17 of the best sofas and couches to buy for all budgets

the best sofas and couches

17 of the best sofas and couches to buy for all budgets17 of the best sofas and couches to buy for all budgets

17 of the best sofas and couches to buy for all budgets

A good sofa should bring both comfort and style to your home. You may be looking to invest in a timeless, practical settee to last – or you may want to experiment with a more eclectic aesthetic. Either way, with the sales in full swing, now is the time to shop around for luxe sofas and bargain couches alike.

We’ve scoured our favourite furniture retailers to find both sensible and stylish sofas, whether you’re on a tight budget (we recommend the likes of Habitat and Heal’s), looking for a savvy mid-range buy (in which case we refer you to the likes of DFS or John Lewis & Co) or are eager to splash out (in which case we highly recommend Roche Bobois or The Conran Shop).

During our sit tests (it’s a tough job, but someone has to do it), we couldn’t help but notice how widely bold colours have taken hold. In part, this may be because of the increasing number of people living in rented properties, who want to put their own stamp on to their living spaces without painting the walls – but there does seem to be a general shift towards braver, more colourful furniture, as well as towards sensory and tactile fabrics.

Velvet and leather continue to be the textures du jour. According to Habitat, the demand for leather upholstery has more than doubled over the past two years; soft, buttery, tan options are what you’re after. It has also seen an increase in demand of over 150% for velvet, with striking green, orange and purple velvet accounting for the majority of sales.
17 of the best sofas and couches to buy for all budgets

Another prominent shift is towards sofas which work well as room dividers, and aren’t necessarily designed to sit against a wall. These work well in reclaimed or industrial homes with open-plan spaces, and disrupt traditional floor plans. Many sofas are designed these days with smaller rooms in mind, with slim profiles, a low height and raised legs to let light shine through and give the illusion of space. That’s not to say that giant, media-room-worthy, premium sofas are taking a back seat: there are some fabulous luxe sofas to be found: large, modular, in soft leathers, strewn with faux fur rugs and paired with spacious coffee tables.

It has to be said that there’s a decidedly urban feel to these trends; but if you’re looking for a sofa for a countryside abode, opt for earthier tones, or check out the new collaboration between Joules and DFS, which features both floral and striped designs. Barker and Stonehouse also has a good mix of both country-house and town-mouse furnishings.

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