How to Choose the Right Sofa

Choosing a new sofa or lounge suite is a big decision – it sets the tone for your whole living room and gets used every single day. At The Best Furniture Shop in New Brighton, Christchurch, we help people find sofas that suit real Kiwi homes, not just styled photos.

Here are some simple things to think about before you choose your next sofa or lounge suite.

Whether you're furnishing your first home, replacing a well-loved lounge suite, or updating your living space, this guide will help you choose a sofa that suits your room, lifestyle and budget.

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Jump to the section that's most relevant to you

Whether you're choosing your first sofa or replacing an old favourite, you can jump straight to the advice that matters most.

🏠 Start with Your Room Size & Layout

👨👩👧 Think About How You Actually Use Your Lounge

✨ Choose a Sofa Style That Suits Your Home

🛋 Comfort: Seat Depth, Height & Cushions

🧵 Fabric or Leather?

🩷 Caring for Your Sofa

🎨 Choosing the Right Colour

🪑 One Sofa or a Whole Lounge Suite?

⏳ How Long Should a Quality Sofa Last?

🛋 Don't Forget the Pieces Around Your Sofa

✔️ Which Sofa is Right for You?

📍 Visit Us or Shop Online

1. Start with Your Room Size & Layout

Before you fall in love with a sofa, measure your space:

• The length of the main wall the sofa will sit against

• Any doorways, walkways or sliding doors nearby

• How much room you need to walk around a coffee table

Think about:

• Small rooms: 2-seaters, compact 3-seaters or a chaise with slim arms can work well.

• Medium rooms: A 3-seater plus armchair, or a corner suite, can help create a cosy “zone” for TV and conversation.

• Large rooms / open plan: Modular and corner suites help to define the living area and give plenty of seating for family and guests.

💡 Top Tip

Use masking tape or newspaper on the floor to mark out the size of the sofa you’re considering – it’s a quick way to check how it will feel in the room.

Measure your access before you buy

Before you fall in love with a particular sofa, make sure it can actually get into your home. Measure any areas the sofa will need to pass through, including:

• Front door
• Hallways
• Staircases
• Lifts (if there is one).
• Tight corners and narrow entrances

Many modern sofas are delivered in sections, but not all are. If you're unsure, our team is happy to help you check measurements before delivery to avoid any surprises.

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2. Think About Your Lifestyle

Be honest about your daily life:

• Movie nights & relaxing: Look for deeper seats, soft cushions and maybe recliners or a chaise you can stretch out on.

• Entertaining: A corner or modular suite can seat more people comfortably and make conversation easier.

• Kids & pets: Durable fabrics, darker colours, removable cushion covers and easy-clean surfaces are your friends.

• Formal sitting rooms: Slimmer arms, higher legs and a more tailored look suit spaces that are used less heavily.

Once you know how your lounge is used most of the time, it’s easier to rule out what won’t work.

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3. Choose a Sofa Style

Sofas have personalities too. A few common looks:

• Modern / contemporary: Clean lines, low backs, square arms, neutral fabrics and timber or metal legs.

• Classic / timeless: Gently rolled arms, medium height backs, simple cushions and timber legs.

• Relaxed / family: Chunkier cushions, softer edges and fabrics that feel cosy and forgiving.

Look at the style of your coffee table, TV unit, dining furniture and flooring – you don’t have to match everything, but you want it to feel like it all belongs in the same home.

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4. Comfort: Seat Depth, Height & Cushions

Comfort isn’t just about “soft” or “firm”. Pay attention to:

• Seat depth:

  • If you’re taller or like to curl up, a deeper seat is usually more comfortable.

  • If you’re shorter or have trouble getting up, a slightly shallower seat can be easier.

• Seat height:

  • Lower, loungey sofas feel casual but can be harder for some people to get out of.

  • Standard or slightly higher seats suit older knees and backs.

• Back cushions:

  • Loose cushions give a softer look and can be fluffed and rotated.

  • Fixed backs are tidier and lower maintenance.

Whenever you can, sit on the sofa in-store the way you would at home, feet up, leaning back, how you’d watch TV or read.

Seat firmness

There's no right or wrong choice - it comes down to personal preference and how you'll use your sofa.

• Soft: Great if you love to curl up and relax. Soft cushions create a cosy, sink-in feel but may require more regular plumping.
• Medium: A popular all-round option that balances comfort with support, making it ideal for most households.
• Firm: Offers more support and makes it easier to get in and out of the sofa. Often preferred for formal living rooms or by people who like a more upright sitting position.

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Cushion fillings

The filling inside a sofa has a big impact on how it feels and how much maintenance it needs.

• Foam: Holds its shape well, provides consistent support and requires very little maintenance.
• Feather and fibre: Creates a luxurious, soft feel but will need regular plumping to maintain its appearance.
• Foam wrapped in fibre: Combines supportive foam with a softer outer layer, giving a comfortable feel while helping the cushions retain their shape.

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💡 Top Tip

Whenever possible, sit on a sofa in the position you normally would at home. Lean back, put your feet up if it's a recliner, and spend a few minutes testing the comfort. A sofa that feels perfect after five minutes is much more likely to feel right after an evening of watching TV or entertaining family and friends.

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7. Choosing the Right Colour

The colour of your sofa has a bigger impact than almost any other piece of furniture. It sets the tone for your living room and should complement the rest of your home, not compete with it.

If you're unsure where to start, look at the colours already in your room - your flooring, walls, curtains and timber furniture can all help guide your decision.

Neutral colours

Shades like beige, oatmeal, grey, taupe and soft charcoal remain popular because they're easy to style and won't date quickly.

Neutral sofas allow you to change the look of your room simply by updating cushions, throws or artwork over time.

Bold colours

A sofa in olive, navy, rust or deep green can become a beautiful feature piece and add personality to your space.

If you're choosing a bold colour, consider balancing it with more neutral accessories so the room doesn't feel overwhelming.

Light or dark?

Light colours

• Create a bright, open feeling.
• Can make smaller rooms feel larger.
• May show marks more easily in busy households.

Dark colours

• Add warmth and depth.
• Often hide everyday wear better.
• Can make large spaces feel more inviting.

Consider natural light

A colour can look completely different depending on the amount of natural light in your room.

Rooms with plenty of sunlight often suit cooler tones, while darker rooms usually benefit from warmer colours that create a cosy atmosphere.

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💡 Top Tip

If you're deciding between two colours, take home a fabric sample if available. Looking at it in your own room during both the day and evening is often the best way to make a confident decision.

8. One Sofa or a Whole Lounge Suite?

Sometimes a single statement sofa is enough. Other times, a full suite works better:

• Sofa + chairs: Great if you like to move furniture around or mix styles.

• 2 + 3 seater set: Flexible, can be arranged in different rooms or angles.

• Corner / modular suites: Maximise seating and define the living area in open-plan spaces.

Think about how many people need a proper seat most nights, not just on special occasions.

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9. How Long Should a Quality Sofa Last?

A sofa is one of the hardest-working pieces of furniture in your home. It's where families gather, guests are welcomed, movies are watched and everyday life happens. Choosing a quality sofa means investing in comfort that should last for many years.

How long a sofa lasts depends on several factors, including its construction, cushioning, upholstery and how heavily it's used.

A well-made sofa should offer:

• A strong timber or engineered frame.
• Quality suspension that provides lasting support.
• High-density foam or premium cushioning that keeps its shape.
• Durable upholstery suited to your lifestyle.
• Replaceable cushions or covers on some designs for added longevity.

Looking after your investment

Simple habits can help keep your sofa looking its best for longer.

• Vacuum regularly using a soft upholstery attachment.
• Rotate and plump loose cushions where applicable.
• Clean spills promptly following the manufacturer's care instructions.
• Avoid placing furniture in prolonged direct sunlight where practical.
• Follow any care recommendations provided for your chosen upholstery.

With the right care, a quality sofa should provide years of everyday comfort and continue to look great as your home evolves.

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💡 Top Tip

A sofa isn't something you'll want to replace every few years. Choose one that feels comfortable, suits your lifestyle and is built to stand up to everyday living. It's often worth investing in quality you'll enjoy for many years.

10. Don't Forget the Pieces Around Your Sofa

A beautiful sofa is only part of creating a comfortable and inviting living room. The furniture around it plays an important role in both the look and functionality of your space.

When planning your room, consider how each piece works together.

Coffee Table

Your coffee table should be in proportion to your sofa and positioned close enough to be practical without restricting movement. As a general guide, leave around 30–45 cm between your sofa and coffee table for comfortable access.

Side Tables

Side tables provide a convenient place for lamps, drinks and everyday essentials. Ideally, choose tables that are a similar height to your sofa arms for both comfort and balance.

Entertainment Unit

Your entertainment unit should complement the size of your television while providing enough storage to keep cables, devices and accessories organised.

Rugs

A rug helps define the seating area and brings the whole room together. Whenever possible, choose a rug that's large enough for at least the front legs of your sofa to sit on it.

Lighting

Floor lamps, table lamps and soft lighting help create a warm, welcoming atmosphere and make your living room comfortable throughout the day and evening.

💡 Top Tip

Rather than choosing each piece separately, think about how your sofa, coffee table, rug and lighting will work together to create a balanced, inviting space.

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11. Which Sofa is Right for You?

Choose a sofa that matches your lifestyle:

🏡 Family home

• Durable fabric
• Medium comfort
• Easy-care upholstery

🎬 Love movie nights

• Deep seat
• Plush cushions
• Modular or chaise

🥂 Love entertaining

• Medium seat depth
• Upright support
• Easy conversation

🐾 Pets

• Performance fabric or leather
• Mid-tone colours
• Durable upholstery

👴 Need easier access

• Firmer cushions
• Higher seat
• More upright back

12. Visit Us or Shop Online

At The Best Furniture Shop we have a wide range of lounge suites, sofas, recliners and occasional chairs on display in our New Brighton showroom in Christchurch, as well as online.

You’re welcome to:

• Try different seat depths and cushion styles

• Bring photos and measurements of your room

• Ask for help matching your new sofa with coffee tables, entertainment units and home decor

If you can’t make it in, you can still shop online, and we can organise delivery across Christchurch, Canterbury and the rest of New Zealand.