Our edit of the best sofas for all budgets
There are few things worse than an uncomfortable sofa - that rude shock of being repelled by the very cushions you were hoping to sink back into,' says House & Garden columnist and all round interiors expert, Rita Konig, in her guide on how to choose a sofa. Naturally, comfort is key when picking out the very best sofa for you, but making sure it nestles happily into its surroundings is half the battle.
What is the best sofa at a glance?
Don't have time to read our full guide? Fret not. We've compiled at a glance information, so you can quickly see what sofa is best for you.
- Best corner sofa: Pietro Corner Sofa, £6,995, Oka
- Best affordable sofa: Fireside Small 2 Seater Sofa, £1,199, John Lewis
- Best modular sofa: Bibendum 3 Seater Sofa, £14,910, The Conran Shop
- Best sofa for quick delivery: Model 07 2 Seater Sofa, £1,795, Swyft Home
- Best loose cover sofa: Jasmine Natural Belgian Linen 3 Seater Sofa, £4,350, Graham and Green
What is the best sofa
Before answering that question, it is important to consider the purpose your sofa will be serving. Of course, at a basic level all sofas do the same thing, but taking the time to figure out what your priorities are will result in a much better choice. If you are buying this piece of furniture for a formal living room, plush upholstery is key, and an upright backrest or high back will ensure your guests are supported. If you live in an open plan space and your new sofa is going to demarcate a different living area, then ensure it has the presence to do this well; a chesterfield style with large armrests or a corner sofa should do the trick nicely. Though if you're looking for the latter, we recommend jumping over to our dedicated guide on the best corner sofas. For slumping in front of the TV or lounging around with a book, anything with comfy deep seats, or additional seat and back cushions will keep you in comfort; though do bear in mind these will need plumping frequently to stay looking sharp.
A sofa will ideally be with you for a long time and a good one will serve more than a few generations. Sprung, horsehair seats are a more expensive choice but will last longer than foam seats and cushions, so if you want to splash out, then try to keep an eye out for retailers who offer that composition. The most comfortable sofas do tend to be the former.
What type of material is the most durable?
The best material depends entirely on function. A leather sofa will be durable, a strong choice for a busy family home. As we know, accidents do happen in these environments so it's good to know that it's stain resistant and wipe clean. Velvet upholstery will provide comfortable seats and is certainly more hardwearing than chenille and can often be found in a huge variety of colours. If you're buying a sofa to sit at the end of your bed, an extravagant, printed fabric will be lovely, as it won't see as much wear as a living room sofa.
The sofa is often the centrepiece and focal point of any living room, the anchor that ties down a scheme, and the silent witness to many happy memories. All this to say that it is likely one of the most important (and expensive) decisions you’ll make in your home. So, scroll on for our edit of the best sofas for all budgets, whether you’re looking on the high street, or going totally bespoke.
The best sofa to buy 2023
1/41Samona Left Hand Facing Corner Sofa, natural cotton and linen mix, £2,499 from Made.
Made are an excellent go-to for reliable pieces that look much more expensive than they are. Dressed up with the right cushions and throws, you could easily convince people the Samona sofa was three times the price it actually was. This particular piece can be found in the living room of House & Garden's very own Digital Director, who bought it thanks to its short lead time in the run up to Christmas.
Product dimensions: H80 x W340 x D110cm
2/41Roma 3 Seater Sofa, linen sofa, £3,295 from Soho Home.
A linen upholstered sofa will always be stylish, with its relaxed sense of sophistication. Whilst the material remains cool in the summer, you can easily make it cosy in the winter with an extra sofa throw or blanket.
Product dimensions: H70 x W221 x D101cm
3/41West Elm Newport RHF Chaise End Sofa, performance linen dark putty, £3,098 from John Lewis & Partners.
A corner sofa ensures there’s always room for the whole family, or simply plenty of space to stretch out your legs. This one in particular would be great for households that love to entertain as it offers seating for four to five people quite comfortably.
Product dimensions: H93 x W281 x D171cm
4/41Saari 3-Seat Sofa, by Lievore Altherr Molina for Arper, £4,500 at The Conran Shop.
A good choice for a more modern house, this minimalist, pared back design would make a real statement - especially in this cheerful shade of bright blue.
Product dimensions: H70 x W232 x D68cm
5/41Tarma 2-Seater Sofa, soft charcoal, £2,195, from Oka.
This wooden leg loveseat is the perfect piece for at the end of a bed or in a living room. It can be made from a loveseat into a two seat depending on what specifications you choose, meaning you can customise it easily to your space.
Product dimensions: H88 x W137 x D89cm
6/41Fingal 2-Seat Sofa, butterscotch cotton matt velvet, £1,260 from Sofa.com
A vibrant choice in an elegant, almost Regency-esque shape, we are very partial to this charming sofa. For maximum comfort, we always recommend opting for feather filled cushions, which the Fingal sofa has.
Product dimensions: H76 x W161 x D80cm
7/41Cap Martin Curved Sofa, rattan, brass and linen, green, €11,400 as shown, from India Mahdavi.
India Mahdavi’s distinctive design will ensure this sofa is the focal point of any home.
Product dimensions: H72.5 x W290 x D111cm
8/41Färlöv 3-Seat Sofa, flodafors white, £650 from Ikea.
A simple and clean looking piece that would freshen up any space, you would never expect such a well considered piece to be from IKEA.
Product dimensions: H88 x W218 x D106cm
9/41Belgrave Two-Seater Sofa, excluding fabric, £2,995 from David Seyfried.
This charming armless sofa would be perfect at the end of a bed or in a living room.
Product dimensions: H85 x W140 x D81cm
10/41Hepburn Sofa, excluding fabric, £14,000 from Max Rollitt.
It's undoubtedly an investment, but this beautiful sofa from Max Rollitt is the kind of piece you'd pass on to your children.
Product dimensions: H93 x W229 x D108cm
11/41Orson 2 Seater Sofa, dark blue weave, £729 from Made.com.
A cosy two seater, the Orson is the ideal combination of comfort and chicness. It would be lovely in any style of house, offering a welcoming space for family film nights or a stylish seat when entertaining.
Product dimensions: H79 x W158 x D97cm
12/41Vivienne Modular Sofa, starting at £4,395 from Soho Home.
Soho Home allows you to bring the feeling of hotel glamour into your own house. This sectional sofa is a beautiful and well made piece that is equally perfect for film nights at home and entertaining guests.
Product dimensions: H83 x W332 x D105cm
13/41Wave 2.5-Seater Sofa, £3,260 excluding fabric, from David Seyfried; covered in ‘Arbre de Vie’ (50), cotton, £93 a metre, from Nobilis.
David Seyfried make excellent furnishings using the highest quality materials, so you can expect the best from them. We always think that a sofa is a great place to lean into pattern and this wave form takes well to bold prints.
Product dimensions: H92 x W180 x D85cm
14/41Gypsy Sofa, wood-framed, starting at £3,350 from Trove by Studio Duggan.
This tasseled number, dressed in a playful patterned fabric would look great perched at the end of a bed. It is equal parts sophisticated and fun, making it a great choice that you won't tire of.
Product dimensions: H68 x W140 x D75cm
15/41Fernsby 3 Seater Sofa, spruce chenille fabric, by Busetti Garuti Redaelli, £2,799 from Made.
The Fernsby sofa strikes a good balance between looking inviting and looking sharp. It's got a large presence, so would look great in an open plan space.
Product dimensions: H74 x W294 x D108cm
16/41Livienne Chaise End Corner Sofa, natural hazel weave, £2,399 from Made.
This simple, boxy corner sofa would make a perfect family sofa. Structurally this is a really stylish and contemporary feeling piece, yet it isn't so formal that it feels uninviting.
Product dimensions: H68 x W333 x D209cm
17/41Modernist Sofa, £7,500 excluding fabric; covered in mohair velvet, eggyolk, £180 a metre; both from Rose Uniacke.
The time and care that goes into Rose Uniacke's pieces is matched by very few. This particular zingy piece is a feast for the eyes.
Product dimensions: H75 x W240 x D100cm
18/41Evesham Wool Sofa, light grey wool, £2,800 from The White Company.
A classic sofa from The White Company. This particular piece would make a nice neutral base for decorative cushions and a pretty sofa throw.
19/41Jasmine Two-Seater Sofa, starting at £1,806.30 from Graham & Green.
A timeless style, this sofa will endure through trends and can be upholstered in a large range of linens. One real bonus is that this sofa features a loose cover, so you can remove and wash it should it need freshening up.
Product dimensions: H80 x W180 x D100cm
20/41Arbour 3 Seater, beech frame in wine red, by Daniel Rybakken and Andreas Engesvik; upholstered in Hallingdal (220), by Nanna Ditzel, wool/viscose, from Kvadrat; £4,349 as seen, from Hay.
This exciting 3 seater sofa is both playful and chic. It looks completely different in its various fabric and lacquer colour combinations, but we like this striking red and cream match.
Product dimensions: on request
21/41Camden Three-Seater Sofa, starting at £2,587 from Sofas & Stuff.
Designed to be a more formal piece, with ‘sit up and read’ seats, this would make a great choice in a smart living room. Here, turned legs add decorative interest to this otherwise quite classic chesterfield sofa.
Product dimensions: H74 x W210 x D97cm
22/41VB2 Little Petra Sofa, starting at £4,160 from Chaplins.
Iterations of this sofa have popped up all over the high street, but none of them truly hold a candle to the original. Upholstered in an on-trend boucle fabric, this little sofa oozes Parisian and Scandinavian glamour.
Product dimensions: H75 x W150 x D80cm
23/41Mayor AJ5 Sofa, by Arne Jacobsen, starting at £4,040 from TwentyTwentyOne.
The Mayor AJ5 sofa is a striking architectural piece that would suit a modern home well.
Product dimensions: H82 x W200 x D62cm
24/41Continental Sofa, by Claesson Koivisto Rune for Swedese, starting at £4,912 from Haus London.
A plush pink option in a contemporary shape that would be wonderful in both a bedroom and a sitting room.
Product dimensions: H72 x W228 x D95cm
25/41Pudding Sofa, starting at £1,445 from Loaf.
Loaf always prioritise a sense of plush comfort and the Pudding sofa is no exception. The seat cushions are made from a combination of feather, foam and fibre for added comfort, whilst the frame itself is made with Scandinavian birch that comes with a 10 year guarantee.
Product dimensions: H83 x W150 x D111cm
26/41Stay Four-Seater Sofa, velvet 208, £6,801 from Gubi.
A modern take on a classic mid-century design, this sofa is available in four different velvets.
Product dimensions: H78 x W260 x D95cm
27/41Roubel Oak Sofa, excluding fabric, £4,780 from Pinch.
This sleek and modern design with its unusual rounded shape would look wonderful in an open plan space.
Product dimensions: H84 x W210 x D91cm
28/41Susan Sofa, bronze, cotton, silk bullion and lurex sofa, excluding fabric, starting at £19,200 from Francis Sultana.
Bronze legs, fine fabrics and a witty modern shape.
Product dimensions: H80 x W188.5 x D90cm
29/41Clerkenwell Walnut Sofa, NLA excluding fabric, £4,800 from Dudgeon.
Covered in ‘Fontana’ (001), cotton £110 a metre, from Fermoie.
This patterned piece is inviting and cosy yet elegant.
Product dimensions: H99 x W220 x D90cm
30/41Casa Modernista Wood and Steel Sofa, by Doshi Levien, starting at £8,136 from Moroso.
Moroso do modern furniture with characteristic Italian flair, and the clean lines of this sofa work well in a contemporary interior.
Product dimensions: H75 x W200 x D71cm
31/41The Traditional Elmstead Sofa, £5,988 from Lorfords Created.
Covered in ‘Abbey Stripe’ (002), linen union, £110 a metre, from Fermoie.
Slightly turned out, flared arms add interest to a classic design.
Product dimensions: H83 x W207 x D100cm
32/41Bailey Medium 2 Seater Sofa, quartz green, £849 from John Lewis & Partners.
This sweet little sofa comes in many different colourways and sizes so you will be able to fit it into just about any space.
Product dimensions: H89 x W175 x D100cm
33/41Silhouette Powder-Soated Steel Sofa, black, by Hay, £2,699 as seen from Skandium.
Covered in Coda 2 (100), by Kvadrat, wool/nylon.
Unapologetically boxy and architectural.
Product dimensions: H72.5 x W171 x D90.5cm
34/41Holi Beech Sofa, covered in selena washed linen, curry, €3,200 from Caravane.
This warm, mustard colour is beautiful in linen and the sofa itself is a lot more plush to sit on than the thin seat cushion might suggest. Caravane offer a whole host of beautiful linens to choose from, so if mustard doesn't work in your room, there are plenty of alternatives.
Product dimensions: H220 x W85 x D65cm
36/41Palermo Sofa, beech, fir and poplar sofa, excluding fabric, starting at £2,375 from Designers Guild.
Covered in melton, ochre, wool, £75 a metre from Designers Guild.
The fluid lines of this modern sofa make for an unusual and contemporary piece.
Product dimensions: H92 x W160 x D90cm
38/41Group Three-Seat Sofa, beech and birch, by Philippe Malouin, £5,315 from SCP.
Covered in canvas 0424, wool mix, by Kvadrat, 74 x 217 x 81cm.
An usual piece that is sure to make a great centrepiece.
Product dimensions: H65 x W218 x D95cm
39/41Extra Large Song Sofa, with scatter cushions, safari, linen and cotton, £9,565 as seen from Maker & Son.
Squishy and stylish at the same time is a hard balance to strike but this sofa does it well.
Product dimensions: H77 x W403 x D105cm
40/41Verso Oak and Velvet Sofa, by David/Nicolas, per module (four modules shown), £7,617 from Pierre Frey.
Modular sofas are perennially great and a Pierre Frey is built to last generations.
Product dimensions: on request
Rachel Whiting41/41Greyhound Beech and Oak Sofa, excluding fabric and leather, £12,780 from Howe.
Unparalleled craftsmanship and comfort come together in this iconic Howe piece.
Product dimensions: H74 x W to order x D79cm
