Choosing a sofa shouldn’t feel like guesswork — but for most people, it absolutely does. You walk into a showroom, fall in love with something beautiful, and then immediately think: Wait… will this even fit in my living room?

You’re not alone. Your sofa is one of the biggest design decisions you'll make. It anchors the room, influences your layout, defines your style, and supports everything from afternoon naps to holiday gatherings.

But with endless choices — sizes, depths, fabrics, colors, configurations — it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The good news? A few designer-approved guidelines will help you choose a sofa that’s beautiful, comfortable, and perfectly suited to your home.

Let’s walk through the essentials.

1. Start With Scale — The Most Important Factor

Most people don’t realize it, but scale is what makes or breaks a room. You can choose the most stunning sofa, but if the scale is off, the entire space will feel off too.

Why Scale Matters

• A sofa that’s too big overwhelms the room.

• A sofa that’s too small leaves the space feeling unfinished.

• The right scale balances the architecture and creates harmony with the rest of the furniture.

How to Get It Right

• Measure the room before shopping — including walkway space.

• Consider the size and presence of your other furniture.

• Think about ceiling height (taller ceilings can handle taller, deeper silhouettes).

• In open-concept homes — especially common here in Utah — your sofa helps define the entire zone. Choose one with enough presence to anchor the area.

If scale stresses you out, bring in a designer. We do this every day, and we can save you from the heartbreak of a “beautiful but wrong” sofa.

2. Understand the Function — How Will You Actually Use the Room?

A sofa isn’t just a design choice — it’s a lifestyle choice.

Before you even look at styles, ask yourself:

• Do you lounge or sit upright?

• Do you host movie nights?

• Do kids or pets use the sofa?

• Do you want motion or reclining features?

• Do you prefer a chaise?

• Do you want something structured… or more relaxed?

Why This Matters

A gorgeous structured sofa may look incredible — but if you’re someone who curls up on the sofa every night, you may want something deeper and softer.

On the other hand, if you want a polished, tailored look, a super plush style might feel too casual.

Function leads the design. Your sofa needs to support the way you live.

3. Comfort: You Must Do the Sit Test

You cannot choose a sofa based on looks alone. Comfort is personal and completely dependent on your proportions and preferences.

What to Pay Attention To

• Seat depth

• Cushion firmness

• Back height

• Arm height and width

• Support level

• Whether you can lounge, read, or relax comfortably

Designer Tip

Petite people often feel swallowed by deep seating. Taller people need that depth.

Don’t guess — sit. And if you're torn between styles, bring your designer. We know how to match frame styles and cushion fills to your comfort needs.

4. Choose the Right Fabric — Performance First, Style Second

Fabric is one of the biggest long-term decisions you’ll make.

Consider:

• Performance fabrics for durability

• Tightly woven textiles to avoid pilling

• High-quality leather that patinas beautifully

• Textured fabrics for warmth and depth

• Light vs. dark tones depending on pets, kids, and sun exposure

Your sofa fabric needs to look good on day one and year three. A designer can help you choose a fabric that holds up to real life without sacrificing aesthetics.

5. Color: Tie the Sofa Into Your Home’s Palette

Your sofa is one of the largest pieces in the room, so the color needs to make sense within your home’s overall palette.

Thoughtful Options

• Neutrals (taupe, mushroom, cream, charcoal) are timeless.

• Earth tones — rust, olive, ochre, clay — look incredible in Utah’s natural landscape.

• A statement color can work beautifully if it complements the long-term palette of your home.

Your sofa doesn’t need to match everything — it just needs to belong.

6. Style & Shape: The Personality of the Room

Your sofa’s silhouette defines the entire vibe of the space.

Consider:

• Arm style (track, slope, rolled, shelter)

• Back style (tight back, pillows, tufted, channel)

• Leg type (wood, metal, tapered, block, hidden)

• Cushions (bench seat, two cushions, three cushions)

• Skirted vs. non-skirted

These details help the sofa harmonize with your home’s style — whether that’s modern, mountain contemporary, traditional, transitional, or organic.

7. Remember: Layout Matters Just as Much as the Sofa

Even the perfect sofa will feel wrong in the wrong spot.

Evaluate:

• Walkways

• Sightlines

• Conversation flow

• TV placement

• How the sofa pairs with chairs, tables, and rugs

A thoughtful layout elevates your entire room.

8. Work With a Designer When You Can

Not because you can’t choose a sofa… but because you shouldn’t have to guess.

Designers solve:

• Scale

• Comfort

• Fabric durability

• Color palette

• Layout

• Lifestyle needs

• Visual balance

…so you end up with a piece that feels tailor-made for your space.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right sofa isn’t just about picking something pretty. It’s about finding a piece that:

• fits your room

• supports your lifestyle

• complements your home

• and brings your design vision to life

You don’t need a full, perfectly designed room to start — you just need to know the feeling you want. Cozy, modern, tailored, lived-in, family-friendly… and your designer can guide you the rest of the way.

Because once you choose the right sofa?
Everything else falls beautifully into place.

If you’re ready to find your perfect sofa — or avoid the most common sofa-buying mistakes — our design team would love to help you make the right choice from the start.