you spend long evenings watching television, gaming or relaxing.
A powered mechanism allows you to adjust your seating position rather than remaining at one fixed angle.
Depending on the individual model, additional features may include:
- adjustable headrests;
- USB charging;
- USB-C charging;
- wireless charging;
- cup holders;
- storage compartments; or
- integrated lighting.
Exact features vary between products. Always check the specification of the individual sofa rather than assuming every electric sofa includes the same technology.
For powered furniture, also consider where your sockets are positioned and how the sofa will be connected.
Check the clearance required when the seat is fully reclined.
There is little value in paying for functionality you will rarely use. But if adjustable seating is something you will use every day, it can become one of the most important features of the sofa.
Explore electric recliner sofas.
Think about seat depth, not only sofa width
Width tells you whether a sofa fits the wall. It does not tell you how it will feel to sit on.
Where the product information is available, compare:
- Seat height: how high you sit from the floor.
- Seat depth: the usable depth of the seating area.
- Overall depth: how far the complete sofa projects into the room.
- Back height: the height of the sofa's back and the support it provides.
Deeper seating can create a more relaxed lounging position, while shallower seating may feel more upright.
Do not confuse overall sofa depth with usable seat depth. They are different measurements.
Choose the material for the way you actually live
Sofa material should be a practical decision as well as a visual one.
Think about what happens after the sofa enters your home.
Ask:
- Will children regularly use it?
- Do you have pets?
- Will people eat or drink on the sofa?
- Is this the main family sofa?
- How much everyday use will it receive?
- What care does the upholstery require?
Different materials have different textures, characteristics and care requirements.
Furniture Lovers carries sofas in a range of upholstery types depending on the individual product and range.
Check the individual product specification and care information rather than assuming one material is automatically right for every household.
Choose colour after size, shape and function
Colour matters, but it should come after the decisions that determine whether the sofa actually works in your home.
It is much easier to change cushions and accessories than it is to change the dimensions of a sofa that blocks your doorway.
Once you have narrowed the choice to sofas that fit the room and provide the functions you need, compare the available colours.
Think about the sofa alongside:
- walls;
- flooring;
- rugs;
- curtains or blinds;
- existing furniture; and
- natural light.
Neutral colours such as beige and grey can give you flexibility around the rest of the room, while stronger shades can turn the sofa into the main visual feature.
Remember that colours can appear different depending on lighting and screen settings.
Measure the route into your home
Room measurements tell you whether the sofa fits once it is there. You also need to know whether it can reach the room.
Measure the entire route from the entrance of your property to the sofa's final position.
Check:
- front door width and height;
- internal doorways;
- hallway width;
- tight corners;
- stairs;
- landings;
- low ceilings;
- the final room entrance; and
- lift dimensions where applicable.
Many larger sofas arrive in separate sections, but that does not guarantee every delivery route will work.
If your property has unusually narrow access, awkward stairs or tight turns, check the relevant dimensions before ordering.
Check stock and delivery before ordering
Delivery should be part of your buying decision, not something you investigate after checkout.
For Furniture Lovers items that are currently in stock, delivery to mainland England and Wales is typically within 1–7 business days.
External deliveries are also available to some parts of Scotland, where the delivery timeframe is typically 10–14 business days.
Check the individual product listing and delivery information because stock status and location can affect the timeframe.
If a product listing displays a longer timeframe than the normal in-stock window, the product is not currently available for immediate in-stock delivery and incoming stock may be on the way.
Where the product is available to order, placing an order can reserve one of the incoming items.
What happens when your sofa is delivered?
Furniture Lovers uses an external delivery service for furniture deliveries.
For applicable sofas, a two-person delivery team will deliver the sofa to your room of choice and assemble it at no additional cost.
Flatpack furniture is excluded from the assembly service.
Before delivery, clear the route through your property and make sure there is sufficient access to the intended room.
This is another reason to measure access before ordering rather than waiting until delivery day.
Understand the guarantee before you buy
A sofa is a significant household purchase, so understand the protection that comes with it.
1-Year Guarantee
Furniture Lovers provides a one-year guarantee covering manufacturing defects in the frame and springs from the delivery date.
5-Year Extended Guarantee
Furniture Lovers also provides structural frame protection for five years at no extra cost.
The five-year protection applies to the structural frame. It should not be read as five years of cover for every component of the sofa.
Exclusions include:
- wear and tear;
- misuse;
- incorrect assembly;
- commercial use; and
- unauthorised alterations.
Know the returns position before you order
Getting the dimensions, orientation and access right before ordering is much easier than solving a fit problem afterwards.
For eligible online purchases, you generally have 14 days after delivery to tell us you want to cancel.
Because sofas and other furniture are bulky products, do not independently send furniture back without contacting Furniture Lovers first.
If you need to request a return or refund, email shop@furniturelovers.co.uk with your order details and the team can provide the appropriate instructions.
If furniture arrives damaged, incorrect or appears to have a fault, include your name, order number, product name, a description of the issue and clear photographs or videos where relevant.
Read the full Returns & Refunds information before ordering.
Which type of sofa should you start with?
| If this sounds like your home... | Start here |
|---|---|
| I need straightforward seating for one wall | 2 seater sofas or 3 seater sofas |
| I want to make use of two sides of the room | Corner sofas |
| I want a corner but need flexibility over the side | Universal corner sofas |
| I have a larger room and need more connected seating | U-shape sofas |
| I need occasional sleeping space | Sofa beds |
| I need sleeping space and already know I want a corner | Corner sofa beds |
| Adjustable powered seating matters most | Electric recliners |
| I know my measurements but do not know which sofas fit | Check if it will fit |
Before you buy: the 60-second sofa checklist
- Measure the usable space. Do not use the entire room dimensions.
- Mark the sofa footprint on the floor. Use masking tape and live with the outline.
- Choose the configuration. Straight, corner, universal or U-shape.
- Check the orientation. Confirm left or right where relevant.
- Decide which functions matter. Bed, storage, reclining or straightforward seating.
- Check seat measurements. Look at seat depth and height where available.
- Choose a practical material. Think about your household rather than appearance alone.
- Choose the colour. Consider the whole room.
- Measure the delivery route. Include doors, hallways, stairs, landings and tight turns.
- Check stock and delivery. Use the information shown for the individual product.
- Understand the guarantee. Know what is and is not covered.
- Read the returns information. Do it before ordering rather than after a problem occurs.
Not sure which sofa will fit?
You do not need to work through the entire catalogue manually.
Use our Check if it will fit tool to compare your room measurements with sofa dimensions and narrow the choice to options that suit the space.
If nothing in the range works with the measurements you provide, it is better to know before ordering than after the sofa reaches your home.
Check which sofas fit your room
Or browse all sofas.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose the right sofa for my living room?
Start by measuring the usable floor space and deciding how many people regularly need a seat. Choose the sofa shape and functions next, then compare material and colour. Measure the complete delivery route before ordering.
How do I know what size sofa to buy?
Measure the area where the sofa will actually sit and mark its proposed footprint with masking tape. Make sure there is still enough room for doors, radiators, other furniture and comfortable movement through the room.
Is a corner sofa good for a small living room?
It can be. A correctly sized corner sofa can make efficient use of two walls and may require less scattered furniture than a sofa plus separate chairs. The actual dimensions and room layout matter more than the category name.
What is the difference between a corner sofa and a U-shape sofa?
A standard corner sofa usually has one return or chaise, creating an L shape. A U-shape sofa returns at both ends, creating connected seating around three sides and generally requiring more width.
What is a universal corner sofa?
A universal corner sofa provides greater flexibility over the position of the chaise or return, depending on the individual model. This can be useful where the room could accommodate the corner on either side or where greater future flexibility is useful.
Should I choose a sofa bed?
A sofa bed can be useful when you need occasional sleeping accommodation but do not want a permanent bed taking up the room. Check both the closed sofa dimensions and the space required when the sleeping section is in use.
Are electric recliner sofas worth it?
They can be if adjustable seating is something you will use regularly. Consider the reclining clearance, power requirements and exact features of the individual model rather than choosing solely because it is electric.
How do I know whether a sofa will fit through my door?
Measure the complete access route, including the entrance, internal doors, hallways, stairs, landings, tight corners, lifts where applicable and the doorway into the final room. Compare those measurements with the relevant product or component dimensions.
How can I check which Furniture Lovers sofas fit my room?
Use the Furniture Lovers Check if it will fit tool to compare your room measurements with sofa dimensions.
How long does Furniture Lovers sofa delivery take?
For in-stock items, delivery to mainland England and Wales is typically 1–7 business days. External delivery to some parts of Scotland typically takes 10–14 business days. Check the individual product and delivery information because stock status and location can affect the timeframe.
Does Furniture Lovers assemble sofas?
For applicable sofas, a two-person delivery team delivers the furniture to your room of choice and assembles it at no additional cost. Flatpack furniture is excluded from assembly.
What guarantee does Furniture Lovers provide?
Furniture Lovers provides a one-year guarantee covering manufacturing defects in the frame and springs from the delivery date, plus five-year structural frame protection at no extra cost. Wear and tear, misuse, incorrect assembly, commercial use and unauthorised alterations are excluded.
Choose the sofa that works for your home
The right sofa needs to fit more than an empty section of floor.
It needs to fit your room, your household and the way you actually live.
Measure carefully. Choose the configuration before the colour. Decide which functions you will genuinely use. Check the route into your property and understand the delivery and guarantee before ordering.
Then compare the sofas that meet those requirements.
Beautiful furniture. Made for living.