Buying guide: Before you buy a sofa

MEASURING UP AND KNOWING YOUR RIGHTS SWOT UP ON THE ESSENTIALS BEFOREHAND

-  HOLLY WALSH, ANNA COTTRELL

A new sofa can totally transform a room so knowing how to measure up before you buy helps you whittle down your choice and find your ideal style. Not only does a new sofa have to fit your desired space perfectly, but it's also got to get through your front door, and possibly up the stairs and round tight corners first. We asked the experts for their advice on what to consider.

1 THINK ABOUT HOW YOU USE THE ROOM

First things first, think about how you plan to use the space. Ask yourself what your living room is going to be used for,' says Charlie Marshall, founder of Loaf. Some people have separate living rooms but a lot of us have knock-throughs where it's off the kitchen/diner, but whatever the space it's important to decide whether it's a social place or for watching TV, or both.'

Kellie Wyles, head of upholstery and brand at DFS, has this advice. 'Look at the room where you plan to put your sofa and consider what's needed,' she says. 'Do you want a sofa to fit into a snug corner, or a statement piece for the middle of an open-plan room? Perhaps you'd prefer a comfy corner option for family movie nights? Once that's established you can search for a style that works.'

2 SCOPE OUT THE SPACE

Next you need to take into account how much of the room will be left over once the sofa is in place.

'It's always helpful to walk around the space where the sofa will be to check you can move around it comfortably,' says Kellie. 'Check you'll still be able to open doors when the sofa is in situ and move past any coffee or side tables. Charlie suggests, 'Generally, you want plenty of space! I'd say that walkways should be a minimum of 90cm.'