A sofa is usually the most expensive single piece in a living room, and the hardest to return once it's in your home. Here's what to actually check before you order one.
Measure the path in, not just the room
The most common mistake isn't buying a sofa too big for the room — it's buying one that can't physically get through the door, hallway, or stairwell. Measure your narrowest doorway and tightest turn before you fall in love with a specific sectional configuration.
Decide on fabric by lifestyle, not just looks
- Performance fabrics (stain-resistant, easy-clean) — best for households with kids, pets, or anyone who eats on the couch.
- Velvet — a premium look and feel, but shows wear patterns faster in high-traffic households.
- Linen blends — breathable and casual, best in lower-traffic formal living rooms.
Sectional vs. sofa
A sectional maximizes seating in an open-concept space and works well as a room divider; a standalone sofa gives you more flexibility to rearrange later and usually fits smaller or more traditional rooms better.
Don't skip the fill
Cushion fill (foam density, down blend, etc.) affects both comfort and how long the sofa holds its shape — ask about it directly if it's not listed, since it matters as much as the fabric on top.
Not sure which configuration fits your space? Take our quiz and we'll recommend real, in-stock options sized to your room.