Buying a sofa is a significant investment for your home, so choosing one that fits your needs in terms of comfort, style, and durability is important. We’ve pulled together a helpful guide to help you navigate through the process of buying a sofa:

Sofa Sizes

Before you start shopping, measure where you plan to place the sofa. Consider the room's dimensions, including doorways, hallways, and stairwells through which the sofa will need to fit. Next, you should consider which sofa size fits your chosen area. You don’t want to squeeze a 4 seater into your lounge and leave little room to manoeuvre. The same goes for corner sofas; these can take up a lot of space and block necessary walkways and doorways. Check the dimensions of each sofa you’re interested in and measure the space at home; make sure you allow enough space on either side of your sofa. At Aluxo, we have many size options in our sofa range.

Two Seater Sofas

This size sofa works well in a home for couples or more compact spaces. Our two seater sofas allow two people to sit comfortably or three at a squeeze. A two seater sofa may be an option as an extra sofa if you plan on purchasing a set such as a two seater and a three seater, or a sofa with an armchair to match. Our two-seater sofas range from around 177cm wide.

Three Seater Sofas

The three seater sofa is possibly the most popular size for an average UK home. These are designed to comfortably seat three people or a spacious option for two people to sit comfortably with some extra legroom. Traditionally, a three seater sofa would have three seat cushions; however, more modern styles will have two larger seat cushions, showcasing a more simplistic and modern look. Our range of three seater sofas is typically sized between 215cm and 240cm in width.

Four Seater Sofas

Bigger families, or those wanting a statement piece in your open-plan living area, will benefit from a larger sofa, such as a four seater. This size sofa would be ideal for a larger lounge area. Our four seater sofas can range from approximately 240cm to 270cm.

Corner & Chaise Sofas

Are you a lounger? Do you prefer to stretch your legs out when relaxing on your sofa? If you have the space, a corner or chaise sofa is the ideal style for you. We have many L shaped sofas that feature an elongated end on one side where you can place your legs. Similarly, choose one of our corner sofas, which is larger than our regular sofas. Our corner sofas allow for extra seat space, ideal for larger families. Corner sofas usually have two seating sections joined at an angle to create an L shape. Our corner and chaise style sofas are sized between 300 and 360cm in width. We have a wide range of corner and chaise style sofas available, such as the Tribeca, Leonard and Cooper.

Modular Sofas

Modular sofas are great for creating a seamless statement in your home. They usually consist of around 3 to 5 sections that can be arranged and built to suit your home floor plan and style due to the added functionality. Our Lottie and Leonard ranges are available in modular corner formation.

Materials

Before buying, you’ll probably know what fabric you want in your home. Choosing the right fabric and colour will completely transform your space. However, before buying your new sofa, you need to think about how you’ll use it. Will it be primarily for lounging, entertaining guests, or both? Do you have pets or children? Your lifestyle will determine the type of material and construction best suited for your needs. At Aluxo, our Sofa range features two main fabrics, Bouclé and Velvet; we offer these styles in stunning colours.  

Bouclé

One of the hottest trends to come out of 2023 was the Bouclé trend. Also known as the teddy bear fabric, Bouclé offers a beautiful, lavish appearance while providing a cosy and snuggly texture, just like a teddybear. Bouclé is made from looped yarn, which makes it a hard-wearing, durable, and easy-to-care-for fabric that offers a stylish aesthetic to any area of the home. Choose a Bouclé sofa to elevate your home and create the ultimate style statement. We offer a wide range of stunning Bouclé sofas in a selection of contemporary styles and neutral colours. You can read more about Bouclé here.

 

 

Velvet

Soft and stylish, a velvet sofa will bring a regal feel to your space. Once synonymous with stately homes and the upper classes, Velvet has made a come in the last few years, seen in everyday modern and contemporary settings. Velvet is a tactile fabric with a soft texture you can’t help but run your fingers over. Featuring a flat pile with no raised loops, velvet is a snag-free option. Therefore offering both durability as well as comfort and style. A velvet sofa is ideal for high-traffic areas, busy homes and families with children and pets. Our Gramercy and Lenox sofa ranges are both available in a velvet finish.

 

Styles of Sofa

Sofas come in various styles ranging from traditional to modern and everything in between. When choosing a sofa style, we’d recommend you consider your overall home aesthetic first, then pick a style that complements it.

Traditional

Choose traditional if your style tends to feature classic designs. Traditional styles feature intricate details and embellishments such as studded edging and scrolled arms.

Modern/Contemporary

Contemporary styles lean towards more simplistic designs. Characterised by clean lines and sleek finishes, Contemporary sofas offer a bold silhouette that makes a statement in your space.  As a brand, Aluxo is tailored to a more contemporary style, ideal for lavish homes featuring premium statement pieces and upscale features. We offer statement trend-led furniture featuring on-trend fabrics such as the new bouclé style. Our Murray range is the epitome of contemporary design.

Mid-century Modern

This style takes inspiration from prominent designs popular around the mid-20th century, featuring organic shapes and tapered legs. Check out our Lenox and Cooper Range if you’re after a mid-century style.

Sofa Backs

If you can, sit on the sofa and assess its comfort level. Look for supportive cushions and a sturdy frame. Consider seat depth, cushion firmness, and back support to ensure it meets your comfort preferences. At Aluxo, we offer a range of fixed-back or scatter-cushioned back sofas. If you’re deep in sofa shopping, you’ll probably have heard of these terms before. However, if you’re unsure of the difference, we’re here to help.

Here’s everything you need to know about scatter-back vs fixed-back sofas:

Scatter Back

It's pretty self-explanatory; scatter-back sofas will have a few large cushions positioned loosely against the back of the sofa. For instance, our Gramercy Corner Sofa features a double scattered cushion back that overlaps slightly with larger cushions at the back and smaller boudoir-style cushions at the front. Scatter back sofas will have a lower back and appear more inviting and comfortable, giving a relaxing vibe. However, it’s worth knowing that as the cushions aren’t fixed to the back, they can be prone to movement—something to consider if you have young children in the house.

Fixed Back

A fixed back sofa will either have large cushions, usually the same size as the seat cushions, such as the Dakota or the Leonard, or an upholstered back that continues up from the seat, such as the Tribeca or Astoria. If you suffer from back problems, a fixed back will be the better option as it offers more support than a scattered back.

How to measure for your sofa

This is an important step when buying a sofa; it’s essential to consider what will work best in your space, aesthetically and logistically. As well as fitting perfectly in your desired space, you also need to make sure your sofa can fit through your front door, lounge door, possibly up some stairs and maybe even round a tight corner. The last thing you want is to spend all that time and money on a sofa purchase and then discover that it doesn’t fit through your front door.

How do you currently use the space?

Primarily, to make sure you choose a sofa that is right for you and your home, you should consider how you currently use the space. Think about your lounge space and what it will be used for. Many households have separate living rooms from the rest of the house, whilst others have open plan spaces housing both a lounge and kitchen diner area. Whatever your space entails, it’s important to consider whether it will be social or a space for relaxing and unwinding.

For a social space where you would be inviting friends over, we’d recommend a sofa set such as a three seater, a matching armchair together with a footstool such as our Murray or Tribeca Pearl set.  Add a coffee table in the centre for a cosy ambience. A chaise style or corner sofa will work better in a family-orientated home where you can lounge unapologetically with your loved ones. Take a look at our Cooper or Leonard Corner Sets.

Next, look at the whole area in which your sofa will sit. Get a feel for the space; how much room will be needed around the sofa once it’s in place? Walk around the space. Can you move around it freely and comfortably? Check that any doors and windows aren’t obstructed by the sofa space; the same goes for coffee and side tables; make sure you still have space for all these extra furnishings.

Also, bear in mind the traffic flow to a room, and keep paths and walkways clear from protruding sofa arms or chaise sections; this will ensure you avoid any unwanted bumps. We’d recommend the more space around a sofa, the better. Ideally, a minimum walkway space of 900mm will be ideal. If you’re stuck for space, we recommend choosing a model with tapered legs; this will elevate your sofa, giving you the illusion of more floor space. Furthermore, a two seater or three seater will work well in a smaller space.

Time to Measure

Get the tape measure out! This is one part of the sofa buying process you don’t want to get wrong.

There are a few ways to go about this. Firstly, get a sense of what size or style sofa you would like and map out the dimensions on your floor; you can do this with either old newspapers or an outline of the dimensions with masking tape. You can also use the dimensions of your current sofa to give you an idea of the size that will fit. This way, you can use your old sofa to benchmark whether you need to size up or down.  Lastly, don’t forget to allow for leg room and space to manoeuvre around the sofa.

1. Width: Start at one end of your sofa and measure across to the other side. This is the longest side.
2. Depth: Start at the front of the cushion seat, measuring to the back of the backrest.
3. Height: Measure the height of your sofa (with & without legs). To do this, measure from the floor to the top of the back rest; if scatter cushions are present, then measure to the top of the cushion.
4. Armrests: Measure from the outside edge to the other side.

Do you have enough access?

When you feel confident that the size of the sofa will fit into your space, you should check if it can fit through all your home entrances. Make sure hallways and doors are wide enough by measuring your entranceways against the dimensions of your sofa. If your entrance spaces are smaller than average, you may benefit from a modular sofa set like our Lottie Corner Set. These are delivered in smaller, more convenient block sections that can then be fixed together once in situ.

Sofa Care Tips

Ensure your sofa stands the test of time with some simple sofa care tips:

Cleaning:

• Regularly vacuum your sofa using the curtain attachment to stop dust from building up.
• Gently blot any spillages with a clean, dry cloth to soak up as much liquid as possible.
• Remove any light stains with a damp cloth and gently blot.
• Don’t be tempted to use any strong chemicals or detergents.
• Notice a scratch in your fabric? Gently tease fabric fibres back into position to have your sofa looking as good as new.

Maintenance:

• Make sure to keep your sofa out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources such as radiators; this will prevent the fabric's colour from fading.
• Plump your cushions daily to keep them in good shape for longer; this is like skincare for your sofa.
• Place foot pads beneath the feet of your sofa and be sure to lift and move your sofa rather than dragging it, this will protect your floors from scratches.
• Before cleaning, test all cleaning products in a small hidden area to ensure they don’t leave any marks or stains.

We hope your sofa looks as gorgeous in your home as you imagined. You may notice a little bruising on the sofa when opening it, which can occur from packaging and transit. Brush the fabric to freshen up and give your sofa a few days to get back to normal.

We all have a comfy spot on our sofas; get working on your comfy position; your sofa will become increasingly more comfortable as you wear it. With that said, we recommend switching up your favourite seat occasionally and regularly flipping and plumping up your loose cushions to allow for even wear across the sofa.