4 min read

There’s nowhere quite like your own home. After a long, busy day at school or work, the thought of getting back to the comfort of your own living room to spend time with family is the perfect remedy. Whether watching a film, helping with homework or settling in for a competitive board game or two, having the perfect living room set up makes for a family haven. At the heart of your home, your sofa is the centrepiece of the perfect family living room.

If you’re choosing a sofa for your family, there’s lots to consider. While comfort and style are big factors, you need to consider practicalities too. How does your family relax? Are the kids likely to make a mess? How do the pets impact your choice? These are all things you need to think about when it comes to buying the best sofa for families.

What makes the ideal sofa for a family?

No two families are the same. And by the same token, no two sofas are the same. Fabric or leather, corner or recliner, soft or firm, we have a wide range of fantastic types of sofas to choose from, so let us help you ensure you choose the perfect sofa for you and your family to enjoy together.

Think of the kids

Times are changing and in the world of technology-led entertainment, the way people spend time together is evolving all the time. But one thing that still rings true is how much we love spending time together. They might be watching YouTube videos on their phones or playing games on their iPads, but we still love to have the kids around us, sat together on the sofa enjoying quality time together. There’s no denying that having young children around also means having to think a little more about your sofa choice. How likely are they to spill things? Are they going to take care not to damage the sofa? Do they like falling asleep curled up beside Mum and Dad? These are all important things to consider before you buy.

Younger children are adventurous by nature, and whether they’re trying to scale the heights of your sofa or testing out their artistic skills with crayons, felt tip pens and paint, it can take a toll on your new sofa. With this in mind, it’s important to choose a durable sofa that can withstand the day-to-day rigours of living with kids. Consider the Moretti, handcrafted from beautifully warm, natural leather and available in a hardwearing, fully pigmented option. This leather is specially treated to make it extra durable, so it wipes clean more easily – perfect if your children are very young.

If you’ve got teens or older kids, chilling out is more likely to be top of the agenda, whether they’ve got their friends round for a game of FIFA or just want to relax. Sofas such as the Canterbury with sumptuously cosy pillow backs are ideal for those long, comfortable sofa sessions.

What is the best sofa size for a family?

Whether you’re a close-knit bunch or there’s enough of you to start a football team, it’s important to consider the size of your family when you’re choosing the best sofas for your living room. Maybe you’re a large family that likes to cosy up together to catch up on the latest TV shows, or a smaller family that just likes to have the space to sprawl out – with the perfect sized sofa, you can be sure every member of the family is going to feel amazingly comfy.

A corner sofa like the Cedar gives you ample space to spread out and spend time together as a family in maximum comfort. This stylish range even has the option of a built in bookcase on many of the pieces, so you can stack the shelves with the family’s favourite reads – perfect for storytime, snuggled up together on the sofa.

Buying a sofa when you have pets

For those of us with pets, there’s no way around it; whether you’re team cats or dogs, our furry friends are as much a part of the family as anyone else, so they need to be considered before choosing a sofa. If you allow your pets to climb up and curl up with you, it’s important to think about what sofa material is best for dogs and cats.

With claws aplenty, the risk of your pet scratching the sofa is very real, so choose something that’s less likely to be damaged accidentally such as a protected, pigmented leather or a durable weave fabric. If you’re worried about scratches and minor damage, consider investing in Sofashield when you go to pick out your sofa.

A family friendly sofa choice

Lastly, it’s important to remember that your perfect family sofa is just that; a choice for the whole family, so why not make a day of it and choose together?

Find the ideal sofa for your family by browsing our collection today.
From comfy corner styles to hardy fabric and leather looks, you’ll find your perfect family sofa in our range.

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Sofology
About Sofology

Helping everybody feel happier and more comfortable at home - that's what we’re all about. Originally founded in the North West of England in 1974, Sofology now has stores all across the UK. Providing specialist sofa advice and interiors inspiration for your home, our stores are designed to be a haven from the chaos of traditional sofa shopping.