Buying guide to sofas

When buying a sofa, bear three simple things in mind and your choice will be spot-on:

• How much room do you have?
• How many people do you need to seat?
• Will your sofa fit through the entrance to your home?

First measure up your space. As a general guide, sofas come in these lengths:

Small Up to 175cm
Medium 175-190cm
Large 190-210cm
Extra large 210cm+

Look at the size and style of your room. And what works. Maybe it suits a large sofa with a matching armchair or accent chair (what about a laid-back leather recliner?). Or perhaps two small or medium sofas tick your seating boxes.

Check out your room's overall proportions. Make sure your chosen sofa won't dwarf other furnishings. Sofas with high backs suit rooms with high ceilings, while low backs can give the illusion of more height in a room.

Sofas with slender arms work well in smaller rooms, giving a sense of space. A corner sofa is also a smart way to use limited room.

Yes, it might be obvious, but will your new sofa fit through your home's entrances and doorways? Measure up carefully! And think how the sofa will be manoeuvred through the house. Many sofas feature removable seat cushions, arms and feet, but it's still worth making sure of your measurements - even if you're buying a compact two-seater sofa.

Leather

Leather sofas never go out of fashion. Simple, pared-down styles give you a contemporary feel, while button backs and studded arms create a more traditional mood.

Thanks to modern production techniques you can choose from a variety of finishes, from soft and smooth to antique or natural style.

Set the whole look off with a wisely placed leather armchair and your sitting room is now perfect!

Look for these symbols when choosing leather furniture:

Fabric

You'll love the wide variety of colour options fabric sofas offer. And they're all about comfort and durability - ideal for busy family homes. For even more comfort, opt for sofas with deep-filled seats and backs.

We've got tons of choice on colours, fabrics and finishes. But don't worry if you can't decide - we offer a free fabric sample service. Just call 0845 077 888 and we'll send leather and fabric swatches directly to your home.

Sofabeds

There is no separate expansion folder for choosing a sofabed, this falls under the free fabric swatches bit.

Here's our quick guide to sofabeds:

This practical, space-saving alternative to your usual bed comes in four types...

Foam foldout

The foldout is fine to use occasionally either as a bed or sofa - ideal for kids or your spare room.

Metal action

This is the one for weekend guests as it's good as a regular sofa and occasionally as a bed.

Clic clac

You can use the clic clac regularly as both a sofa and a bed. It comes with a slatted base and there's a sprung mattress for comfort. You'll also like the useful storage area under the seat.

Everyday use metal action

If your guests are here for a longer stay you owe them the added comfort of the metal action model! It does just great as a sofa or bed. You also get the sprung mattress and/or slatted base.

Go on, give those cushions a squeeze! Fibre ones need a good, regular plumping, preferably after each time they're used. And rotate cushions regularly to retain their shape.

Keep leather soft and supple by washing with a slightly damp cloth. Use a specialist cleaning kit every six months.

Freshen up your fabric sofa with an upholstery brush to banish dirt and dust.

Don't put a sofa in direct sunlight - this will make leather and fabric fade.

Add real texture to a room by putting patterns on your accent cushions or on a sofa for a bigger impact. Use patterns to liven up a neutral setting or mix with vibrant soft furnishings and accessories for a really eye-catching look.