Scatter Back Sofas

What is a scatter back sofa?

A scatter back sofa is one where the back cushions are loose and separate — the “scatter” cushions rest against the back of the sofa rather than being built into the frame. It gives a soft, relaxed, casual look that's made for sinking into, and because the cushions aren't fixed, you can plump them, swap them around and arrange them to suit exactly how you like to sit. It's a cosy, informal style that suits a laid-back living room. To see the wider choice of fabric seating across the store, our fabric sofas collection is a good place to start.

What is the difference between a scatter back and a fixed back sofa?

It's all about the back cushions. On a scatter back sofa the cushions are loose and separate, for a soft, relaxed, casual look you can plump and rearrange. On a fixed back sofa the back cushions are attached to the frame, giving a neater, more structured, tailored look that holds its shape with less effort. Neither is better in the abstract: a scatter back is cosier and more informal but needs regular plumping to look its best, while a fixed back is tidier and lower-maintenance but less soft and rearrangeable. It comes down to the look and the upkeep you prefer. For a more structured style in a larger size, our 3 seater sofas range is a useful reference.

What material is the sofa — is it leather?

No — these are upholstered in a woven fabric, a hard-wearing upholstery fabric chosen for everyday durability and comfort. It's a fabric, and we keep it distinct from other finishes: it isn't a plush velvet, a brushed suede, or a smooth leather or leather-look material. A good woven fabric is warm to sit on, soft against loose scatter cushions and easy to look after. If you'd prefer a wipe-clean leather look instead, see our leather sofas.

What colours are available?

The range comes in three easy-to-live-with colours. Grey is a cool, contemporary neutral that suits almost any scheme and is forgiving of everyday marks; black is smart and timeless and hides marks well; and cream is soft and light for a calm, airy look that suits the relaxed scatter-back style beautifully, though it rewards a little more care to keep it looking its best. That gives you a choice from very forgiving through to bright and light. To compare grey options across the store, our grey sofas page shows the wider choice.

Scatter back corner sofas

A scatter back corner sofa is a lovely way to combine relaxed comfort with plenty of seating. The L-shape tucks along two walls and seats the whole family, while the loose scatter cushions make it an especially cosy, sink-in spot — ideal for larger or open-plan rooms. When choosing a corner, check whether you need a left-hand or right-hand facing version and measure both sides plus your doorways and hallways for delivery. To compare all the L-shaped options, see our corner sofas range.

Which sizes and combinations are available?

There's a size for every room: a single armchair, a 2 seater, a 3 seater and a corner, plus matching sofa set combinations such as 2+2 and 3+3, with more layouts besides. A single 2 seater or armchair suits a smaller room, a 3+3 gives a busy family plenty of seats, and the corner works well in a larger or open-plan space. For coordinated multi-piece options across the store, our sofa sets collection shows the full choice of combinations.

How to choose a scatter back sofa

First, decide the style is right for you: scatter backs are soft and casual and reward a bit of plumping, so they suit anyone who likes a relaxed, sink-in feel over a tailored one. Then choose your colour and size, and measure the room and your access route before you buy — for a corner, measure both walls. It's also worth thinking about how many scatter cushions come with each piece, which is shown on the product page. Our sofa buying guide covers measuring up and choosing a style in more detail.

How to care for the scatter cushions

Loose scatter cushions look their best with a little regular attention. Plump and rearrange them daily or whenever you tidy up to keep them full and even, and rotate or swap them from time to time so they wear evenly. Vacuum the sofa and cushions weekly on a low setting or with an upholstery brush to lift dust, crumbs and pet hair, and blot spills straight away with a clean, dry cloth, working from the outside in. For marks, use a cleaner suitable for upholstery fabric, test it on a hidden area first, and check the care label for the recommended cleaning code.

Are the sofas fire-safe?

Yes. Every sofa in the range meets UK Fire Resistant (UKFR) standards, so the materials and construction — including the scatter cushions — comply with the fire-safety regulations required for upholstered furniture sold in the UK. This is a baseline legal requirement rather than an optional extra, and it applies across every colour, size and set.

How long does delivery take?

Most in-stock scatter back sofas are delivered within 7–10 working days, with free delivery. Delivery is carried out by a two-person team who bring the sofa into your chosen ground-floor room, access permitting, and set it in place; old sofa removal can be arranged if you'd like your existing seating taken away at the same time. Because a corner or a full set is a larger delivery, it's worth measuring doorways, hallways and stairwells in advance. Full timescales and coverage are on our delivery information page.

Can you spread the cost with finance?

Yes. You can spread the cost of any scatter back sofa, corner or set using one of our named finance providers, all subject to credit check. Simply select your preferred option at checkout; the exact terms for your order are shown before you confirm. Full details are on our finance options page.

Finance is provided by third parties and is subject to status and affordability checks. Missing payments may affect your credit rating.

Why choose Furniture Instore?

We specialise in upholstered furniture, and a scatter back fabric sofa is a lovely, relaxed choice — soft, casual and made for sinking into, in a durable easy-care fabric and a versatile choice of colours. We describe our sofas honestly, so you know exactly what a scatter back is — loose, plump-able cushions rather than a fixed, tailored back — and that you're buying a woven fabric rather than leather or velvet. You're welcome to visit our Coventry showroom to try the cushions and feel the fabric before you decide. Every order comes with free delivery by our own two-person team and our 14-day change-of-mind returns, we hold a 4.8★ Excellent rating from over 4,800 genuine Trustpilot reviews, and you can spread the cost interest-free with Klarna, Clearpay or PayPal Pay in 3, or over a longer term with DivideBuy, all subject to credit check. To browse the wider sofa choice, see our sofas range, and call us on 02476 705 600 if you'd like a hand choosing.

Frequently Asked Questions