A top tip is to measure out where the sofa will go in your room using masking tape to mark out all dimensions. As well as width, make sure to consider the height of the sofa – especially if you want to place it under a window sill or beneath existing architecture - and its depth to ensure there is plenty of space to walk around it comfortably.

We asked multiple furniture maker’s how you can tell if a sofa is good quality, and their answers were unanimous; it’s all about the frame first and foremost. When does my cover start? Your cover begins on the date your product is delivered to your home and lasts for five years.We may be slightly biased, but it's hard not to be impressed by this affordable sofa that was designed by the Ideal Home team in collaboration with ScS. John Darling, founder of sofa manufacturer Darlings of Chelsea recommends looking for ‘hardwoods like beech or birch’ for the sofa frame, and agrees ‘a 10 year frame guarantee is a must-have’. Chaise sofas, corner sofas or modular sofas in an L-shaped or U-shaped layout can be particularly useful here, or - if you have the space - you might want to switch up the usual layout of the sofa facing the fire or TV, and have two similar-sized sofas facing each other to create a space that works better for socialising and entertaining. If you want a multifunctional sofa that can provide extra sleeping space for hosting guests, then, although it's an investment, this sofa bed achieves the rare mix of being comfortable enough to use as your everyday seating as well as providing overnight guests with a decent night's sleep.

Of course, at this price point you can't expect everything, so there are some compromises to be made. Mainly the limited upholstery options (you're going to need to like velvet), plus the shortage of width options compared to other sofa models on this list. The fixed seat cushions also mean you can't just flip over a cushion if a spillage occurs, and the low-to-the-ground frame with 40cm seat height may not be for everyone. If you have the space to work with then you're unlikely to regret opting for more sofa to stretch out on, especially if you have multiple housemates, family, or friends to seat comfortably. The high-legged frame is designed to make a smaller room feel more spacious, whilst those flared, lozenge-shaped arms will create a focal point in either a modern Scandi or mid-Century modern-inspired interior. Seat comfort can also be tailored to your preference with a choice of fibre-wrapped foam or feather-wrapped foam seat cushions for low-maintenance squish-factor, and there are a whopping 175+ upholstery options to choose from. The Barbican collection is one of John Lewis & Partners bestselling sofa ranges, and with its on-trend mid-Century-modern meets Scandinavian-cool good looks, it's easy to see why.If you want to get even more comfortable, then this model is also available with an unobtrusive and easy-to-operate footrest so you can really recline in style. Kelly Collins, interior designer and head of creative at sofa brand Swyft, says, ‘Always ask the sofa manufacturer about the frame guarantee and how long the frame will last. If it’s a good quality sofa the frame will be made from solid wood (or metal) and it will come with a long guarantee. For example, Swyft’s frame guarantee is 15 years because the frames are built from quality, solid wood’. If you're using a sofa to zone a room, then a low-to-the-ground model can offer a great way to create dedicated areas without breaking up the space too much, but, the flipside is that (once past a certain age perhaps) low seating can be harder to get up from and can encourage you to sprawl more than sit.