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Whether you are binge-watching the latest show or just having your coffee while reading a good book, a comfy sofa is a must have for every living room! Sofas will ideally stay for a very long time in your home, so choosing the right fit is crucial

Sofa is the largest piece of furniture in the living room which defines the design of the whole space

Before you start browsing, start with understanding the space available to keep the sofas. To know what kind of sofa will best fit the room,

● Carefully measure width, depth, and height of the room.

● Check the window and door location – so the sofa doesn’t obstruct / block the entry or the window

● Sofas are usually delivered as a single piece or with legs detachable. So please ensure that there is enough space available to bring the sofa inside your house

● Measure the width and height of the main door opening to understand if the sofa can easily pass through the door

● Ensure that you leave min of 18” of space in front of the sofa for ease of movement

Topics In This Buying Guide

● Sofa Types

● Sofa Standard Sizes

● Sofa Materials

● Sofa Design and Styles

Sofa Types

Straight Sofas

Regular sofas with varying seating capacity. Usually, all seats are placed in a straight line, next to each other. These are the most popular type of sofas and are suitable for all living spaces – small or large, formal or informal.

Sectional Sofas

L-shaped sofa having 2 or 3 straight seats and a detachable lounger on either right or left side. Lounger is a sofa seat with long length, often used to sit with your feet up

LHS Sectional and RHS Sectional: If you are seated on the sofa, The side where the longer is defines the LHS or RHS. If the lounger is on your left when you are seated, it’s called LHS Sectional. Whereas, if the lounger is on your right, it will be RHS Sectional.

Sectionals are perfect to create a relaxed set-up. If space is a constraint, Sectionals are great to optimize seating capacity.

Corner Sofas

Sofas in L-shape with 2 or 3 eats on each side of the L or Sofas in C-shape with seats spanning around the C shape.

Chaise Loungers

Typically, a seat for only 1 person, Chaise Lounger is a chair which is stretched so that you can sit with your feet up. Chaise loungers usually have armrests only on one end and have a sloping back. Chaise Loungers are ideal for relaxed settings in living rooms or bedrooms, and can serve as extra seating in compact spaces

You can create your own combinations or sets with the various types of sofas. Some popular combinations are

• 3 Seater + 2 Seater + 1 Seater

• 3 Seater + 1 Seater (2 Nos)

• Sectional Sofa + 1 Seater

Sofa Standard Sizes

Width of the sofa is a guide to know ow many people can sit comfortably, Seating posture will be impacted by the depth of the sofa and the seating height will tell you if your feet can rest on the ground.

Standard Widths

3 Seater Sofa

Seats 3 people comfortably. Min seating width (without the armrest) should be 66”(168 cm) Overall Width can range from 70” to 87”

2 Seater Sofa

Seats 2 people comfortably. Min Seating width (without the armrest) should be 48” (122 cm) Overall Width can range from 48” to 69”

1 Seater Sofa

Comfortable seat for 1 person. Min Seating width (without the armrest) should be 22” (56 cm). Overall width can range from 24”to 47”

Section Sofa Lounger

Lounger seating width without the armrest should be min 22” (56 cm) Overall width can range from 24” to 42”

Standard Depths (from the very front to the very back)

Sofas

Ranges from 32” to 40”

Sectional Lounger

Ranges from 45” to 75”

Chaise Lounger

Ranges from 30” to 84”

Standard Seating Depth

Ranges from 20” to 35”

Standard Height (from the floor to the top of the backrest)

Ranges from 26” to 40”

Standard Seating Height (from the floor to the top of the seat)

Ranges from 16” to 24”

Sofa Materials

Sofa Frames

The frame is what gives structure and strength to the sofa. Usually, the main frames are made of solid wood (Sheesham, Mango, Rubberwood, Pine etc.) The back, arms are made using Engineered wood (Plywood, MDF etc.)where the cushioning is done.

Sofa Cushioning & Fill

Fill is the deciding factor for how soft or firm the sofa feels. Most sofas use foam as the main fill material. If you like a soft, sink-in kind of sofa, select a foam with lower density. If you want the sofa to be firm and provide good support, go for higher density foam.

The foam is usually supported by different types of springs and elastic belts.

• High Resilience (HR) Foam: Excellent foam for Sofas which offer resilient yet strong support. Available in various densities from Very soft to firm

• Polyurethane (PU) Foam: PU foam has a broad range of load-bearing capability and resiliency. Multiple layers of foam can provide suitable firmness.

Fabric

Most versatile upholstery material, fabric sofas are comfortable, economical, and easy to maintain. A variety of fabrics are used for upholstery. You can choose from:

• Cotton Blend: Has a mix of natural cotton and Polyester. Provides soft feel and is easy to maintain

• Polyester: Synthetic fabric which is very well suited for families with pets. Strong & Durable, polyester fabric is available in a range of colours & textures

• Velvet: Has a luxurious and indulgent look. Can be made from cotton or polyester or a blend. Velvet is a little high-maintenance material, perfect for plush settings

Leather

Leather is a natural material which has a worn-out look. Easy to maintain, Leather is always in style and looks better as it ages. Leather is available in a variety of colours and textures which makes it suitable to use in rustic as well as plush interiors

Leatherette

Economic alternative to leather, Leatherette is a synthetic material with a leather-like look & feel. Comes in a range of colours and textures, Leatherette is easy to clean and maintain.

Sofa Design and Styles

Modern Sofas

Simple, Fuss-free, and Elegant. Modern sofas have fixed back cushions. Modern Sofas have clean geometric shapes and rectangular silhouettes – ideal for compact spaces.

Mid-Century Modern

Go for this style if you want a lightweight, clean, and uncluttered look. The signature features include tapering round legs, Tufted back, slender arms, smooth finishes, and interesting prints & patterns. These sofas are always lifted off the ground, giving an elevated look, making them suitable for compact spaces

Contemporary Sofas

If you want something Sleek, Fresh and bang on Trend, Contemporary is the style for you. Contemporary style offers interesting colours, textures & design elements

Traditional Sofas

Feeling nostalgic? Go for the traditional style of furniture. Taking inspiration from colonial period and traditional arts & crafts, Traditional sofas features artistic inlays, decorative trims & moldings, and intricate details

Lawson Sofas

These sofas have boxy designs – arms and back are usually rectangular and arms are usually shorter in height than the back . Signature feature of Lawson sofas is their loose back cushions, which are \ not attached to the main frame. Lawson sofas are ideal for cosy & comfortable homes

Chesterfield Sofas

Very popular style of sofa, which features rolled arms and deep button tufting on the back & arms. Height of the arms and back is usually the same. Perfect for plush décor!

Rolled-Arms Sofas

Sofas with soft generously sized cushions, low legs and arms contouring outwards, forming cylindrical shape. Back cushions are usually attached to the frame.

Bucket Sofas

The bucket sofa is characterised by continuous, usually equal-height back and arms. Sometimes the back is tufted. Bucket sofas are ideal for compact spaces with lower ceilings, and for formal spaces where long duration of seating is not intended

Camel-Back Sofas

Camel-back sofa is a great choice for fans of traditional styling. Aptly named for its curved back, the sofa comes in a variety of styles with one hump or two humps. Back and seat upholstery is not very thick and is attached to the main frame in Camel back sofas

More Tips

• Use a fabric protector spray to protect the upholstery from stains

• Keep the upholstered sofa away from direct sunlight to avoid fading