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Large corner sofa in a bright, open-plan living room

Sofas by size and shape

Large, compact or corner – which sofa suits your room?

Size and shape determine whether a sofa becomes the focal point of your living room. Here you’ll find dimensions, planning tips and an overview of all the key shapes.

How big a sofa will fit in your room?

A sofa often looks smaller in a furniture shop than it does later at home. So make sure you measure up beforehand – and when planning, take into account not only the sofa but also walking space, the coffee table and the doors.

A large sofa with a deep seat and plenty of cushions in a spacious living room

Big Sofa: plenty of space for family, guests and film nights

Big sofas – often referred to as XXL sofas or mega sofas – have a particularly wide and deep seat. They’re perfect for lounging, reclining and snuggling up. With a few back cushions, you can still sit comfortably upright.

Width
240–300 cm
Depth
120–140 cm
Room from
approx. 20 m²

Buying tips: Look for firm, point-elastic upholstery that doesn’t sag even over a large surface area, and covers that are easy to clean. If you like to lie down, choose a seat depth of 80 cm or more.

Interior design

Add 70 to 90 cm of clearance to the sofa’s depth and measure the doors, hallway and stairwell in advance. A Big Sofa looks best with a bit of space around it – placed directly in front of a doorway, it can quickly appear bulky.

A small sofa on tall wooden legs in a compact city flat

Small sofa: compact, cosy, space-saving

A small sofa brings cosiness even to places where every centimetre counts: in a city flat, in the study or bedroom, in a reading nook or the hallway.

Width
120–170 cm
Depth
80–95 cm
Room from
approx. 8 m²

Space-saving tips

  • Slim armrests give you noticeably more seating width.
  • High legs allow the floor to show through – making the sofa appear lighter.
  • Light-coloured upholstery makes the room feel more spacious.
  • Models with a sleep function or storage space fulfil a second purpose straight away.
3-seater and 2-seater combined in a corner arrangement with the same upholstery

2-seaters and 3-seaters: a size comparison of the classics

Most sofas are 2- or 3-seaters. Which one suits you best depends on how many people regularly sit on it – and whether you’d like to stretch out from time to time.

2-seater

  • Width approx. 140–180 cm
  • comfortable for two people
  • ideal for smaller living rooms and reading corners

3-seater

  • Width approx. 190–230 cm
  • Space for three, long enough to lie down
  • The classic living room sofa from approx. 15 m²

Combinations: A three-seater and a two-seater arranged at an angle create a cosy seating arrangement that can be arranged more flexibly than a fixed corner sofa. A two-seater with an armchair and footstool in the same style also looks lovely.

Rule of thumb

Allow for a seating width of around 60 to 70 cm per person – and don’t forget the armrests.

Which sofa size suits which room?

Sofa typeWidthDepthRoom fromIdeal for
Small sofa120–170 cm80–95 cmapprox. 8 m²Bedroom and study, city flat
2-seater140–180 cm85–100 cmapprox. 12 m²smaller living rooms, reading corners
3-seater190–230 cm85–105 cmapprox. 15 m²the classic living room
Big Sofa240–300 cm120–140 cmapprox. 20 m²Families, open-plan living areas
L-shape250–320 cm160–220 cmapprox. 20 m²Room corners, living-dining area
U-shape300–400 cm180–250 cmapprox. 30 m²large rooms, lots of guests

Approximate figures – dimensions vary depending on the model. Allow an additional 70 to 90 cm for walking space and around 40 cm clearance from the coffee table.

Shapes

Which sofa shape suits your floor plan?

The shape determines how you sit, how many guests it can accommodate and how the sofa defines your space.

L-shaped corner sofa in a corner of the room in front of a window front

L-shaped sofa: the all-rounder for the corner of the room

An L-shaped corner sofa makes ideal use of room corners and helps to define open-plan layouts – for example, between the living and dining areas. One side is designed for sitting, whilst the other is often intended for reclining. If it is constructed without a backrest to serve as a reclining surface, it is also referred to as a sofa with a longchair or chaise longue.

Width
250–320 cm
Depth
160–220 cm
Room from
approx. 20 m²

Combination options

  • Ottoman on the left or right
  • with chaise longue
  • isosceles corner
  • with sleep function
  • modular and extendable

Room planning and buying advice

First, decide on the layout: where should the long side be positioned – in relation to windows, the TV and walking routes? Measure both sides individually. Modular systems can be rearranged later, which is handy if you move house.

Inspired by two design classics

Some sofas are so distinctive that their name has come to represent an entire style. We’ll show you what makes them special – and how their design principles live on in modern sofas.

Modern corner sofa in chenille with box-stitched detailing on the back, armrests and seat

Chesterfield: the English classic – reimagined for the modern age

You’ll recognise it straight away: deep button tufting, rolled armrests at the same height as the backrest, often with decorative rivets. The Chesterfield sofa originated in 18th-century England and remains the epitome of timeless elegance to this day.

Its characteristic quilted pattern lives on today in modern sofas: instead of diamond patterns and leather, they feature soft panels, straight lines and fabrics such as chenille. As with the original, the armrests are the same height as the backrest – this gives the sofa a cosy, enclosed feel.

The Original

  • diamond-shaped button tufting, rolled armrests
  • usually leather in cognac or dark brown

The modern interpretation

  • soft box-stitching, clean lines
  • warm fabrics in subtle natural tones

Style combinations: A quilted sofa in natural tones goes well with light wood, linen and ceramics. Paired with brass lighting and dark wood, it takes on a touch of a club atmosphere.

Care

Remove dust from the seams of the quilting using a soft brush or the upholstery nozzle. Dab stains on chenille rather than rubbing them.

Low-profile, quilted corner sofa without armrests in rust red

Togo-style lounge sofas: low-slung and laid-back

In 1973, Michel Ducaroy designed the Togo for the French manufacturer Ligne Roset – and made design history. The Togo has neither a frame nor any wood: it consists of foam with a quilted, pleated cover and sits directly on the floor. You’ll find lounge sofas in our range that are inspired by this look.

The style: low, soft, with no visible frame or armrests, featuring voluminous quilted cushions and unmistakable 1970s charm. These lounge sofas suit mid-century, boho and modern interiors – and are more inviting for lounging than for sitting upright.

Good to know: Floor-level sofas have a lower seat height than usual. It’s worth trying them out – your sales assistant will show you models with a similar seating feel.

In our furniture stores

Plan rather than guess

Whether it’s a large sofa or a compact two-seater: we’ll design your sofa to fit your room layout. Simply bring along the measurements or a photo of your room – your advisor will show you which size and shape suits you best.

  • Planning to your specifications
  • Try it out in-store
  • Delivery on your chosen date
Frequently Asked Questions

What customers want to know about size and shape

Can’t find your question here? Our advisers will be happy to help – either in-store or in advance via message.

Prefer to speak on the phone? 06341 977-0

  • As a rule of thumb: the sofa should not be wider than about two-thirds of the wall in front of which it stands. You’ll need 70 to 90 cm of clearance all round. You’ll find guidelines for each sofa size in our size chart.

  • Big sofas are usually between 240 and 300 cm wide and 120 to 140 cm deep. They work best in rooms of around 20 m² or more. Make sure to measure the doors, hallway and staircase beforehand.

  • Small sofas and two-seaters with slim armrests and high legs work well. A compact corner sofa with a short side also makes particularly good use of limited space.

  • This refers to a sofa where one section is extended and built without a backrest – for stretching out your legs or lying down. Technically, it is usually an L-shaped corner sofa. Originally, the term ‘chaise longue’, literally ‘long chair’, referred to a freestanding piece of reclining furniture.

  • The dimensions are usually specified from a front view of the sofa – where the long side is. As manufacturers do not handle this in a completely standardised way, your consultant will clarify the orientation with you based on your floor plan.

  • Many large sofas and modular sofas are delivered in separate sections and assembled in the room. Nevertheless, please measure door widths, the hallway and the stairwell – your consultant will check in advance whether your chosen model can be brought straight into the living room without any detours.

  • Yes. Please bring the measurements of your room or a floor plan with you to your consultation. Your adviser will plan the size, shape and orientation together with you.

* Statutory price refers to our previous sales price or the manufacturer's recommended retail price (RRP).