How to choose the right sofa size for your living room
A simple way to measure your room and pick a sofa length, depth and height that fit, with the rules of thumb designers use.
By Enzo · Updated
How long should a sofa be?
A common rule of thumb is that a sofa should be about two thirds the length of the wall it sits against. That leaves room on each side for a side table or a lamp and stops the room feeling crowded.
Measure the wall, multiply by 0.66, and use the result as your target length. A 4 m wall suits a sofa of roughly 260 cm.
How much space do I need around the sofa?
Leave at least 75 to 90 cm for walkways, and about 40 to 45 cm between the sofa and the coffee table so you can reach your drink without leaning.
- Walkway beside or behind the sofa: 75 to 90 cm
- Sofa to coffee table: 40 to 45 cm
- Sofa to TV: about 1.5 to 2.5 times the screen’s diagonal
How many people will it seat?
Plan on about 55 to 60 cm of seat width for each person. A 250 cm sofa seats three people comfortably, and a corner sofa adds the chaise on top of that.
What about depth and height?
Deep sofas (100 cm and more) are better for lounging and for people who like to curl up. Shallower sofas (85 to 95 cm) are easier to get out of and suit smaller rooms. Check the door, the lift and the stairs as well: a sofa has to arrive before it can fit.
Can I order a sofa in my exact size?
Yes. At Enzo every sofa is made to order, so you move a size slider to the length you need and the price updates as you go. For a size outside the slider, a designer will confirm your measurements with you before we build it.