The most common reason for regretting a sofa purchase is choosing the wrong size. A sofa that is too big swamps the room; one that is too small gets lost. This practical guide shows you how to measure correctly and work out the ideal size for your space.
What to measure and how
Measure the length and width of the room, the distance between the wall the sofa will stand against and the other main pieces of furniture (TV, dining table), and the height of doorways and corridors — essential to make sure the sofa will fit into your home.
The 2/3 rule
One of the most widely used proportions in interior design: the sofa should take up no more than two thirds of the width of the wall it stands against. This rule creates visual balance and leaves room for other elements.
Minimum walkway
There should be at least 45 cm (ideally 60 cm) between the sofa and the coffee table, and 80 to 90 cm between the sofa and other furniture for comfortable passage. Never box the sofa in against walls on all sides.
Simulate before you buy
Mark out the dimensions of the sofa you're considering on the floor with masking tape and live with it for 24 hours. This simple technique avoids the errors of perception that often happen in store.
The role of visual scale
In rooms with high ceilings, a high-backed sofa balances the proportions. In low rooms, a sofa with a horizontal line and visible legs makes the space look bigger. Scale is relative: there is no right sofa in the abstract.
With the right measurements in hand and our team available to help, finding the ideal sofa for your space is a simple process with no risk of error.
