Often purchasing a sofa seems like a fun and straight forward task. That is, until you actually start doing it. Not only do you have to navigate the mountain of different styles on offer, but you also have to consider colour, size, fabric, and of course fit. Plus, if you have a family at home, that's a whole other ball game!
In family homes, the living room is the hub of the household, so making it a warm and inviting space where every member of the family feels welcome is a top priority. At the heart of this is your sofa. If your house is the universe, then your sofa is the sun. It's at the centre of everything in your home.
Just think about all the different times you use your sofa indoors…
Watching Netflix box sets on a rainy day
Relaxing with a glass of wine when the kids have gone to bed
Entertaining friends who pop by for a quick cuppa
Debating the outcome of Saturday night TV shows
Putting your feet up after a long day at the office
A makeshift sick bed when the little one's off school
The fact is, in every family home, the sofa plays many different roles. So finding a style that can accommodate the needs of everyone using it can be a challenge. Not just if you have kids at home, but also dogs or cats too - they're equally part of the family after all!
Product shown: The Kittisford sofa/sofa bed shown in House Linen Vintage Grey
Here are a few basic things to consider when you're shopping for a family friendly sofa style.
Size
Your sofa is the heart of the living room, but its size shouldn't be overwhelming. In terms of its positioning compared to other furniture, you should allow at least a 16-18 inch gap, making it easy to manoeuvre around the room comfortably.
How many people it can seat also depends on the number of seat cushions it contains, rather than its actual length. A longer style with just two cushions for example, is less likely to accommodate three adults comfortably than a slightly smaller one with three.
Fabric
It's important to choose a fabric that is resilient and easy to care for, especially when you have a family! Not all fabric types are created to endure constant perching. So if you want to know how well your fabric will hold up, take a look at its rub count. This number tells you how much friction the material can withstand before it shows signs of ageing.
Opting for a darker colour fabric is also wise in family homes. Spills are more likely when little ones are running around, so choose a colour that won't stain easily. Likewise, opting for a machine washable fabric will mean you save money on dry cleaning costs in the long run too.
Style
Style might not seem like an important factor in finding the right family sized sofa but the truth is, the style you choose can have an impact on your sofa's aftercare.
If you opt for a fixed back style for example, you won't be able to remove the seat back covers. So if they get dirty your only option will be to spot clean the material (subject to manufacturer's guidelines).
Comfort
Comfort is of course subjective, but there's still a couple of things you can do to make sure your sofa stands a better chance of pleasing everyone in your family.
If one person in your house is quite tall for example, a low level style isn't going to offer them the height they need to sit comfortably. While for little ones who have shorter legs, a seat cushion that's shallower will provide greater support. But, for people who routinely like to curl up on a sofa, a deeper cushion is better suited.
3 tips for making sure your sofa fits
Use masking tape or newspaper to map out the space the sofa will take up once in place. This will help you gauge the size accurately.
Measure the width of any doors your sofa will need to fit through on its journey to your living room to ensure there's enough space for it to pass.
Make sure there's at least a 16-inch gap between your sofa and other furniture in the room - if there isn't then the sofa is too big for the room.
Our Top 4 family sofas
Product shown: The Tidworth chaise storage sofa/sofa bed
Hidden storage under the chaise makes this one perfect for families
Product shown: The Deverill modular corner sofa/sofa bed
A sofa that can grow and adapt with you as your family does
Product shown: The Westbury 2 modules sofa/sofa bed
A lengthy sofa with bags of room for families to sit together
Product shown: The Ablington 2 modules sofa/sofa bed with ottoman
An armless style that offers an adaptable seating solution
Explore the full range of family friendly sofa styles we offer at Willow & Hall. And you can take a look at our samples page to find out which fabrics in our range are most suitable for you and your needs!
If you'd like more advice on fitting a sofa into a room you can refer to our dimensions guide. Or, if you have any questions, contact our friendly customer service team on 020 8939 3800 or via our contact-us form.
Kind regards,
The Willow & Hall team