7 Questions to Ask When Buying a New Sofa

Buying a new sofa can be a daunting task. From designs to fabrics, choosing a sofa that suits your living room, lifestyle and budget can seem impossible, particularly if you’ve never bought furniture before.

Luckily, the process of buying a sofa isn’t really as difficult as it seems. In fact, by asking a few simple questions, you’ll be able to quickly weed out sofas that don’t suit your needs and focus your attention on the ones that do.

Below, we’ve listed seven questions to ask when you’re shopping for a new sofa to help you get the best match for your needs, tastes and budget.

Does it suit my living room?

No matter how comfortable a sofa might be, it’s unlikely to keep you satisfied if it’s the wrong colour, fabric or style for your living room.

When you’re comparing sofas, don’t just look at them in isolation. Instead, think about the way they’ll look in your home. The Spruce’s excellent guide to choosing sofa colours and patterns can help out here.

Is the design timeless?

A sofa might look fantastic on the showroom floor, but is it going to look equally as stylish after five, 10 or 20 years have passed?

While certain sofas — Lawsons, Chesterfields and settees, for example — are timeless, others might look great now but age poorly over time. To avoid being stuck with a sofa that looks and feels dated in the future, it’s best to stick with simple, classic and timeless designs.

Which material is best?

From cotton to leather, modern sofas are available in a massive range of different fabrics to suit your home’s decor.

In general, if you’re on a budget, you’ll want to stick to fabrics like cotton and linen. If you have a higher budget, leather can also be a fantastic choice. Another option is synthetic microfibre, as it can repel most liquids to avoid staining. 

Is it the right size?

There’s nothing worse than a sofa that doesn’t fit properly into your living room. Because of this, it’s important to consider a sofa’s size when you’re comparing options for your home.

Before you start shopping, measure the amount of space you have available in your living room for a sofa and other furniture. This way, you’ll know exactly what is and isn’t suitable when you compare options in the furniture shop.

Does it feel strong?

A good sofa isn’t just a purchase, but an investment. Since you’ll ideally want to continue using your sofa for several decades, it’s important to choose something durable.

When you’re comparing sofas, take a look at the construction quality. Check that the sofa uses high quality, durable materials that can withstand years of use. It’s also important to check the fabric stitching, ask about the type of filling material that’s used, as well as any warranties.

Is it comfortable?

You’ll spend a lot of time sitting, lying down and relaxing on your sofa, making it important that it provides plenty of comfort.

While most high-end and mid-range sofas will offer plenty of comfort, it’s particularly important to check the comfort factor if you’re on a budget. To save money, many budget sofa manufacturers use cheap, less comfortable materials, resulting in a less satisfying feel. 

Does it fit my budget?

Finally, while it’s never a good idea to spend too little on a sofa, it’s important that you don’t go too far beyond your budget.

Good quality sofas can range in price from as little as £1,000 to £5,000 or more. While there’s no need to spend a huge amount on a designer sofa, it’s best to prepare a reasonable budget so that you can purchase a quality piece of furniture that’s built to last for decades.