Our homes host life’s array of moments, from daily comforts to special occasions. Each room, with its unique role – or, indeed, multiple roles – contributes to our home’s narrative.

Ahead of purchasing your sofa, consider the type of room you will be furnishing and how your new sofa will enhance its functionality and look. Is it a shared space, such as a lounge or conservatory, where comfort is paramount? 

Or, perhaps it is a more formal room, such as an entertaining space or study? In these cases, a more structured silhouette or decorative accent piece may be preferred. 

As well as different types of sofas, our range has been carefully designed to suit a host of room styles, from traditional settings to more quirky spaces.

Measuring your available space is one of the most important steps ahead of purchasing your new sofa. 

When taking measurements, keep in mind the proportion of your sofa – such as height and depth – as well as its width. For sofa beds, it is important to consider the full, extended measurements of the piece to foresee any potential placement issues.

For a more visual approach, plot out your measurements using newspaper or tape, ensuring you leave sufficient room to move around the sofa or place existing furniture.

In addition to the measurements of your room, consider its layout and the placement of your new sofa. Here, balancing both design and functionality can create a truly harmonious living space.

In many cases, your sofa will be the largest piece of furniture in a room, making it an instant focal point. From a functional perspective, consider how easily it can be navigated around, preventing issues with movement and flow through a room.

From a design point of view, consider how you will create balance in the room; for example, a pair of armchairs across from your main sofa can create a beautifully proportioned feel. Reflect on the effect you want to create with your sofa, from carving out conversation areas to providing calming views out of windows.

Delivering your sofa to its new home requires some consideration for accessibility. Our highly skilled delivery team will do everything they can to make the process as seamless as possible.

Before making your purchase, consider the path from the entrance of your home to the designated room. Measure the doorways, hallways and any stairs leading to your living space to ensure your new piece can reach its destination safely, as well as limit any damage to your home.

Check ahead of time for any impediments such as overhanging trees or overly narrow spaces.

As well as the room itself, consider lifestyle elements that can impact the decisions you make for your sofa. What are the dynamics of your household? For example, are there children or pets who might necessitate more durable or stain-resistant fabrics?

Do you often host guests, requiring a larger sofa or more options such as armchairs or snugglers? Reflect, also, on your daily habits – do you use your sofa mainly for relaxation, entertainment, or as a multipurpose space?

The right balance of comfort and support in your sofa directly correlates with your physical well-being and ability to relax at home. 

Depending on your individual preferences and needs, the ideal level of comfort and support can vary. Consider how the sofa will be used daily – whether reading, watching TV or hosting guests – and choose a design that caters to these activities, from slouchier styles to more structured support.

We believe the opportunity to try and test in person is an invaluable part of the sofa design journey. Visiting one of our nationwide showrooms is your chance to see colours and textures up close and spend some time relaxing in different sofa silhouettes.

We encourage you to pay us a visit ahead of any purchase, taking advantage of our wide range of display models and the indispensable advice of our expert design consultants.

A cushion back sofa is the most common sofa design, with two to three large cushions of equal size slotted neatly together, creating a cushioned back to lean against.

A scatter back sofa, also known as a loose back or pillow back, is more informal in style, consisting of multiple smaller cushions arranged casually to cover the back of the sofa.

A sprung or fixed back sofa dispenses of cushions or pillows altogether. Instead, the back is sprung and integrated into the sofa design, offering an enhanced level of support.

A buttoned back is typically a fixed back with buttoning detail in lieu of a smooth finish, achieving a classic Chesterfield-style look.

Howard arm, or English roll arm, sofas are beloved for their classic appeal and timeless elegance. They are defined by a gentle curve and pleating of the upholstery fabric, with the low-level arm stopping short of the front of the sofa.

Often found in more modern homes, square arms create a more angular, defined look. Versatile and sleek, they can be found in many of our contemporary styles, including in a sloped configuration.

A tapered arm offers a similar look to a square arm, with the added visual appeal of slight tapering at one end.

A scrolled arm is another of the more traditional sofa arms but can be suited to a variety of homes. Specific examples are Lawson arms, pleated arms and sock arms.

Fixed seats are incorporated into the sofa design and are sprung and upholstered. This creates a refined look, making them particularly suitable for pieces in a more formal setting, or if you prefer low-maintenance seating without the need for cushion plumping.

Cushioned seats typically have one to three cushions resting on the base of the sofa giving a heightened ‘sink-in’ feel. These can be filled according to your preference, and come in a range of styles such as bench seats, box cushions and J, L and T cushions.

A turned leg is a delicate, decorative design, sometimes with castors, crafted by rotating a wooden dowel on a lathe.

A tapered leg is contemporary in style, with sleek straight lines that taper at the bottom.

A platform or plinth base gives the appearance of the sofa being sat on a solid base without visible legs, and is typically upholstered.

Block feet are modern and unadorned in style and are typically wide, shallow and square, made of wood in varying finishes.

Discreet in appearance and used in both classic and contemporary designs, bun feet are similar to block feet but are instead round and shallow.

Sabre legs are gently splayed, curving slightly outwards, and are often used for back sofa legs.

Although not a type of foot, a loose cover creates a skirting effect around the bottom of a sofa which conceals the feet.

• A natural “sink-in” feel that moulds to the contours of your body.
• Add texture and depth to your sofa which is difficult to replicate with other fillings.
• Excellent temperature regulation properties, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
• Made from natural materials, duck feather is a biodegradable, renewable by-product.
• Require a little extra care to maintain their look and feel.

• A soft, bouncy and relaxed feel.
• Hypoallergenic properties, ideal for those who are allergic or sensitive to feathers.
• Made from 100% recycled plastic and 100% recyclable after use.
• Scientifically designed to retain its shape and loft.
• Requires some care and maintenance in the form of plumping after use.

• An innovative approach to the traditional foam cushion, using a blend of duck feathers and Quallofil Blue fibre set in pockets around a foam core.
• Foam core adds stability to the cushion while the feather and fibre mix gives a softer comfort.
• Long-lasting structured and neat look with a firmer, bouncier feel.
• Although 3F has great bounce-back qualities, we advise re-dressing after use.