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51 best sofas for all budgets and styles
Choosing the best sofa to place in your home is not a decision that should be taken lightly. After all, it is such a central piece of furniture within the living space and should ideally be used for years to come. 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 sofas for you, but making sure it nestles happily into its surroundings is half the battle.
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 sofa 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. We also have a handy guide to the best sofa beds, if you're looking for a sofa with multipurpose benefits. For slumping in front of the TV or lounging around with a book, a type of sofa 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 memory 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. Additionally, at this time of year make sure to keep an eye out for Black Friday deals for hefty savings on investment pieces. Retailers to check for great discounts include John Lewis, Sofa.com, Amazon, Swyft, DFS and DUSK. If you're not quite ready to take the leap in time for Black Friday, do not fret, as just around the corner is Boxing Day, where of course there will be more money to be saved.
The best sofas to buy, 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 sofa overall: Darlings of Chelsea Lincoln 3.5 Seater
- Best affordable sofa: John Lewis Marlow Small 2 Seater Sofa
- Best modern sofa: Soho Home Olivier Sofa
- Best loose cover sofa: Graham and Green Jasmine Natural Belgian Linen 3 Seater Sofa
- Best sofa for quick delivery: Swyft Model 02 Medium 2 Seater Sofa
- Best corner sofa: OKA Pietro Corner Sofa
Best sofa overall: Darlings of Chelsea Lincoln 3.5 Seater
| Fact file | Darlings of Chelsea Lincoln 3.5 Seater |
|---|---|
| Product dimensions | H83 x W199 x D92cm |
| Upholstery options | Over 170 fabrics and leathers |
| Delivery | From £75, delivered in 4-6 weeks |
| Warranty | 5 years |
Our latest go-to for large furnishings, Darlings of Chelsea have a number of stylish pieces on their roster. Their pieces are handmade, high-quality and many of their styles come in a range of sizes and options (the Lincoln can be specified as a sofa bed, two or three seater sofa), so you won't be left choosing between style and form. The Lincoln is a smart, Howard style sofa with a tight sprung back and curved arms. A traditional sofa, the Lincoln will stand the test of time.
Best affordable sofa: John Lewis Marlow Small 2 Seater Sofa
| Fact file | John Lewis Marlow Small 2 Seater Sofa |
|---|---|
| Product dimensions | H81.5 x W162 x D81cm |
| Upholstery options | One |
| Delivery | Free delivery, expected delivery within 4 weeks |
| Warranty | 25 year frame guarantee |
The 2 seater Marlow sofa is an ideal option for those looking for a smart, quality sofa that won't break the bank. It comes in three sizes, small, medium and large, and there is also a matching armchair. The small 2 seater would be ideal for someone looking to affordably decorate their first home, especially if it is a smaller space like a flat and floor space is perhaps in short supply. We love the detail of the contrast piping in olive green. It's a firmer sofa, so one thing to bear in mind is that you won't be sinking deeply into its seat cushion as you would with other options on our list.
Best modern sofa: Soho Home Olivier Sofa
| Fact file | Soho Home Olivier Sofa |
|---|---|
| Product dimensions | H85 x W221 x D91cm |
| Upholstery options | One |
| Delivery | From £99.95, delivery time from 15 to 17 weeks |
| Warranty | Not specified |
The Olivier sofa from Soho Home blends incorporates curved lines, boucle and oak-veneered birch legs for a solid yet elegant design. There is a certain midcentury flair to the sofa's contemporary design, without it feeling excessively retro. The stylish piece is inspired by the seating areas in 180 House.
Best loose cover sofa: Graham and Green Jasmine Natural Belgian Linen 3 Seater Sofa
| Fact file | Graham and Green Jasmine Natural Belgian Linen 3 Seater Sofa |
|---|---|
| Product dimensions | H70 x W218 x D100cm |
| Upholstery options | 27 |
| Delivery | £80 mainland UK delivery, lead time 8-12 weeks. |
| Warranty | 2 years |
A timeless style, this sofa will endure through trends and can be upholstered in a large range of linens. One bonus is that it has washable, removable linen covers, so they're easy to whip off quickly and throw in the machine, in case of a red wine disaster. A range of fabric options and colours are available, and each sofa is bespoke and made to order, so ordering free fabric swatches to look at and feel before placing an order is encouraged. Every sofa takes 8-12 weeks to make, and is subsequently delivered within 7-14 days, so this is not the sofa to choose if you're in a rush to receive your new sofa. There's also an £80 delivery charge.
Best sofa for quick delivery: Swyft Model 02 Medium 2 Seater Sofa
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| Fact file | Swyft Model 02 Medium 2 Seater Sofa |
|---|---|
| Product dimensions | H82 x W175 x D85cm |
| Upholstery options | 16 |
| Delivery | Free delivery, within 7 days if from the Swyft/John Lewis made to order range, otherwise 9 weeks |
| Warranty | 15 year frame guarantee |
With many sofas ordered online, there is often a lengthy lead time, sometimes 16 or 18 weeks. If you select from Swyft's made to order range at John Lewis, they state that they can deliver to your home for free within 7 days. It may be worth double checking this for your chosen sofa model, as there may be some models/fabrics that take longer than this - approximately 9 weeks. Swyft sofas are also highly customisable, with lots of different, easy to care for upholstery options and free fabric samples available. We particularly like this stylish model with barrel-shaped cushions and quilted seat pad in ‘Mottled Velvet Ochre’.
Best corner sofa: OKA Pietro Corner Sofa
| Fact file | OKA Pietro Corner Sofa |
|---|---|
| Product dimensions | H88 x W283 x D291cm |
| Upholstery options | One |
| Delivery | £60 mainland UK delivery, within 10 working days |
| Warranty | Not specified |
Oka's asymmetrical Pietro corner sofa has loose linen covers in a pale oatmeal colour and a full-length chaise longue, resulting in a relaxed yet still smart-looking sofa that would work in many decorative schemes. For more corner sofas, take a look at our guide to the top corner sofas on the market. We also love that delivery is speedy for this model, with the sofa arriving on your doorstep within 10 days.
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. A velvet sofa 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 sofas to buy in 2024
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- 2/26
Marlow Medium 2 Seater Sofa
4/26Newport 2-Piece Chaise Sofa
£3,598 from West Elm
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
- Belgrave Two-Seater Sofa</a>","brand":{"name":""},"id":"66ebff0ccc4a03de49b482d2","index":6,"contentType":"photo","offers":[],"component":"gallery_slide_component"}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
9/26Wave Grand 2.5-Seater Sofa
£4,795 (excluding fabric) from David Seyfried
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
10/26Gypsy Sofa
Starting at £5,750 from Trove
This luxe tasseled number, dressed in a sumptuous jewel-toned 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. There are various fabrics available to choose, including some lovely patterned options
Product dimensions: H68 x W140 x D75cm
- Mayor AJ5 Sofa</a>","brand":{"name":""},"id":"66ec053b431c30a3228b941d","index":11,"contentType":"photo","offers":[],"component":"gallery_slide_component"}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
14/26Pudding Sofa
Starting at £1,595 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. The option shown here is in Marmalade, a rich and warm orange.
Product dimensions: H83 x W150 x D111cm
21/26Holi Sofa
Starting at €3,400 from Caravane
This sofa 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 the colour shown here doesn't work in your room, there are plenty of alternatives.
Product dimensions: H220 x W85 x D65cm
