Where to shop for sofas in the UK - the best sofa brands and retailers (2024)

Best for: Handmade country styles

A stalwart of the high street and our go-to for timeless sofa styles. We're partial to our own Country Living sofas at DFS that are handmade in the UK by skilled craftsmen with quality fabrics from Lancashire mills.

Pictured: Country Living Witcombe Sofa at DFS

Best for: Reliable high-street options

Ever reliable and with a good range of sofas that run the gamut from leather chesterfields to sleek and spindly Scandinavian styles. We're fans of this Otley 2 seater in vintage ticking upholstery as well as the collaboration with Ercol (more on that below.)

Pictured: Otley Medium 2 Seater Sofa at John Lewis

Best for: The country home look

Sofas for a grand country home, or for those who aspire to it. OKA's pieces can have a wonderful injection of English eccentricity in the form of eye-catching patterned upholstery. Collections are generally furnished with matching footstools and armchairs should you want a set.

Pictured: Coleridge Sofa in Velvet at OKA

Best for: Affordable options

Dunelm is a great choice for affordable sofas in a surprising variety of timeless styles. The upholstery options generally have a light touch – no divisive patterns, just an appealing selection of neutrals, matt velvets and some gentle pastels.

Pictured: Beatrice Matte Velvet Sofa at Dunelm

Best for: Traditional sofas

Darlings of Chelsea is the luxury choice. Premium fabrics, robust leather chesterfields and generous proportions make these sofas perfect for the larger home with space to spare.

Pictured: The Dulwich Midi Sofa at Darlings of Chelsea

Best for: Creative upholstery options

Sofa & Stuff is second to none for patterned upholstery. They frequently collaborate with British institutions like the RHS and V&A on inspired fabrics drawn from the archives. Threads of India is their latest collection of fabrics designed with the V&A, drawn from their magnificent array of South Asian objects.

Pictured: Exbury 3 Seater Sofa at Sofa & Stuff

Best for: Vintage and antique sofas

Vinterior is our favourite source of vintage and antique furniture. The site is a labyrinth of mid-century, Art Deco and more, and you can while away happy hours browsing through it all. Even if you find a sofa that requires a touch of restoration, it is still more economical (and sustainable) than buying new.

Pictured: Sven Skipper Leather Sofa on Vinterior

Best for: Design-led sofas

If you have ever admired the modern interiors of Soho House, or the country-inspired Soho Farmhouse, then Soho Home brings them to you. Their sofa selection includes some brilliant patterned fabric options alongside classics like the Audrey.

Pictured: Audrey Sofa at Soho Home

Best for: Simple classics

We would head to Cox & Cox for their occasional sofas – they have handsome examples with high backs and slim arms that look elegant in spare corners. The colour palette at Cox & Cox is almost unanimously soft and pale, which is great for simple country-style homes.

Pictured: Horton Three Seater Sofa at Cox & Cox

Best for: Interesting wood frames

Ercol are world renowned for their handcrafted wooden furniture, and this exclusive collaboration with John Lewis includes elegant chairs and sofas made in ercol's Buckinghamshire factory with upholstery by expert craftspeople in Wales.

Pictured: Ercol for John Lewis Sorrento Sofa

Best for: Sink-in comfort

Loaf have the monopoly on squidgy, sink-in comfortable sofas with names like Pudding and Pillow Nap. They work particularly well in whisper soft pastels and in XL sizes that encourage lounging and loafing.

Pictured: Sugar Bum Sofa at Loaf

Best for: Timeless styles

Browsing Rowen & Wren's website is like stepping into the most stylish country home. Everything feels relaxed and lived-in, and acquired from a different and altogether chicer time. Their sofas are a real selling point – all with soft silhouettes and tactile upholstery, with cushions and throws to complement.

Pictured: Abington Sofa at Rowen & Wren

Best for: Elegant silhouettes and fun upholstery

The Love Your Home collection includes some 100 different types of upholstery, but if you have your eye on something bespoke (like Sophie Robinson did here), then you can have one of their models upholstered in a fabric of your choice.

Pictured: Grace Corner Sofa at Love Your Home upholstered in Harlequin Wonderland Floral Fabric

Best for: Variety

Barker & Stonehouse is an Aladdin's cave of a retailer – if you ever visit one of their showrooms schedule plenty of time for browsing. Most people would find their perfect sofa in amongst all the designs on offer, especially if you are a fan of industrial or farmhouse styles.

Pictured: Ullswater Leather Chesterfield at Barker & Stonehouse

Best for: Indoor/Outdoor sofas

If you have a large enough garden or conservatory, give a thought to Garden Trading for your sofa. Their pieces are designed to complement outdoor spaces, with robust, oiled acacia frames and weatherproof cushions.

Pictured: Porthallow Corner Sofa Set at Garden Trading

Best for: Inspiration

Head to Sofa.com if you just don't know where to start in your sofa search. Every conceivable style, shape and colour of sofa is available online or in one of their many showrooms.

Pictured: Costello Sofa at Sofa.com