Where to buy a sofa – I’ve tried over 200 sofas and these are the 13 brands I trust the most

A sofa is one of the biggest - if not the single biggest - investments you’re likely to make when furnishing your home. So a lot of consideration should be paid to choosing the right one for you and your home. And part of that is knowing where to buy a sofa that is great quality and will stand the test of time.

As Ideal Home’s Room Decor Editor, I spend a lot of my time going to events, stores and showrooms to try out new sofas – at this point, I’ve sat on well over 200 sofas. And while the best sofa for me might not necessarily be the best one for you as it is subjective to an extent and largely down to personal preference, the best places to shop for the top sofas are universal.

After more than 30 hours of trying and testing various sofas, these are the 13 brands and retailers I trust when it comes to excellent sofa design that will last and that I would buy for my own home – I actually already did from one of these.

Where to buy a sofa – the quick list

• Andrew Martin: luxury sofas of the highest quality
• Castlery: modern sofas with many modular options
• Darlings of Chelsea: wide range of upholstery options
• Furniture Village: comfortable budget buys
• Habitat: stylish yet affordable sofas
• Heal's: high-end sofas from various brands in one place
• John Lewis & Partners: practical and stylish
• King Living: designer-style and quality sofas at mid-range prices
• Loaf: squishy seating that's perfect for lounging
• Next: made-to-order and ready-made sofas, both own-brand and other brands
• Sofa.com: wide range of styles and great upholstery options
• Sofology: super comfortable sofas with innovative technology available
• Swyft: sofa-in-a-box with super fast delivery

13 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. Next

In all honesty, prior to trying some of Next’s new sofas this year, I never really thought of this brand as a go-to for sofas but more so a place to shop for home accessories and smaller pieces like accent chairs.

But that has since changed after I had the opportunity to sit on some of Next’s made-to-measure designs which are excellent and even some of the ready-made models like the Next Crosby modular sofa offering built-in storage which I was very impressed with. Not to mention all the other brands of sofas you can find at Next, including the much-loved MADE and the new Cath Kidston sofas are not only super pretty but so pillowy and comfortable, too.

2. Castlery

Castlery is a new name on the UK furniture and sofa scene as of this September. But it’s one of the few sofa brands that really impressed me in recent times. Originally from Singapore, Castlery has a strong presence across Asia and Australia where its mostly modular sofas (and other furniture designs) enjoy much popularity.

I had the opportunity to try a few of the brand’s sofa designs at its London pop-up a few months ago and was impressed with each and every one of them. They have something of a Soho Home look without the super high price tag that you’d be confronted by if shopping at Soho Home.

The Solari’s unique, curved shape would be my top pick but I was also impressed by the Marlow style which reminded me of a croissant (in the best way possible) and made me pleasantly surprised at how soft and comfortable it was. And yes, all of the sofas mentioned here are modular.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Heal's

While Heal’s has an extensive range of its own-brand sofas which are very good in their own right, it’s actually the wide offering of sofa designs from other (mostly high-end) brands that I love going to Heal’s for.

It’s the one place where you can try (if you live or find yourself near one of the physical Heal’s stores) and buy design classics like the Togo from Ligne Roset, along with styles from younger, cool brands like Muuto, which aims to bring a new perspective to traditional Scandi design.

6. 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.

7. 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 like the Sienna 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.

8. Andrew Martin

Andrew Martin is definitely a sofa brand that falls into the high-end, luxury category which is, of course, not within everyone’s budget. But if you do have the money to spend on a luxury sofa, Andrew Martin is one of the top places I would recommend.

Similarly to Darlings of Chelsea, Andrew Martin’s sofas are made by hand in the UK and the brand believes in its products so much so that it offers a 30-year structural guarantee on its sofas. There is a lot of thought, as well as innovation that goes into the design of its sofas, while also offering some more classic, traditional styles. And there is a lot of room for customisation so that your sofa fits your needs and desires.

The Truman modular sofa design is one of my favourites and also one of the top sellers of the brand – so it’s perhaps no surprise it’s ranked as the top luxury sofa in our best sofas buying guide.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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?

13. King Living

Hailing all the way from Australia, King Living is becoming an increasingly popular sofa brand in the UK, too, as the brand now boats three showrooms here. 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.