Interior Designers Share 10 Tips on Buying a Family Sofa

We've already talked in detail about sofa-buying tips, but buying a sofa for your family is quite different as families have different needs than individuals. So we talked to our interior designers about their tips on finding the best sofa for the family; here's what we found out:

1 - Start by Having a Clear Vision

Having a clear vision is all about being clear on your needs and priorities. Some questions you can ask yourself are:

• How do you use the sofa the most? For relaxing, eating, watching tv or taking naps?
• How many people in the family use the sofa on a regular basis?
• Will you be entertaining guests in the same room?
• How long do you expect the sofa to last?
• How much are you willing to spend on the sofa?

The answers to these questions will move you in the right direction for your family sofa search.

2 - Choose the Best Sofa Size for your Family

The size of your sofa depends on two main things: the size of your family and the size or floor plan of the room. It's important to have a sofa that is big enough to accommodate the whole family and any guests that you might expect. If a sofa is not big enough for your living room or your family, you can consider adding extra seating through armchairs and ottomans.

3 - Give Modular Sofas a Try

Modular sofas are great for families because of the flexibility that they offer. "I especially recommend lightweight modular sofas as you can easily rearrange them in any way that you want," says Ben.

Ben recently finished working on the stunning Coulins residence in collaboration with our frequent design partner, Rina Vastu. This property featured a huge living room which the client wanted to use as a playroom for the family, as it also had a tv for gaming, a snooker table and a foosball table.

So our interior designers went with modular seating in mismatched fabrics in a similar colour scheme - the lightweight sofas can easily be rearranged as needed. They also added a bespoke rug to bring the whole space together.

4 - Consider Multifunctional Furniture

In the age of space-saving and multi-functional furniture - you don't just have to stick to a simple sofa when you can get so much more.

For instance, if you want to use the sofa as a bed for the kids' sleepovers or to adjust any guests, it would be best to go for a sofa bed instead.

Similarly, if you enjoy reading, watching tv or taking long naps in the living room, you can consider buying a recliner sofa.

5 - Create a Cosy Conversation Corner

Having a family is all about sharing special moments and making memories - your sofa can play a huge part in it. The ideal family sofa should be one where you feel comfortable getting together and talking to each other. A corner sofa or a sectional can play a huge role in this as it can fit the whole family at convenient angles to each other.

Our designer Ben recently worked on a project where the client wanted a cosy family room. He went with an L-shaped sectional, a matching ottoman that can also be used as a coffee table, and a relaxing armchair with a footrest. This room featured a big television and fireplace as the feature wall, so the furniture was set accordingly. If you need some help with sofa placement, find our guide here.

6 - Cushions & Throw Pillows can Make a Big Difference

You might have noticed how in the project shared above, our designers used throw pillows and a throw blanket to add to the cosy aesthetics of the room, along with adding a bit of colour. It's important to use accessories like these to style your living room and give it a distinctive character.

But if you have young kids, make sure that your accessories are kids friendly, for example, avoid cushions or pillows with buttoned detailing.

7 - Go for High-End Sofas if You Want Durability

There's a misconception that family sofas should not be high-end as they need to be replaceable. The truth is, while a mass-produced, average-quality sofa will only last you a few years, a luxury sofa can last for decades because of the high-quality materials used in its manufacturing.

And wouldn't you want a sofa that you can use for years as you and your family grow old together? So if you want something long-lasting, durable and sustainable, it is best to opt for high-end, good-quality brands.

Browse Our Luxury Sofa Collection

8 - Shop In-Store & Go Through the Fabric Samples

If you're buying a high-end sofa for your family, we would not recommend buying online. It would be best to visit the store in person, test out the sofa and go through the fabric samples to make the best decision.

You might also want to discuss the pros and cons of different fabrics with your salesperson or designer. Do you want leather or fabric? What type of leather or fabric would be best for your lifestyle?

For families with kids - designers usually recommend leather as it is spill-proof and easy to clear. But with high-end sofas, you can get similar fabrics that are durable and easy to clean.

9 - Find out What's Inside Your Sofa

"Sometimes, we get too focused on how a sofa looks that we forget to find out what's inside even though that is the more important aspect," says Cristina, senior designer at FCI London.

What materials have been used in your sofa's structures? What is the filling in the cushions and seats made of? You need to ask these questions to make sure you're investing in a good-quality product and that you're getting what you're paying for.

10 - Do your Research

Finally, we strongly believe that when it comes to buying a new family sofa, with the right research and the right salesperson, you don't have to compromise on any one factor over another. Sofas from good quality brands will offer you everything that your family needs - be it modern design, high level of comfort, storage, modularity, removable covers or anything else that your heart desires.

So if you have to make a compromise with your sofa, it probably means that you haven't found the right one yet.

We have been selling some of the world's best sofas for over 40 years now, so hop into our amazing showroom any day of the week and we would be happy to guide you in the right direction. If you're interested in a free interior design consultation with one of our experts, we recommend booking an appointment so we'll be ready for your visit.