Our edit of the best sofas on the Real Homes radar will hopefully take some of the stress out of sofa purchasing. After all, a sofa isn’t cheap, and as the focal point of our living rooms, it’s an investment we all want to get right.
Plus, with all the time we’ve been spending at home recently it’s likely your sofa is getting a lot of use, so it’s never been clearer our sofas need to be style-conscious, practical, and most of all comfy!
As such we’ve done the leg work to round up the best sofas in the UK; from the most comfortable sofa we’ve ever had the joy of reclining on, to the best corner sofa for families and trendsetting two-seater sofas for small spaces.
Our best sofas list includes a wide range of sofa styles, constructions, shapes and sizes to suit everyone's home, budget, and needs. For a wider range of multipurpose sofa bed options - to accommodate the guests we’re all hoping to host again soon! - find a helping hand over on our edit of the best sofa beds.
Best sofas 2021: our top picks
Topping our list of best sofas is the John Lewis & Partners Chester sofa. A timeless design, fantastic choice of colour and fabrics, options for two, three or four-seater, and coordinating armchair and footstool make it an easy sofa to love.
What's so good about it?
Versatility: There's nothing worse than finding a sofa style you love only to realise it comes in one size that's either too big or too small for your home. With the Chester sofa you get plenty of sizes to choose from – a two-seater, three-seater and a four-seater. So no disappointment here.
Fabric choice: A whopping 192 colour and fabric options mean finding a finish to match with your decor is going to be a whole lot easier.
What else should I know?
There's only one fabric option available to buy now, the rest have a fairly long lead time of 17 weeks, so you may need to plan ahead for ordering.
A velvet sofa is the ultimate luxe statement, and we love the range of on-trend shades available with this sofa; from not-too-pastel blush pink to rich Mid-century green.
What's so good about it?
Hardworking velvet: There's no need to agonise over style or function with the Scott sofa as the cotton velvet has a lovely rich texture, deep colour saturation and is hardwearing enough to withstand a lot of use.
Comfort: Deep cushions that are just the right amount of firm make this a really comfortable option. We really like the fact that the two and three-seaters come with one long seat cushion rather than the usual two - meaning no-one gets stuck with the gap!
What else should I know?
All sizes are really generous in width - which is great if you're looking for a slightly-larger-than-two-seater option. Just make sure you check your measurements before you buy because this sofa will need a bit more space.
This Habitat Kota sofa is a striking modern sofa and there’s a brilliant bonus: it will put up overnighters as well. The look is definitely top end, while the price is a whole lot kinder on your bank balance.
What size is it?
The sofa will seat three, and the bed will sleep two, so this is a useful addition to any living room scheme. Consider it if your home’s small: with no arms it’ll leave space for circulation without compromising on the number of people accommodated.
Which room styles will it suit?
It’s definitely a design for contemporary homes, but with its plump buttoned design, it looks like an inviting place to take the weight off and will soften the lines of a modern room.
Colour and finish options?
We adore the orange finish, which makes it a fab focal point and fashion forward, too. Like the idea of something more sober in tone? The charcoal and so-called black and white (that is, grey) will please you. Or try the micro pile teal velvet fabric for a pop of colour plus a stroke-me finish.
More best sofa beds in our buyer's guide.
The Made.com Margot sofa is an opulent choice that would look great in a living room, or try it in a bedroom to turn sleep space into boudoir.
What size is it?
There’s space for two to sit in comfort on this sofa. Choose it because you like the price (we do), but also because it will keep your room feeling open and spacious. The sofa sits tall above the floor on its wooden legs with brass detail, and the elegant shape means no large arms to cut across the view.
Which room styles will it suit?
You could indulge in a little Art Deco design with this sofa as one of your key pieces. Or keep the rest of the room pared-back and minimal with this as the star. As we mentioned, it’s a top choice for an opulent bedroom scheme if you’re lucky enough to have the space, with its soft lines and decorative detail.
Colour and finish options?
There’s a range of other shades for the velvet upholstery of the Margot sofa, but what they all have in common is their sophisticated tone. Among our other favourites are the antique gold and old rose, and the rich dark navy.
More best cheap sofas in our buyer's guide.
If it's the best leather sofa you are after, the Made.com Jarrod 3 Seater Sofa is our top pick: its style is contemporary, but the design is a classic that's always going to be on trend.
What size is it?
It's a three-seater, so probably best for larger living rooms, but the low slung design and tall, thin legs do make this sofa appear less bulky. And there is the option of a two-seater version of the Jarrod which is equally cute and would be better suited to smaller rooms.
Which room styles will it suit?
As with most Made.com sofas, the design is more contemporary. Even though it's a leather number which can usually come across as quite traditional, the sleek, square shape and contrasting slim metal frame give it an industrial feel.
Colour and finish options?
There is a darker version of the Jarrod too. It's a cool, greyish brown and has a more matte finish.
The John Lewis Floppy Jo sofa by Loaf is a modern-looking two-seater that doesn’t sacrifice comfort in achieving the dimensions a small room can accommodate.
What size is it?
This sofa saves on width at just 117cm across, making it our favourite design for smaller living rooms. It won’t leave you perching, though. Plump seat cushions with foam wrapped in feathers give just the right balance of support and sink-in comfort. The extra-deep seats also add to its comfort credentials, but mean you will have to pay attention to the depth measurement to ensure it’s right for your small living room. Love the style and more living room to play with? Opt for the large three-seater instead.
Which room styles will it suit?
The shape of this sofa is contemporary, making it a great fit for modern room schemes, or spaces with an industrial vibe. Got a more country or classic look going on in your living room? The easy curves will help this sofa fit right in, too.
Colour and finish options?
There are other shades of brushed cotton on offer, as well as the navy here, if the fabric’s relaxed style appeals. There are other soft and durable upholstery fabrics to pick from as well, plus a range of gorgeous velvets.
Shop more smalls sofas in our buyer's guide.
