Don’t Make These 9 Common Mistakes When Buying a Sofa

Are you on the hunt for a new living room settee? It’s a big purchase decision, and many people make recurring common mistakes when buying a sofa. But you won’t be one of them, because we’ve got some super tips on how to avoid doing the same!

Quite often, people don’t fully consider what it is they need to look for in a sofa. They mostly focus on style, colour, and price but forget about important factors like comfort, durability, and size.

Of course you want your settee to look nice and fit in with your interior design, but it also needs to be functional and comfortable for everyday use.

So before you rush to buy the first sofa that catches your eye, take a moment to read through these common mistakes to make sure you choose the perfect one for your home.

Trust us, your future self will thank you.

What are those most common errors? Here’s what we’ve identified as the top 9:

1. Measuring Your Room Access Incorrectly
2. Not Measuring the Sofa Space Properly
3. Not Considering Future Needs
4. Prioritising Sofa Colour Over Shape or Style
5. Getting the Scale of Your Sofa Wrong
6. Choosing the Wrong Fabric for Your Lifestyle
7. Not Investigating the Structure of the Sofa
8. Not Prioritising the Comfort of the Sofa
9. Ignoring the Warranty

Mistake 1: Measuring Your Room Access Incorrectly

One of the biggest mistakes people make when purchasing a sofa is not properly measuring their access points.

In other words, will the sofa you want to buy actually fit through your doorways and into your home?

It’s easy to get carried away with choosing the perfect style, colour, and fabric, but all that excitement can come crashing down if your new settee doesn’t fit through your front door, up the stairs, or even into the lift.

If your measurements are incorrect, you could end up with a beautiful sofa stuck outside, and no one wants the frustration—or the embarrassment—of a sofa sitting awkwardly in their front garden for everyone to see.

How to Measure Your Access Properly for Your Sofa

So, how do you measure your home's access properly? Before you commit to a purchase, make sure to measure all doorways, hallways, staircases, and any tight corners it will need to pass through.

Even if you have large patio doors that the sofa can fit through, you need to make sure the gate or pathway to your back door can accommodate it; otherwise, the patio doors may as well not be there.

Make sure you measure the height and width of any doorways, hallways, or alleyways. If there are corners to navigate, measure the width.

Double-check your access measurements against the sofa's dimensions, including its height, width, and depth, to ensure it can be brought into your home easily.

Mistake 2: Not Measuring the Sofa Space Properly

One big mistake people often make is not measuring the space in their living room where the sofa will actually go.

It’s not just about the sofa’s overall size—you’ve got to think about things like the arms, the back, and any extras like the recline feature.

These features can take up more space than you’d expect.

For example, a sofa with recliner seats will need extra room behind it and in front to fully recline. So, make sure to double-check all those details before you buy!

How to Accurately Measure the Space for Your Sofa

We recommend using masking tape to mark out the maximum dimensions on your living room floor to help you visualise your new sofa, especially if you don't currently have a sofa in the space.

Proper planning and accurate measurements will help you avoid the frustration of finding out too late that your new sofa doesn't fit the intended area.

Mistake 3: Not Considering Your Future Needs

Purchasing a new sofa based on what works for you and your household now is obviously important, but it is a common sofa-buying mistake.

Potential future changes to living situations, family size, and interior design taste are just a few of the factors that can change over time, meaning the sofa you initially think is perfect may no longer meet your needs in a few years.

The cosy 2-seater settee you’ve found might be lovely for you as a solo or couple, but you may plan to expand your family, start hosting more guests, or welcome a furry four-legged friend into your home in the near future.

Suddenly, that 2-seater is no longer practical and you find yourself needing a larger sofa.

It might seem like a hassle to think about potential changes in your life when making a furniture purchase, but it can save you time and money in the long run.

Future Factors to Think About Before Purchasing Your Sofa

It can be helpful to think about the following factors when considering the longevity of your sofa:

• Living situation: Are you living alone, with a partner, or do you have roommates? Is there potential for your living situation to change in the next few years?
• Family plans: Do you plan on starting a family or expanding your current family? Will you need more seating options for children or extended family members?
• Pet ownership: Do you currently have pets or want to get any in the future? Consider their size and how much space they may take up on the sofa. The material is important here, too!
• Hosting guests: Do you enjoy hosting parties or having friends stay over? Will you need extra seating options for these occasions?
• Current housing: Are you in a temporary living situation, such as renting an apartment or house? Will you be staying in this same space for the foreseeable future?

Mistake 4: Prioritising Sofa Colour Over Shape or Style

The colour of your sofa definitely adds to your living room’s vibe, but the shape and functionality are arguably much more important.

A sofa that fits your family’s needs and lifestyle is more practical than just picking one because it matches your colour scheme.

Focus on shape and functionality first, and you’ll end up with a sofa that not only looks great but also becomes the cosy, practical heart of your living room.

How to Pick the Right Sofa Style

The shape and design that works for you is dependent on the size of your family and how you tend to use your sofa.

Got a big family or love hosting guests? A roomy sectional or modular sofa is perfect for keeping everyone comfy and can be configured in an L-shape, like the Amelia 3 Seater Chaise, to encourage the conversation to flow freely.

Short on space? A sleek, compact design, like the Orion Cuddler Sofa, will do the trick, fitting snugly into small living rooms without compromising on comfort.

Mistake 5: Getting the Scale of Your Sofa Wrong

Picking the wrong-sized sofa for your living room is a common mistake, and it can really throw off the whole vibe of the space.

If your sofa’s too big, it can overwhelm the room, making it feel cramped and cluttered.

Too small? It might look awkward and won’t give you the comfort or style you’re looking for.

The size and arrangement of your other living room furniture shouldn’t be ignored, either.

For example, if you have an expansive bookcase that’s the real focal point of your room, consider how a sofa can balance this out, or ensure it doesn’t detract from the shelf’s beauty.

There needs to be plenty of space for you and your household to move around without squeezing past furniture or bumping into corners.

That’s why it’s so important to think about your room’s proportions and furniture layout before you buy.

How to Get the Right Sofa Scale

Taking accurate measurements and visualising how the sofa will fit into your room can help you avoid this common pitfall and maintain a harmonious, functional living area.

Start by grabbing a tape measure and checking out the size of your living room—measure the walls, windows, and any features like fireplaces or alcoves.

Take a good look at the shape of the room and think about where your key pieces, like the sofa or coffee table, will go.

Use painter's tape or paper cutouts to lay out furniture placements on the floor. This will help you see how much space each piece takes up and make sure there’s plenty of room to move around.

Don’t forget to think about furniture height too. A low sofa works great with a lower coffee table, while taller pieces can fill vertical space without making the room feel cramped.

Mistake 6: Choosing the Wrong Sofa Fabric for Your Lifestyle

Choosing fabric for your sofa? Make sure it fits your lifestyle! Luxurious fabrics like velvet might look amazing, but they’re not great if you have kids or pets.

Picking the wrong fabric can be frustrating and make your sofa less practical, so take some time to think about what works best for your home.

How to Avoid the Wrong Material for Your Upholstery

For busy households, durable options like microfibre or performance fabrics are a much better bet since they hold up well against stains and wear.

If you love hosting, you’ll want something that’s easy to clean, too, like quality leather upholstery.

We have a great Upholstery Buying Guide, so we recommend saving and reading it when you’re ready to start thinking about your upholstery choice.

Mistake 7: Not Investigating the Structure of the Sofa

The structure of a sofa is just as important as its appearance. Failing to research what lies beneath the upholstery can lead to purchasing a sofa that lacks durability or comfort.

The frame, suspension system, and cushioning determine the sofa's overall quality and lifespan.

Neglecting to investigate these aspects could result in a sofa that sags, creaks, or breaks down prematurely, leaving you disappointed with your purchase.

What to Look for in a Quality Sofa

Look for sturdy options, such as hardwood frames, and high-quality joinery techniques like dowels or corner blocks.

In this scenario, your best bet is to view the furniture in-store, and you can discuss these elements with the salespeople. They’ll be able to talk you through these technical specs and suggest some sofa models that best fit what you’re looking for.

If visiting a furniture shop isn’t possible, look for these details in the product descriptions, or get in touch with the retailer. We have a live chat on our website and a customer service team that can answer any questions you may have.

Mistake 8: Not Prioritising the Comfort of the Sofa

When picking a sofa, it’s easy to get caught up in how it looks, but don’t forget about comfort—that’s where a lot of people go wrong.

Sure, a sofa might look amazing in your living room, but if it’s not comfy for the way you like to sit, it’s not going to work.

The way you like to sit is key to how comfortable you’ll be, so always put comfort first. At the end of the day, your sofa should not only look great but also be a cosy spot you’ll love for years to come.

What Makes a Comfortable Sofa Seat?

Sofa comfort can come down to things like,

• Seat cushion interiors
• Seat depth and height
• Backrest angle and support
• Armrests and headrests
• Fabric or material used

Love kicking your feet up after a long day? A recliner chair or a sofa that pairs well with an ottoman could be your best bet.

Alternatively, a sofa with a deep seat, like the Hayden Cuddler Sofa, might give you enough space to curl up in the evenings.

Do you prefer sitting more upright and formally? A structured, non-reclining sofa might be the way to go.

This is why many people choose to try before they buy, as you can have a good test sit and get a feel for the comfort level.

Mistake 9: Ignoring the Sofa Manufacturer's Warranty

One mistake people often make when buying a sofa is skipping over the warranty details. It’s easy to get excited and jump straight into the purchase, but not knowing what the warranty covers can lead to surprise costs for repairs or even replacements down the road.

Warranties can vary widely depending on the manufacturer or retailer, so take a moment to check the basics—how long it lasts, what types of damage it covers, and any conditions that might void it.

Taking a little time to understand these details now can save you a lot of hassle (and money) later, keeping your investment safe.

The Fairway Furniture Warranty

At Fairway Furniture, we are committed to providing our customers with peace of mind when it comes to purchasing their perfect sofa. That’s why all our sofas come with a FREE 5-Year Structural Guarantee as standard.

Key Takeaways: How to Make Smart Sofa Choices

So, you should now well and truly be ready to choose your sofa with confidence! The most important things to take away from this guide are:

• Choose a sofa for the long-term, taking into account size, lifestyle, style, and living situations
• Make sure it’ll fit through your doorways and entry points
• If you can, try and view the sofa in a furniture store to get a feel for the quality and comfort
• Check there is a warranty available (and what it covers)

Invest in Quality Leather & Fabric Sofas From Fairway Furniture

At Fairway Furniture, we stock a wide range of leather and fabric sofas designed to suit every style and home.

Whether you're looking for a compact two-seater or a spacious corner sofa, you'll find plenty of options in a variety of colours, patterns, and finishes.

Our collection includes everything from classic designs to modern trends, ensuring you can find the perfect piece to complement your space.

Explore our range online or visit one of our stores to discover high-quality sofas that combine comfort, durability, and style.

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