Sofa Buying Guide
We spend plenty of time on our sofas, either relaxing watching TV, sitting and chatting with friends or lounging on a lazy afternoon. Therefore, when it comes to buying a sofa, it needs to be a considered purchase. Having the right one is not only practical to provide comfy seating but it can enhance your interior style, opting for a certain colour, fabric or pattern can set the tone for the room. From cosy 2 seater sofas to indulgent corner sofas the Laura James sofa buying guide will help you understand how to pick a sofa that’s right for your home.
What to Consider
Before you decide on the style, you need to know where it is going to go. Do you need a large living room sofa where you will be entertaining guests or relaxing with the family. Alternatively, you may be looking for cosy seating for an open plan living space or seeking the right size sofa for a small living room or cosy snug. Before ordering, measure the space and double check the sofa measurements. If you are choosing a sofa with a chaise lounge, then ensure you have the space to accommodate the chaise part of the sofa. You may also want to check the measurements of the hallway or doorway where the sofa needs to come through when being delivered.
Once you are happy with the measurements, think about interior décor. Are you choosing seating that will need to match the style of the room or are you going to plan your living room scheme based on the sofa as the main feature. If you are taking the sofa as the starting point for your room design, then think about longevity. A timeless sofa design means you can easily update the room with accessories when you fancy a change.
Types of Sofas
Our collection of larger sofas includes 4-seater styles like our Frankie and corner sofas such as the Tracy, ideal for those who want to lounge comfortably on their sofas. A chaise lounge sofa like our Annabelle is ideal for open plan living as it can help create a sitting room zone. The Ava corner sofa is available with the option for both a left hand and right hand chaise.
Discover small sofas for small spaces with our collection of 3- and 2-seater sofa options. Perhaps you want a sofa to complement an armchair or accent chair. A neutral-coloured small sofa could be used in a large bedroom or dressing room to add stylish seating.
At Laura James we understand that you may have family and friends staying from time to time, therefore having a sofa bed is a practical addition to your home. You can find out more about our range of sofa beds in our sofa bed buying guide.
Fabrics & Colours
Choosing the fabric and colour of your new sofa is the fun bit, but there a few practicalities you need to consider. Do you need a sofa suitable for family life, do you have pets or perhaps you have been searching for the perfect sofa to suit the minimal aesthetic of the rest of your home. To get the most out of your sofa ensure you invest in one that is durable for your lifestyle.
To help you visualise your new sofa, Laura James recommends ordering one of our free fabric swatches so you can see the fabric in person. It will help you to see how the material looks in the natural light and how it looks with your room décor and other pieces of living room furniture.
If you love to embrace colour to your home then why not opt for our Tracy corner sofa in lagoon teal velvet or the ink blue velvet Ava 2-seater sofa if you love rich dark tones. The Florence 4-seater sofa in burnt orange velvet is a true style statement featuring Art-Deco inspired fluting this sofa will become the focal point of the room. A velvet sofa is the perfect way to add a luxury feel to your living space.
If your interior taste is all about calming neutrals and Scandi style home décor then we have a choice of stylish sofas to complete your space. A boucle sofa like our Ava 2 and 3 seater styles will add texture whilst the beige sofa like the Emily features a contemporary design for a timeless look.
Sofa Styling
If you are using a sofa to divide a room or open plan space, then a sofa with a low back will help create the illusion of more space and will not block too much light if it is positioned near a window. Add interest and cosiness to your sofa by styling it with cushions and throws to introduce pattern and colour.
Think about the rest of the room and consider living room lighting to create the perfect mood, you may want to include a side table and a chic table lamp at the end of your sofa. Position your coffee table near enough for guests to reach and anchor the living space with a large cosy rug which can also bring texture and create an inviting look.
Shop all Laura James sofas here.