How to get the most from your Sofas & Stuff design consultation

Booking a one-to-one design consultation at your nearest Sofas & Stuff showroom is a highly personalised way to begin your journey to a beautiful, bespoke piece of furniture for your home. Each consultation is a unique experience with the potential to create something extraordinary.

Our expert design consultants will be there to guide you through the process; below are their top tips to help you make the most of your appointment, leading to results that perfectly suit your design vision and lifestyle.

Why book a complimentary Sofas & Stuff design consultation?

Our complimentary consultations offer tailored, personalised interior design advice at a time that suits you. But more than this, they are a space to explore the options at your fingertips and find inspiration for your custom-made upholstered furniture.

Here are three reasons why we believe a one-to-one design consultation is best for our customers:

  1. Our design consultants truly are a fountain of knowledge. Their passion and expertise in all things furniture and fabrics can help you explore uncharted waters or fill any gaps in your existing knowledge.
  2. By working with our design consultants, you can be confident that your piece will meet the demands of your home, ensuring it remains a source of timeless style, comfort and functionality well into the future.
  3. We believe in choice over compromise but understand that the sheer scope of this might feel overwhelming. Our design consultants will work at your pace, ensuring you feel content with every decision you make and making the experience enjoyable.
Fabric samples in red colourways at our King’s Road, Chelsea showroom; Snape chair in RHS Gertrude Jekyll Lattice Red

What to consider ahead of your design consultation

Once you have booked your appointment, it is helpful to gather some key information and consider your preferences. After all, you are the expert in your home!

While our design consultants can lead your session on the day, a little preparation ensures a smooth and productive conversation, allowing our specialists to tailor their advice to your preferences and style.

A fruitful place to start is by taking some measurements of the room where you intend to place your sofa, chair or bed. You can note down dimensions, such as the length, width and height of the available space. This information helps in selecting furniture that fits perfectly and optimises your room’s layout.

In addition to the space itself, consider access points in your home such as doorways, halls and staircases. Our design consultants can take this into account when advising on silhouettes and measurements, so be sure to bring us any concerns.

Consider the lighting in your room – both natural and artificial. This will help in choosing fabrics and finishes that look best, such as the textile you select – velvet, for example, is particularly successful for a darker room – or the colours or patterns of your chosen fabric.

Take into account your existing furniture and how new pieces will integrate. Think about which items you plan to keep and how the new additions will fit alongside them, both in the sense of your room’s flow and design scheme cohesion.

Think also about the existing colours and accents used in your space, such as curtains, furniture, paintings or lampshades. Consider whether you wish to create a cohesive look or take advantage of contrasting colours. This will assist in selecting fabrics and finishes that complement and enhance your current décor.

What you might bring to a design consultation

Preparation can be the key to making the most of your design consultation. While you are certainly not required to bring anything more than yourselves to your appointment, the below can help your design consultant understand your home on a deeper level, resulting in furniture that suits your home just right:

  • Photos of the room where you intend to place your sofa, chair or bed
  • Measurements of the room and access points
  • Samples of colours and materials such as fabric swatches, paint or wallpaper samples, images of textures and patterns, or flooring samples
  • Soft furnishings such as scatter cushions, curtains or blankets and throws
  • Images of paintings or artwork in the room
  • Inspiration or ideas such as mood boards, magazine clippings, or the social accounts or blogs of your favourite interior design professionals and influencers
sofas and stuff Birmingham
Paint and flooring samples can help to inform your choice of upholstery fabric

The design consultation process: what to expect

Every design consultation is tailored to the customer. However, below is a little more information about what you can expect on the day of your appointment:

When you arrive at one of our showrooms for your design consultation, you’ll immediately notice the relaxed, homely atmosphere. We want you to feel at ease as you embark on this creative journey with us. Your consultation will take place within the showroom, on one of our lovely comfortable sofas, with a complimentary tea or coffee.

Our design consultations typically last around an hour, though we always allow flexibility based on your needs and questions.

During the consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to view and feel our extensive range of fabrics, discuss various options and explore different styles and configurations for your furniture. Our design consultants will guide you through the possibilities, providing expert advice tailored to your preferences and lifestyle. They can also use specific programmes to provide mockups or demonstrate what your chosen style might look like.

Whether you have a clear vision or need help discovering your style, our consultants are there to support you, answer any questions and offer their expertise. This collaborative approach ensures that your new piece of furniture will be a perfect addition to your home.

By the end of your consultation, you should have a clearer idea of your options and be feeling more confident in your choices, but even so, we believe in giving our customers the time they need to make the right decision. Our design consultations will never rush you – in fact, after a consultation, we encourage you to take home up to 8 free fabric samples to see how they work in your space.

Once you’ve had a chance to live with the options and see how they look in different lighting and settings, feel free to come back for a second, third, or even fourth time. Our design consultants are here to provide ongoing advice and guidance until you’re completely satisfied with your choice.

Lyndhurst 2 seater sofa in RHS Botanicals Mark Catesby Grosbeak Natural

The beauty of collaboration and creation

By taking a little time to consider your home, what you’re looking for and your interior design inspiration, you’ll be sure to make the most of your design consultation with our team. We are here to guide you every step of the way.

Book a complimentary design consultation at your nearest showroom today. For any further questions, don’t hesitate to contact us – we look forward to hearing from you and beginning your journey to furniture crafted just for you and your home.

Design consultation FAQs

Absolutely – we welcome families and their pets to our showrooms. We strive to create a comfortable and inclusive environment for everyone. In fact, some of our showrooms have designated areas for children with books and toys to enjoy.

While walk-ins are welcome, booking an appointment ensures that a design consultant is available to give you dedicated time and attention. You can book your consultation here.

Yes, our design consultants can help you with ideas and advice for multiple rooms during a single consultation. We can also point you in the direction of recommended artisans and craftspeople for complementary furnishings such as curtains.

No, our design consultations are complimentary, allowing you to explore your options without any initial cost.

Abby Gadd