How to Select the Right Sofa for You, According to Designers

Making a big home purchase requires a lot of thought and planning. After all, you don’t want to spend a ton of money on a piece you don’t love, or worse, can’t even fit inside your door! A sofa is one of those big-ticket items that can give people a lot of anxiety, but it doesn’t have to. We spoke to a few of our REAL SIMPLE Home 2025 designers to ask them what we should consider before we click to buy.

Consider the Depth

“Think about how you’ll use it,” says Jason Saft, founder of Staged to Sell, a home-staging company in New York City. If you plan to sit up and do a lot of reading, choose a sofa that’s between 33 and 36 inches deep. If you’re more of a lounger, go for 40 inches or more so you can sink in.

Opt for Durability

Pretty things can also be durable, says New York City–based interior designer Alvin Wayne, who’s known for bold, luxurious designs. “A performance fabric, like Sunbrella, is your best bet—it’s stain-resistant, easy to clean, and kid- and pet-friendly,” he says. Velvet is also surprisingly tough!

Get a Cover

Coveting a pink couch? A little scared? Toronto-based designer Alexandra Gater has a smart idea: “If you’re unsure how you’ll feel about it in a few years, I recommend getting custom covers from Bemz.” This way, you can change it and don’t have to make a long-term commitment.

Think About Scale

“You don’t want a sofa that overtakes your entire space and leaves no room for necessities,” Gater says. To avoid this, use a digital floor planning tool like Floor Planner, which lets you see your item in 3D in your space. Alternatively, you can also tape out the size of the sofa on your floor with painter’s tape.

Measure Everything

This is especially important for apartment dwellers! “Will it fit through all the door frames, hallway spaces, and elevators you may have?” Saft says. “I can not tell you how many people over the years have reached out to me to sell me a brand new sofa that they cannot fit in through their front door.” You can also avoid this by choosing a modular option that comes in easy-to-connect pieces.