20 best sofas for 2024: velvet, linen, corner sofas and more

Sofa shopping tends to start out as a fun task, but can quickly turn into a slog as we become overwhelmed with the many fabrics and styles on offer - not to mention price tags! So to help you out, we've gathered the best sofas on the market. Whatever you're after - a family-friendly corner sofa that can handle busy living room life, or an affordable compact velvet number for your bedroom - we've got you covered.

Jump to our buyer's guide for more on what to consider when buying a sofa.

Best sofas at a glance

• Best compact sofa Zinus Ricardo Loveseat Sofa
• Best leather sofa Halo Groucho Small 2 Seater Leather Sofa
• Best corner sofa Denver Corner Sofa
• Best sofa bed Zoe Velvet 3 Seater Sofa Bed
• Best velvet sofa Kasper Grass Green Velvet Sofa
• Best linen sofa Emilia Linen Sofa

On the lookout for faff-free sofa delivery, or have a particularly narrow door? Read our sofa in a box review.

Best sofas for 2024

Best compact sofas

Zinus Ricardo Loveseat Sofa

• Dimensions: 78 x 158 x 80cm
• 2 seater

If you're tight on space but still want to create a welcoming living room vibe, a compact sofa can work a treat. Amazon is well worth a look for neat, unfussy designs that'll slot into all kinds of interior with ease. A great place too for a budget-friendly find.

This little blue number offers a cosy, timeless look. Great for a conservatory, or a rental property in need of a homey touch.

We love that it's delivered in a box, and you won't need any tools for assembly so this is a hassle-free option.

For more small sofas, check out the best compact sofas.

Scandi Savannah Sofa

• Buy now from Homebase (£395.00)

• Dimensions: 87 x 147 x 78cm
• 2 seater

Fans of pared-back, Scandi-inspired furniture will love this elegant sofa from Homebase. The clean lines offer a sophisticated edge, and at just 147cm in length, it'll look great in small living rooms.

For a pop of colour, check out the teal design.

Luna Mustard Yellow Velvet Sofa

• Buy now from Oliver Bonas (£975.00)

• Dimensions: 63 x 170 x 97cm
• 2 seater

Add this cheery yellow velvet sofa to your bedroom for an instant burst of sunshine! The Oliver Bonas design is longer than the other compact sofas in our list, but its slender design makes it a suitable fit for compact spaces.

Check out our pick of the best yellow sofas for more inspiration.

Bouclé and Rattan Sofa

• Buy now from Oliver Bonas (£975.00)

• Dimensions: 76 x 130 x 68cm
• 2 seater

Another compact Oliver Bonas sofa to consider, and this is one for the bouclé enthusiasts. The rattan makes for a nice contrast against the cosy fabric, and you can have fun decorating with eye-catching cushions that match your room's décor.

Best leather sofas

Halo Groucho Small 2 Seater Leather Sofa

• Dimensions: 68 x 152 x 84cm
• 2 seater

An ideal fit for a bay window, this leather sofa from John Lewis is bursting with charm and character. The rich dark brown oozes sophistication - the perfect partner for a bookshelf full to the brim with your favourite reads.

Check out the best leather sofas for more design options.

Leather Chesterfield

• Buy now from Furniture Village (£3495.00 £2895.00)

• Dimensions: 75 x 111 x 213cm
• 3 seater

When it comes to sofas, you don't get much more classic than a Chesterfield. Featuring beautiful scroll arms and lovely button detail, a Chesterfield has got comfort and style covered. Go for a leather Chesterfield for a timeless look that'll match an array of colour schemes.

Read the best Chesterfield sofas for more standout designs.

Best corner sofas

Jumbo Cord Corner Sofa

• Buy now from Wayfair (£859.99)

• Dimensions: 79 x 200 x 90cm
• 4 seater

Corner sofas are an effortless choice for busy family life. This large, 4 seater design is perfect for social gatherings and movie marathons.

The scatter cushions are a real treat - afternoon nap anyone?

CosmoLiving Corner Sofa Chaise

• Buy now from Wayfair (£749.99 619.99)

• Dimensions: 90 x 207 x 151cm
• 3 seater

For a neater, more compact corner sofa, opt for a chaise design. Chaise sofas have the benefit of working in the centre of a room rather than just a corner, and still allow you to kick back with your feet up.

This dark green chaise sofa, available from Wayfair, is sure to add a glamorous touch to your living room. Decorate with animal print cushions for a luxurious feel.

Denver Left-Handed Corner Sofa

• Buy now from Swoon (£4,039.00)

• Dimensions: 82 x 267 x 102/244cm
• 4/5 seater

Who wouldn't want to collapse into this lovely corner sofa after a long, tiring day? For a gorgeous statement living room corner sofa, look no further than Swoon's burnt orange velvet design. The low arms are perfect for perching guests and the soft cushions allow you to lounge in comfort.

Take a look out our roundup of the best corner sofas for more design options.

Best sofa beds

Zoe Velvet 3 Seater Sofa Bed

• Dimensions: 90 x 92 x 183cm
• 3 seater
• Pull out sofa bed

Opting for a practical sofa bed doesn't mean you have to compromise on style. Treat your living room to a splash of olive green - great for dark colour schemes - and effortlessly put your guests up for the night with this sleek Dunelm sofa bed.

For more designs, read our roundup of the best sofa beds.

Honeypot 3 Seater Sofa Bed

• Dimensions: 90 x 173 x 80cm
• 3 seater
• Storage included

A three seater sofa bed is a handy addition to your space, especially if you've got more than one visitor looking for a bed for the night. We love the simplicity of this grey sofa bed, available from Amazon.

The low seat height is ideal for sinking in for the night, and as the cushions are on the firmer side, you can decorate with your favourite blankets and cushions for additional comfort. The clean lines make it ideal for a minimalist vibe but with a few homey touches, this sofa would work a treat in a busy family space too.

Steyning 3 Seater Vegan Leather Sofa Bed

• Buy now from Wayfair (£363.99)

• Dimensions: 94 x 81 x 172cm
• 3 seater
• Clic Clac sofa bed

Treat your office space to an effortless revamp with this vegan leather sofa bed. An affordable design with a stylish 70s feel, what not to love?

Frankie Small Double Sofa Bed

• Buy now from Marks and Spencer (£549.00)

• Dimensions: 84 x 120 x 93 cm
• Fold-out sofa bed

A super choice for a kids' playroom or bedroom thanks to its relaxed and casual look, the Frankie sofa bed from Marks and Spencer is a great space-saving solution.

Simply pull up and fold out the back cushion and you've got yourself a bed - the most faff-free of sofa beds.

Best velvet sofas

Kasper Grass Green Velvet Sofa

• Buy now from Graham & Green (from £2875.00)

• Dimensions: 67 x 233 x 100cm
• 3 seater (2.5 seater available)

Make a statement with a Graham & Green velvet sofa. There are a number of fabric and colour options to consider, including linen and bouclé, but the retailer's grass green velvet is hard to resist - a beautifully fresh colour to bring a room to life.

Check out the best green living rooms for colour palette inspiration.

Vesgantti 3 Seater Velvet Sofa

• Dimensions: 176 x 73.5 x 85cm
• 3 seater

Vibrant velvet sofas are perfect for adding a glamorous and eclectic touch to a room, and this bold blue design from Amazon does exactly that. While velvet sofas can often cost a small fortune, this is an affordable find. Pair with orange accessories for an on-trend look.

Check out our favourite orange and blue styling ideas for inspiration.

Martha Vintage Velvet 2 Seater Sofa

• Dimensions: 90 x 174 x 112cm
• 2 seater

The soft round edges and plump cushions make this pink velvet sofa a sweet and inviting choice, and as a compact two seater, it's a top choice for apartments and small spaces.

Find style inspiration in our roundup of pink living room ideas.

Best linen sofas

Renée Two Seater Linen Sofa

• Buy now from Graham and Green (£1,695.00)

• Dimensions: 88 x 136 x 94cm
• 2 seater

Linen sofas are an absolute winner if you're a fan of laid-back, fuss-free décor that oozes elegance.

Graham and Green's striped linen sofa is perfect for a coastal feel, or it would also work well in an antique-filled bedroom thanks to its French-inspired, regal aesthetic .

Marri Sofa

• Buy now from Nkuku (£2,550.00)

• Dimensions: 78 x 210 x 105cm
• 3 seater

How sumptuous? Nkuku is our go-to for calming, pared-back furniture and we're rather taken with the retailer's linen sofa. Browse the colour palette and find a suitable match for your living room as there are a number of sophisticated colours to consider - espresso, charcoal and sage to name a few!

Emilia Linen Sofa

• Buy now from Cox & Cox (£5,395.00)

• Dimensions: 69 x 200 x 103cm
• 2 seater (3 seater available)

Bring some beach breeze into your space with this beautiful Cox & Cox linen sofa. The loose linen covers offer a chilled-out feel, and the boxy shape makes it a fabulous focal point for the social hub of your home. This design is certainly on the pricier side but the cover is 100% linen and the cushions are filled with feathers so you can expect top quality.

Ravier Four-Seat Sofa

• Buy now from Anthropologie (£3,198.00)

Calling all scatter cushion fans! Anthropologie's cotton linen sofa is a four seater - perfect for family gatherings and soirees with friends. Neutral shades, earth-toned accessories and rattan rugs would look especially lovely paired with this gorgeous find.

What to consider when buying a sofa

Size

Is your sofa going to a) fit through your door, and b) fit into your room of choice without looking out of place? While it seems an obvious consideration, we can often get carried away with fabrics and styles, so make sure you've got all of the correct measurements to hand when you're sofa shopping.

Style

Whether to go timeless or trendy with your sofa is a big consideration, which of course depends on how long you're planning to live with your sofa. If you're prone to a colour palette change, a neutral - a cream or navy perhaps - sofa is a safe choice as you have free rein with room décor. However, a sofa is a large room feature, and often a focal point, so there's no reason why you can't let your dream sofa dictate your room's vibe. Go bold!

Comfort

Are you a firm fan, or someone who prefers sinking into a doughy seat? You can often find a comfort scale which indicates the firmness of the sofa's cushions. It's also worth looking into depth of seat and height of backrest when considering comfort, plus, look out for removable cushions if you prefer a softer backrest.

Delivery

The more bespoke sofas are often made to order which naturally takes longer, so if you're looking for speedy delivery, look for a design that's ready to go.

As well as delivery times, you've got the practically of moving the sofa from door to home to think about. Check the retailer's specific delivery services (particularly if you're on the fourth floor without a lift) before purchasing.

You can also opt for the sofa in a box option, easy!

How many years should a sofa last?

As a hefty purchase, and hefty item of furniture, you want a sofa that lasts. In general, your sofa should last at least seven years. If you go for high quality materials and ensure proper maintenance, your sofa may last for as long as 15 to 30 years. Of course frequency of use and level of wear and tear can all affect your sofa's lifespan.

How to choose a sofa that will last

Material and fabric play an important role in your sofa's longevity - durable materials that are easy to clean, such as leather, will allow you to enjoy your sofa for longer. Plus, a sofa with a solid and sturdy wooden frame (kiln-dried wood is a great option) will increase your sofa's lifespan. Make sure to consider the interior of your sofa, as well as the exterior.

What material is best?

While leather takes top prize for durability as it's easy to wipe clean and can withstand busy family life, it can be a costly choice. Plus, leather is not the most pet-friendly of materials as scratches can easily show up.

The more decorative materials such as velvet can look particularly beautiful, and feel lovely and soft to the touch, but are trickier to maintain so watch out for spillages! Look out for stain-resistant and easy-clean velvet if you're worried.

For the added benefit of breathability, opt for a natural fabric such as cotton or linen.

In need of more living room wow factor to complement your new sofa? Browse our favourite coffee tables.