A sofa is one of the most used things in your home, and one of the hardest to send back. Work through these eight points in order and you will narrow hundreds of options down to a few that fit your room, your body and your life.
1. Start with the space, not the sofa
Measure the wall and the floor space, and mark the footprint with painter’s tape. A sofa usually looks right at about two-thirds of the wall length, with 30-36″ left for walkways. The sofa size guide lists standard sizes.
2. Check it can get in
Measure doorways, hallways, stairs and elevators, and compare them with the sofa’s depth, height and diagonal depth. Our measuring guide and the sofa finder make this quick.
3. Decide how you will use it
- Lounging, napping, movie nights: deep seat, soft cushions. See cloud couches.
- Sitting upright, entertaining: standard seat depth, medium or firm cushions.
- Overnight guests: a sleeper sofa.
- Pets and children: durable, easy-clean upholstery.
4. Match seat depth and height to your body
Seat depths run from about 20″ (upright) to 30″ (lounging). Taller people are usually comfortable in deeper seats; shorter people often prefer standard depths or add back pillows. Seat height of 17-19″ suits most people; higher seats are easier to get out of. If support matters most, see how to choose a couch with good back support.
5. Choose the shape
| Shape | Best for |
|---|---|
| Standard 3-seat sofa | Most living rooms. Shop sofas. |
| Loveseat | Small rooms, apartments. Shop loveseats. |
| L-shaped sectional | Corners and family rooms. Shop L-shaped. |
| U-shaped sectional | Large rooms, big families. Shop U-shaped. |
| Modular sofa | Rearranging later, tight doorways. Shop modular. |
| Curved sofa | Conversation areas, floating in a room. Shop curved. |
Every shape and style is explained in types of couches and sofas.
6. Look at what is inside
- Frame: kiln-dried hardwood is the strongest; good-quality plywood with many layers is sturdy; particleboard is the weakest.
- Joints: corner blocks, dowels and screws last longer than staples alone.
- Suspension: eight-way hand-tied springs are the traditional premium; sinuous (zig-zag) springs are the common, durable choice; webbing alone is the most basic.
- Cushions: high-density foam keeps its shape. See cushion firmness and fill.
If a listing doesn’t say what it is made of, ask before you order.
7. Pick a fabric for your household
Leather lasts and wipes clean; fabric is softer and comes in more colors. For pets and kids, choose a tight weave, microfiber or performance fabric in a mid-tone. Compare them in fabric vs leather, and check the cleaning code (how to clean a sofa).
8. Read the delivery and return terms
Know what delivery includes (curbside or in-room), how long it takes, and how returns work before you buy. Every sofa we sell ships to all 50 states for a flat $20 by curbside freight, most orders arrive within 5-10 business days, and you have 30 days from delivery for a free return. See our shipping and returns policies.
Quick checklist
- Fits the wall, with walkways and table space.
- Passes every door, hallway and stair on the way in.
- Seat depth and firmness suit how you sit.
- Shape suits the room and the number of people.
- Frame, suspension and cushions are stated.
- Fabric and cleaning code suit your household.
- Delivery and returns are clear.