The best cheap sofas: 5 budget buys for under £500

Browse our pick of the best cheap sofas, from two seaters to corner sofas, for a budget-savvy set-up

The best cheap sofas: 6 budget buys for under £500
(Image credit: Habitat)

Sorting the best cheap sofas from the 'don't go there sofas' is no mean feat, and we should know because we just spent an afternoon trawling the internet to find them. But that doesn't mean they don't exist. In fact, our top picks are all fab quality and from well-known brands that we trust. So, even know they are all cheaper options, they aren't going to fall apart after a few months.  

So whether you're shopping for your first sofa on a budget, or are looking for an affordable replacement, keep scrolling for loads of inexpensive options. Head to our round-up of the best sofas if you are in need of more shopping inspiration and for loads of gorgeous living room ideas to fit your new sofa into, head to our gallery. 

sofa from made.com

(Image credit: Made)

1. Margot Two Seater Sofa

A luxurious, statement sofa for a fraction of the expected price

Specifications

Material: Velvet, wood and brass
Dimensions: H72cm x W130cm x D73cm

Reasons to buy

+
Stylish design that feels high end
+
Available in 10 different colours
+
Makes a design statement

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the best design for lounging

The Margot Two Seater Sofa from Made is our pick of the best cheap sofas; it's affordable, stylish and, as with all Made sofas, fab quality. 

What size is it?
This is a pretty compact sofa that would be ideal in small living rooms. It's low slung back and high legs are everything we look for in a piece of furniture for a small space as plenty of light can still flow underneath and above. 

Which room styles will it suit?
The velvet upholstery and Mid-century modern shape do give this sofa quite a luxurious vibe, so it would suit a living room to match that. You could combine it with more contemporary pieces for a maximalist look or alternatively let it take centre stage in a more minimalist room.

Colour and finish options?
Available in inky greys and greens, as well as standout pinks and mustard shades, there's a finish to suit plenty of tastes. You can also pick between dark wooden legs or lighter ones and certain colours have a choice of brass or copper caps. 

John Lewis cheap sofa

(Image credit: John Lewis)

2. House by John Lewis Archie II Small Two Seater Sofa

A sleek and stylish small sofa with a broad selection of fabric finishes

Specifications

Material: Fabric and wood
Dimensions: H81cm x W143cm x D86cm

Reasons to buy

+
Available in hundreds of different fabric finishes
+
Sleek design that won't go out of style
+
Perfect for compact spaces
+
High quality

Reasons to avoid

-
May be too small for some

Designed with compact spaces in mind, the Archie II Small Two Seater Sofa from John Lewis is one of the best small sofas, perfect if you are squeezed for space.

What size is it?
As mentioned, this sofa was designed for small spaces, it's just 143cm wide, but if you love the look and need something bigger, it does actually come in a medium two-seater version too. 

Which room styles will it suit?
Literally any style. The shape is slightly contemporary, but it really does depend on what colour you go for because this is such a versatile design. 

Colour and finish options?
There are literally hundreds of fabrics to choose from and you can order a free sample too if you want to see what it will look like in your space. Good old John Lewis making everything easier.

Moby 2 Seater Sofa

3. Made.com Moby Two Seater Sofa

An edgy velvet sofa that won’t fail to bring a splash of colour

Specifications

Material: 100% polyester, metal legs
Dimensions: H86cm x W124cm x D79cm

Reasons to buy

+
 Bold bright colours available 
+
 Great for modern interiors 

Another great affordable pick from Made.com, the Moby sofa would be perfect if you want to make a bit of a statement in your living room. 

What size is it?
Another small sofa, just 102cm wide so good for small living rooms, although we reckon this would look very cool in a hallway too if you have the space. 

Which room styles will it suit?
Definitely a good choice if you like a more contemporary look. The Moby has a slight retro vibe that would work really well in a Mid-century/'70s style room; we can see it now with a sputnik light overhead and some funky printed cushions thrown on it.  

Colour and finish options?
The Moby comes in grey and blue but, there is a slightly different Moby model that has copper metal legs and you can get that in pink or green velvet. 

MADE Chou Sofa Bed with Storage

(Image credit: MADE.com)

4. Made.com Chou Sofa Bed with Storage

Sofa-come-guest bed, this stylish set-up is pretty and practical

Specifications

Material: Solid pine and fabric
Dimensions: H190cm x W110cm x D43 cm

Reasons to buy

+
Modern design
+
Converts into a double sofa bed
+
Has space for storage

Made.com just smashing it with the best cheap sofas. We couldn't not include the Chou though, because one, it's a sofa bed and two, it's just £299! The cheapest on our list. 

What size is it?
As a sofa, it's 190cm so would be ideal in any sized living room really. As a sofa bed though it's really compact so ideal if you don't have loads of room to fold out the bed. The fold mechanism is easy to operate, providing enough room for two guests to sleep once laid flat, or for three to sit comfortably when upright. 

Which room styles will it suit?
If you like simple, Scandi style this would be perfect. We love the little tapered legs that give it a trendy retro feel. With this sofa it really depends on the colour you choose – grey would suit all styles whereas this gorgeous bright yellow might suit more colourful schemes. 

Colour and finish options?
You can pick from grey, dark blue, light blue or yellow and you can also pick a model that comes with a really handy storage compartment underneath that's perfect for storing your spare bedding.

House by John Lewis Arlo Small 2 Seater Sofa

5. House by John Lewis Arlo Small 2 Seater Sofa

While just on the £500 cusp, this stylish winged arm sofa is certainly worth maxing out your budget for

Specifications

Material: Fabric and wood
Dimensions: H83cm x W154cm x D88cm

Reasons to buy

+
Heaps of colours to choose from 
+
Light or dark leg finish available

It might be our most expensive pick, but the John Lewis Arlo Small 2 Seater Sofa is great quality, has amazing reviews and is still under £500!

What size is it?
This one is the smallest (and therefore the cheapest) in the Arlo range, but if you love the style and are willing to spend a bit more it does come in a whole range of shapes and sizes. You can pick from an armchair, all the way up to a chaise end sofa bed, so check out the rest of the Arlo range too. 

Which room styles will it suit?
This sofa’s a versatile little number. It would look great as part of a Scandi-influenced room scheme teamed with other neutrals and pale wood finishes. It wouldn’t look out of a place in a modern country scheme, either.

Colour and finish options?
A great thing about most John Lewis sofas is you can pick from literally hundreds of colours and materials for your upholstery. Above the Arlo has been upholstered in Bruno Grey but do go and have a look at the huge selection you can choose from. You can also pick between a dark or light wood for the legs. 

Looking for more sofa inspiration? 

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Hebe Hatton

Hebe joined the Real Homes team in early 2018 as Staff Writer before moving to the Livingetc team in 2021 where she took on a role as Digital Editor. She loves boho and 70's style and is a big fan of Instagram as a source of interiors inspiration. When she isn't writing about interiors, she is renovating her own spaces – be it wallpapering a hallway, painting kitchen cupboards or converting a van.