The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Sofa for Your Living Room

It’s time to freshen up your living room décor. But how do you choose the best sofa for your living room? What kind of layout do you want? How big can you go without overwhelming every other element in your room? And what kind of material is best for a busy family home with pets and kids?

In this blog, we’ll answer all those questions, and more. We’ll take you through the process of measuring your space and discuss the importance of proportions. We’ll see which materials are tough enough to withstand everyday life without compromising on looks. And we’ll give you plenty of top tips from our design experts too. Let’s dive in and find your next sofa. 

1. How to Choose the Right Sofa Size 

Firstly, it’s important to get the right size. To do this, measure the available space, considering obstacles such as doorways, keeping walkways clear, and creating a comfortable social area. 

Make a note of the width, depth, and clearance you need, and also consider the room's proportions. In a small space, you need something a little more compact, such as loveseats. Choose sofas with slim arms and raised legs to introduce a sense of light and space rather than a bulky block that dominates the room. 

For larger rooms, you have more options, such as sectional or modular sofas, L-shaped designs, recliners, and luxuriously deep seating. Try to visualise the sofa occupying the room and how it relates to everything around it, so it doesn't chop up open-plan rooms or block access to outside spaces.

2. What Type of Sofa Works Best? 

The go-to choice is a standard two- or three-seater sofa. A popular configuration for a family living room is one of each, arranged in an L-shape. You can tweak your positioning to suit walkways, line of sight for watching TV, or to allow the room to flow from one space to another. 

Sectional sofas are similar to modular versions but have a specific layout. Sectional sofas often have additional features, such as reclining backs, and the sections interlock for a more rigid feel. Modular options include individual sections that can be swapped to suit your needs, layout, and style. 

Loveseats are essentially a two-seater sofa with smaller, more compact dimensions. Some traditional designs use the S-shape, perfect if you love that vintage look. Loveseats are ideal for smaller spaces and can be complemented with statement chairs to provide extra seating if friends drop by.

3. How to Pick the Right Material 

You need a combination of durability and good looks, especially if you have kids or pets. Durable options include performance fabrics treated with stain repellents that are designed to resist marks caused by spills. They’re commonly used on modular sofas and are ideal for heavy traffic areas, family rooms, and busy households. It’s easy to clean and maintain, and household fabric shampoos can remove many common stains.

Leather is the ultimate luxury. It’s incredibly strong and can resist liquids better than many untreated fabrics. A simple wipe with a damp cloth is all you need for everyday cleaning, and an occasional treatment with leather conditioner to keep the leather supple and soft.

Microfibre is soft, durable, and highly stain-resistant, depending on the weave and finish. It’s also budget-friendly and great for everyday use, especially if you have pets. If you do have an accident, simply blot away any excess moisture, then apply the cleaner.

4. How to Choose Comfort & Style

Comfort and style are next on the list. Cushions come with different fillings, from high-density foam that offers plenty of support, to memory foam that moulds to your body. Traditional feather fillings are great but may not be suitable for people with allergies. 

The seat depth and height of the sofa not only affect the aesthetics but also the comfort. Most standard sofas are typically between 175–245cm wide and 66–92cm high, with seat heights of between 43–45cm. These ranges help ensure good proportions and comfortable seating. Choose sofas that offer ample lower lumbar support – they can help improve comfort during prolonged sitting.

The style element is entirely up to you. Matching your sofa to the room décor and colourway is a simple matter of choosing fabrics and designs that harmonise with your existing aesthetic. Add scatter cushions and throws for an instant transformation when you feel like a change!

5. Lifestyle Considerations 

Your lifestyle plays a key part in the sofa you pick for your living room. Families with kids or pets need something robust enough to cope with an active, energetic, and sometimes accident-prone household. Easy-care sofas and materials that are easy to clean are the best choice.

In a small apartment, you don’t want to overwhelm the space with a huge sectional sofa, so more compact options are better, such as a small L-shape modular version that can be adjusted to fit the layout. If you want to add a sofa to an entertaining space as a feature, a luxurious fabric such as velvet or leather can create a more pleasing feel, harmonised with accent chairs to create a welcoming atmosphere.

It’s crucial to strike the right balance between practicality and design. Think about the overall look and pick something you like, not just something you need!

6. Quick Buying Checklist 

• Measure the space carefully, including the width, length, and any access spaces 
• Think about the size of your living room, and whether it connects with an outdoor space or another room 
• Set your budget
• Choose your layout (loveseat, classic 3-seater, modular, or sectional)
• Pick a fabric that looks good and can keep up with your lifestyle (including specialist fabrics, leather, velvet, or microfibre) 
• Decide on the type of cushions and whether you want a sofa with extra lumbar support
• Consider if you want extra features, such as reclining backs 
• Keep in mind the balance between functionality, aesthetics, and your lifestyle

7. FAQs

How do I know if a sofa fits through my door?

Measuring the sofa and your access points is the only way to avoid delivery day problems. Measure the width (arm to arm), height from the floor to the top of back cushions, the depth front to back, and the diagonal depth from the bottom front corner to the top back corner when tilted. Also measure the width, height, and diagonal distance of the door.

Should I test a sofa before buying?

If you get the chance, yes! At Crate and Barrel, you can check out sofas at our flagship stores before buying online to make sure they’re comfortable and fit your style.

Best sofa colour for hiding stains?

Earthy colours such as charcoal grey, taupe, chocolate brown, or dark green are great at hiding stains. Avoid black or pale colours that can show up stains very quickly.