Sofa buying guide

Frames, fillings, fabric rub-tests, will-it-fit measuring — the questions to ask before you sit down on the showroom floor.

The single most important number

It's not the price. It's the seat depth. A 56 cm seat suits most adults; 60 cm leans deep-and-loungy; 50 cm is upright and formal. Get the seat depth right and the sofa fits the way you sit.

Frame materials

Frame	What it means	Longevity
Solid hardwood (beech, ash, oak)	Premium, will outlast the upholstery	25+ years
Engineered hardwood / plywood	Strong, stable, less expensive	15–20 years
Softwood (pine)	Lower price tier; watch joinery quality	8–12 years
MDF / particleboard inside	Avoid for primary-use sofas	3–7 years

Suspension

Look for either serpentine springs with webbing, or pocket-sprung seat cushions on a webbed deck. Cheaper sofas use rubber straps that stretch out within two years.

Cushion fillings

Filling	Feel	Care
Foam (medium density)	Firm, supportive, minimal plumping	Easy — no daily fluffing
Foam wrapped in fibre	Firm with softer top layer	Light plumping
Feather and down	Deep, soft, lounge-y	Plump daily, expect creasing
Pocket spring core wrapped in foam	Best of both — supportive yet soft	Light plumping

Fabrics

For everyday family use, look at the rub test on the spec sheet:

15,000 rubs — light domestic only
20,000+ rubs — everyday domestic
30,000+ rubs — heavy domestic, holiday lets
50,000+ rubs — contract / commercial

For pet households, look for tight weaves (chenille, performance polyester) over loose ones (linen, bouclé). For wheelchair users or those who get up and down often, prioritise firm seat edges.

Leather vs fabric

See our dedicated leather vs fabric guide.

Will it fit?

Three measurements before you commit:

The room: where will it go, what walks around it?
The path in: doorways, hallway turns, stairwells (count the cm at each pinch point).
Your van or our van: width of the sofa, height when stood on end.

If the route in is tight, ask about detached-arm or knock-down options — many of our sofas can come in pieces.

Try, then trust your back

Sit for ten minutes. Lean back, sit forward, take a phone call. The first thirty seconds tell you nothing. Bring a partner if it's a shared sofa — you both need to be happy.

Last updated 2026-05-26 · J & M McEwen, Kirkwall