12 best sofas – our tried and tested favourites

As one of the key pieces of furniture in the living room, we know finding the best sofa for your home can be a difficult decision. After all, a sofa needs to fulfil a lot of criteria, including suiting your decor, your budget, and, most importantly, being a place to relax and get comfortable. And with most options proving a fairly hefty investment, it's a purchase we all want to get right.

Once you start the sofa search, you'll also discover there are a whole lot of options to choose from including the classic two and three-seater sofa, chaise sofas for putting your feet up, multifunctional sofa beds that allow you to offer guests overnight sleeping space (find more of those in our guide to the best sofa beds), modular sofas that come in sections you can configure into your own seating layouts, and spacious corner sofas that have plenty of room for friends and family.

Whilst nothing can beat going to test out a sofa for yourself – after all, one person's 'too soft' can be another person's 'just right' – it can be useful to have a few tips on where to start in your search, plus not all sofa showrooms are within easy reach.

That's why we've done the legwork to help to narrow down the options in the hunt for the best sofa; we've walked multiple miles around multiple sofa showrooms and tried and tested all of the bestsellers, toning our glutes with sit-test after sit-test. We've also read multiple reviews from existing owners, grilled the Ideal Home team for their expert opinions, and considered upholstery options, lead times, and, of course, pricing when coming to our verdicts.

For in-depth buying advice just scroll to the end of this page, but if you're ready to start shopping now then you'll find our edit of the best sofas available right now – in terms of style, price, and budget – listed directly below.

Best sofas 2023 – our tried and tested top picks

If you're looking to furnish a small living room, then the Holly sofa is well worth having on your radar. The compact design is available in a versatile range of size options including the smallest 155cm width two-seater, and a very useful two-and-a-half-seater option. There's also a space-saving extra-small corner sofa configuration that will add extra seating whilst maintaining a small footprint. 

In fact, everything about the Holly design has small-scale living in mind, from the stylish high-legged design that lifts the sofa frame clear of the floor to add visual spaciousness, to the space-saving thinner armrests and not-too-deep-or-too-shallow seat depth. Although, if sofa size isn't an issue, then there are also plenty of larger options to choose from; from 4-seater through to multiple chaise and corner configurations. There's also a matching armchair and upholstered footstool.

Space-saving tricks aside, this is also both a stylish and comfortable sofa at a great price point. There are 70+ upholstery options on offer, including some brilliant shades of velvet, feather-wrapped foam seat cushions, feather back cushions, and a high-backed frame that delivers just the right mix of squish and support.

In our opinion, this sofa also offers just the right mix of squish and support. The feather-wrapped foam seat cushions are just deep enough to curl up on, and if you prefer to sit upright then the soft-yet-firm back cushions have your back. And it's not just the cushions doing the support work either, the high frame means you can lean back securely without the cushions gradually deflating like many models. We also like the high armrests which means there is back support if you like to sit sideways with your feet up too (although the armrest height does make reaching for the coffee table a little harder). 

Comfortable and stylish, there's a lot to like about Habitat's Julien sofa, and at just £670 for the 180cm wide 2-seater or £800 for the 220cm wide 3-seater, if you're looking for an affordable contemporary sofa then this option ranks high in our books.

Of course, at this price point you can't expect everything so there are some compromises to be made. Mainly the limited upholstery options (you're going to need to like velvet), plus the shortage of width options compared to other sofa models on this list. The fixed seat cushions also mean you can't just flip over a cushion if a spillage occurs, and the low-to-the-ground frame with 40cm seat height may not be for everyone. 

So why does the Julien still score so highly with us? Well, for the price, this is one comfortable sofa. The fixed fibre-wrapped foam seats are on the slightly firmer side but the model we tested still had a good amount of squish, and we loved the seat depth, which with the foam-filled seat cushions offering good comfort and support was perfect for sitting or curling up on. Plus the low armrests are well-padded and the perfect head height for naps.

And, although the upholstery options are limited, the velvets are amongst some of the nicest we've sampled, with a lustre that feels a lot more luxe than most sofas of this price-point can muster and deep rich shades in some great colourways. Plus, although the coordinating range isn't extensive (there's no ottoman to turn this into a chaise sadly) the matching armchair is a great buy too.

According to online reviews, the Draper sofa has some of the best owner satisfaction levels of all John Lewis & Partners' sofa designs, and, after visiting several branches to test out the brand's full seating collection, we're inclined to agree that it's one of the brand's top picks.

Comfort-wise the sofa frame offers that rare combination of a high-backed design that will suit those who prefer to sit upright paired with a deep seat that offers space for those who prefer to curl up and lounge. The foam and fibre seat cushion adds some welcome squish-factor whilst maintaining its shape well, plus, opting for the single bench-style cushion design means the larger widths can happily seat 3+ without anyone getting left sitting in the gap.

If you want to get even more comfortable, then this model is also available with an unobtrusive and easy-to-operate footrest so you can really recline in style.

The modern design has a nod to a classic Chesterfield design with its buttoned cushion detail and will blend easily into a broad range of interiors helped by the 90+ upholstery options. It's also available in a good range of sizes, including a 2, 3, and 4-seater, plus a chaise sofa option, and with prices starting from £1449, plus delivery in just a week if you opt for a more restricted upholstery choice, the design manages to tick a lot of boxes at a good price.

We may be slightly biased, but it's hard not to be impressed by this affordable sofa that was designed by the Ideal Home team in collaboration with ScS. 

Mixing retro design with modern styling, the contemporary sofa is available in two-seater, three-seater, and four-seater options, with a matching armchair, twister, and swivel chair, plus coordinating footstools available. 

The high-legged frame is designed to make a smaller room feel more spacious, whilst those flared, lozenge-shaped arms will create a focal point in either a modern Scandi or mid-Century modern-inspired interior.

In line with its affordable price tag, the Fraser sofa's seat and back cushions are filled with foam – that means a little less squish than a feather or fibre mix, but still a supportive sit – and upholstery options are more limited, but the six carefully chosen shades offer three great shades of grey, plus forest green, amber, and teal blue for injecting a pop of colour into your living room.

Designed to offer style on a budget, we think this sofa strikes a great balance between good looks and good price – especially if you can time your purchase with one of ScS's regular sales.

We love the laidback look of the Otto corner sofa, with its slipcovered upholstery and simple skirted detail creating a relaxed look that invites you to sink into its plump seats. 

The generous 70cm seat depth offers plenty of space to curl up and get comfy, and super deep, super soft feather-wrapped foam seat cushions offer real sink-in squish-factor. 

That seat depth, plus some generous widths on the 2, 2.5, 3 and 4-seater options, does mean this sofa is best suited to a larger living room, but as long as you have the space then the to-the-ground frame will really help to ground a bigger living room. The chaise and three sizes of corner sofa configuration are also great for defining zones in an open-plan living space.

Creating a look that's worthy of front room status is made easier thanks to the wide selection of 80+ on-trend upholstery choices, and, as one of Sofa.com's bestselling sofa styles, there's a great selection of matching furniture on offer, with an upholstered footstool to transform the standard sofas into chaise seating, plus a coordinating loveseat and a sofa bed if you want to host overnight guests.

Elegant scroll arms, turned wooden feet, and generous seat and back cushions upholstered in some luxe-look velvets give the Bronwyn sofa a classic and opulent feel – without the luxe price tag.

And while the upholstery options may be more limited with just 16 fabrics to choose from, this sofa offers some great alternative ways to tailor the seating to your tastes. 

You can style the settee with multiple scatter back cushions or classic flat-backed cushions, and have the option to tailor the sitting experience by opting for foam or fibre-filled seat cushions. The foam padding offers a firmer sit but will hold its shape well for a smarter look, whilst fibre delivers a more squishy sink-in feel, but one that will require a little more plumping to keep its shape. On top of that, there are three leg colours to choose from, and the option of 2, 3, or 4-seater width.

If you're after a more traditional sofa shape for a period property, or want to add some classic character to a new build, then we think this is a great option to consider. Although it is well worth checking our review of Sofa.com's Bluebell sofa (opens in new tab) further down this list, which although we didn't find quite as comfortable in our tests, does come with a far wider selection of upholstery, and more configuration options.

If you want a multifunctional sofa that can provide extra sleeping space for hosting guests, then, although it's an investment, this sofa bed achieves the rare mix of being comfortable enough to use as your everyday seating as well as providing overnight guests with a decent night's sleep.

There are four frame widths available, all with a single roll-out action mechanism that makes the transformation from sofa to pull-out bed a super simple affair. The roll-out action also means this sofa bed is able to offer a longer mattress than most, with a 190cm length sleeping area. And, at 12cm deep, the mattress is one of the deepest we've come across with the option of pocket spring or memory foam construction for your preferred comfort. 

Seat comfort can also be tailored to your preference with a choice of fibre-wrapped foam or feather-wrapped foam seat cushions for low-maintenance squish-factor, and there are a whopping 175+ upholstery options to choose from.

Plus, if a narrow hallway, tight corners, or tricky stairs are an issue, this sofa bed can be delivered flat-packed and built by the delivery team in situ; a real boon for those with awkward access. 

For more affordable sofa bed options make sure to check out our tried and tested favourites in our guide to the best sofa beds.

Sold through Furniture Village, we were impressed by most of the Lounge Co. sofas we sit tested, but if you're looking for comfort then alongside the more laidback Bronwyn sofa, the Romilly model comes high on our wishlist. 

Great for those with bad backs who need a little more support from their couch – and indeed for all of us who have a tendency to slouch! – the high-backed design features lumbar support cushions that make sitting back truly comfortable. Helped by a seat depth that's just the right in-between depth that suits either sitter-uppers or curler-uppers, alongside the Draper sofa from John Lewis & Partners, we found this to be one of the best sofas for back support.

The foam seat cushions were also just the right balance of supportive yet soft, and if you do want a little more room to slouch and recline, then a coordinating footstool (available separately) makes that more than possible. 

Available in 2, 3, or 4-seater width, this sofa makes a great option for a period or mid-Century inspired home, with its tapered legs, recessed armrests and high back delivering classic style without the extremely firm seating that's plagued many of the more classically styled sofas we've tested.

Upholstery options are more extensive than Furniture Village's usual range too, with some statement velvets, linen-look cotton and viscose mixes, and a selection of soft leathers.

The Barbican collection is one of John Lewis & Partners bestselling sofa ranges, and with its on-trend mid-Century-modern meets Scandinavian-cool good looks, it's easy to see why. 

Looks aside, sitting down on this sofa collection doesn't disappoint either with fibre-wrapped foam seat cushions delivering some welcome squish-factor and sink-in-ability combined with a low maintenance fill that keeps its shape and doesn't need plumping. The back cushions are a slightly firmer fibre construction that offers good support and a comfortable angle to recline.

The Barbican comes in a whole host of sofa sizes along with a range of coordinating footstools and armchairs, including small and medium-sized 2-seater, 3-seater, 4-seater and a variety of relatively affordable chaise and corner configurations. All are useful options for a small to mid-sized living room as the sofa's curved frame, slim armrests and high legs mean it looks and feels a lot more compact than many comparable options.

There are also over 100 upholstery options on offer, including a good range of leathers, plus, either light oak or dark wood leg finish.

If you're looking for a traditionally-styled sofa then the Bluebell sofa has period elegance in droves, from the turned wooden feet on castors to the pleated scrolled arms and the piped upholstery, it has all the classic drawing-room details nailed. 

This is also one of the most affordable classic sofas we've come across. It's given a run for its money in the price stakes by MADE's Orson sofa (opens in new tab), but we find the Bluebell by far the most comfortable of the two to sit on. Mainly due to the fact the Bluebell has independent feather and fibre back cushions that add much-needed comfort compared to the Orson's fairly hard fixed back design.

The newest Bluebell design also offers feather-wrapped foam seat cushions. They do still require some plumping, but offer some welcome sink-in factor whilst still keeping their basic shape, and the 60cm seats are spacious enough for those who like to curl up as well as sit up.

This model also comes in a super versatile selection of sizes; a 2, 2.5, 3, and 4-seater, and a range of chaise and corner options. Plus, many widths are available in super useful 'breakdownable' versions meaning they can be delivered in four parts and assembled in the room of your choice –  a real boon for anyone with awkward room access. 

Sofa.com's upholstery options deliver too, with some great colour-popping velvets, muted linens, and plenty of stain-resistant family-friendly fabrics. Plus, there's an armchair and footstool to match for a cohesive living room look.

A modular sofa is the ultimate versatile seating solution, with individual seating sections allowing you to configure a bespoke sofa layout to best suit your room. You can add, subtract or rearrange the modules if you want to transfer the sofa to a different room or move home, and invest in more sections as and when budget allows.

Swyft's Model 03 is a contemporary modular sofa-in-a box that also offers some jaw-dropping delivery times. Lead times are under one week, and can be as short as 24 hours dependent on stock – a rarity in the world of sofas where lead times can often run to several months.

The modular units don't come cheap, and you're going to need a modern home and quite a bit of space to suit this contemporary design, but we love its boxy shape. It works particularly well in an open-plan layout, where the low-to-the-ground design can be used to zone and anchor a spacious room. Upholstery options are also limited, but all are versatile and on-trend shades.

And, although the low seats and backrest won't be for everyone – you're going to need to prefer lounging to sitting upright to be comfortable on this design – if you're looking for a minimalist sofa with designer looks (without the designer price tag) then this quick-delivery, super-versatile sofa could well be a winner.

The Cory sofa's blocky build makes it a timeless design that will slot into a wide range of interiors. It also comes in a good selection of sizes and configurations, including 2 and 3-seater options, plus a chaise and corner sofa layouts that can be complemented by a matching footstool, armchair, and swivel chair. 

There's even a cleverly disguised sofa bed version that's barely distinguishable from the dedicated sofa in terms of seat comfort – perfect if you're looking for a multifunctional sofa that will allow you to host guests without compromising on your own comfort if said sofa bed needs to also be your main living room seating.

In fact, having tested the Cory sofa in both the classic back cushion or scatter-back cushion design, we've been impressed by its comfort levels across the board. The sofa seat depth is the perfect compromise between loungey and upright to keep both sitters and curler-uppers content, and the frame offers supportive back cushions and comfortable armrests.

The only potential downside is the shortage of upholstery options. There are only 9 choices available, and we aren't blown away by the fabric quality. That said, all are versatile neutrals, and, as long as you're happy with grey or beige upholstery (and statistics show most of us end up playing it safe this way), then this sofa is a good all-rounder at a relatively very affordable price point. (Especially if you time your purchase with one of Furniture Village's fairly regular sales). 

How to choose the perfect sofa

The best sofa for your home will depend on a range of factors, not least the size of your living room, your lifestyle, and of course, your budget. So what are the key things to consider when shopping for your dream couch?

Consider sofa size and room layout

It may sound obvious, but size is one of the most important aspects to consider before falling in love with your dream couch. 

Generally speaking, you're going to want the most spacious settee your room and budget will allow, but it's also important to make sure you measure carefully to ensure your sofa is going to work in your space.

It's easy to fall in love with a roomy chaise longue in a spacious sofa showroom, but back home that family-friendly corner sofa might make your living room feel cramped and cluttered. 

A top tip is to measure out where the sofa will go in your room using masking tape to mark out all dimensions. As well as width, make sure to consider the height of the sofa – especially if you want to place it under a window sill or beneath existing architecture - and its depth to ensure there is plenty of space to walk around it comfortably. 

And don't just measure the room where your sofa will (hopefully) end up - unless you want a stressful few hours come delivery day! Ensure your chosen sofa will fit through doorways, around bending hallways, or up flights of stairs. Most retailers list packaging dimensions on their sites, so ensure these match the access you have. 

And if your access is tricky? Don't think that means you have to plump for the smallest two-seater you can find. Modular sofas that are delivered in sections are great options for adding a large amount of seating to difficult rooms, and both flatpack options and selected models from specialist furniture retailers, like Sofa.com, provide the advantage of being able to have your sofa constructed within the final destination room.

There's also layout to consider. A sofa can be a really useful zoning tool in an open-plan layout, helping to create designated areas for dining or relaxing within a larger space. 

Chaise sofas, corner sofas or modular sofas in an L-shaped or U-shaped layout can be particularly useful here, or - if you have the space - you might want to switch up the usual layout of the sofa facing the fire or TV, and have two similar-sized sofas facing each other to create a space that works better for socialising and entertaining. 

You'll find more top tips for planning your living space in our round-up of the best living room and small living room ideas.

How to find the most comfortable sofa

Just like finding the best mattress for you, finding the most comfortable sofa for you will depend a lot on personal preference, and there is nothing that can quite replace going into the showroom and sit-testing a few of your favourite styles. We've rounded up the most important things to look out for when considering comfort.

Cushions
Sofa cushions come in a range of materials and constructions, but the two most commonly found are foam and feathers. 

A foam cushion is more generally used at the budget end of the market and offers a fairly firm sit depending on the type used. The benefit of foam is that it's quick to spring back into shape after being depressed, although over time you may find a depression in your favourite sitting spot. 

At the other end of the scale are feather cushions. These are generally more expensive but provide a more plumptious seat, although the feathers can gradually shift so you'll need to do more plumping. 

Generally speaking, the happy place is with the best of both worlds, and many sofa manufacturers now offer foam cushion cores that are wrapped in a layer of soft feathers - providing comfort and retaining the sofa shape.

Height
If you're using a sofa to zone a room, then a low-to-the-ground model can offer a great way to create dedicated areas without breaking up the space too much, but, the flipside is that (once past a certain age perhaps) low seating can be harder to get up from and can encourage you to sprawl more than sit.

Ergonomically, the recommended seating position is to have your thigh bones parallel to the floor, which for most of us means sofa seating that's a roundabout knee height when standing.

Backrest
Whilst some love the look of a low-profile sofa, if you're lounging for long then adequate back support is going to make sitting more comfortable. 

Look for models that have a dedicated backrest, rather than sofas that offer a low back and then rely on taller cushions to provide support.

How to choose a sofa style you'll love

Upholstery
Once you've chosen your favourite sofa shape, then it's time to choose colour and fabric. Most sofa retailers offer models in a range of fabrics, generally including more affordable polyester and cotton mixes (which often have better stain resistance so are useful for homes with young families), and more expensive linens, velvets, and leathers. Take advantage of fabric samples to view colours and textures in your own home, as lighting can often look very different to that in showrooms or online representations, and bear in mind that the more luxurious fabrics are also likely to increase the sofa price quite considerably. As much as you might love pale colours, for family living a darker or marl shade is likely to prove more stress-free, helping to disguise any mishaps!

Lead times If you're choosing from made-to-order upholstery options, then it's important to bear in mind that there's likely to be a lead time whilst your sofa is built. This can be anywhere from 6 - 14 weeks and will differ by retailer and the time of year you're ordering. October and November are generally when sofa demand is highest ahead of the festive entertaining season, but you'll find some top tips for shopping at this time of year in our guide to where to buy a sofa before Christmas.

Legs
A sofa's legs can transform the look quite dramatically. Tall legs will lift the bulk of the sofa away from the floor and can be a good option for smaller rooms where being able to see more of the floor gives a feeling of spaciousness. A sofa that sits directly onto the floor can feel bulkier so is best for larger rooms - although this style also has the bonus of stopping dust-balls and toys from rolling under it! Shapely, curved legs add a classic touch, whereas straighter clean-lined legs give a more modern feel. Some sofa models may offer a choice of leg finish as well as upholstery - if you already have wooden furniture in your living room, try to tie in any wooden leg finishes to keep tones coordinating.

Looking for sofa deals?

There's no denying that a sofa is a significant investment, and as a big ticket item it's a piece of furniture that we're all eager to save money on if we can. So what's the best way to ensure you find the lowest price?

Whilst your purchase may be driven by necessity – incoming guests can mean extra seating is needed pronto, in which case our guide to quick delivery sofas is here to help – if you can time your purchase with a few key dates on the calendar then you could potentially save money.

Retailers tend to offer discounts at fairly regular times throughout the year, including the Boxing Day, New Year, and January sales, Bank Holiday and Summer sales, and the now infamous Black Friday event in late November.

You'll find all the latest sofa sales, including our favourite discounted picks in the Ideal Home sofa deals round-up.

How we chose the sofas included in this guide

To find the best sofas for all budgets we’ve walked multiple miles around multiple sofa showrooms and sat down on the job to try out plenty of the most popular designs, plus we've grilled the Ideal Home team for their expert knowledge, along with their friends, and their friend’s friends, to find out how their sofa choices are holding up to the rigours of day to day life. We also take into account the wider views of those who own each product, whether that’s via online reviews or social media. Click here to find out more about how we review products on Ideal Home.