Expert advice to help you compare sofa types, measure your space and choose comfortable, hard-wearing furniture with confidence.
Your complete guide
A sofa is a long-term purchase that may be used every day for many years, so it pays to get it right. This guide focuses on the choices that actually affect comfort, durability and value — sofa type, size, cushion fillings, fabrics, mechanisms and delivery access — so you can shortlist with confidence rather than guesswork.
We cover every option you are likely to weigh up: space-saving 2-seater sofas, family-sized corner sofas, power and manual recliner sofas, rise-and-recline mobility chairs, guest-ready sofa beds, stretch-out chaise sofas, classic traditional sofas, and the armchairs and footstools that finish a room. For each, you will see what it does well and who it suits, so you can match the piece to how you actually live.
You will also find straight answers to the questions buyers ask most: how to measure a room properly, what makes a sofa last, which fillings feel the way you want, and how to be sure your new sofa fits through the door. Every Furniture Instore range is designed and sourced in-house and comes with free delivery to England and Wales (most in-stock sofas within 7 working days), 0% finance (subject to status, eligibility, minimum spend and provider terms), and a 12-month manufacturer warranty, with an optional 5-year care plan available separately — so you can buy well and spread the cost.
Popular choices
These popular sofa types combine everyday comfort with lasting style. Here is what each one offers and who it suits best.
Reclines at the push of a button (power) or the pull of a handle (manual), raising the footrest and dropping the backrest to your ideal position. Power models adjust smoothly through any angle and often add USB charging and adjustable headrests.
Choose a dual-motor recliner if you want the backrest and footrest to move independently, and prioritise good lumbar padding if you spend long evenings watching television.
Wraps around one corner to seat four or more, making it the most sociable choice for families. To pick left-hand or right-hand facing, stand looking at the sofa: the side the longer chaise sits on is its “hand”.
Consider a U-shape for large open-plan rooms, or a modular corner where access is tight, since the sections can be carried in separately and joined on-site.
A rise-and-recline chair tilts forward to lift you gently towards standing, then reclines through to a near-flat resting position. Single-motor models move the back and footrest together; dual-motor models control them separately.
Check the seat height and weight capacity suit the user, and choose a waterfall or button back depending on how much back support they need.
Defined by classic detailing — rolled or scroll arms, turned or castor legs, deep buttoning and a higher back for upright support. Chesterfield and high-back styles sit at the heart of this look.
A strong choice for period homes and formal living rooms, and for anyone who prefers a supportive, upright seat to a low, casual lounger.
More options
Beyond the main sofa styles, these versatile pieces help you add comfort, flexibility and personality to your living space.
Converts from sofa to bed via a click-clack backrest, a pull-out “metal-action” frame with a sprung mattress, or a fold-out design. Pull-out models with a proper mattress are generally better suited to frequent overnight use.
Ideal for spare rooms, studios and homes without a guest bedroom; check the open bed size (single, small double or double) and the mattress depth before buying.
Has one extended seat so you can stretch your legs out fully — the relaxed feel of a lounger within a sofa’s footprint. The chaise can be left- or right-hand facing, and some are non-fixed so you can swap sides.
A good middle ground between a standard sofa and a full corner suite when you want somewhere to lie back without filling the room.
Choose your material
The cover you choose shapes how your sofa looks, feels and ages, and how much care it needs. Here is how the three main options compare, so you can pick the one that suits your home.
Cut from natural hide, genuine leather is one of the most hard-wearing upholstery choices you can make. It softens and develops a rich patina over time, so it often looks better after a few years than it did on day one, and it wipes clean in seconds.
Leatheraire is a breathable, leather-look upholstery that gives you the smooth finish of leather with a softer, lighter feel. It stays comfortable against the skin, is simple to look after and usually costs less than genuine leather.
Fabric gives you the widest choice of colours and textures, from plush velvet and soft chenille to hard-wearing woven finishes. It feels warm and inviting all year round, and many fabrics come with easy-clean or stain-resistant treatments for family life.
| Genuine Leather | Leatheraire | Fabric | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look & feel | Natural grain, smooth and cool to the touch | Smooth leather look, softer and lighter | Warm and soft, in many textures |
| Everyday care | Wipe clean; condition every few months | Wipe clean; no conditioning needed | Vacuum, blot spills, spot clean |
| How it ages | Softens and develops a rich patina | Keeps its look with gentle care | Tighter weaves wear best over time |
| Budget | Premium | Mid-range | Widest range of prices |
Buy with confidence
Quick answers to the questions customers ask most.
Measure wall width, projection and height first. Leave 30–45cm to a coffee table and 60cm for walkways.
Go compact: a 2-seater, slim arms, or a small corner. Legs and light fabrics keep the room feeling open.
High-resilience foam tends to hold its shape well. Deeper seats (55–60cm) suit lounging; shallower ones are easier to rise from.
Choose a hardwood frame; fabrics rated 25,000+ Martindale generally suit family use, though it is worth checking individual product specs. Good-quality leather is durable and easy to clean, while high-performance woven fabrics can also be suitable for heavy family use.
Washable covers or stain-resistant fabrics suit kids and pets. Keep sofas out of direct sun and away from radiators.
Think cost-per-year, not price alone. 0% finance (subject to status) and seasonal sales can help stretch the budget.
Measure your tightest doorway, hallway and stairwell turn. For tight access, pick modular or removable-arm designs.
Your questions answered
Measure three things: the width of the wall space, how far the sofa can come into the room, and the height (especially under a window). Mark the outline on the floor with masking tape so you can walk around it, then leave roughly 30–45cm to a coffee table and about 60cm for walkways so the room still flows.
A 2-seater, a compact 3-seater with slim arms, or a small corner sofa usually works best. Raised legs, a lower back and lighter colours help a small room feel more open, and a chaise sofa gives you a place to stretch out without the footprint of a full corner suite.
Think about how you sit. Deeper seats of around 55–60cm suit lounging, while shallower seats and a higher back give more upright support and are easier to rise from. High-resilience foam cushions hold their shape well, and firm arms and a supportive back matter more than softness alone.
They can be. A recliner lets you raise your feet and settle the backrest at a comfortable angle, which many people find eases pressure on the lower back. Look for good lumbar padding, and choose a power model with an adjustable headrest if neck support is important to you.
Genuine leather is one of the most hard-wearing choices and wipes clean with a damp cloth. For fabric, look for a rating of 25,000+ Martindale for family use, and consider easy-clean or stain-resistant treatments if you have children or pets.
A mobility (rise-and-recline) chair tilts forward to lift you gently towards standing, then reclines to a near-flat resting position. It suits anyone who finds getting in and out of a standard chair difficult, including older users and people recovering from surgery. Check the seat height and weight capacity suit the user.
Pull-out models with a sprung mattress are generally better for frequent overnight use than click-clack designs. Check the open bed size and the mattress depth before buying, and make sure there is enough floor space in front of the sofa to open it fully.
A chaise sofa has one extended seat for stretching out within roughly the footprint of a standard sofa. A corner sofa wraps around a corner to seat four or more people, so it takes up more room but seats more of the family.
Measure the width and height of every doorway, hallway and stairwell turn on the delivery route, and compare them with the sofa’s depth and height. If access is tight, choose a modular sofa or one with removable arms or feet so it can be carried in sections.
Think about cost-per-year rather than price alone: a well-built sofa with a hardwood frame and durable upholstery will last longer. 0% finance (subject to status) lets you spread the cost, and seasonal sales can help stretch your budget further.
Explore our in-house designed ranges of leather sofas, corner sofas, recliners and rise & recline chairs — with free delivery to England & Wales and 0% finance available, subject to status.
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