The best sofas in the UK 2023

For a first fitting or to redecorate, for a home office, the sofa is essential. Both decorative and functional, it can be used as an extra bed, as a piece of seating furniture or for relaxation. Corner sofa, convertible, straight, fabric, leather, with wooden legs, metal legs ... not easy to choose! Find what you need with our guide to the best sofas.

Willem 3-seater straight sofa 1
9/10

Best value for money

Willem 3-seater straight sofa

The best sofa in 2021

With a structure in fiberboard and beech, the 3-seater sofa Willem measures 130 x 90 x 109 cm. It will be perfect to decorate your interior differently. Comfortable, it has a polyurethane foam and fiber padding.

800 £ on Conforama

A practical solution for compact spaces, the Willem fixed sofa will be perfect for an upstairs apartment or small living room. Quick and easy to assemble, it is neatly packaged and can easily fit through doorways or stairwells. Its slim design, durable fabric and 100% polyester cover give it a subtle modern look. Perfect for snuggling up with your loved ones, this sofa benefits from pocket spring suspensions and elastic straps. In addition, this 3 seater fabric sofa has a solid wood structure. Note its generous Bultex foam filling and the included plump cushions.

2-seater sofa in carbon fabric and City grey 2
7/10

Best value for money

2-seater sofa in carbon fabric and City grey

The best entry-level sofa

For small spaces, the sofa 2 seats fabric carbon and gray City measuring 143 x 69 x 80 cm is perfectly suited. Its contemporary lines with very graphic effects will bring a touch of modernity to the room where it is located.

103 £ on BUT

Comfortable and elegant, the 2-seater sofa in carbon fabric and grey City is full of attention-grabbing details. Let's start with its timeless design, which features a polyester foam backrest with a density of 21 kg/m3. The structure is made of solid wood, beech for precision. What to remain well stable and resist the wear of time. Another big advantage of the City 2-seater sofa is that its fabric is ultra-resistant. In addition, the PU foam does not sag over time. You can install this sofa in an office, in the living room, in a bedroom or even on a terrace.

4 seater electric recliner sofa Night 3
9/10

Best high end

4 seater electric recliner sofa Night

The best high-end sofa

Looking to relax after a grueling day? Try the Night 4-seat electric recliner sofa. Measuring 97 x 229 x 95 cm, this comfortable, power-adjustable furniture with beautifully crafted upholstery is irresistible.

800 £ on Conforama

The Night is both a right angle sofa and an electric recliner. If you need to relax and de-stress, this is the model for you. Plus, unlike many recliners, this one is exceptionally stylish. The electric relaxation controls are conveniently located on the outside of the armrests. Covered with a two-tone fabric in shades of gray, mostly dark, the comfortable and firm seat accommodates up to 4 people. Robust, its structure is made of wood and plywood offers a nice longevity. This sofa also exists in light and dark gray.

Scandinavian style corner sofa Bobochic Lena 4
8/10

Scandinavian

Scandinavian style corner sofa Bobochic Lena

A great Scandinavian sofa

No, we are not going to propose you a classic Scandinavian sofa but a corner sofa in this so particular style. Intended for a bright living room, the Bobochic Lena measures 90 x 236 x 190 cm. It will bring a Nordic touch to the room.

679 £ on Conforama

This 3-seater sofa is a stylish and comfortable choice. It has solid wood legs, in the characteristic style of Scandinavian chairs, beds and sofas. The rest of the structure is made of particle board. We like the quality of the seats in polyether foam of 28 kg/m3 and the backrest of 21 kg/m3, all covered with fabric with 150 g/m² padding. An important point, the Bobochic Lena Scandinavian corner sofa is convertible. This means that you can turn it into a bed and use it as an extra bed! And for more practicality, a storage box is located under the seat.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best sofa

Any specific needs?

The best sofa in 2021

The best entry-level sofa

The best high-end sofa

A great Scandinavian sofa

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best sofas

TOP OF THE TOP CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
Willem 3-seater straight sofa 5
9/10
2-seater sofa in carbon fabric and City grey 6
7/10
4 seater electric recliner sofa Night 7
9/10
Scandinavian style corner sofa Bobochic Lena 8
8/10
OUR SELECTION
Willem 3-seater straight sofa
2-seater sofa in carbon fabric and City grey
4 seater electric recliner sofa Night
Scandinavian style corner sofa Bobochic Lena
With a structure in fiberboard and beech, the 3-seater sofa Willem measures 130 x 90 x 109 cm. It will be perfect to decorate your interior differently. Comfortable, it has a polyurethane foam and fiber padding.
For small spaces, the sofa 2 seats fabric carbon and gray City measuring 143 x 69 x 80 cm is perfectly suited. Its contemporary lines with very graphic effects will bring a touch of modernity to the room where it is located.
Looking to relax after a grueling day? Try the Night 4-seat electric recliner sofa. Measuring 97 x 229 x 95 cm, this comfortable, power-adjustable furniture with beautifully crafted upholstery is irresistible.
No, we are not going to propose you a classic Scandinavian sofa but a corner sofa in this so particular style. Intended for a bright living room, the Bobochic Lena measures 90 x 236 x 190 cm. It will bring a Nordic touch to the room.
Comfort
Dimensions (L x W x H)
130 x 90 x 109 cm
95 x 21 x 34 cm
105 x 77 x 66 cm
194 x 95 x 89 cm
Lining
Polyester
Fabric
Polyester
Fabric
Structure
Fiber panels and beech
Beech and particleboard
Wood and plywood
Pine wood, particle board, metal and rubber
Lining
Bultex polyurethane foam and fibers
Polyurethane foam
Polyurethane foam and pocket springs and fiber
Polyether foam and zig zag springs

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How to choose your sofa

From knowing the dimensions to choosing the right upholstery, here are 4 criteria to consider before buying a new sofa.

#1 - The dimensions

Knowing the right dimensions for your living room beforehand is important to make sure you don't make the wrong choice. First, you should arrange the room where you want to install your sofa. To make sure you have enough space to easily install and move your sofa and that you have left enough room for shelves, take out your tape measure and note both the width and length of the sofa.

Next, check the dimensions of any doors or stairs the sofa will need to pass through upon delivery. Finally, if you're short on space, you'll want to consider a low-back model with removable legs or even a modular model that can be delivered in sections. Or, you can consider a 2-seater or a built-in model.

#2 - Seating comfort

We are

always in the habit of choosing the right sofa by its appearance without worrying about comfort. Yet appearance doesn't mean much when your back and lower body ache after a few minutes of sitting. But it's hard to tell if a sofa is comfortable or not just by looking at it, especially when shopping online. So it's important to take measurements and specifications into consideration.

So here are the main things you should not overlook when buying a sofa:

  • Seat cushion thickness: at least 13 cm.
  • The height of the seat: minimum 47 cm.
  • The height of the backrest: minimum 43 cm.

#3 - Upholstery and seat density

One

of the things that ensure comfortable seating on a sofa is the upholstery. Knowing the perfect upholstery for a sofa is therefore essential, it is not visible but not complicated to determine. Indeed, to choose the upholstery, you must be based on your budget and know in advance if you use your sofa frequently or occasionally.

However, you can opt for a sofa with foam if you want a firmer seat. For a softer seat, feather-filled sofas are best. Also, feathers are the naturally occurring types of upholstery that will last longer than foams.

#4 - The coating

A

durable sofa upholstery will enhance your furniture from an aesthetic and functional point of view. However, there are 2 types of upholstery: fabric and leather. The most durable fabric coverings are :

  • Wool: made of woven hair mixed with synthetic fibers, it is the most durable and efficient.
  • Cotton: a soft fabric made of natural breathable fibers
  • Linen: this is the most suitable covering if you have small children or animals, as it is more resistant than cotton.
  • Polyester: the most suitable for those who have rambunctious pets
  • Velvet: made of cotton and polyester, it is the most resistant fabric covering made of very tight and erect hairs

As for leather upholstery, the most durable are:

  • Reconstituted leather: a synthetic covering very similar to leather, made of fibers.
  • Corrected flower leather: this is the type of leather that is most resistant to fading because it is specially manufactured to eliminate natural imperfections,
  • The full grain leather or aniline: a coating to choose for its natural softness. But over time, full grain leather will have a more even patina than other types of leather and will become less rough.

How do you maintain your sofa?

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Care for a fabric upholstered sofa is different from leather. So, to keep your fabric sofa fresher for the longest time, here are some simple and effective methods.

Fabric sofa

In order to avoid prolonged accumulation of dirt particles in your fabric sofa, it is advisable to vacuum it every week. Aside from dry cleaning, you can also clean it by lightly spraying a dishwashing solution, if the cleaning instructions allow the use of water.

To remove a stain from your fabric sofa, place a clean, light-colored microfiber cloth over the stain and apply pressure to absorb the liquid from the sofa. It is important to remove the stain immediately. The longer the stain stays in the fabric, the harder it will be to get rid of it!

Leather sofa

To remove dust, dirt or particles from the surface of the leather sofa, simply use a vacuum cleaner. However, to remove a stain, prepare a cleaning solution by mixing equal parts water and vinegar in a container and dip a soft cloth in the solution.

Dry the cloth so that it is damp and wipe the dirty areas of the leather. Once you have wiped the dirty areas, wipe the wet areas with a thoroughly dry cloth. Once removed, wipe a damp microfiber cloth over the leather. This will remove excess cleaning foam and dirt from the leather surface.

.

The different types of sofas

Understanding the distinguishing features of a seemingly endless list of sofa types is a great way to ensure that you choose the best model. Since there are many types of sofas, we're going to select these few most common sofa styles for you.

Straight sofa

This is the most common type of sofa on the market. The straight sofa is a classic model, but still in fashion. With this type of sofa, all seats consisting of 2 or 3 places are aligned. Inside, it is often placed against the wall so as not to clutter the space. It is also possible to place it in the middle to have a different 2-space feel.

Corner sofa

An

L-shaped sofa formed by a shorter side and another larger side. By choosing a corner sofa, you can choose to delineate your room into different zones. They can also fit in a room with a small area, as long as it is not overcrowded with other furniture. If you have a corner in your home that you never use, you can transform it with a corner sofa into a space to rest comfortably.

Convertible sofa

Often

suitable for small studios, the convertible sofa is a space-saving piece of furniture. During the day, you can relax there while watching TV or reading a book. At night, this sofa becomes a comfortable bed. To know the model of convertible sofa suitable for your needs, determine the frequency of use beforehand.

Modular sofa

A

modular sofa is like a puzzle sofa. It is made up of pieces that you can arrange or configure as you see fit. You can play with the positioning of each part of your modular sofa until you have it exactly as you want it. With this type of furniture, you can create sofas, armchairs, ottomans.

Sofa or armchair?

Sofa

The sofa is the largest piece of furniture in a living room, with its generous dimensions, it provides great comfort. It is a piece of furniture designed for resting, it is varied in several models. Moreover, a sofa can accommodate up to 3 people.

For convertible sofas, they are the most practical as a sleeping solution to accommodate last minute guests. But a sofa can be a problem in terms of rigidity. Indeed, it can be easily damaged when it is used for sitting, sleeping and relaxing at the same time.

Armchair

The armchair is a medium-sized piece of furniture, very decorative for any room in the house. An armchair does not have the same quality as a sofa, but it provides satisfactory comfort. Indeed, there are several multi-functional models. The armchair is therefore easy to move and light.

In addition, it allows you to optimize a small room in the house and also to save money, because an armchair costs less than a sofa. The only negative side of an armchair is that it is less comfortable than a sofa.

Verdict

In terms of size, sofas are larger than armchairs and can vary in several models. In short, you can choose a sofa or armchair of your taste that will also fit your decor.

Tips

Avoid eating on the couch.

The best way to protect your sofa from stains is to avoid putting food near your sofa in the first place. Instead, choose to eat properly at the dining room table if you don't have protection to avoid stains.

Do not sit on the armrests.

As

armrests were designed to rest your arms, not your entire body. So they don't have the capacity to support all of your weight, which is why it's important to never use the armrests on your sofa. Instead, sit where it's comfortable and hold your couch longer.

Change your cushion regularly.

We

often have a habit of sitting in the same spot regularly, causing one side of the couch to be more worn than the other. Swap and fluff your cushions regularly to return to their original shape and keep them fresher longer.

Use a simple method to cover a torn sofa

The

plaid is the most practical way to cover up rips or hide hard-to-remove stains on a sofa.

Avoid eating on the couch.

When

you need to move your fabric sofa, never lift your sofa by the cushions attached to the frame. Always lift it by the frame itself to avoid damaging any part of your sofa.

FAQ

What is the best sofa?

The best sofa depends on your needs and your budget. Read our buying guide to find out more.

How can I make a sofa more comfortable?

Invest in quality upholstery, polyurethane foam is a common, durable and easy to maintain upholstery material. But be selective: foam that is too dense can be hard to the touch, and foam that is too soft can deteriorate quickly.

How do you know if a sofa is of good quality?

A good quality sofa has perfect symmetry, i.e. the width of the armrests should be in proportion to the backrests.

How do you know if the sofa will fit in your hallway when it is delivered?

Check if the width or height of your future sofa is less than the width of your front door to make sure the furniture will fit.

Which sofas are the most robust?

Favour fabric sofas, straight sofas and if possible metal sofas. After that, everything will also depend on the brand and the price of the sofa.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. , journaldesfemmes.fr
  2. , elle.fr
  3. , marieclaire.fr
  4. , camif.fr
  5. , toutpratique.com
  6. , conseil.manomano.fr
  7. , cotemaison.fr
  8. , lamaisonconvertible.fr
  9. , houzz.fr
  10. , ubaldi.com
  11. , maisonsdumonde.com
  12. , but.fr
  13. , conforama.fr
  14. , ikea.com
  15. , laredoute.fr
  16. , alinea.com
  17. , homesalons.fr
  18. , concept-usine.com
  19. , darty.com
  20. , maisonetloisirs.leclerc
  21. , maison-travaux.fr
  22. , fama.es
  23. , mobilierdefrance.com
  24. , bobochicparis.com
  25. , habitat.fr
  26. , marieclaire.fr
  27. , miliboo.com
  28. , conforama.fr
  29. , cocktail-scandinave.fr
  30. , ligne-roset.com
  31. , conforama.fr
  32. , ikea.com
See more

Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

See more
Our selection
Willem 3-seater straight sofa 9
Willem 3-seater straight sofa
2-seater sofa in carbon fabric and City grey 10
2-seater sofa in carbon fabric and City grey
4 seater electric recliner sofa Night 11
4 seater electric recliner sofa Night
Scandinavian style corner sofa Bobochic Lena 12
Scandinavian style corner sofa Bobochic Lena

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