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.

1. Start with your room size and 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.

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.

2. Think about how you actually use your lounge

Be honest about your daily life:

  • Movie nights & naps: 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: Hardwearing 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.

3. Choose a sofa style that suits your home

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.

4. Comfort: seat depth, height and 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.

5. Fabric or leather?

Both can work brilliantly – it depends on your lifestyle:

  • Fabric:

    • Warmer to sit on in winter and less sticky in summer.

    • Huge range of colours and textures.

    • Some fabrics are more hardwearing and stain-resistant – ask about fabric grades and care.

  • Leather:

    • Wipes clean more easily and can be very long-lasting.

    • Ages and softens over time.

    • Shows scratches and marks differently depending on the leather type and colour.

If you’re unsure, come into our Christchurch showroom and feel the fabrics and leathers in person – it makes a big difference.

6. 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.

7. Don’t forget the pieces around your sofa

The right coffee table, side tables, entertainment unit and rug make your sofa work harder:

  • A coffee table at the right height is perfect for drinks, books and feet.

  • Side tables help keep lamps, remotes and cups within reach.

  • An entertainment unit that suits your TV size and storage needs keeps the room tidy.

  • A rug can anchor the seating area and add softness underfoot.

We can help you pull together a look that works as a whole, not just one piece.

8. 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.