How to Find the Most Comfortable sofa? 10 Tips from Our Team

 

It’s a pretty common mistake to prioritise design over comfort when buying a sofa  - we believe that this is due to the assumption that a new sofa will obviously be comfortable; however, the definition of a ‘comfortable sofa’ varies from one person to another.

This is why we always ask our clients to envision how they will be using the sofa - if the plans include hosting big dinners or movie nights, taking afternoon naps on the sofa, binge-watching or lounging for hours with a good book - comfort takes priority over design.

Read on for some tips from our sofa experts on how you can identify the most comfortable sofa for your home: 

1 - Test out different sofas to see which one works best for you

According to our business development manager, Benjamin Ibanez, while it’s okay to shortlist sofas online, the best decision can only be made by physically trying out the sofa: 

“Especially when you’re making a big investment in a luxury sofa - you should never make the final decision without testing it out. In case the particular sofa that you’re ordering is not available in the showroom, ask the salesperson to help you try out a similar sofa from the same brand so you can at least have an idea of the comfort level that you’ll be getting.” 

If you’re not able to personally try out the sofa for any reason and need to place your order online, the next best thing to do would be to go through the reviews on the retailer’s site as they can be more than helpful. 

To make the decision even easier, review our tips on how to choose a sofa that will last forever. 

2 - Consider how many people will be using the sofa

How many of the family members will be using the sofa regularly? 

If you’re buying the sofa for the living room, will you be hosting parties in that area? 

By answering these questions, you should be able to figure out how many sofas or how big of a sofa you actually need. 

If you have a big family or host often, it would be better to go for a sofa set, sectional or modular sofa. If only 1-2 people will be using the space, you could go for a loveseat or a recliner.

If you truly want to create a lounge den for personal use, we would recommend that you go for a sofa bed instead. 

 

3 - Check the sofa depth

We note that our clients have different preferences regarding sofa depths; some like it deep while others simply hate the ‘sinked in’ feeling for their sofas. 

So it’s important to figure out what kind of sofa depth you want. 

Consider your preferred seating position before determining the ideal seat depth: Do you choose to tuck your legs in when you sit or do you typically have your feet on the floor?

If you prefer to sit up straight, a seat depth that supports your thighs, maintains your knees bent at a 90-degree angle, and lets your feet rest comfortably on the floor would probably work well for you. 

A seat depth of 21" to 22" will provide plenty of space between the legs and the front edge of the seat for a person between the heights of 5'4 and 5'10". 

A seat depth of 23 to 25 inches is a decent choice for a taller person, and a seat depth of about 20 inches can be suitable for a smaller individual.

A deep sofa would be a perfect option if you like to curl up on the sofa rather than sitting straight. 

If you intend to add a lot of accent cushions, you can go a little deeper and take that extra support into account. 

4 - Do you want to recline?

Reclining sofas are great if you prefer to lounge on your sofa. You can still sit upright on this style of couch with throw pillows, but if you have back issues or simply like a more vertical position, a sofa with a straight back might be a better option for you. 

It’s important to note that reclining sofas are usually bulkier in design than regular sofas and they need more space for reclining - so they will not be a good option for a small room. 

 

 

5 - What back height do you want for your sofa?

Again, your own height will determine the optimal back height for the sofa.

The most comfortable couches typically have a back height between 26" and 32", with taller persons typically finding a higher back to be more supportive.

6 - What’s the ideal sofa height (from the floor)?

Taller people may feel as though they are squatting on a sofa when the seat height is off, while people who are shorter may find their feet waving in the air. 

Modern comfy sofas can come in a variety of seat heights, but a normal range is between 15" and 20" from the floor to the top of the cushion, with an average range lying between 17" and 18".

Low-profile sofas that basically sit on the floor are also very popular these days so if this is the kind of silhouette you’re comfortable with, our team highly recommends that you give them a try. 

7 - Get to know your sofa fillings and frame

Spend as much money as you can on a high-quality frame because it will be a long-term investment, setting the basis for years of relaxation.

A handmade sofa's craftsmanship is usually incomparable to mass-produced sofas.

Always keep in mind that a sofa's inside is as significant as its exterior. 

While foam or fibre fillings may flatten out and lose their form with time, feather-filled cushions are quite comfortable for the sofa's back and seat but will need to be regularly plumped.

Due to the significantly firmer support they offer, high-density foam couches are typically much more comfortable than low-density ones.

The high-density foam also provides far more resilience to guarantee that cushions don't sag over time, which is an often-seen issue with poor-quality sofas.

 

 

8 - Choose the right dimensions

The sofa or even the sofa set should neither be too big nor too small for the room and for this you need to consider not just the sofa dimensions but also the dimensions of the room. 

We always ask our clients to bring in pictures and measurements of the room so our interior designers can guide them regarding the right sofa size for their room and decor style. 

Your sofa's size will affect both its style and level of comfort, in addition to its overall appearance. 

Traditional sofas tend to have a greater seat/back height and a shallow seat depth. They are, therefore, more appropriate for a formal environment. 

On the other hand. A sofa that is really low to the ground and has a deep seat will feel more comfortable, casual, and vintage-style. 

The more current, contemporary style, which is what most of us are looking for—sophisticated yet cozy—lies between those two.  

Finally, measure any doors and stairways the sofa will need to go through before delivery; your walls will thank you for this.

9 - Leather or fabric?

Both leather and fabric sofas have their own charm, pros, and cons. If you or your family members are likely to spill on the sofas, it is best to go for a leather or velvet sofa as they’re easier to clean. And while leather sofas may be considerably more expensive, they usually tend to last longer than fabric sofas. 

No matter which material you go for - viewing actual sofa samples in your room can make a lot of difference. Without swatches, it might be challenging to determine how large a pattern repeat is or how your room's lighting influences a fabric's colour or gloss.

Whether you go for a bold colour, pattern, or neutral material, your choice of upholstery fabric will greatly impact the room, so choose carefully to ensure it fits your scheme. Natural materials may fade in strong sunlight so go for a synthetic fabric if the sofa will be near a window.

Most retailers will provide free or inexpensive swatches that can be gathered with paint swatches or wallpaper samples. 

Moodboards are also of great help, luckily, there are many excellent apps that can assist you in organising your design strategy or you can ask your interior designer to arrange a mood board or a 3-d design for you. 

 

10 - Choose a style that reflects your personal taste

While comfort is an important factor when buying a new sofa, aesthetics do not need to be compromised. 

“It’s never a good idea to go for a trendy sofa that does not fit with the overall design of your home or your personal taste,” says our senior interior designer, Cristina Chirila, “I always recommend that my clients go for something timeless that will still feel at home after several decades and that is versatile enough to adjust even if you renovate the room and go for a different style in a few years.”  

Summing Up

One of the most significant purchases you'll probably make for your house is a sofa. It makes sense to spend the time and money on one that will last for many years since it is a piece that is used for relaxing, reading, eating, entertaining, watching TV, and even napping.

We’re sure that after going through the above-mentioned tips, you’ll pretty much be an expert at choosing the most comfortable sofa or sectional. 

But if you still need some professional help, speak with one of our award-winning team members who have been selling the world’s best sofas for more than four decades now. 

To ensure that your couch is the perfect fit, we can also customise it. You'll feel confident knowing that a bespoke sofa made to your specifications will suit you and your area perfectly.

We can start with a free interior design consultation that will help you shortlist a sofa that’s not just comfortable but also looks great.