Sofas Buying Guide

Sofa sets are the vital component of any living room. Sofa is usually the place where you spend your time at home outside the bedroom, so everybody wants it to be the most comfortable and the best looking piece of furniture in the house. Buying furniture purely of looks is the wrong way to approach the process, so please read our quick guide on how to buy a sofa below. It will introduce you to different types of sofas and materials used to build them. If you are unclear on what a certain type of a sofa means, we have an answer for you.

Before you buy a sofa, make sure you understand how heavy it is and how hard it is to transport and setup. Account for wideness and height of your hallways and doors. Always measure twice and leave at least 3 feet of space in between furniture for walkways. Make sure to measure any opening doors and windows, check that the heaters are not too close to the furniture and the sun is not directly hitting it to avoid cracking on certain materials.

Sofas themselves are typically up to 8 feet long and can fit three people at ease. This is always the largest item in your living room and it is important for it to look right and feel comfortable. When buying a sofa make sure you are aware of its dimensions and do not forget to account for some space to walk around. Regular sofas are made for comfortably watching TV or taking naps. They are not transformable into beds and not very versatile, but they make up for it with their comfort and simplicity. Usual dimensions are around 90 inches long and 40 inches wide with about 40 inches in height.

Loveseats are smaller versions of sofas that can sit two people at most, hence the use of the world love. They are usually up to 6 feet long and are the right match for people looking to extend their sofa set or for people with smaller apartments to use as a sofa. Same as the regular sofas, they are simple and comfortable for what they are without many added features. Loveseats are roughly the same width as sofas at 40 inches, but are considerably shorter at around 70 inches, while maintaining the same height.

Sofa chairs are smaller versions of loveseats that are very comfortable for one person to sit on. Due to their simplicity and the amount of space they take up, many sofa sets do not include them and opt out for an ottoman instead. Keep in mind though, that there is nothing better than sitting in your own sofa chair after a long day of work and enjoying your favorite living room activity. Sofa chairs typically measure in about half the length of the sofa with same width and height (45” x 40” x 40”).

Ottomans are a relatively new and popular addition to sofa sets. These little pieces of furniture are as convenient additions to your living room as it gets. Traditionally they act like a foot rest, but modern furniture companies started their variations on ottomans and now offer them as storage units, tables with trays and even for sleeping on them. They are usually about 30” long, 40” wide and 20” high, but the new variations push these numbers into sofa territory.


Sectional sofas are a perfect fit for large living rooms with a lot of space. You have to make sure that it fits though, as it is a massive looking piece of furniture that can only be adjusted in couple of ways. Once the space issue is out of the way though, you are looking at a very comfortable furnishing set that will easily accommodate your family and friends. Keep in mind that sectionals can look quite awkward when they are placed in corners or other weird angles. Make sure you visualize what the sofas are going to look like before you purchase it. Getting the most seating out of a sofa is one thing, making sure it is going to be comfortable is another. We have quick tips and write-ups about the materials used in all sofas including sectionals below. In many ways sectionals are more convenient then sofas because of how many pieces they are made off. Sectional sets with included lounges and recliners can be easily taken apart and transported elsewhere without the hassle you get when moving regular sofas. For all their massiveness, the complimentary pieces to sectional sofas are very easy to move around and adjust.

Lounges are a great way to spice up the living room and not only add a flavor to it, but also make it the most comfortable place in the house. Lounges come in many different variants with adjustable and reclining backs, with storage and even with seating for two. Although the materials that cover the lounge are different, soft fabric will definitely give you the most comfortable and cozy feeling. Leather is more practical if you use the chair for design and more seating, rather than comfort.

Outdoor sofas and loveseats have come a long way and are now as comfortable and unique looking as the regular sofas. The materials used in modern outdoor sofas are soft and nice to touch, unlike its predecessors that sacrificed a lot to be durable and easy to wash. They come in same sizes and types as the regular sofas, so regardless of their name they can even be used in high traffic living rooms as main pieces of furniture.

Custom sofas/sectionals usually follow a template set by a certain design, which leaves you with your choice of material, color and comfort. Whether you want a metal frame with brushed finish and leather cushions or a cherry wood and fabric set, these sofas can be made. Sizing and functionality remains the same and it is up to you to decide how it looks. Please make sure that you realize the difficulty of the process and allow for an extended period of time for manufacturing and shipping of your items.