Sofa Size Guide

Choosing the right sofa size is about more than just finding one that fits along your wall. You also need to consider the space it occupies in your living room, the access available during delivery, and how much usable seating space you need.

In this guide, we cover the key space and seating dimensions to consider, including overall width and depth, delivery access, usable seat width and seat depth, so you can choose a sofa that fits both your home and the way you use it.

Space Considerations

Start by checking whether the sofa fits both the space you have allocated for it and the access paths leading to that space. The overall sofa dimensions tell you how much room it will occupy after assembly, while the delivery dimensions help determine whether the individual sofa packages can pass through the access route and reach the intended space.

Overall Width & Depth

Overall width and depth measure the total floor space occupied by the sofa. Compare both dimensions against the area where you intend to place it rather than checking the sofa width alone.

Overall Width
Measures the sofa from its furthest point on the left to its furthest point on the right.
Overall Depth
Measures the sofa from its furthest point at the front to its furthest point at the back.

For L-shaped or U-shaped sofas, overall depth includes the chaise or other section that extends furthest into the room.

Make Sure There Is Space Around the Sofa Too
A sofa may physically fit within the space you have allocated but still make the room difficult to use. Leave enough space for walkways, nearby furniture and doors to open comfortably.
General Space Guidelines
Consideration Recommended Space
Sofa to Coffee Table 40 - 50cm
Main Walkway 75 - 90cm
Doors Allow doors to open fully
Other Furniture Account for its full footprint

These are general starting points rather than fixed requirements. Your room layout and how you use the space should come first.

Before You Order
Mark the overall width and depth of the sofa on your floor using masking tape. Walk around the outline and check whether you still have enough space for movement, doors and the other furniture in your room.
sofa placement in living room with overall sofa depth and sofa width markings

Delivery Dimensions & Access

The assembled sofa is not always the size that needs to pass through your doorway or lift. Sofas can be delivered as one or more individual modules and assembled after they reach the intended space.

Check the width, depth and height of the largest individual package against the narrowest points along your delivery route.

Lift Check the lift door width and height as well as the available space inside the lift.
Doorways Measure the clear opening rather than the full width of the door frame.
Corridors & Corners Consider whether there is enough room to turn and manoeuvre the sofa, particularly at narrow corridors and tight corners.
Staircases If stairs are required, check the staircase width, overhead clearance and turning space around landings.
Customize the Number of Modules to Fit Your Access
Our sofas can be made as either one or two modules when the overall width is 200cm or below. If your lift, doorway or access route is tight, choosing two smaller modules can make the sofa easier to manoeuvre into your home. Once delivered, the modules are joined together during assembly, so the sofa functions as one complete piece.

For larger modular sofas, check the dimensions of the largest individual section rather than comparing your access space against the fully assembled sofa dimensions.

Photo showing delivery team carrying a sofa module through lifts and walkways

Seating Considerations

Once you know the sofa fits your space, consider how much usable seating space it provides and how you intend to use it. Seat width determines how many people can sit comfortably, while seat depth and armrest height affect how the sofa feels for sitting, lounging and lying down.

Usable Seat Width

Usable seat width measures the actual seating surface available between the sofa's armrests. It is different from overall width because the armrests take up part of the sofa's total width.

Overall Sofa Width
Armrest + Usable Seat Width + Armrest

As a general guide, we recommend allowing around 50 - 60cm of usable seat width per person. Around 50cm provides a more compact seating arrangement, while closer to 60cm gives each person more personal space.

Example: Sofa for 3 People With 25cm Armrests
Seating Space Overall Sofa Width
50cm per person 200cm
60cm per person 230cm
More Compact 50cm x 3 people + 25cm x 2 armrests = 200cm
More Spacious 60cm x 3 people + 25cm x 2 armrests = 230cm
Want to Lie Down on the Sofa?
If you regularly nap or lie down on your sofa, consider around 190cm - 200cm of seatable width. This is similar to the length of a standard mattress and gives most people enough room to stretch out without having to curl up.
Sofa showing seatable width and recommended seat width per person

Seat Depth

Seat depth measures the usable seating surface from the front of the seat cushion to the front of the backrest cushion.

This is different from overall depth, which also includes the backrest cushion, backrest frame and other parts of the sofa behind the seating surface.

<55cm
More Upright
A shallower seat makes it easier to sit closer to the backrest with your feet reaching the floor.
55 - 60cm
Balanced
Provides a balance between upright sitting and having some additional room to relax.
>60cm
More Lounging
A deeper seat gives you more room to lean back, curl up or change sitting positions.
Your Height Matters Too
These ranges are only a general starting point. Taller people generally have longer thighs and may find deeper seats more comfortable, while shorter people may prefer a shallower seat.

For recommendations based on your height and preferred sitting position, read our Sofa Seat Comfort Guide.
Illustration of different types of seat depth for upright sitting, balanced sitting and relaxed sitting