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One simple way to choose a new sofa is to start by picking a brand. You can then narrow things down by choosing a fabric and style that you like the look of.
We've picked out five of the best online sofa brands by looking at value for money, specifications and customer reviews. We've picked a range of prices, since not all of us can afford to spend thousands of pounds on a sofa.
We've picked out five of the best online sofa brands by looking at value for money, specifications and customer reviews. We've picked a range of prices, since not all of us can afford to spend thousands of pounds on a sofa.
1. John Lewis & Partners (£700+ for a 3 seater)
Shoppers looking for a well-built mid-priced sofa with a traditional design have got a lot of choice in the UK.
Long-established British sofa companies like Parker Knoll and Ercol are certainly worth considering, but we've gone for John Lewis & Partners' own-brand of sofas and armchairs because of the size of the range. They do sell other brands but there are 400+ available under their own name, with a huge choice of sizes, styles and fabric colours which can easily be narrowed down on their website.
They're also not as expensive as you might expect, with a 3-seater starting from about £900 (or £500 for the John Lewis ANYDAY range). Decent sofas occasionally pop up in the 'reduced to clear' section.
Most John Lewis & Partners sofas tick the right boxes for me but it's worth taking a bit of time to have a rummage into the descriptions and specifications, which are clearer and more transparent than any other retailer I've found.
Ideally, you want a sofa made with a hard wood frame (e.g. birch) and one which is held together with screws, glue or dowels. It's also a good sign if it's made in the UK, though that's not a deal-breaker. Also, take a look at the support - some sort of springs is a better option than 'webbing'.
Reassuringly, you'll find that many of their sofas come with frame guarantees of 15 years. John Lewis & Partners was shortlisted in a 2022 customer service award, although that was the whole store rather than just their sofas.
You'll notice that some sofas are under a brand called 'ANYDAY by John Lewis' rather John Lewis & Partners. This is the cheaper range, which are made using cheaper materials and techniques. Go for the stuff labelled John Lewis & Partners instead if you can afford it.
Long-established British sofa companies like Parker Knoll and Ercol are certainly worth considering, but we've gone for John Lewis & Partners' own-brand of sofas and armchairs because of the size of the range. They do sell other brands but there are 400+ available under their own name, with a huge choice of sizes, styles and fabric colours which can easily be narrowed down on their website.
They're also not as expensive as you might expect, with a 3-seater starting from about £900 (or £500 for the John Lewis ANYDAY range). Decent sofas occasionally pop up in the 'reduced to clear' section.
Most John Lewis & Partners sofas tick the right boxes for me but it's worth taking a bit of time to have a rummage into the descriptions and specifications, which are clearer and more transparent than any other retailer I've found.
Ideally, you want a sofa made with a hard wood frame (e.g. birch) and one which is held together with screws, glue or dowels. It's also a good sign if it's made in the UK, though that's not a deal-breaker. Also, take a look at the support - some sort of springs is a better option than 'webbing'.
Reassuringly, you'll find that many of their sofas come with frame guarantees of 15 years. John Lewis & Partners was shortlisted in a 2022 customer service award, although that was the whole store rather than just their sofas.
You'll notice that some sofas are under a brand called 'ANYDAY by John Lewis' rather John Lewis & Partners. This is the cheaper range, which are made using cheaper materials and techniques. Go for the stuff labelled John Lewis & Partners instead if you can afford it.
2. G Plan (£1300+ for a 3 seater sofa)
British brand G-Plan has been making sofas in Wiltshire for more than 70 years. They certainly aren't cheap, but you are paying for long-lasting quality. Don't go for G Plan if you think you'll fancy a change in 18 months time.
Sofas from G-Plan aren't in endless "70% off bank-holiday-double-discount" sales, whereas a lot of sofa sellers will try to flog you a cheap sofa and present it as an expensive model.
You might associate G-Plan with something that your wealthy aunt bought to show off, but the designs have come on a lot. They are certainly at the classic end of the design scale, but they typically come in a choice of about 20 different colours and fabrics. You can also add on things like footrests and USB charging ports.
If you want a more traditional style of sofa, I would start with the G Plan Vintage 68 range or the GPlan Vintage 71 range. If you prefer a more trendy and modern style, I would look at the G Plan Vintage 65. (I conferred with my wife for this advice, as she's a lot more Insta-trendy than me).
Sofas from G-Plan aren't in endless "70% off bank-holiday-double-discount" sales, whereas a lot of sofa sellers will try to flog you a cheap sofa and present it as an expensive model.
You might associate G-Plan with something that your wealthy aunt bought to show off, but the designs have come on a lot. They are certainly at the classic end of the design scale, but they typically come in a choice of about 20 different colours and fabrics. You can also add on things like footrests and USB charging ports.
If you want a more traditional style of sofa, I would start with the G Plan Vintage 68 range or the GPlan Vintage 71 range. If you prefer a more trendy and modern style, I would look at the G Plan Vintage 65. (I conferred with my wife for this advice, as she's a lot more Insta-trendy than me).
What's the difference between cheaper and more expensive G Plan sofas?
The material you choose makes a significant difference to your total spend on a G Plan sofa.
For example, I found a G-Plan three seater in 'Sherbert Cloud' (i.e. creamy beige) for about £1300. That's a very good price and isn't far off what you'll pay for some basic quality sofas.
However, the same sofa in a silvery 'Plush Mallard' colour was £500 extra. If you want to upgrade again to one of G Plan's leather sofas then you'd pay about £2300 - or about £1000 more than the cheapest fabric.
The other main difference between cheaper and more expensive G Plan sofas is whether they have footrests. They typically add on about £500 for one footrest or £800 for two (good luck arguing over who gets the footrest if you just get one).
There is some variation in the G Plan range about how they are constructed - but this doesn't seem make a huge difference to the price tag.
Some of G Plan's wooden frames are glued together whilst others use a technique called 'mortice and tenon'. This is drifting into a dull area that will have you nodding off, but it basically involves slotting one bit of wood inside another. Both techniques will give you a long lasting sofa so I wouldn't obsess over that.
Some G Plan sofas come with a 10 year frame guarantee, whilst others come with a 15 year frame guarantee. I haven't quite figured out why there this is variation, as it doesn't really align with the pricing and construction methods. It's a generous length warranty either way.
Some G Plan sofas have foam fillings whilst others use a combination of foam and fibre. "What does that actually mean?" I hear you politely ask.
Generally, the bit of the sofa that you sit on is made from foam. It bounces back and should keep its shape for many years, unless you have a particularly large bottom.
The bit of the sofa that your back goes against can either be made from 'foam' or 'fibre'. Foam fillings mean that your sofa will keep its shape and won't need constantly puffing up and reshaping. However, some people prefer fibre fillings as you sink into them more so can feel a bit more indulgent and relaxing.
The main downside with a G Plan sofa is that the covers are not usually removable. The leather models are easier to keep clean, but you may get a bit precious about a fabric model if you've just coughed up a couple of thousand pounds.
For example, I found a G-Plan three seater in 'Sherbert Cloud' (i.e. creamy beige) for about £1300. That's a very good price and isn't far off what you'll pay for some basic quality sofas.
However, the same sofa in a silvery 'Plush Mallard' colour was £500 extra. If you want to upgrade again to one of G Plan's leather sofas then you'd pay about £2300 - or about £1000 more than the cheapest fabric.
The other main difference between cheaper and more expensive G Plan sofas is whether they have footrests. They typically add on about £500 for one footrest or £800 for two (good luck arguing over who gets the footrest if you just get one).
There is some variation in the G Plan range about how they are constructed - but this doesn't seem make a huge difference to the price tag.
Some of G Plan's wooden frames are glued together whilst others use a technique called 'mortice and tenon'. This is drifting into a dull area that will have you nodding off, but it basically involves slotting one bit of wood inside another. Both techniques will give you a long lasting sofa so I wouldn't obsess over that.
Some G Plan sofas come with a 10 year frame guarantee, whilst others come with a 15 year frame guarantee. I haven't quite figured out why there this is variation, as it doesn't really align with the pricing and construction methods. It's a generous length warranty either way.
Some G Plan sofas have foam fillings whilst others use a combination of foam and fibre. "What does that actually mean?" I hear you politely ask.
Generally, the bit of the sofa that you sit on is made from foam. It bounces back and should keep its shape for many years, unless you have a particularly large bottom.
The bit of the sofa that your back goes against can either be made from 'foam' or 'fibre'. Foam fillings mean that your sofa will keep its shape and won't need constantly puffing up and reshaping. However, some people prefer fibre fillings as you sink into them more so can feel a bit more indulgent and relaxing.
The main downside with a G Plan sofa is that the covers are not usually removable. The leather models are easier to keep clean, but you may get a bit precious about a fabric model if you've just coughed up a couple of thousand pounds.
3. Dunelm (£400+ for a 3 seater sofa)
Dunelm's range of 350+ own-brand sofas is worth considering if you want the look of a designer sofa without paying for it.
They offer funky modern designs and interesting colours, rather than fussy old floral patterns which your grandma likes.
Sure, you have to compromise something if you're spending £400 rather than £4000, but you may not be looking for a sofa to last for decades if you've got a house full of children and pets.
We looked at 3-seater sofas and found that the cheaper options (around £400) tend to come in a couple of colours and only have a one-year guarantee. These sofas are ready to go, and they tend to be available for a quick delivery.
Meanwhile, the more expensive 3-seater sofas at Dunelm (£1000ish) are made to order so you get a much bigger choice of colours and a much longer warranty. The cheap sofas just come with a year's warranty whilst the more expensive Dunelm sofas offer up 25 years warranty on the frame.
Some of the sofas we found at Dunelm are made using foam fillings for more of a bouncy feel whilst others are made using manmade fibres for more of a sinking and hugging feeling. We didn't find sofas made with natural fillings, which is not a big surprise considering the price tag. The general rule is that natural materials cost more than manmade materials on a sofa. However, if you've got allergies then you'll probably want to steer clear of natural materials anyway.
Make sure that you dig into the product specification at Dunelm. Most listings tell you what type of wood was used for the frame or the way it is held together. That may sound like a whole new level of boring detail, but top-quality sofas use hardwood to stop them falling to pieces after a few years. Sofas which use softer woods tend not to last as long.
One downside with Dunelm is that there is limited information on what method is used to support the cushions. Some sofas say that they use 'webbing' to support the cushions, whilst others don't give the information. Again, this is excruciatingly boring (you did ask...) but most of the best sofas use springs rather than webbing.
These are hardly issues which will keep you awake at night, but it's worth understanding what you are getting for your money.
Overall Trustpilot reviews for Dunelm.com are at 3.7/5 (that's for the whole store, not just their sofas).
They offer funky modern designs and interesting colours, rather than fussy old floral patterns which your grandma likes.
Sure, you have to compromise something if you're spending £400 rather than £4000, but you may not be looking for a sofa to last for decades if you've got a house full of children and pets.
We looked at 3-seater sofas and found that the cheaper options (around £400) tend to come in a couple of colours and only have a one-year guarantee. These sofas are ready to go, and they tend to be available for a quick delivery.
Meanwhile, the more expensive 3-seater sofas at Dunelm (£1000ish) are made to order so you get a much bigger choice of colours and a much longer warranty. The cheap sofas just come with a year's warranty whilst the more expensive Dunelm sofas offer up 25 years warranty on the frame.
Some of the sofas we found at Dunelm are made using foam fillings for more of a bouncy feel whilst others are made using manmade fibres for more of a sinking and hugging feeling. We didn't find sofas made with natural fillings, which is not a big surprise considering the price tag. The general rule is that natural materials cost more than manmade materials on a sofa. However, if you've got allergies then you'll probably want to steer clear of natural materials anyway.
Make sure that you dig into the product specification at Dunelm. Most listings tell you what type of wood was used for the frame or the way it is held together. That may sound like a whole new level of boring detail, but top-quality sofas use hardwood to stop them falling to pieces after a few years. Sofas which use softer woods tend not to last as long.
One downside with Dunelm is that there is limited information on what method is used to support the cushions. Some sofas say that they use 'webbing' to support the cushions, whilst others don't give the information. Again, this is excruciatingly boring (you did ask...) but most of the best sofas use springs rather than webbing.
These are hardly issues which will keep you awake at night, but it's worth understanding what you are getting for your money.
Overall Trustpilot reviews for Dunelm.com are at 3.7/5 (that's for the whole store, not just their sofas).
4. Sofas & stuff (£1000+ for a 3 seater)
British brand Sofas and Stuff makes our top 5 on the basis of its customer reviews and customisable designs. Reviews were at 4.6/5 when we checked, from 2500+ customers, which is well above average. Their website is full of black and white images of men and women carefully crafting with a chisel or a pair of fabric scissors.
Their quirk is that they only offer fabric sofas and that you can pick 'any fabric in the world'.
You start by picking your sofa type and then choose from a great big range of fabrics, or you can provide your own. Most sofas take several weeks to make but they also have a 'pronto' range of sofas which are available within a week.
For the uninitiated, natural materials like velvet and wool are more expensive than manmade fibres on a sofa. They look classy and will impress your snooty aunt when she comes to visit.
The downside is that natural materials aren't great for people with allergies and that they are more difficult to clean.
Sofas and Stuff has 12 stores in UK, or you can order online. They also got my attention because the springs and frames in their sofas come with a 15 year guarantee.
Their quirk is that they only offer fabric sofas and that you can pick 'any fabric in the world'.
You start by picking your sofa type and then choose from a great big range of fabrics, or you can provide your own. Most sofas take several weeks to make but they also have a 'pronto' range of sofas which are available within a week.
For the uninitiated, natural materials like velvet and wool are more expensive than manmade fibres on a sofa. They look classy and will impress your snooty aunt when she comes to visit.
The downside is that natural materials aren't great for people with allergies and that they are more difficult to clean.
Sofas and Stuff has 12 stores in UK, or you can order online. They also got my attention because the springs and frames in their sofas come with a 15 year guarantee.
5. Tetrad (£1700+ for a 3 seater)
It may sound like a Doctor Who baddie, but Preston-based Tetrad is worthy of a place in this top 5 thanks to its recent awards at the UK's Furniture Awards. For those who missed the biggest night in the furniture calendar (what's your excuse?), Tetrad won in the Living Category in 2017 and 2018.
Tetrad's sofas are mostly darker colours which won't appeal to everyone but if you dig into the specification you'll see that you're paying for quality, not just for a fancy name that will impress your neighbours. They use natural materials like wool for their covers, hard wood for their frames and springs rather than cheaper options (such as 'webbing').
Tetrad sofas are also made in the UK and come fully assembled, rather than arriving in a shipping container from China with a confusing instruction manual. So yes, it ain't cheap, but if you've recently sold a Picasso or your shares in Apple then I'd consider a Tetrad.
Tetrad's sofas are mostly darker colours which won't appeal to everyone but if you dig into the specification you'll see that you're paying for quality, not just for a fancy name that will impress your neighbours. They use natural materials like wool for their covers, hard wood for their frames and springs rather than cheaper options (such as 'webbing').
Tetrad sofas are also made in the UK and come fully assembled, rather than arriving in a shipping container from China with a confusing instruction manual. So yes, it ain't cheap, but if you've recently sold a Picasso or your shares in Apple then I'd consider a Tetrad.
Also from the Best Sofas Guide
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