How to choose a sofa

Recliners. Corners. Fabric. Leather. Sofa beds. Chaise-ends. Modular. Chesterfields. We know variety makes a difference when it comes to buying a sofa. But with so many styles, colours, fabrics and special features available, where do you start?

That’s where we come in. With over 50 years of experience and expertise, we know a thing or two about sofas. Read on for our advice on finding a sofa that’s exactly right for you.

1. Decide how you like to lounge

Are you a feet-up fan? Like to sprawl across seats? Or perhaps you’re a sucker for sink-in satisfaction? First things first when buying a sofa, you have to think about how you like to lounge. As our expert Sarah Humphreys, Senior Buyer, says

‘If there are two of you and you both like to sit with your legs up, then check that the sofa is deep enough to accommodate you both. Or consider a chaise end or recliner sofa, if you have the space to accommodate one. If you prefer to lie down on your sofa, make sure that it’s long enough for you to stretch out. Taller people might also consider a sofa with a higher back, too, to offer extra support.’

2. Measure your space

Before you go browsing for your dream sofa, check how much space you have to work with. After all, there’s no worse feeling than finding your perfect 3-seater sofa, only for it to unexpectedly stick out or be swallowed up in your room.

Start by taking stock of things in your room you can’t or won’t move – like doors, radiators and cupboards – then measure the space you have left. Remember to take depth measurements as well as length; you don’t want to be sat too close to the TV!

Still left wondering will it fit? Check out our measuring hub for step-by-step guides, access advice and tips on how to measure your sofa.

3. Settle on a style

Minimalist or maximalist, timeless or trending now, luxe or laid-back – whatever your style, there’s a sofa to suit.

Not sure what makes you tick? Lucky for you, we have oodles of articles and advice with all the inspiration you need. If you’re still on the fence, take our sofa quiz to find out exactly what style of sofa is right for you.

somerford sofa in sage green with storage footstool

Classic

Cosy, comfortable and built to last, classic sofas are what you see when you think ‘sofa’. Sink-in plush cushions and enduring designs define this style.

alani corner sofa with wooden panelled arm

Luxe

Ultimate luxury, statement style, premium fabrics, feature feet, intricate detailing – what’s not to love with a luxe sofa? For ‘look at me’ style straight out of a boutique hotel.

Mid Century

If you know sofas, you know the mid century style. Fusing vintage charm with modern comfort, these sofas feature sleek lines, off-the-floor profiles and a clean, minimalist feel.

Traditional

Traditional sofas are a must for mountains of character in your living room. Expect distinctive scrolled arms fit on eye-catching heritage shapes, all raised by signature off-the-floor turned feet.

Timeless

Combining top-class quality with clean lines and tasteful silhouettes that stand the test of time and trends, a timeless sofa is elegant, versatile and uncomplicated in all the right ways.

Relaxed

Plush, overstuffed cushions meet high backs and a feet-up, chunky feel in a relaxed sofa. Think soft-touch yet durable fabrics and solid, on-the-floor bases for effortless comfort.

Modern

Sophisticated sofa lovers rejoice! Modern sofas boast sleek silhouettes, feature legs and minimalist details, with understated elegance and durability in mind.

demure monochrome sofa, chair and footstool

4. Explore types of sofa

Space, style and comfort preferences sorted? Time to turn to the type of sofa that calls to you.

The best type and shape of sofa for you will depend on the space you’re filling, who plans to lounge, and whether you’re looking for any extra special features. Read on to learn more about just some of the sofas we offer at DFS.

Corner sofas

Perfect for squeezing in the whole family for movie nights, corner sofas are spacious, stylish centrepieces for your living room. Better still, they’re available in all sorts of styles and fabrics – from plush jumbo cord to luxury leather recliners.

Recliner sofas

Recliner sofas offer kick-back comfort without sacrificing style to deliver the ultimate relaxation experience. Plus, with heated seats, memory reclining and device charging often available, luxurious lounging is never too far away.

Modular sofa

A modular sofa is unbeatable when it comes to designing a sofa that’s perfect for you. Featuring individual pieces that can be arranged into any shape to suit your space, modular sofas offer endless versatility.

Sofa bed

The ultimate hosting must-have and the best of both worlds – a sofa bed is multi-functional, space-saving, and stylish to boot. Available in all sorts of sizes and types to fit your space, a sofa bed is perfect for lounging day and night.

Cinema sofa

Take your movie marathons to the next level with a Cinesound cinema sofa. Designed to create the ultimate entertaining experience, with impressive features including surround sound, 4D vibration and reclining seats.

Sofa with sotrage

Make the most of your space with a DFS Storeaway sofa, combining classic comfort with multifunctional ingenuity and hidden features. Storage footstools, under-chair storage, in-arm storage and more – these sofas are the ultimate space savers.

Special features

Make your sofa do more for you with extra special storage, access, and tech features.

5. Choose your fabric

Stunned by the smooth luxury of velvet? Love the look of vintage leather? From cosy cord to on-trend boucle, our extensive collection of sofa materials has something to suit every home.

Learn more about the fabric sofas and leather sofas we offer – and how to choose the right material for you – in our handy buying guides.

Fabric sofa buying guide

Leather sofa buying guide

plush velvet sofa with orange and green scatter cushions

Velvet sofa buying guide

Boucle sofa trends

Chenille sofa buying guide

Your guide to sofa materials

6. Get your fill

It’s what’s inside that counts, as the old adage goes. We certainly think so, and that’s why all our cushions are designed to be unquestionably cosy and supportive.

But not all cushions are created equal – you might like the firmer, bounce-back feel of foam, or the sink-in, squishy satisfaction of fibre. Find the right cushion for you by reading our sofa fillings buying guide, or visiting your local store for a good old sit test!

close up of different finishes and feet on sofas

Unique to you

No home is the same, so no sofa has to be! Across our ranges, you’ll find customisation options to make your sofa unique to you – from multiple foot choices, to custom piping and more.

Discover our Exclusive Brands

Our quality guarantee

Our sofas are made to stand the test of time, with quality craftsmanship honed by over 50 years of experience. We’re committed to offering sofas that are only the best of the best – so much so that we offer a 15 year guarantee on frames and frame springs in each of our new sofas.

We’re proud to be the first sofa company to be awarded the British Standard Kitemark™

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DFS Eaziglides

There’s nothing worse than being in the middle of cleaning or rearranging your living room, only to be stopped short by your immovable sofa. That’s why we created DFS Eaziglides – suitable for most types of flooring, including carpet, laminate and tiles, though we always advise taking extra care on hard floors.

Whether you’re trying to reach something underneath, tackling spring cleaning, or simply giving your space a fresh new look by rearranging furniture, DFS Eaziglides make moving your sofa simple and easy. Add yours to your order and you’ll be gliding in no time!

Find your perfect sofa