Where to buy a sofa – I've spent over 25 hours testing sofas and these are the 10 brands I'd recommend

Sofa is a big and important investment for your home. Firstly, because it tends to be one of the most expensive pieces of furniture in your home or at least in the living room so naturally, you want to spend your money well. Secondly, because we spend a lot of time on our sofas – most of our downtime and even when hosting guests, most of it takes place on the sofa. That’s why it’s crucial to know where to buy a sofa so that you’re not disappointed.

I’ve spent over 25 hours sitting on various sofas from various brands to find the best sofas there are – and the best retailers to buy them from. And I’ve rounded them up here, along with a few style recommendations, to make the next time you’re searching for a new sofa a little easier.

So whether you’re buying your first sofa and are looking for living room sofa ideas and recommendations or want an upgrade on your existing style that you don’t love as much as you used to, there’s something for everyone and every budget here

Where to buy a sofa – the quick list

• Darlings of Chelsea: wide range of upholstery options
• Furniture Village: comfortable budget buys
• Habitat: stylish yet affordable sofas
• John Lewis & Partners: practical and stylish
• Loaf: squishy seating that's perfect for lounging
• ScS: budget sofas that won't break the bank
• King Living: designer-style and quality sofas at mid-range prices
• Sofa.com: wide range of styles and great upholstery options
• Swyft: sofa-in-a-box with super fast delivery
• Sofology: super comfortable sofas with innovative technology available

10 of our favourite places to buy a sofa

There are many things and several factors to consider when shopping for a new sofa. And while some are very personal, such as how deep you want your sofa seats to be or whether you want a traditional Chesterfield style or one of the best modular sofas which often feel more modern.

And while those things are largely down to you, one of the things I can help you with is where to buy your next sofa to make sure you get yourself a stylish, high-quality and long-lasting product.

1. John Lewis & Partners

John Lewis & Partners offers a brilliant range of sofas, from contemporary designs to timeless classics. The brand blends comfort, quality, and a great range of upholstery options in its in-house range, as well as offering sofas from independent brands Swoon, Swyft, and more.

The Ideal Home team cannot get enough of this Lozenge Grand 5-Seater Chaise End Sofa, and can you blame us? The boucle furniture trend is still alive and kicking, and this John Lewis & Partners addition is just the latest piece to add to our obsession. Featuring an asymmetric shape and space for five, it’s not as expensive as you’d imagine, either.

But I also love the new addition to the brand's modular range called the Flow, which is both comfortable and stylish with its curved design and quilted backrest. And, of course, we shouldn't forget about the Barbican which has earned the status of the best corner sofa in our best sofa buying guide.

2. Habitat

Long gone are the days of circling our favourite items in the Argos catalogue, but that doesn’t mean that we’ve stopped lusting over Argos products. Especially as Habitat at Argos offers original and on-trend designs while keeping its prices low. So, it’s perfect if you’re looking to decorate your living room on a budget.

Our star sofa from Habitat at Argos has to be the Hendricks sofa, for its effortless style and simplicity, also named the best value large sofa in our buying guide. Habitat has recently launched a made-to-order sofa service which means that you can get your Hendricks, along with some other styles, in a variety of colours and finishes to choose from. But if you're looking for something even more affordable, our top budget sofa buy, the Julien, starts at only £595.

3. ScS

Known for its traditional styles and shapes, ScS is another one of our favourite sofa brands. Whether you want a two-seater for your small living room, a recliner for extra comfort, or even a sofa bed for when you have guests to stay, this sofa brand has a sofa to suit all styles and budgets. And we have a particular soft spot for this brand, as its sofas are extremely high quality.

So much so that Ideal Home has partnered with ScS to create a range of sofas. My top pick would be the Lennox sofa as it's super comfy, classic yet fitting for a modern home, too.

And since we all know by now how much I love a modular sofa, I'm very impressed by the new Incanto D'Artista design which feels so soft and cushiony that I'd happily sleep on it. But as it is completely modular, you would need to order it in store rather than online.

4. Sofa.com

Not only does Sofa.com offer some super on-trend sofa shapes that rival designer seating (at far more affordable price points), but it offers a brilliant selection of upholstery options that mean you're pretty much guaranteed to find a sofa colour and fabric to match your living room decor.

While the brand's bestseller is the more traditionally shaped Bluebell sofa, the Jack is favoured for its budget-friendly price that's perfect for first-time sofa buyers. But it's the newcoming Ren that's impressed me most recently as one of the best and most innovative modular sofas on the market.

5. Furniture Village

For Furniture Village, comfort is key. This brand understands the importance of having a comfortable place to sit at the end of the day, and its countless sofas in all different shapes and styles revolve around this key point. Upholstery options are somewhat limited, but that means price points are very affordable.

I love the Rene sofa because it's a unique and modern take on a Chesterfield sofa. While the Bronwyn sofa is the perfect traditional sofa – actually the best one on the market as per Ideal Home's best sofa buying guide.

6. Sofology

If you want a made-to-order sofa that’s super cushiony and comfortable then Sofology is the place for you. My favourite styles from the brand are not necessarily space-saving so they might not be great for your small living room ideas, but they make up for that in comfort.

The aptly named Cocoon is ideal if you really want to feel enveloped and almost hugged by your sofa, owing to the design’s high arms which are level with the backrest. But if you don’t have a lot of space to work with you, you could get it as a two-seater, too. For a more contemporary yet timeless look, I recommend the Ziggy which is what sitting on a cloud must feel like.

And still in the name of the ultimate comfort, Sofology specialises in technologically advanced sofas, whether it’s stylish recliners - that’s a thing we’re about to see a whole lot more of - like The Flex. And the brand’s even managed to build a mini fridge into its design to keep your drinks cool when watching TV or a movie.

7. Darlings of Chelsea

At Ideal Home, we know the importance of the sofa. And if you won’t settle for anything less than handcrafted goodness, Darlings of Chelsea could be the best sofa brand for you. Offering everything from leather sofas to handcrafted sofa beds, it has a sofa to suit every style and budget. Plus, they’re just so effortlessly chic.

If your sofa style revolves around sinking into a giant marshmallow-esque cushion, the Purley Extra Deep Range was made for you. Its extra deep cushions offer the ultimate comfort, while the hardwood frame still offers that sense of stability and quality you need for such a focal point in the living room.

8. Loaf

At Ideal Home, we’re all about that laid-back living, and Loaf offers that in abundance. Focusing on sofas that are the definition of both squishy and squashy, its designs all look as comfortable as they feel. And with sofas in so many different shades and colours, you’re bound to find one that works with your living room colour scheme.

We know a white sofa is risky, but you’ll be happy to know that our top pick from Loaf comes in so many different colours. 132 of them, to be exact. Its Crumpet Sofa offers extra-deep cushioning for extra comfort, and that’s something we just can’t get enough of in the office.

9. Swyft

Alongside Swyft's focus on style and comfort, this brand has focused on practicality and the ease of ordering a new sofa. After all, choosing the right sofa can be stressful! Offering a 'Sofa in a Box,' Swyft sofas will quite literally be delivered in a box on your doorstep. In doing this, they promise super fast delivery times.

Buying a sofa relies on a certain level of understanding of space and size, but the modular aspect of the 3-seater Model 03 solves everyone's problems. This is our star product because you can pick and choose how you set up this sofa and move it around in a way that works for you and your living room. And it's pretty stylish, right?

10. King Living

Hailing all the way from Australia, King Living is becoming an increasingly popular sofa brand in the UK, too, as the brand’s about to open its third showroom in London’s Westfield in White City. And for good reason – the brand does designer style and level sofas at mid-range prices.

The one thing that I find when bringing up King Living with others is that people believe it’s more expensive than it actually is. And I’m by no means claiming it’s a budget brand but King Living sofas are no more expensive than most John Lewis sofas, for example.

I myself own a King Living sofa - the 1977, Package 3 specifically. So I am partial to this recently relaunched modular design with removable covers which was originally released in - you guessed it - 1977. But I understand that this very modern and curved style is not necessarily a crowd pleaser. But something like the Jasper sofa, on the hand, is. Incidentally enough, the Jasper is also super comfortable, sizeable and modular – as you’ll find, King Living does sectional sofas really well in case you’re looking to future-proof your home with a modular sofa. That’s why the brand just released another sectional design just last month called the Haven which is equipped with a set of ergonomically shaped arm rests, too.

FAQs

How much should a good quality sofa cost?

When it comes to sofas, prices vary. While you can easily pick up a budget sofa that ticks all of your boxes for under £300, that doesn't necessarily mean that it's good quality. On average, it's suggested that a good quality sofa will set you back anywhere between £1500 and £3000.

Of course, everyone's needs and wants are different when it comes to a sofa. So, it's a good idea to set your budget first and then research what you can buy for that price.

Is it worth spending money on a sofa?

If you plan to spend a lot of time on your sofa, and you want it to last a long time, it's definitely worth spending money on a sofa. As one of the main pieces of furniture in your house, it is an investment piece, but an investment that will probably pay in the long run.

After all, cheap sofas rarely stand the test of time and are easily marked and stains. More expensive sofas are normally handcrafted and hardwearing.

What is the average life expectancy of a sofa?

On average, you should expect a good quality sofa to last between 7 to 15 years. This all depends on how much you use it, and how well you take care of it, though.

It's not uncommon to see general signs of wear and tear within the first few years of buying a sofa, but by cleaning it regularly and inspecting the main frame of the sofa for any cracks or fractures, there's no reason why it shouldn't last 15 years.