The best sofas of 2023 for comfort and style, tried and tested

In the average sofa’s 11-year lifetime, it will be used for an estimated 6,500 hours of TV-watching, according to a semi-scientific 2017 survey by retailer Furniture Village. As the centrepiece of the living room and the furniture that sees the most day-to-day use, the comfort and durability of a sofa is very important indeed. We’ve spent months researching the best sofas to buy because, as a big ticket item, it’s a decision you want to get right first time, and there are lots of factors to consider. 

Even the best online homeware or interior shops can’t let you try before you buy, which is why bricks-and-mortar sofa stores continue to thrive. We couldn’t have written this article without them. But there are upsides to internet shopping for a sofa – more fabric options, wider choice, and the fact that you can shop from the comfort of your (current) sofa. That’s why we have only chosen sofas you can buy online.

Scroll to the bottom of this article for Telegraph interiors editor Jessica Doyle’s expert guide on how to choose the right sofa for you. In short, while trends for styles, shapes and colours come and go, the most important factors within your budget are the size of your room, the uses you want to put the sofa to and how long you want it to last. If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at our top five sofas:

Which are the best sofas in 2023? At a glance

• Best sofa overall – Heal’s Devon sofa
• Best value sofa - IKEA GRÖNLID Sofa
• Best corner sofa – Sofa.com Izzy Corner Sofa
• Best sofa for fast delivery - Swyft Model 02 sofa
• Best leather sofa - Habitat Salisbury Leather 3 Seater Sofa

How we tested the best sofas

Quite simply, a sit test – it’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it. We visited showrooms and quizzed experts, taking into account the design, comfort, range of fabric options, quality and filling of each sofa. Most importantly, we tested how comfortable each was and how much support there was for our backs. Here is what we found, starting with our favourite...

The best sofas

1. Heal’s Devon three-seater sofa

£2,289, Heals

Best sofa overall, 10/10

We like: the plush cushions

We don’t like: it’s not the best for back support

• In 63 combinations of colour and fabric inc. cotton, velvet, wool, weave, linen
• 86cm high, 186cm wide, 98cm deep
• Four and two-seater versions available

Reviewed by Abigail Buchanan

The Heal’s Devon is deeply cushioned, comfortable and classic – the kind of sofa I’d be more than happy to sink into on a Sunday afternoon (sadly, I only got to sink into it briefly at the showroom on Tottenham Court Road). As the price suggests, it’s a luxury sofa but you can’t question the quality, plus it comes with a lifetime guarantee and a one year upholstery guarantee. 

Its scroll arms and high back will appeal to traditionalists but the range of colourful fabrics (including velvet and a lovely linen-cotton blend) keep it looking contemporary. It’s available in 63 fabrics and colours, and two-seater, four-seater, loveseat and armchair styles. Each piece is made to order with delivery in 12-14 weeks.

2. IKEA GRÖNLID Sofa

£930, IKEA

Best value sofa, 9/10

We like: the deep cushions

We don’t like: it takes a while to assemble

• In six colours, including white, natural, dark grey, black, light red and light green
• 104cm high, 258cm wide, 98cm deep
• Available in two seater, three seater and three seater with a chaise longue

Reviewed by Rebecca Astill

As with all IKEA furniture, this sofa arrives completely flat packed, in more pieces than you can imagine. It definitely takes some patience to piece it together and less practical types might be tempted to pay the IKEA TaskRabbit fee, but once up it’s a lovely deep sofa to rival its more expensive competitors.

You can buy the sofa in three forms but I like this chaise longue version which has hidden storage inside the long cushion, making it an excellent option for small flats. It also makes it even more comfortable for snuggling up and watching a film - saving any need to buy an additional poof. The cushions are made from a combination of pocket-springs, foam and a top layer of polyester fibres.

A small negative is the back cushions sit a little high for the back so it works best if positioned against a wall. Other than that I think it’s an excellent value option that adds a soft feel to any room.

3. Sofa.com Izzy Small Corner Sofa

£3,830, Sofa.com

Best corner sofa, 9/10

We like: that it has ample space for a large family

We don’t like: the back cushions might be too soft for some people

• In 20 fabrics (inc leather, bouclé, tweed, velvet), 13 colours and two choices of wood legs
• 87cm high, 249cm wide (both directions), 97cm deep
• Medium and large versions available

Reviewed by Abigail Buchanan

I know from experience that this plush corner sofa can fit a deceptively large number of people on it – ideal for family movie marathons or entertaining friends. The slimmed down arms mean it’s smart and space-saving without compromising on pillowy comfort from the feather-wrapped foam cushions. 

It’s available in a modular design or, if you have a smaller space, two, two-and-a-half and three-seater designs. It can be delivered in parts, so there’s no need to worry about the logistics of getting into your living room. 

Sofa.com offers a range of 160 fabric and colour combinations, including linen, velvet, Norfolk cotton and spill-resistant smart fabrics. I’m particularly taken with their on-trend herringbone weave and textured bouclé. Each sofa is handmade and delivered comparatively quickly in six to eight weeks. 

4. Swyft Model 02 sofa

£1,345, Swyft

Best sofa for fast delivery, 9/10

We like: the quick, easy delivery, perfect for renters or small spaces

We don’t like: it’s not the cosiest looking sofa

• In linen (three colours), velvet (seven colours) or chestnut faux leather
• 82 cm high, 205cm wide, 85cm deep
• Two-seater, four-seater and corner sofa versions available

Reviewed by Abigail Buchanan

Hot off the heels of mattress-in-a-box brands such as Simba and Emma, a new crop of sofa-in-a-box brands have launched to offer next-day delivery and easy assembly. My favourite of these is Swyft. Their Model 02 sofa is supremely comfortable, with crumbed foam and hollow fibre cushions, a dual-layered foam seat and specially treated stain-resistant fabric that repels spills. 

If you order by 4pm, you can get next day delivery, and the sofas come in manoeuvrable boxes so you needn’t worry if you’re short on space or live up a flight of stairs. 

5. Loaf Pudding Sofa

From £1,545, Loaf

Best traditional sofa

We like: the classic look

We don’t like: the cushions do need re-plumping quite often 

• In cotton, linen, fabric, velvet, bamboo and wool, with a choice of 139 colours
• 83cm high, 150cm wide, 73cm deep for the small
• Small, medium, large and extra large sofas available

Reviewed by Rebecca Astill

This Loaf sofa is perfect for anyone wanting a traditional squishy sofa with duck feather, foam and recycled fibre filling, 100 per cent solid oak legs and a Scandinavian birch frame. The sofa arrives assembled and the delivery crew even takes away the packaging.

Loaf, as the name suggests, is known for prioritising comfort over anything and the plumpness of these cushions speak for themselves. It’s truly made for sinking into and you can order swatches before buying to make sure you’ve got the best fabric to suit you.

Unfortunately with great comfort comes the need for great plumping, which isn’t helped by the fact the sofa sits quite low to the ground. It’s not the best for anyone with a back problem but I still love the combination of style and comfort.

6. Maker & Son Marnie Loveseat (two-seater)

£4,500, Maker & Son

Best linen sofa, 8/10

We like: the sumptuous softness and sustainable ethos

We don’t like: the price tag

• In linen, brushed linen, corduroy or velvet, nine leg styles, four cushion styles, two skirt styles, two fill options and up to 24 colours dependent on fabric
• 77cm high, 140cm wide, 105cm deep
• Three-seater, chaise longue, armchair and dog bed also available

Reviewed by Abigail Buchanan

Anyone who’s dipped their toe into the interiors-themed corner of Instagram will likely have seen a video of someone jumping onto a soft, pillowy Maker & Son sofa or loveseat in slow motion, such is the power of their social media marketing.

The brand is a family-run father-and-son business operating out of an idyllic country house in Sussex, although they’ll pay you a visit in their charming mobile showroom-in-a-van wherever you are. I can confirm the Marnie Loveseat (pictured above) is as sumptuously soft and comfortable as it looks.

There’s no way around the fact that Maker & Son is expensive – but if you’re looking for a sustainably-sourced piece of furniture that’s been made with longevity in mind, it’s a brand you should have on your radar. 

There are several slightly different (but equally soft) designs, available in armchairs, loveseats and sofas, each with sumptuous pillows, a range of linen, velvet, corduroy and brushed cotton upholstery options, plus customisable legs, skirts and cushion edges. 

7. Habitat Salisbury Leather 3 Seater Sofa

£850, Habitat

Best leather sofa, 8/10

We like: it looks more expensive than it is

We don’t like: the cushions are all fixed

• Available in three colours including tan, chocolate and black
• 90cm high, 190cm wide, 57cm deep

Reviewed by Rebecca Astill

This Habitat sofa made from 100 per cent leather adds a touch of class to any living room and looks a lot more expensive than it is. It’s a three seater sofa, although at 190cm wide it’s definitely on the cosier side. I love the creased effect of the leather, although the tone is a touch warmer than it looks in the picture. You can request a free fabric sample before committing.

The seats and back cushions are secured in place and immovable which can be an issue if you plan on moving the sofa around, particularly up and down stairs. In their defence they do stay plump, filled with pocket springs, foam and fibre, so it doesn’t matter that you can’t manually plump them up.

It’s made from Italian semi aniline leather which is much more durable than regular leather, making it a great choice for anyone with pets. Just be aware that you do have to assemble the feat, which could be an issue for anyone lacking the strength to get underneath the sofa.

FAQ: How to choose the right sofa for you

Size and versatility

Start by choosing the type of sofa that will best fit your needs. There are five key types: two-seater, three-seater, corner, and modular sofas, plus sofa beds (and you can read our recent tried-and-tested guide to the best sofa beds here). The first two are self explanatory – they can sit two or three people. Corner sofas have an L-shaped design which is useful for families who need to squish extra people into a small space. 

Modular sofas, which can be rearranged to suit your space, are rapidly rising in popularity according to the Telegraph’s design and interiors editor Jessica Doyle. “Barker & Stonehouse have seen an 83% increase of sales in modular sofas over the past two years,” she says. “People are using them to create multifunctional living spaces and divide open-plan rooms.” Doyle also recommends the Australian sofa brand King’s modular designs (kingliving.co.uk). 

Shape

“Rounded shapes are a huge trend,” says Doyle. “Curved backs and crescent-shaped sofas soften a room and are good for conversation.” This is echoed by Charlotte Thomason, a sofa buyer at John Lewis which is launching a new curved cream bouclé sofa as a result of rising interest. 

Durability vs cost

If you’re looking for something more traditional, then it’s worth investing in a sofa that will last. “People are investing in a well-designed sofa that they’ll keep for years,” says Doyle, “rather than a five-year stopgap sofa that will end up in landfill.” 

For an investment piece, Doyle recommends Lorfords, whose traditionally upholstered sofas are handmade in their Cotswolds studio. “You can choose the style, the exact dimensions, and the fabric you want. They’re expensive but built to last a lifetime.” 

Fabric

Durable, stain-resistant fabrics may be the best choice if your sofa is likely to get a lot of wear and tear from kids, pets or drink spillages. The common sofa fabrics that need less TLC are linen, leather or polyester. “Leather has always been a popular choice for those with families and pets; it’s easy to clean and really durable so will stand the test of time,” says Thomason. “Bouclé and more textured weaves are also growing in popularity with our customers.”

If you have more freedom, you could opt for velvet, wool or cotton, all of which need a little bit more care. “Velvet is still really popular, particularly in strong colours, and patterned fabrics are also on the up, especially stripes and florals,” says Doyle. “They’re more practical as they help to hide marks.