Sofas
Sofa and couch: stylish upholstered seating for everyday comfort
A sofa is the centrepiece of the living room, a place where conversations linger, guests settle in and quiet moments feel instantly more relaxed. Because the room is both a retreat and a social space, your sofa should suit the way you live, from the level of comfort you prefer to the functions you need most. The right silhouette can define the entire room, whether you choose a compact design with clean lines or a generously proportioned piece with inviting depth. In this guide, you will find practical pointers for choosing a new sofa and styling it beautifully.
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Contents
- Sofa types at a glance
- Sofa fabrics: how to choose the right upholstery
- Styling your sofa with accessories
- Sofa sizes: widths and seat heights
- Colour palettes: finding the right shade
- Popular sofa styles
- Cleaning your sofa: tips for a fresh finish
How to choose
Choosing a sofa is a balance of proportion, upholstery and everyday practicality. Start with the footprint. Measure the wall it will sit against, but also leave comfortable walkways so the room still feels open. Next, consider the shape and comfort. A deeper seat creates a laid-back lounge feel, while a more structured silhouette offers a refined, upright look. Upholstery matters too, from tactile bouclé and soft velvet to linen blends, cord and leather, each with its own character and care needs.
Think about function as well. If you host overnight guests, a sofa bed can be a smart solution, especially with built-in storage for bedding. Modular sofas are ideal when you like to reconfigure your layout, while an ottoman section adds that relaxed, feet-up moment. Finally, factor in durability. A busy home benefits from hard-wearing fabrics, removable covers where available, and finishes that age gracefully with daily use.
Sofa types to know
Compact and practical sofas
2-seater sofas are a stylish choice for smaller rooms, typically up to around 170 cm wide. Many designs include a sleeper function, which can work beautifully when you want a flexible guest-ready setup. L-shaped corner sofas add a cosy, wrapped-around feel, and the ottoman section makes it easy to stretch out. If you want more seating without the visual weight of a large corner design, a 3-seater sofa is an elegant middle ground, broader than a 2-seater, yet still streamlined.
Big sofas: for generous comfort
Big sofas and U-shaped living landscapes are made for relaxed gatherings, spacious layouts and long, unhurried lounging. Their deep proportions create a wide surface for reclining, reading or a quick afternoon rest. Sofa sets often combine several upholstered pieces, bringing a layered lounge atmosphere that feels both inviting and design-led.
Sofa beds with storage
Sofa beds are versatile favourites for many living situations. They offer comfortable seating by day, then convert into a sleeping space when needed, ideal when you want flexibility without a separate guest room. Designs with spring support can feel especially comfortable for overnight use. A built-in storage compartment is a practical bonus, giving you extra space for spare bedding, cushions or throws.
Statement designs
Ottomans add a versatile finishing touch, whether as a sculptural extension to your sofa, a relaxed footrest or an extra seat. From squared silhouettes to softer, organic shapes, they bring both comfort and design appeal. Chesterfield sofas offer classic elegance with their distinctive button tufting and richly textured upholstery, often in leather or velvet. They add instant character and a sense of heritage charm to the room.
Sofa fabrics: finding the right upholstery
Choosing the right sofa is not only about the design, the upholstery plays an equally important role. Leather, faux leather, linen and microfibre each offer a different look, feel and level of care. With faux leather, you can enjoy a polished leather-inspired finish with an easy-care surface that tends to be less sensitive than real leather. Real leather has a distinctive, authentic character and can keep its beautiful look over time, with gentle signs of use such as fine scratches adding to its relaxed charm. If you love the natural patina of leather, a leather sofa can feel effortlessly timeless.
Textile upholstery opens up a wide world of colour and design, from a tactile corduroy sofa to patchwork-inspired statement pieces or a lounge sofa in your favourite shade. A high-quality cover should feel just as good as it looks, offering durability and a pleasant touch. For a soft, light-catching finish, velvet sofas bring comfort and a refined sheen. Rattan sofas feel more rustic in style, yet remain impressively robust. Their hard-wearing nature means they can work beautifully indoors, and in sheltered outdoor areas when the setting allows.
Styling notes and accessories
Cushions, throws and cosy blankets instantly make a sofa feel more inviting. For a cohesive look, choose tones that echo the upholstery, or introduce contrast with a richer shade, a textured weave or a subtle pattern. A side table is a natural companion for a sofa or sofa bed, bringing everyday essentials within easy reach without interrupting the relaxed feel. If you add a matching stool or pouf, you gain an extra seat and a flexible surface, ideal for a tray, a book stack or your favourite candle.
Sofa sizes and seat heights
The right sofa dimensions are essential for a balanced room layout, so measure your intended spot in advance. Even in a smaller living room, keep enough space between pieces so the room feels comfortable to move through. A stylish 2-seater paired with a couch armchair can be a flexible solution when you want to keep the space light. In larger rooms, a sofa around 400 cm wide can work beautifully as a statement piece, especially when the proportions of the room allow it. A simple tip: the number of back cushions often gives a rough idea of how many people can sit comfortably.
Seat height is just as important. This is the distance from the floor to the highest point of the seat. A seat height of around 43 to 45 cm suits many people and tends to feel comfortable for everyday use. Generally, the lower the seat, the more effort it takes to stand up. If you like variety for guests, you can add poufs or floor cushions to your living area, creating flexible seating without changing your main sofa choice.
Colour palettes: finding the right shade
Because a sofa takes up a large visual area, its colour has a strong impact on the overall mood of the room. Use the upholstery shade as a starting point, then coordinate rugs, accessories and other furniture around it. Larger shapes, such as L-shaped or U-shaped designs, often feel calmer in understated tones like grey, beige or cream, keeping the room balanced and airy.
If you love a modern glamour look, a light grey velvet sofa feels timeless and elegant, and pairs beautifully with crisp, light-toned furniture. This kind of palette also makes it easy to refresh your styling seasonally with patterned cushions or new textures. Prefer a bolder statement? Colourful designer sofas can become the focal point of the living room, thanks to expressive shapes and confident shades that bring personality to the space.
Sofa materials at a glance
Leather sofas : Smooth, characterful and naturally refined, a leather sofa develops a relaxed patina over time, bringing depth and heritage charm to modern interiors.
Velvet sofas : With their soft touch and light-catching finish, velvet sofas create a polished focal point, perfect for layering with textured cushions and warm metallic accents.
Bouclé sofas : Tactile and sculptural, a bouclé sofa adds softness and contemporary texture, ideal for calm, design-led living spaces.
Corduroy sofas : A corduroy sofa brings subtle retro character and cosy texture, pairing beautifully with wood, woven rugs and relaxed, tonal styling.
Fabric sofas : Versatile and easy to style, fabric sofas offer a wide choice of colours and finishes, from understated neutrals to bold statement shades.
Design reassurance
A well-made sofa should feel beautiful today and still look right years from now. Quality shows in the details, from carefully finished seams and supportive cushioning to upholstery that feels substantial and pleasant to the touch. Robust frames, considered proportions and durable coverings help your sofa hold its shape through everyday use, whether it is the backdrop to quiet evenings or the natural gathering place for friends. Timeless design has a calm confidence, it works with changing trends, and it continues to elevate the room as your style evolves.
Popular sofa styles
The cosy sofa in country style
If you love natural interior looks and a welcoming feel, a country-style sofa brings softness and comfort into the room. Typical details include gentle textures and classic patterns such as checks or florals. Choose restrained colours and classic 2- to 3-seater designs for an effortlessly timeless look.
The modern sofa
A modern sofa adds a clean-lined seating option to contemporary living spaces. You will find these designs as streamlined 2-seaters and as corner sofas, depending on your layout. Timeless neutrals and understated tones suit the look particularly well.
Vintage sofas for retro lovers
When choosing a vintage-inspired sofa, look to the era you want to reference in your interior. For a playful seventies feel, mustard or warm brown shades can look beautifully authentic. For a more refined retro mood, a Chesterfield sofa in dark brown leather, paired with gold-toned accents, nods to classic glamour.
Simple sofas in Scandinavian design
A Scandinavian-style sofa is known for its understated silhouette and calm presence. Upholstery in warm neutrals or soft pastels creates a cosy, welcoming atmosphere. A styling tip: add tactile layers such as sheepskins, and pair the seating area with round or oval coffee tables for a softer, more fluid look.
Trend-led looks at a glance
- Velvet sofas in jewel tones such as emerald green create a strong statement, ideal for a retro-inspired look with a refined accent.
- White fabric sofas brighten the room and feel crisp and elegant, especially when paired with warm wood and textured accessories.
- Brown leather sofas suit interiors with a relaxed country mood. Style with soft throws and cosy blankets for extra warmth.
Looking for a design that feels instantly curated? Discover our signature sofa collections, from Lennon with its timeless silhouette to Wolke for soft, cloud-like comfort, or Tayla for a modern, structured look. Each collection brings its own character to the room, making it easy to find a sofa that matches your interior style and everyday routine.
Cleaning your sofa: tips for a fresh finish
Always check the manufacturer’s care instructions before cleaning. As a simple home method for freshening upholstery and tackling odours, bicarbonate of soda is a popular choice. Vacuum your sofa thoroughly first to remove dust and loose dirt. Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda over the area, or across the full cover, leave it to sit overnight, then vacuum it away the next day. Other household approaches include using shaving foam or mild powder-based cleaners, but always test any method on a hidden area first to check how the material reacts.