Sofas & Armchairs

Sofas are the one category where the room is rarely the problem — the difficulty is getting it there. Measure the narrowest point of the route in: the front door, the hallway, the turn at the foot of the stairs, and the doorway of the room itself. A sofa that will not turn a corner cannot be delivered, whatever the room measures. Recliners need clearance behind them as well, because the backrest travels backwards as the footrest comes up — they rarely sit flush to a wall. A sofa bed needs clear floor in front of it to open out, which is a second measurement most people take after buying rather than before.

Mostly upholstery here, in fabric, faux leather, linen, leather and bonded leather. Upholstery colour is the thing photography is least reliable about: the same fabric reads differently between screens and under different light. Treat the images as a guide to the shade rather than a match to it.