Choosing the sofa that suits you, your family and home can be rather a minefield because there are so many different designs and sizes to choose from. Here are some ideas to keep in mind when purchasing a sofa.

1. Shape
There are lots of designs out there, but when it comes to the crunch I would recommend choosing a timeless classic which will last you a long time. It is best to avoid the latest craze and trends, as your sofa may date very quickly. Are you someone who likes a traditional shape with scroll arms, or a more modern contemporary look with straight arms? Corner units are popular nowadays, especially for TV rooms – they are large so ensure you measure properly and remember it may look small in a showroom but not in your home.

2. Fabrics
Think about your lifestyle – do you have pets and children? If so, you may want to choose leather, which is easy to wipe if something gets spilled. If you don’t like leather – which can easily dominate a room – choose a fabric that has a stain repellent in it, or you could have the fabric treated (i.e. scotchguard).

Colour and texture are also important. Do you like the warmth of wool or velvet? Or perhaps you prefer linen – a natural slubby appearance that creates a more ‘lived-in’ look? Neutral colours will be timeless and it is easy to inject a bit of colour with cushions or throws. Patterns can date more than plain fabric though, so choose carefully!

3. Fillings
Feather, foam, fibre? If you are someone that likes to sink into a squashy sofa then feather is for you. However, it is high maintenance and will need regular ‘plumping’ up to prevent the feathers flattening. Foam is firmer than feather but lower maintenance, and fibre is in between the two and will suit the majority of people. A good combination would be fibre seats and feather back cushions, which gives you the best of both worlds.

The lowest maintenance is a sofa with a base wrapped with lots of foam and fibre – known as a bench seat – which means there are no cushions to maintain – a Chesterfield is a good example of this.

4. Comfort
A good sofa must be super comfortable, as most of us spend a fair amount of time sitting on them. Consider the setting – are you wanting an occasional sofa in a formal sitting? If so, you may choose a firmer upright bench style, which will give clean lines.

Is it a sofa you want to chill out on with the kids and watch TV? Then choose a large squashy sofa. It will often take several visits to a showroom and multiple tests to find your ideal sofa – a quick five-minute sit down is not a true test.

5. Loose or fitted cover
The advantage of a loose cover means that they are removable and washable – great if you have pets and children – and they give a more relaxed look to the sofa. Fitted covers on the other hand give a much neater appearance, and you can always have them steam cleaned in situ should you wish to freshen them up.

So now all that is left to do is sink into your sofa and enjoy!