How to Choose a Sofa: Size, Fabric and Style
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A sofa is one of the largest and longest-lived pieces you'll buy for a home, so it's worth choosing carefully. This guide walks through the three things that matter most — size, fabric and construction — so you end up with a piece that fits your room and your life.
1. Get the size right
Measure your room and, just as importantly, the path the sofa has to travel to get there — doorways, hallways, stairwells and any tight turns. Leave about 18 inches between the sofa and a coffee table, and at least 30–36 inches for main walkways. As a rough rule, a sofa should take up no more than two-thirds of the wall it sits against.
2. Choose a fabric for how you live
Linen and cotton feel relaxed and breathable but show wear sooner; performance weaves and tightly woven blends resist stains and suit homes with children or pets; leather is durable and ages beautifully but costs more. Think about light too — pale fabrics open a room up, deeper tones hide everyday marks.
3. Look at the frame and cushions
A good frame is kiln-dried hardwood, joined with dowels, screws or corner blocks rather than only staples. For cushions, high-resiliency foam wrapped in down or fibre gives a balance of support and softness that holds its shape. These details are what separate a sofa you keep for a decade from one you replace in two years.
Frequently asked questions
What size sofa do I need?
Measure your wall and leave the sofa taking up roughly two-thirds of it, with 18 inches to the coffee table and 30+ inches for walkways. Always check the delivery path too.
What is the most durable sofa fabric?
Tightly woven performance fabrics and leather are the most durable and easiest to clean; natural linen and cotton are beautiful but show wear faster.
How long should a good sofa last?
A well-made sofa with a kiln-dried hardwood frame and high-resiliency cushions can last 10–15 years or more with normal use.