Choosing a sofa is no easy process. There are so many options on the market—available in every style, color, and configuration you can imagine—all of which vary widely in price. Even if you find a great deal, you’re likely to spend at least a few hundred dollars, if not much more. And since these bulky furniture pieces can be a huge pain to return, the stakes are pretty high. The ultimate goal is to find a stylish, comfortable sofa that fits your budget and that you’ll actually enjoy sitting on every day, but the actual shopping process often includes a lot of confusion and overwhelm.
We’ve been there, which is why we put together a whole guide on everything you need to know when buying a sofa. From measuring tips to fabric options to budget considerations, we covered it all so you can feel confident making this big purchase. We even tapped interior designers to share their best sofa-buying tips—after all, they’re the experts! Keep scrolling for all the tips, tricks, and info you need to make buying a sofa a whole lot easier.
Types of sofas
There are tons of different types of sofas on the market, so getting the terminology down can help in your search. Here are the basic sofa types to look for:
Standard sofa
- Seats 2-4 people
- Widely available in all designs and price points
Loveseat
- Designed to seat two
- Great for small spaces or in combination with a standard sofa
Sectional
- Forms an L-shape or U-shape
- Ideal for lounging
- Generally not suitable for small spaces
Chaise sofa
- Features an extended seat on one end (AKA a built-in footrest)
- Similar vibe but more compact than a sectional
Modular sofa
- Made up of individual pieces you can rearrange
- Easily customizable to fit your space
Sleeper sofa
- Converts into a bed via a pull-out design
- Works well for hosting overnight guests (especially if you don’t have a dedicated guest room)
How to choose the right sofa size
When it comes to a sofa’s size, you’ll want to consider how it’ll look in the context of your living room. A petite loveseat would look awkward in a large living room, while a big sectional might completely overwhelm a small space. Here’s how to choose the right-sized sofa for your room:
Use the two-thirds rule
If you’re not sure how big or small to go, use the two-thirds rule. According to this guideline, your sofa should be about two-thirds the length of the wall it sits against. This helps ensure your sofa looks proportional to the size of the room, while leaving plenty of space for end tables. For example, if your living room wall measures about 9 feet long, a 72-inch sofa could be a perfect fit. For a larger wall (say, 12 feet), you’d likely want a sofa that’s closer to 96 inches in length.
Visualize the measurements with tape
To get a sense of a sofa’s size, Laura Medicus, a Denver-based interior designer, advised placing painter’s tape on the floor to create an outline of the piece’s measurements. This can help you visualize how big the sofa will be in relation to other furniture and the room itself.
Consider the height and depth
Additionally, pay attention to a sofa’s height and the depth of the seat. These measurements help determine how comfortable it will be to sit on. Low-profile sofas (with a shorter back and a low-to-the-ground seat) often have a more modern, laid-back look, but they can make sitting and standing up awkward and may not offer as much support for lounging. If you’re on the shorter side, this may not be a problem for you, but taller folks might want a higher seat and back. A taller sofa may also look more proportional in a large room.
Seat depth (the actual space available for sitting) is another key concern when it comes to comfort. A seat depth of 22-24 inches is standard for many sofas, but you may want more space if you plan to do a lot of lounging or napping on the sofa. A shallower depth can be good for a more formal, structured look—ideal if you prefer to sit upright with your feet on the floor. Think about how you plan to use the sofa (and factor in your own height!) to determine the best size for you.
Make sure it will fit through doorways
There’s one more step involved: triple-checking that the prospective sofa can adequately fit through your front door (or up the stairway, or around a tight corner). Consider the path that the sofa will have to take from the delivery truck to its intended spot. Then compare the sofa’s measurements to any doorways, hallways, or stairwells it needs to pass through along the way. A little foresight will save you time and money down the line.
Sofa material options
One of the first steps in shopping for a sofa is deciding what material you’re looking for. Sofas are available in a range of different upholstery options, from synthetic fabrics to natural materials like cotton and linen to genuine leather and beyond. The best sofa material for you will definitely depend on your budget and (most importantly) your lifestyle. Here are some things to keep in mind with some of the most popular sofa materials:
Boucle
- Has a cozy, textured look
- Looped threads can be easily snagged by pet claws, jewelry, or sharp objects
- Traps dust, dirt, and crumbs within the textured surface, which can be difficult to clean
Cotton
- Naturally breathable and soft to the touch
- Prone to stains and wrinkles
- Susceptible to fading and discoloration in direct sunlight
- Often blended with synthetic fibers for better durability and stain-resistance
Faux leather
- Mimics the look of real leather using a synthetic material like polyurethane or vinyl
- More affordable than real leather, but often has a cheaper look and feel
- Spills and messes easily wipe clean with a damp cloth
- Can crack or peel over time
Leather
- Highly durable and long-lasting, but requires some maintenance
- Spills, dust, and pet hair often sit on the surface, so they’re easy to wipe away
- Susceptible to scratches from pet claws or sharp objects
- Can feel uncomfortable in extreme temperatures (cold in winter, sticky in summer)
- Very expensive
Linen
- Has a relaxed look and a breathable feel
- Woven fibers are more durable than cotton (but prone to snagging)
- Stains and wrinkles easily
- Often more expensive than synthetic fabrics
Microfiber
- Mimics the feel of suede, but made from synthetic fibers
- Resists spills and stains
- Prone to static electricity, which attracts dust, lint, and pet hair
Performance fabrics
- Specially designed to resist stains, moisture, and wear
- Great for messy households
- Often more expensive than standard upholstery
Polyester
- Durable and easy to clean (ideal for homes with kids or pets)
- Resists stains, fading, and wrinkles
- Can trap odors over time
- Typically more budget-friendly than natural materials
Velvet
- Has a plush, luxurious look
- Available in many bold color options
- Traps dust, lint, and pet hair (regular vacuuming is a must)
- Often available in performance options
For any fabric, it’s a good idea to check the rub count, a rating that measures fabric durability. A higher rub count means the fabric can handle more friction before showing wear. While 20,000 rubs is a pretty standard rating, a rub count closer to 50,000 might be more suitable for homes with kids or pets. In general, the more tightly woven the fabric, the more durable it will be.
Choosing a sofa color
You obviously want the color of your sofa to match the vibe of your living room, but it also needs to be practical for your lifestyle. Consider these factors when choosing a color:
Think twice before going white
Designers get it: White sofas are pretty. But skip them if they aren’t conducive to your lifestyle—you’ll thank yourself later. “Before you commit to the pale color that you see online or in the showroom, ask yourself a few questions,” Medicus said. “Do you have pets who get up on the sofa? What about small children? Do you regularly eat or drink on the sofa? If any of those are a yes, a white sofa is probably not for you.”
Consider trendy colors carefully
That said, you may not want to stray too far off the beaten path when it comes to hue, either. “Don’t buy a color because it’s trendy,” advised New York City designer Isabella Patrick. “Right now, I’m seeing a lot of greens and yellows and dark oranges. I love these colors, but can you see yourself living with them for five, 10, or 15 years?” A sofa is an investment that you’ll hopefully use for many years, so if you’re going to go bold, make sure it’s a color you truly love.
When in doubt, go neutral
If you want something timeless that can grow with you over the years, a neutral sofa is a safe bet. Colors like beige, gray, taupe, and light brown work well with all sorts of different accent colors, so they’re easy to style even if your color palette changes. Medium-toned neutrals are also great at disguising everyday messes and wear (including stains, dust/lint, and pet hair).
With any color you’re considering, seeing it in your own home is extra helpful. If you need help deciding, order a set of swatches in different colors to get a sense of how the fabric feels and looks in your interior lighting. Many furniture brands offer this perk for free!
Sofa styles
The sofa you choose can set the tone for your whole living room, so you’ll want to ensure it aligns with the look you’re going for. That means the sofa style, fabric, or leg finish should fit in with the existing elements in the room, noted Gordana DiMonte, creative director at Douglas Design Studio in Toronto. The shape of the sofa is also key here. “If you want to achieve a contemporary look, keep the lines of your sofa clean and the colors neutral,” DiMonte said. “If your style is more feminine, you might opt for curvier lines and some tufting.”
In general, sofas with decorative details like tufting or rounded elements (such as rolled arms and turned wood legs) have a more traditional feel. These sofa styles are great if you’re going for a classic or vintage-inspired look. For something more contemporary, look for sofas with straight edges (think square arms and structured cushions) and sleek, exposed legs or no visible legs at all.
Quality matters: What to look for
Picking out a sofa style and color is the fun part, but you also need to pay attention to some of the more nitty-gritty details. The product description can tell you a lot about how a sofa is constructed and help you predict whether it’ll hold up well over time or fall apart in a year or two.
The frame is one of the most important parts of a sofa’s construction—it holds everything else up. Look for one made from kiln-dried hardwood, solid hardwood, or furniture-grade plywood, which are less likely to warp, crack, or sag over time. These materials are generally much more durable than particle board or MDF. How the pieces of the frame are attached is also crucial. The joints should be reinforced with corner blocks, dowels, screws, or mortise-and-tenon joinery, not held together with glue or staples alone. If the product description doesn’t mention how the frame is held together, that could be a red flag.
The support system under the cushions is another key component that can help you determine how well a sofa will hold up to daily use. For the most comfortable (and durable) seat, look for a sofa that is supported by coil springs (eight-way hand-tied springs are the gold standard) or high-gauge sinuous springs. Webbing support is more likely to sag over time but is sometimes used in more budget-friendly sofas. As for the cushions themselves, high-density foam ones generally hold their shape well and remain comfortable for longer. If you want a fluffier cushion, look for ones with feathers or down wrapped around a foam core. Avoid cushions that are filled with feathers alone, which are likely to require constant fluffing and fussing.
You may also want to look into brands that offer warranties on the sofa frame, springs, or cushions. This can both give you peace of mind if something breaks and indicate that the brand stands by its products.
Shopping in-store vs. online
Looking at styles in person can be beneficial if you’re having a tough time making a decision. “Online shopping makes it easy to buy just about anything, at any price,” said Kelly Mlsna of Cake + Jelly Design in Madison, Wisconsin, “but you will do yourself a favor by taking the time to visit a few stores and actually sit in different styles, with different cushions, arm heights, and fabrics. You might be surprised at what you really like and want.”
If you can’t find what you want in stores, you’ll find endless alternatives online. Just do your research before hitting “purchase.” Double-check all the measurements, pay attention to the materials and construction details, and read as many customer reviews as you can.
Budgeting for a sofa
“Once you find your perfect style of sofa, purchase the best quality your budget will allow,” DiMonte said. “After all, you will be using this piece of furniture every day. Consider the value over time and how long you wish to keep the sofa.” This may mean spending a bit more money on a high-quality piece that will last for several years. You’ll likely be happier paying extra upfront if it means that you won’t have to replace it after a short period. However, if you frequently move apartments and can’t guarantee that your future space will accommodate a certain piece, you’ll likely want to steer away from making a major investment until you settle into a more permanent home.
For a high-quality sofa that should last you several years, plan to spend somewhere between $1,000 and $2,500. You may need to spend a bit more on specialty fabric options (like real leather) or an extra-large size (a big comfy sectional, for example), but it’s a good starting point for most homes. If you plan to spend more than that, pay close attention to quality so you know your investment will hold up well in the long term. A high-end price tag should coincide with superior comfort and craftsmanship. On the flip side, it is totally possible to find nice sofas for less than $1,000, but you may need to make some sacrifices in style, quality, or size.
Sofa buying mistakes to avoid
Not measuring properly
Measure, measure, measure! That includes the space where the sofa will live, as well as any doorways, hallways, and stairwells it needs to pass through to get to that spot. For a helpful visual, mark off the sofa’s dimensions using tape to get a sense of how it will look in the room. Then double-check everything again before you purchase.
Choosing style over comfort
Comfort should be a top priority when shopping for a sofa. Pay attention to the seat depth, cushion firmness, and back support to help you choose a sofa you’ll actually want to sit on. Testing it out yourself is the best way to judge a sofa’s comfort level, but online reviews can also be super helpful.
Picking a material that doesn’t work for your lifestyle
Your sofa needs to stand up to your everyday life. If you have kids, pets, or a habit of eating on the couch, prioritize easy-to-clean materials that resist stains and wear (like performance fabrics or leather). Delicate materials and light-colored upholstery will be much less forgiving.
Overlooking construction quality
A beautiful sofa is great, but it’s what’s inside that counts. You don’t want to end up with a creaky, sagging sofa within a few months, so pay attention to the details of how the sofa is constructed. Look for keywords like kiln-dried hardwood, reinforced joints, high-density foam, and contract- or commercial-grade to indicate quality. Also, customer reviews can be very telling!
Not checking the return policy
Sofas are bulky, expensive, and a huge pain to return. First of all, do your research to ensure you’ll love the piece before you purchase. Especially if you’re ordering a sofa sight-unseen, double-check the return policy, including the return window and any restocking fees or return shipping costs. Custom furniture is often non-refundable, so you may be stuck with it if it doesn’t work out.
Sofa buying checklist
- Measure your space
- Decide how much you’re willing to spend
- Choose a type and style
- Find a fabric that works for your lifestyle
- Check for quality
- Confirm the delivery logistics and return policy
Favorite sofa picks under $2,500
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.
Sarah Lyon, Contributing Beauty & Lifestyle Writer
Sarah Lyon is a freelance writer and interior design enthusiast who currently lives in New York City. Her work focuses primarily on design and lifestyle topics ranging from decorating tips to beauty advice to travel guides.
