17 best sofas and couches for every budget and style, because they’re the cornerstone of any living room

Choosing the best sofa for your home can be an arduous task, not least because the sofa is the cornerstone of any living room. It’s official: no piece of furniture has the ability to make a statement in the way a stylish couch can. Finding the most comfortable sofa is, obviously, key (research has shown that we sit/sleep/eat/binge Netflix on our sofas for 16 hours per week on average), but if you care about the design of your home as much as how it feels, you’ll agree that aesthetics come in a very close second. 

Whether you’re after a two-seater sofa, a stylish corner sofa, a classic Chesterfield or a leather sofa that oozes retro vibes, you’ll want to get your decision right. Luckily, there are tonnes of sofa brands (from Swyft to Made.com), serving up deliciously on-trend couches – with matching armchairs, loveseats and sofa beds to boot. From deciding on a print point to picking between foam cushions and feather, we’ve got every top tip you need in our buying guide below. Perhaps sofa shopping isn’t so tricky, after all. 

How can you tell if a couch is good quality? Here’s everything you need to consider:

1. Price point

First thing’s first: consider what your budget is. A sofa will live with you for years to come, and will perhaps even be passed down through generations. As such, we’d recommend spending as much as you can. 

For upwards of £1,000, you’ll benefit from a more durable frame (more on that later) and features such as stain resistant fabric, which are great if you’ve got a young family. Plus, of course, greater comfort. 

That said, if you don’t have so much to spend, make a beeline for Habitat and John Lewis where you’ll be able to buy a good-quality sofa for under £1,000. The Habitat Chesterfield sofa comes with a 10-year guarantee, while the John Lewis ANYDAY range is the best range for value for money. 

Habitat Chesterfield 3 Seater Velvet Sofa

John Lewis Sweep Large 3 Seater Sofa, Light Leg, Saga Grey

2. Sofa filling

Consider your sofa filling. Sprung, horsehair sofa seats are the most expensive but more durable choice, while feathers and foam seats are the more popular. Feathers are super comfy but not the most ideal for those with allergies. Plus, they can get lumpy and need regular fluffing. Foam sofas are equally as comfortable, but more low maintenance and hypoallergenic. 

Somerset 4 Seater Sofa

Hessian, rubberised horsehair and wool wadding

Jacob Velvet 3 Seater Sofa

3. Sofa frame

If you want your sofa to last, you’ll need something with a good-quality frame. More expensive sofas will likely have solid hardwood frames (think: oak or beech), while cheaper sofas might have plastic or metal frames which won’t last quite as well.

Swyft Model 03 Large 3 Seater Sofa

Beech, birch and poplar frame

John Lewis Shelf Medium 2 Seater Sofa with Arms, Black Metal Leg

4. Sofa stain resistance

Sofa stains are expensive to get rid of, so check if your sofa’s fabric has been stain-treated to prevent pricey mistakes. If your sofa is stain-resistant, you’ll be able to dab or wipe spills away, without any marks being left.

Bagsie Sofa

With ‘Castelan’ sofa fabric protection

6. Sofa style

When it comes to colour, the bolder and brighter, the better. Why? Not only do we all need a mood-boost post-pandemic, but for girls who rent, investing in a colour-pop sofa means you’ll be able to add personality and style to your home in an instant. Plus, you’ll be able to take it with you to abodes of the future.