Types of sofas

Discover everything from compact 2-seater and L-shaped sofas to versatile sofa beds and cuddle chairs. We've got something for everyone.

A white Habitat 2-seater sofa in a living room.

2-seater sofas

Small but cleverly sized, these sofas are just the right size for snuggling up on. They can be used as the main seating in small flats or together with a larger sofa and armchair.

A grey Habitat 3-seater sofa in a living room.

3 and 4-seater sofas

Our three and four-seater sofas are designed to seat more people, unless of course you really wanted to stretch out on your own! They are great for families and homes with larger living rooms.

A Habitat corner sofa in a living room with cushions placed on it.

Corner sofas

Also known as L-shaped sofas, these are made up of two seating sections, which form a right angle when put together. They work particularly well in big, open-plan spaces, where their scale can be used to separate one area from another.

A Habitat single sofa bed opened out with a pillow and a duvet on top of it.

Sofa beds

Two essential pieces of furniture rolled into one. These sleeper sofas tidily tuck a fold-out bed beneath their seat cushions, while remaining a comfortable place to sit. They easily adapt to make room for your guests to sleep.

A Habitat sofa in a box set up with two cushions in a cosy corner.

Sofas in a box

A sofa in a box is exactly what it sounds like. Packaged into manageable boxes, these can be collected in-store or delivered to your door. Easily transported, they'll fit in most cars and can get through doorways and up stairs, making them great for flats and small spaces.

A cosy orange Habitat cuddle chair next to a window in a living room.

Cuddle chairs

These cute kids of the upholstery world are sofa-like in style but with a seat that's slightly bigger than an armchair but not as big as a two-seater sofa. Size-wise, they're perfect for cosy spaces and can be used as secondary seating to pair with a larger sofa.

How to measure your space for a sofa

Learn more about measuring for a sofa to make sure that your chosen design is compatible with your space.

Sofa dimensions

A graphic showing how to measure sofa dimensions.

Sofa size

Our sofas come packaged for safe delivery. So, the first thing to do is to jot down the ‘packaged’ dimensions of your chosen sofa – width (W), height (H) and depth (D). You’ll find these measurements listed on our product pages.

Buying a corner sofa? If so, your order will be delivered in more than one package. You’ll just need to make sure each of the packages can fit into your home.

A graphic showing a sofa being moved into a home through the door.

Getting your new sofa through the front door

First off, you’ll need to make sure your sofa will fit through the front door. Measure the width of your door frame (A). If this measurement is greater than your sofa’s packaged height, then your sofa will fit through just fine.

If, however, there is an obstruction behind your door and you cannot open it fully, open the door as wide as it will go and measure from the outer edge of the door to the inner edge of the door frame at its narrowest point (B). If (B) is greater than your sofa’s height (H), then we can guide it through.

A graphic showing a sofa moving through hallways and internal doors.

Manoeuvring through hallways and internal doors

Phew! You now know your sofa can make it through the front door, but will it be able to reach its designated spot? Measure the width of any passages, hallways, or doors (F) that your sofa will pass through. And don’t forget to take note of any possible obstructions such as shelving or radiators. For smooth passage, the packaged height of your sofa will need to be smaller than these measurements.

A graphic showing a sofa being moved down stairs.

Getting your sofa upstairs

Need to get your sofa up some stairs? No problem! Measure the width of your stairs at their narrowest point (I). If this is wider than the packaged height of your sofa, then it should fit. If there is a landing, measure its depth (G), width (I) and height (J). As long as these measurements are greater than the width, depth and height of your sofa, this should be fine.


Will the sofa need to be lifted over a bannister? If so, measure the distance between the bannister and ceiling at its narrowest point, and compare this with the sofa’s packaged depth.

A graphic showing a sofa being moved using a lift.

Fitting your sofa into a lift

Does your building have a lift we’ll need to use? If so, you’ll need to measure the open-door height (M), width (L) and depth (K) of the lift to make sure we can fit your sofa inside. It’s also worth measuring the diagonal height of the lift from bottom front to the top back in case the sofa needs to fit into the lift at an angle. If the dimensions are greater than the package's width, height and depth of your sofa, there shouldn’t be a problem.

Note: These measurements are a only a general guide and do not guarantee successful delivery. Be sure to check all package dimensions and the full delivery route before ordering.

Sofa beds

No guest room? No problem. A sofa bed is two essential pieces of furniture rolled into one: a sofa with a fold-out bed tidily tucked beneath its seat cushions.

A Habitat fabric 2-seater small double sofa bed in green.

2-seater sofa bed

Room for two and maybe a little one as well, this type of sofa bed is wider than a single but not as wide as a double bed.

A Habitat fabric 3-seater clic clac sofa bed.

3-seater sofa bed

A great choice if you have the space, three-seaters give overnight visitors a little more room to spread out.

A Habitat bouclé fabric corner chaise sofa bed in green.

L-shaped sofa bed

These L-shaped sleeper sofas typically comprise a two-seater sofa and a chaise that opens up to store bedtime bits and bobs.

A Habitat velvet single chair bed in a living room.

Chair bed

Bed ready in seconds, chair beds turn the tiniest of rooms into a comfy sleeping space for surprise guests.

Sofa bed mechanisms

Choose from mechanisms that match your preferences and needs to select the right sofa bed for your home.

Metal-action frame

The metal-action frame is where the sofa seat cushions are removed, and the mattress, suspension, and frame of the bed fold out from the interior of the sofa.

Clic-clac

The clic-clac, on the other hand, is a quicker, less complicated affair. The base cushion of the sofa clicks forward to let the back clack flat, thus making a perfect sleeping area for a last-minute overnight guests.

Flip over

Flip-over designs are probably the easiest sofa beds to operate. They unfold directly onto the floor to create a comfy sleeping spot for guests to rest on.

Sofa bed maintenance

A Habitat small double fabric chair bed in grey.

Looking after your sofa bed

Our sofa beds should have a care label attached to them when they arrive. This can be removed and kept in a safe place for future reference. Each is appropriate to that specific sofa bed.

Fabric sofa beds should be vacuumed or brushed weekly, as accumulated dirt can cause the upholstery to wear and the colour to turn dull. The metal parts of the bed’s support frame can be wiped with a soft, damp cloth to remove dust and dirt.

Like regular mattresses, a sofa bed mattress benefits from being aired, especially as it can end up folded beneath the sofa cushions for long periods of time.

Sofa materials

Having found the type of sofa you want, the next thing to do is settle on a fabric. Almost all our fabric sofas are made in Europe, with many coming from family-run Italian mills. Explore comfy fabric sofas with cotton and wool blends or polyester or try a luxe velvet or leather sofa - there's plenty to choose from!

A Habitat leather 2-seater sofa in tan.

Linen - Linen sofas have a casual, lived-in look, with natural creases that soften over time.

Cotton and wool - Pure or blended, cotton is versatile, easy to live with and comfortable. Wool is great for a cosy look and feel.

Polyester - Durable and hardwearing, polyester is great for everyday use.

Velvet - Soft with an oh-so satisfying feel, velvet is as luxurious to look at as it is to sit on.

Bouclé - Textured, cosy fabric made from at least two yarns that have been looped together.

Leather and faux leather - Leather is strong and generally easy to clean on a day-to-day basis, although it may require more maintaining periodically. A great alternative, faux leather is also more affordable and easier to care for.

Choosing a comfy sofa

A Habitat sofa in a living room with cushions placed on top of it.

So supportive

Sure, it looks the part, but how does it feel when you’re sitting on it? Well, when it comes to cushion comfort, we've got options aplenty.

Feather - The classic luxury-feel filling, feather has a high level of comfort and is popular because it's natural. Feather fillings need regular plumping to keep their generously rounded look and soft support.

Foam - Available in a variety of densities, a foam cushion provides firmer support and cleaner lines than a feather one, and a higher-density foam will maintain its shape better.

Polyester fibre - On its own, polyester fibre is not durable enough for seat cushions, so we use it mixed with feather for smaller cushions.

Our free fabric swatch service

We always encourage our customers to check swatches of the fabrics they're interested in, because seeing a picture of your chosen fabric just isn't the same as touching it and looking at it in different lights. To try it out, go to the product page of the sofa you're considering on the site and click 'Free fabric sample'.

Sofa care and maintenance

A Habitat 2-seater fabric sofa in a living room.

Caring for your sofa

Our sofas should have a care label attached to them when they arrive. These can be removed and kept in a safe place for future reference. Each is appropriate to that specific sofa. We always recommend professional cleaning, because we know it gets the best results.

Frequently asked questions about choosing a sofa

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A Habitat olive rug under a chair in a living room.

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A Habitat blue striped hand-painted vase on a coffee table in a living room.

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Why buy at Habitat?