There is a Sofa for Everyone

It’s a big-ticket buy – so follow the Muncher’s guide for selecting the best of the latest batch of sofas, whether you want cosy comfort or sleek style.


Shopping for sofas isn’t ever going to be a cheap date. If you’re setting up student digs or are a first-time homeowner and thought the worst was over, with the deposit paid and the mortgage arranged, the price of sofas will make you gasp. Of the fridge/telly/sofa holy trinity of true household necessities, the sofa is the one with fewest budget options.

There are two schools of thought on pattern, and which you fall into depends on whether you see your sofa as an accessory (in which case it can be a striking accent colour/pattern) or a basic in your scheme (neutral). During a period of interiors upheaval — divorce decorating, single-to-couple segue, midlife makeover — it’s perfectly natural to switch from one to the other.

European Styles

The trend for modular compositions seating a dozen seems to be on the wane, except among the stylish Italian and French brands. The two key looks are slimline, pared-back sofas and more bulky, comfy traditional examples. Again, there are no rules. A traditional velvet-upholstered chesterfield can look fabulous in a minimalist setting, and a fierce couture piece may be perfect surrounded by antiques.

Put your mind to it and you can just about find a decent couch for less than €500: Ikea has relaunched the Klippan two-seater, in a funky floral fabric, for €169; John Lewis offers the pretty teal Portia for €450; and Muji’s pale grey modular sofa starts at €325. But, of the pieces you’d give house room to, that’s about it.

If, on the other hand, your budget hovers at the €1,000 mark, this autumn sees some great designs within your grasp. Among my favourites are streamlined sofas such as Habitat’s Ella, a sleek two-seater that comes in three three-tone colourways: black, grey and ecru (€1,100);. Designers Guild has launched the adorable slimline Julep bench sofa (€995), ideal for narrow spaces, bedrooms and hallways. Living Room furniture specialist Furniture Future offer an extensive range of leather sofas including The New York Vintage, shown here in mocha leather, has been hand crafted in Italy using pure, uncorrected aniline hides.

If your taste is for the big and squashy sector of the sofa market, you’ll love some of the more traditional offerings from sofa.com, such as the two-seater Hurston (€780). Or treat yourself to something unique — one of Amber Heptinstall’s vintage sofas, reupholstered in opulent fabrics and extravagant colours. Her creations include a Victorian chaise covered in buttoned cerise silk (€1,000).

For spaces where a traditional three-seater just won’t fit, there are some lovely compact alternatives, including the pretty Classic Chaise Petite, from M&S (from €599; marksandspencer.com). For a little more cash, you could splash out on a chaise upholstered in natural linen, with carved, whitepainted legs (€950; from An Angel At My Table).

Should you want to blow the budget on a spectacular settee — and I’d go without refrigeration and HD TV for a year to acquire it — then it has to be Lavish, a mammoth chesterfield remix in crimson velvet by John Jenkins (€3,495; Heals).