The Best Sofas For Every Home And Budget

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Best sofas for every home and budget

by Marina Avraam |
Updated on

If you're in the process of buying a new sofa, it's time to take a deep breath. As the centrepiece of your living room and the place of rest, contemplation - and a lot of Netflix - choosing the best sofa is integral. We struggle to think of a piece of furniture that will have as much impact on your home as a sofa, so it's important to shop wisely.

Before diving into the world of sofas, there are a few things to consider. We recommend that you start by setting a budget and creating a mood board with exactly what you're looking for. Will it be a cream bouclé sofa or dark velvet? Are you looking for a comfy L-couch or a mid-century modern one? The options are truly endless, so we recommend having a rough idea of what you're looking for before jumping in head first. It may also be worth scouring your favourite retailers for the best sofa deals to see if you can save some cash.

Grazia's Best Sofas At A Glance:

Editor's Choice: Swyft Model 02 Large 3-Seater Sofa, £1,359 on John Lewis

Best budget sofa: Habitat Joshua Self Assembly Corner Sofa, £520 on Argos

Best sofa bed: Linear Medium 2 Seater Sofa Bed, Light Leg, Relaxed Linen Nettle, £649 on John Lewis

Vivienne Modular Corner Sofa, Boucle Natural
©Soho Home

While choosing an aesthetically pleasing that suits your taste sofa is important, selecting a piece of furniture that is functional is also key. Martin Waller, founder of Andrew Martin sofas, says: 'The sofa is the biggest piece of furniture in the room, so it is central to the scheme. [But] comfort has become the ultimate quality. While people are spending more time on their sofas, the aesthetic of the sofa is not enough.'

At the end of the day (often quite literally), sofas are a place for gathering with friends and family, so choosing a piece of furniture reflective of your personality and home should be a fun, albeit stressful, project to pour your heart into. Get the opinions of your friends and loved ones, and don't settle for anything less than perfect.

We've rounded up the best sofas currently on the market, as well as the criteria to be looking into when shopping. Keep scrolling to shop our picks below.

SHOP: The Best Sofas For Every Home

Editor's Choice

Swyft Model 02 Large 3 Seater Sofa, Vine Velvetjohn lewis

Description

Swyft's Model 02 3 Seater sofa has entered the chat. Boasting a mid-century design with a pulled seam and piped detailing, the model 02 is everything we wanted and more. It's available in velvet or linen fabrics in a range of shades, including this gorgeous vine green, as well as teal, brick, charcoal and more.

Customer review: "I spent hours and hours and hours looking for a sofa. It needed to look good, be comfortable, get through the door of my flat, be interesting but not too much of a statement and not break the bank. This sofa is all of these things. The vine colour is so much more beautiful than the pictures. It's rich and gorgeous. The fabric is lush too. The back is high enough and overall very comfortable. It arrives in boxes and is super easy to put together. I am really happy with it."

Pros

  • Fabrics are all stain-resistant
  • Functional as well as stylish

Cons

  • Velvet can be difficult to clean

Best budget sofa

Habitat Joshua Fabric Corner Chaise Sofaargos

Description

If you're looking to buy an L-sofa but don't have the luxury of space, Habitat's Joshua couch is a great choice. Featuring a simplistic Scandi design, and soft-touch fabric, this is the best option for everyday seating. It's available in light grey, charcoal and blue to suit every home and style.

Customer review: "I bought this just over a month ago! The sofa is a great space saver. It's a gorgeous colour. It's comfortable and sturdy. Very fast delivery, the delivery drivers were extremely helpful. The sofa was very easily put together. Very impressed!"

Pros

  • Other configurations and colours available
  • Space-saving

Cons

  • Self-assembly

Best sofa bed

John Lewis Linear Medium 2 Seater Sofa Bed, Light Leg, Relaxed Linen NettleJohn Lewis

Description

If you're frequently hosting friends after a dinner party or simply enjoy the occasional sleepover, a sofa bed might be the best move. You can sit, recline and sleep in the John Lewis 2-Seater Sofa, making it the most versatile option in this list. Available in this natural boucle, as well as dark boucle, it is also available in dark blue, twist granite, and dusty coral.

Customer review: "Absolutely gorgeous and definitely exceeded expectations. Very comfortable and stylish and easy to set up as a sofa bed. As always impressed with service from John Lewis and the delivery crew were excellent."

Pros

  • Wide range of colours
  • Easy to assemble into a bed

Cons

  • May not be suitable for sleeping on for long periods of time

Best budget sofa bed

John Lewis ANYDAY Clapton Fixed Back Sofa Bedjohn lewis

Description

News flash: sofas don't have to cost a fortune, and this JL sofa is living proof. Created as part of the brand's ANYDAY range, all about offering everyday essentials at a value price, the Clapton Fixed Back sofa operates with a clic-clac mechanism that is easy to set up. It's firm yet comfy and super compact, making it a fabulous addition to your space.

Our review: "We purchased this sofa bed in Fraser Steel from our local John Lewis department store. We have a small lounge and wanted a sofa that would comfortably seat two and double as a sofa bed for guests. We found this click-clack style sofa bed is infinitely more straightforward to turn into a bed than a futon or traditional sofa bed. It's elegant, and we were incredibly impressed with the price, quality, and John Lewis guarantee, having compared several other retailers."

Pros

  • Under £300
  • Compact
  • Easy to change to bed from sofa

Cons

  • A bit of a squeeze for two adults to sleep in

Best loveseat

Dusk, Hampshire Loveseat - Sea Greendusk
Price: £315 (was £499)

dusk.com

Description

Dusk has a range of sofas that are classy but comfortable, like this classic Hampshire Loveseat that just calls for snuggling up on. Grab the range of a matching two-seater and three-seater or even the Hampshire pouffe to rest your legs on. The new summer colourways include light creams, blues, pinks and this gorgeous sea green.

Customer review: "We've had this delightful, stylish loveseat for about 6 weeks now. It's become my favourite seat in the house. First, it's a stunning piece of furniture, a nice deep and on-trend colour that makes an impact in our front room. Second, it is so comfy - lovely high seating position, with plenty of space to relax into; the upholstery is full and plump. Finally, it is practical, easy to keep clean and we wouldn't be without it."

Pros

  • Chic, muted colourways
  • Super comfortable

Cons

  • Sunlight can cause fading over time

Best boucle sofa

Soho Home, Olivier Sofa, Bouclesoho home

Description

Inspired by the sleek interiors of 180 House, Soho's Home Olivier Sofa is our favourite bouclé sofa on the market. Combining soft bouclé and veneered burl wood, this sofa balances style and practicality with its round bolster armrests and feather-wrapped cushions. Don't forget to style it with some funky cushions for that extra bit of oomph.

Pros

  • Statement sofa
  • Feather-wrapped cushions

Cons

  • Professional clean only

Best velvet sofa

Habitat Julien 3 Seater Velvet Sofa habitat

Description

There's nothing more off-putting than a sofa that lacks space. Luckily, you won't be experiencing that with Habitat's Julien Velvet Sofa. With generous depth and length, you can bundle the whole family onto this generously sized three-seater without having to debate over who is taking up more room. The foam-filled cushions are as comfy as ever, accommodating you long after your three-hour Netflix binge.

Customer review: "The Julien Navy velvet 3 seater sofa has wowed us from the moment we received it. It's a beautifully made sofa, the velvet is so soft and feels and looks very luxurious. The sofa itself is incredibly comfortable, and it looks stunning in our dining/lounge area. It can comfortably sit 3 adults and is great for lounging on. We've had lovely comments about it from guests. It is a great sofa and fantastic value at the price we bought it for. Would highly recommend this if you are looking for a very chic and reasonably-priced sofa."

Pros

  • Five colours to choose from
  • Matching chair available

Cons

  • Professional clean only

Best corner sofa

Dunelm, Zoe Velvet Left Hand Corner Sofadunelm

Description

Featuring soft velvet upholstery, piped edging and tufted seats, the Zoe Velvet Left-Hand Corner Sofa combines vintage and contemporary styling flawlessly. The corner shape makes it easy to put your feet up after a long day and enjoy the softness of the foam-filled cushions. Also available in navy and mustard.

Customer review: "This is exactly what we wanted. The size is just right and doesn't overpower the room. The fabric is lovely to touch. As other people have mentioned, it is quite firm; however, we do not like the squashy squidgy sofas. We are very happy with this sofa."

Pros

  • Five colours
  • Chic styling

Cons

  • Not as plush/comfortable as other options

Best leather sofa

Heal's Matera 3 Seater Sofaheals

Description

No one does sofas quite like Heal's. The heritage British brand offers up the Heal's Matera sofa: a contemporary three-seater with clean lines and expert upholstery. Inspired by Italian furniture with astute attention to detail, the Matera Three-Seater is a masterclass in merging style with comfort. Plus, you can choose from a leather, boucle, velvet or wool finish, as well as a wide range of colours.

Customer review: "AMAZING COUCH. Looks very elegant and extremely comfy. Great to lounge on by the fire. Best purchase we've made!"

Pros

  • Compact and sleek
  • Made from high-quality materials

Cons

  • Solid, high arms aren't the most comfortable

Best sofa for a large space

Description

Everyone dreams of a cosy L-couch, and M&S's best-selling Aspen Corner Sofa has hit the nail on the head. Available in three fillings - bounceback, relaxed feather or relaxed fibre, you can customise the fabric and look of this sectional as much as you like. The deep seats mean you can properly curl up, and the wide square arms lend themselves well to the contemporary design.

Pros

  • Customisable
  • Great sizing

Cons

  • No other configurations available

Best Chesterfield sofa

Habitat Chesterfield 3 Seater Velvet Sofahabitat

Description

Inspired by the classic Chesterfield sofas, with a buttoned back and pleated scroll arms, this Habitat Chesterfield Three-Seater Sofa is the epitome of elegance. The foam-filled seats offer unparalleled comfort, catering to your lazy days while also being the ultimate statement piece. Plus, we're loving the velvet for that extra touch of luxury.

Customer review: "Gorgeous Chesterfield - so comfy and plush. The velvet is beautiful and high quality. Sturdy legs too, everybody who visits comments on how gorgeous it is before asking if they can sit on it (I don't guard the couch!)."

Pros

  • Four colours to choose from
  • Timeless design

Cons

  • Quite firm

What To Look For When Buying A Sofa:

Fabric: The fabric of your sofa will play the biggest role in setting the tone for your living room. If you're investing in a piece for everyday use, it might be worth looking into stain-resistant fabrics or fabrics that are easy to clean. Leather and microfibre sofas would be the best options for practicality, especially if you have young children or pets.

Size: We can't stress this enough: a tape measure is your best friend. Measure once, measure twice and then measure a third for good measure because there's nothing more frustrating than buying a sofa that's too big for your space.

Fill: According to Dani Burroughs, head of product at sofa company Snug, the fill you choose is all personal preference: 'For plush and pump opt for foam filling, it's great at keeping its shape and ensuring years of blissful 'ahhh' moments. If you're on the hunt for something with a little bounce, try pocket sprung. The individual pockets spring back into place after every use, meaning your sofa will look as good as new every time.'

What Should I Consider Before Buying A Sofa?

The main considerations before buying a sofa should be size, budget, comfort and fabric quality. If possible, we suggest visiting the shop to try a sofa in person before ordering it online. Alternatively, many retailers allow you to order free fabric swatches to your home to ensure the quality and style are aligned with your preferences. Also, don't forget there are tonnes of garden sofas and outdoor chairs that can also make the outside cosy, just like Aldi's garden furniture or choices from classic furniture retailers.

How Can You Tell If A Sofa Is Good Quality?

The sofa's upholstery, frame, and fill will provide insight into its quality. We recommend opting for sofa frames made from hardwood with frame joints that have been glued, dowelled and screwed properly. In terms of fill, high-quality foam or feather is the best way to go for a comfy feel. Finally, fabrics such as cotton, linen and will are the most durable options.

Best Sofa Retailers:

Here's exactly where you should be shopping for the best sofas to snap up and make your home really feel like a home. From loveseats to L-sofas, there's something for everyone.

John Lewis

Marks & Spencer

Heal's

Soho Home

Swyft

DUSK

Barker And Stonehouse

Habitat

Wayfair

Dunelm

How Long Should A Sofa Last?

With proper maintenance, a high-quality sofa should last anywhere between seven and 15 years.

Marina Avraam is the Deputy Commercial Content Editor for Grazia. Hobbies include (but not limited to) finding the best designer dupes, buying every iteration of the Adidas gazelles and listening to celeb podcasts every hour of every day.

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