17 best sofas and couches for every budget and style, because they're the cornerstone of any living room
Choosing the best sofa for your home can be an arduous task, not least because the sofa is the cornerstone of any living room. It's official: no piece of furniture has the ability to make a statement in the way a stylish couch can. Finding the most comfortable sofa is, obviously, key (research has shown that we sit/sleep/eat/binge Netflix on our sofas for 16 hours per week on average), but if you care about the design of your home as much as how it feels, you'll agree that aesthetics come in a very close second.
Whether you're after a two-seater sofa, a stylish corner sofa, a classic Chesterfield or a leather sofa that oozes retro vibes, you'll want to get your decision right. Luckily, there are tonnes of sofa brands (from Loaf to serving up deliciously on-trend couches – with matching armchairs, loveseats and sofa beds to boot. From deciding on a print point to picking between foam cushions and feather, we've got every top tip you need in our buying guide below. Perhaps sofa shopping isn't so tricky, after all.
How can you tell if a couch is good quality? Here's everything you need to consider:
1. Price point
First thing's first: consider what your budget is. A sofa will live with you for years to come, and will perhaps even be passed down through generations. As such, we'd recommend spending as much as you can.
For upwards of £1,000, you'll benefit from a more durable frame (more on that later) and features such as stain resistant fabric, which are great if you've got a young family. Plus, of course, greater comfort.
That said, if you don't have so much to spend, make a beeline for Habitat and John Lewis where you'll be able to buy a good-quality sofa for under £1,000. The Habitat Chesterfield sofa comes with a 10-year guarantee, while the John Lewis ANYDAY range is the best range for value for money.
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2. Sofa filling
Consider your sofa filling. Sprung, horsehair sofa seats are the most expensive but more durable choice, while feathers and foam seats are the more popular. Feathers are super comfy but not the most ideal for those with allergies. Plus, they can get lumpy and need regular fluffing. Foam sofas are equally as comfortable, but more low maintenance and hypoallergenic.
3. Sofa frame
If you want your sofa to last, you'll need something with a good-quality frame. More expensive sofas will likely have solid hardwood frames (think: oak or beech), while cheaper sofas might have plastic or metal frames which won't last quite as well.
4. Sofa stain resistance
Sofa stains are expensive to get rid of, so check if your sofa's fabric has been stain-treated to prevent pricey mistakes. If your sofa is stain-resistant, you'll be able to dab or wipe spills away, without any marks being left.
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6. Sofa style
When it comes to colour, the bolder and brighter, the better. Why? Not only do we all need a mood-boost post-pandemic, but for girls who rent, investing in a colour-pop sofa means you'll be able to add personality and style to your home in an instant. Plus, you'll be able to take it with you to abodes of the future.
When it comes to fabrics, velvet and leather continue to reign supreme. A quick scroll down your Instagram feed will act as proof for the former (as well as the fact that Habitat reported a recent 150% rise in green, orange and purple velvet sofa sales). As for the latter? The brand also reported that the demand for leather sofas has more than doubled over the past few years, with buttery soft tan leather sofas a seriously popular choice. We'll be adding this tan leather sofa to cart, then.
Finally, let's talk sofa shapes. We're seeing a rise in sofas that double-up as room dividers in open-plan living spaces and industrial-style apartments. Spacious sofas with thin metal legs will offer the illusion of more floor space. But your guests will be able to pile on in abundance. We're also seeing a rise in sofa-in-a-box companies (Snug are currently leading the way) for high quality furniture that can be assembled in minutes with no tools.
25 best loveseats for snuggling up in small spaces, whatever your budget and style Gallery 25 Photos View Gallery
Which sofa brand is best?
After more home interiors content? Head this way for the best mattress or complete your living room set-up with these blankets, rugs, floor lamps, floating bookshelves and coffee tables. We've also got office chairs, statement chairs, wall art and neon light signs for your perusal. For more from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Sophie Cockett, follow her on Instagram @sophiecockettx.
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