When it comes to buying a sofa, there are many factors to consider, from style to size, colour to comfort. If you're in the market for a new sofa, you want to make sure you choose one that will meet your needs and last for years to come.
At Pepper Sq. we believe comfort is a main focus when selecting a sofa. All our sofas are easy and functional to use, as well as stylish so they will look good in the home. Here is our easy-to-follow checklist on what to look out for when purchasing a sofa online.
Featured: Juno modular sofa, right hand
#Does your sofa fit into the room?
Before you even start looking at sofas, you need to have a good understanding of your space. Measure the area where you plan to put the sofa, taking into account any doors, windows, or other obstacles that may affect the positioning.
It’s so critical to choose the right size sofa! The sofa is often the focal point of the living room – and you want to maximise the seating available without making your sofa overly dominating in the room.
If the sofa length is too large it will prove overly imposing, and if it’s too small – it might not serve its function – to seat people!
Featured: Janson 3 Seater Sofa in Soft Cotton
As a rule of thumb, when you decide what sofa size is right for the space, best to allocate space for the sofa – consider giving half the size of the wall or two thirds of the wall in case of there is a generous amount of space for the sofa to occupy.
If there is a lot of room, you will have enough space for a pair of beautiful side tables, or a floor lamp to complete the look and easily access a drink or read a book while snuggled up on the sofa.
Featured: Carina 3 Seater White Linen Sofa
#Do not neglect the sofa depth and seat depth!
The most important factor in choosing a sofa is comfort. You want a sofa that's comfortable to sit on and will provide years of use. Make sure the seat is deep enough for you to sit comfortably and the backrest is supportive.
The sofa depth has a big impact on the seating experience, the shallow sofa provides greater back support, while deep seat sofa offers more room for your legs.
The luxury extra-large sofa typically has a depth of 100cm, while the standard, average seat depth is 60-70 cm. If you are a very tall person - the deep seat sofa will be more comfortable for you, as it gives plenty of room to manoeuvre.
Featured: Hoxton Corner Sofa Bed, 100% cotton
When it comes to seat height, most designs are between 45 cm and 50 cm high. If you are not very tall, we would recommend to selecting a sofa with lower height seating option.
#L-shaped sofa - Right or Left corner?
If you are considering a corner sofa, it’s best to choose which side you would like the extended chaise lounge on and to make sure you order the correct option.
If you are looking at the corner sofa, facing the longest edge, it is a right-hand sofa if the corner and the short edge are to your right. Obviously, then, it is a left-hand sofa if the corner and the short edge are to your left.
Featured: Felix Corner Sofa in Shafron Corduroy, Left Hand
Remember to make sure you order the correct type of corner sofa – they come in the right hand or left hand configurations so it’s useful to evaluate your room and select the right type and determine which side the chaise longue will be on.
The majority of our corner sofas are flexible and you can easily select which side you would like the chaise longue.
Featured: Felix Corner Sofa in Shafron Corduroy, Right Hand
If you are not sure, get in touch with the Pepper Sq. custom service team who will be happy to confirm which left- or right-hand side corner sofa you are ordering.
An L-shaped sofa is a perfect choice for open space room, and can work as a divider or room space definer – zoning the lounge area and dining kitchen room area.
Check out our spacious corner sofas that seat 4 or more people like the Branson corner sofa or our signature Felix Corner Sofa in corduroy which can seat up to 8 people and would suit a spacious living room.
#What is best sofa frame?
The construction of a sofa is also important. Look for a sofa with a sturdy frame, made from hardwood or metal. The joints should be reinforced with dowels or screws, and the legs should be attached securely.
Featured: Olivia 4 seater sofa , loose cover, 100% cotton, solid wood frame
Spend as much as you can afford on a quality frame – it will see you through many years of lounging. A solid hardwood frame is a good option, and the majority of our sofas’ frames are made from FCS-certified solid wood ethically sourced in Europe.
#Check what your sofa filling is made from.
Do you prefer that sink all the way in feeling or, something a little firmer? Be sure to check cushion fillings that helps you decide which sofa (soft or firm) suits you best. The commonly used sofa fillings are natural feather, polyfoam, and fibre.
Down and feather fillings are luxuriously soft and are perfect for people who prefer a plush, sink-in feeling. This natural filling offers excellent insulation and are ideal for colder climates. However, downs and feathers require frequent fluffing to maintain their shape.
Memory foam is the most common type of filling used in sofas. It is lightweight and offers excellent support and comfort. High-density foam is commonly used, and it comes in different densities, ranging from soft to very firm. The thickness of the foam will also affect the overall comfort of the sofa.
Memory foam is a high-density foam that molds itself to the shape of your body, providing excellent support and comfort. It is ideal for people with back pain or those who spend long hours sitting on the sofa.
Polyester fibre is a synthetic material that is affordable and easy to maintain. It is lightweight, and its soft texture makes it ideal for people who prefer a plush feel. However, it tends to lose its shape over time.
The softest sofas have feather-wrapped fibber cushions. Sofas with this filling are incredibly plush and comfortable and are ideal for a relaxed look and super cosy interior. The feather filling option is usually the more expensive option. Check out our signature Lilly Sofa with loose cover from 100% flax linen if you opt to a plush, sink-in feeling.
Featured: Eco-friendly Lilly 3 seater sofa, 100% linen loose cover, feather filling
If you are vegan, or allergic to feather it might not be the best option. You can check with the manufacturer if the feather filling can be replaced with silicon balls. Duck feathers are typically used for sofa cushions while down is mainly used in decorative scatter cushions.
Polyfoam sofa fillings are the most common type and usually the go-to choose for many people. Polyfoam filling provides firm support, it’s comfortable and requires low maintenance. The foam can be different density, and you can choose options that are most comfortable for you.
The best of both worlds is a sofa with fibre filling for extra comfiness and more durability. Sofas with a fibre filling tend to be soft, bouncy and have a relaxed feel. Ideal for those who are allergic or sensitive to feathers but still want a cosy sofa to sink into.
#How to choose fabric for your sofa?
The fabric you choose for your sofa will depend on a number of factors, including your lifestyle, your budget, and your personal preferences. Some popular options include velvet, leather, microfiber, cotton, chenille, and linen. Leather is durable and easy to clean, but can be expensive.
Microfiber is affordable and easy to care for, but may not be as durable as other fabrics. Cotton and linen are natural materials that are comfortable and breathable, and more sustainable. However, it may require more maintenance than synthetic fabric
Natural materials may fade in strong sunlight so go for a synthetic fabric if the sofa will be near a window to avoid potential UV damage to your sofa. With latest technologies, there is no significant tactile difference between natural and synthetic fabrics.
Featured: Eco-friendly Lilly 3 seater sofa, 100% linen loose cover. feather filling
You can always order the fabric samples to match upholstery colour for your interior and to understand the fabric texture.
It’s important to check the fabric rub count that measures durability. Longwearing upholstery will have a high rub count. Look for over 30,000 rubs for longer lasting fabrics.
A durable fabric is particularly important in a busy family home, and if you have a dog or cat, opt for a fabric that's easy to spot clean. Leather, microfibre, velvet, and canvas are all good options in this case, whilst textured weaves are hard-wearing and more forgiving of stains, and loose covers sofa are worth investigating in, as they can be removed for cleaning and some are washable too.
The colour you choose for the sofa will influence how commanding it appears in the room, so consider its hue in these terms as well as thinking about it as part of the space’s overall colour scheme.
Finally, read customer reviews to see what others have to say about the sofa's comfort and durability.
We hope that you are now fully equipped get your sofa right the first time. Discover our collection of 3 seater sofas, spacious 4 seater sofas and L-shaped corner sofas that offer you both comfort and style.
If you need any help to find the best sofa for your space contact our design team at hello@peppersq.com.