How to Find the Most Comfortable sofa? 10 Tips from Our Team

Written by: Emma Cyrus, Senior Copy, Content & Editorial Writer
Reviewed by: Benjamin Ibanez, Senior Interior Designer at FCI London
Edited by: Zoona Sikander, Head of Content

Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

TL;DR: Finding the most comfortable sofa requires balancing personal needs with practical considerations. From testing different depths and heights to understanding frame construction and filling materials, this comprehensive guide covers everything discerning homeowners need to know. Whether you prefer deep lounging or upright seating, leather or fabric, the perfect sofa combines exceptional comfort with timeless style that enhances your home for decades to come.

Table of Contents

• Test out different sofas to see which one works best for you
• Consider how many people will be using the sofa
• Check the sofa depth
• Do you want to recline?
• What back height do you want for your sofa?
• What's the ideal sofa height (from the floor)?
• Get to know your sofa's fillings and frame
• Choose the right dimensions
• Leather or fabric?
• Choose a style that reflects your personal taste

The most elegantly designed sofa in the world becomes utterly irrelevant if you can't bear sitting on it for more than twenty minutes.

Yet countless homeowners across London's finest properties make precisely this mistake, seduced by showroom glamour while overlooking the fundamentals of genuine comfort. This isn't merely about cushion depth or spring systems, though both matter considerably. It's about understanding that true luxury lies in the marriage of impeccable design with the sort of comfort that makes you reluctant to leave your sitting room.

At FCI London, our most satisfied clients are invariably those who approach their sofa selection with a clear vision of their lifestyle needs. Whether you're orchestrating elegant dinner parties, stealing quiet moments with the morning papers, or settling in for those wonderfully indulgent Sunday afternoon films, your seating should enhance these experiences rather than compromise them. The discerning homeowner recognises that comfort isn't negotiable; it's the foundation upon which all great design decisions are built.

Read on for some tips from our sofa experts on how you can identify the most comfortable sofa for your home:

1 - Test out different sofas to see which one works best for you

According to our general manager, Benjamin Ibanez, whilst it's perfectly fine to shortlist sofas online, the best decision can only be made by physically trying out the sofa:

"Especially when you're making a big investment in a luxury sofa, you should never make the final decision without testing it out. Should the particular sofa you're ordering not be available in the showroom, ask the salesperson to help you try a similar model from the same brand - this will give you a reliable sense of the comfort level you can expect."

If you're unable to test the sofa personally and need to order online, reviewing customer feedback on the retailer's site proves invaluable.

Key Takeaway: Physical testing remains the gold standard for sofa selection, as comfort preferences are deeply personal and cannot be accurately assessed through online browsing alone.

2 - Consider how many people will be using the sofa

How many of the family members will be using the sofa regularly?

If you're buying the sofa for the living room, will you be hosting parties in that area?

By answering these questions, you should be able to figure out how many sofas or how big a sofa you actually need.

If you have a large family or entertain frequently, a sofa set, sectional, or modular configuration would serve you better. A generously proportioned sofa can transform your living space into a welcoming haven for family gatherings or solo relaxation. If only one or two people will be using the space, consider a loveseat or recliner.

If you truly want to create a lounge den for personal use, we would recommend that you go for a sofa bed instead.

Key Takeaway: Proper capacity planning ensures your sofa serves its intended purpose while accommodating both daily family life and entertaining needs effectively.

3 - Check the sofa depth 

We note that our clients have different preferences regarding sofa depths; some like it deep, while others simply hate the sunk-in feeling for their sofas.

Understanding your preferred sofa depth is therefore essential.

Consider your preferred seating position before determining the ideal seat depth: Do you choose to tuck your legs in when you sit, or do you typically have your feet on the floor?

If you prefer to sit up straight, a seat depth that supports your thighs, maintains your knees bent at a 90-degree angle, and lets your feet rest comfortably on the floor would probably work well for you.

A seat depth of 21 to 22 inches will provide ample space between the legs and the front edge for someone between 5'4" and 5'10".

A seat depth of 23 to 25 inches suits taller individuals well, whilst approximately 20 inches works better for more petite frames.

A deep, comfortable sofa would be ideal if you prefer curling up rather than sitting upright.

If you intend to add a lot of accent cushions, you can go a little deeper and take that extra support into account.

Key Takeaway: Seat depth directly correlates with comfort and posture, making it essential to match depth specifications with your natural seating preferences and body proportions.

4 - Do you want to recline?

Reclining sofas are great if you prefer to lounge on your sofa. You can still sit upright on this style of couch with throw pillows, but if you have back issues or simply like a more vertical position, a sofa with a straight back might be a better option for you.

It's important to note that reclining sofas are usually bulkier in design than regular sofas, and they need more space for reclining, so they will not be a good option for a small room.

Key Takeaway: Reclining functionality requires careful spatial planning, as these sofas demand additional clearance and may not suit compact room layouts despite their comfort benefits.

5 - What back height do you want for your sofa?

Again, your own height will determine the optimal back height for the sofa.

The most comfortable couches typically have a back height between 26" and 32", with taller persons typically finding a higher back to be more supportive.

Key Takeaway: Back height should align with your natural posture requirements, with taller individuals generally benefiting from higher backs for proper head and shoulder support.

6 - What's the ideal sofa height (from the floor)?

Taller people may feel as though they are squatting on a sofa when the seat height is off, while people who are shorter may find their feet waving in the air.

Modern big comfy sofas can come in a variety of seat heights, but a normal range is between 15" and 20" from the floor to the top of the cushion, with an average range lying between 17" and 18".

Low-profile sofas that basically sit on the floor are also very popular these days, so if this is the kind of silhouette you're comfortable with, our team highly recommends that you give them a try.

Key Takeaway: Proper seat height ensures comfortable entry and exit while maintaining good circulation, with measurements between 17-18 inches suiting most adults optimally.

7 - Get to know your sofa fillings and frame

Spend as much money as you can on a high-quality frame because it will be a long-term investment, setting the basis for years of relaxation.

A handmade sofa's craftsmanship is usually incomparable to mass-produced sofas.

Always keep in mind that a sofa's inside is as significant as its exterior.

While foam or fibre fillings may flatten and lose their form over time, feather-filled cushions offer delightful comfort for the sofa's back and seat, though they do require regular plumping.

High-density foam sofas prove considerably more comfortable than their low-density counterparts, offering significantly firmer support that maintains its integrity.

The high-density foam also provides far more resilience to guarantee that cushions don't sag over time, which is an often-seen issue with poor-quality sofas.

Key Takeaway: Superior frame construction and high-density fillings form the foundation of lasting comfort, making internal quality as crucial as external aesthetics for long-term satisfaction.

8 - Choose the right dimensions

The sofa or even the sofa set should neither be too big nor too small for the room, and for this, you need to consider not just the sofa dimensions but also the dimensions of the room.

We always ask our clients to bring in pictures and measurements of the room so our interior designers can guide them regarding the right sofa size for their room and decor style.

Your sofa's size will affect both its style and level of comfort, in addition to its overall appearance.

Traditional sofas tend to have a greater seat/back height and a shallow seat depth. They are, therefore, more appropriate for a formal environment.

On the other hand, A sofa that is really low to the ground and has a deep seat will feel more comfortable, casual, and vintage-style.

The more current, contemporary style, which most of us find sophisticated yet cosy, lies between those two.

Finally, measure any doors and stairways the sofa will need to go through before delivery; your walls will thank you for this. Here's our detailed post on how to choose the right sofa size.

Key Takeaway: Proper dimensional planning considers both room proportions and delivery logistics, ensuring your sofa enhances rather than overwhelms the space while arriving safely.

9 - Leather or fabric?

The leather vs fabric sofa debate is a very old one for any interior designer - of course both have their own charm, pros, and cons. If you or your family members are likely to spill on the sofas, it is best to go for a leather or velvet sofa as they're easier to clean. And while leather sofas may be considerably more expensive, they usually tend to last longer than fabric sofas.

No matter which material you go for, viewing actual sofa samples in your room can make a lot of difference. Without swatches, it might be challenging to determine how large a pattern repeat is or how your room's lighting influences a fabric's colour or gloss.

Whether you choose a bold colour, striking pattern, or neutral material, your upholstery selection will significantly influence the room's character - so do choose thoughtfully to ensure it complements your overall scheme. Natural materials may fade in strong sunlight, so go for a synthetic fabric if the sofa will be near a window.

Most retailers will provide free or inexpensive swatches that can be combined with paint swatches or wallpaper samples.

Moodboards are also of great help; luckily, many excellent apps can assist you in organising your design strategy, or you can ask your interior designer to arrange a mood board or a 3D design for you.

Key Takeaway: Material selection significantly impacts both durability and maintenance requirements, with leather offering longevity and fabric providing versatile design options for different lifestyles.

10 - Choose a style that reflects your personal taste

While comfort is an important factor when buying a new sofa, aesthetics do not need to be compromised.

"It's never a good idea to go for a trendy sofa that does not fit with the overall design of your home or your personal taste," says our senior interior designer, Cristina Chirila, "I always recommend that my clients go for something timeless that will still feel at home after several decades and that is versatile enough to adjust even if you renovate the room and go for a different style in a few years."

Key Takeaway: The most enduring sofa selection transcends fleeting trends by marrying personal aesthetic sensibilities with timeless design principles. Our sophisticated approach at FCI prioritises pieces that evolve gracefully with your lifestyle, ensuring your investment remains as relevant and striking decades later, because true luxury lies in longevity, not temporary fashion.

Summing Up 

One of the most significant purchases you'll probably make for your house is a sofa. It makes sense to spend the time and money on one that will last for many years since it is a piece that is used for relaxing, reading, eating, entertaining, watching TV, and even napping.

We're sure that after going through the above-mentioned tips, you'll be an expert at choosing the most comfortable sofa or sectional.

But if you still need some professional help, speak with one of our award-winning team members who have been selling the world's best sofas for more than four decades now.

To ensure that your couch is the perfect fit, we can also customise it. You'll feel confident knowing that a bespoke sofa made to your specifications will suit you and your area perfectly.

We can start with a free interior design consultation that will help you shortlist a sofa that's not just comfortable but also looks great.

Key Takeaway: Timeless design choices ensure your investment remains stylistically relevant, while expert guidance can provide the customisation needed for perfect comfort and fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I expect a comfortable sofa to last with regular use?
A well-constructed sofa with quality frame materials and high-density foam fillings should provide a comfortable settee for 10-15 years with proper care. Luxury handcrafted pieces often exceed this timeframe, making them genuinely worthwhile investments for discerning homeowners.

Can I test sofa comfort if I'm purchasing online without visiting a showroom?
While physical testing remains ideal, examining detailed customer reviews, requesting fabric swatches, and understanding the manufacturer's comfort specifications can provide valuable insights. Many reputable retailers also offer generous return policies for online purchases.

What's the difference between a feather and a foam cushion in comfort over time?
Feather cushions offer luxurious initial comfort but require regular plumping to maintain shape, while high-density foam provides consistent support with minimal maintenance. Many premium sofas combine both materials for optimal comfort and longevity.

Should I prioritise comfort or style when selecting a sofa for entertaining?
The finest sofas successfully marry both elements - exceptional comfort doesn't require compromising sophisticated aesthetics. Focus on timeless design with proven comfort credentials rather than choosing between these essential qualities.

Visit Our Showroom

Address & Hours:
FCI London, Rays House, North Circular Road, London, NW10 7XP
Monday - Saturday: 10 am - 6pm
Sunday & Bank Holidays: 11am - 5pm

Contact Details:
Phone: +442081531235
Email: [email protected]

What to Bring:

• Room dimensions and measurements
• Floor plans or room layout sketches
• Current room photos from multiple angles
• Budget range and timeline
• Style preferences and inspiration images
• Details of existing furniture you want to keep

Conclusion

Finding the most comfortable sofa requires careful consideration of personal preferences, room dimensions, and quality construction. From testing seat depths to understanding filling materials, each decision contributes to years of exceptional comfort. When you invest in a truly comfortable sofa that reflects your style, you're creating the foundation for countless memorable moments in your home.

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