Buying a sofa you can’t sit on is a leap of faith, but most regrets come from a handful of details that are easy to check beforehand. Here are the ones worth ten minutes of your time.
Measure the room, then measure the sofa’s footprint
Start with the overall width, depth and height on the product page, and treat a listing that gives only the width as incomplete. As a guide, our Kingsford Chesterfields are 94cm deep and about 76cm high, with widths of 180cm, 221cm and 242cm for the 2, 3 and 4 seater.
Then mark the footprint on your floor with masking tape or newspaper and leave it for a day. You’ll see how close the sofa sits to the radiator, whether the door still opens fully, and how much walkway is left. Aim for at least 45cm in front. If you’re comparing sizes, our leather Chesterfield sofa collection lists each one with its full measurements.
Two smaller numbers matter more than people expect: seat depth and seat height. Ours are 58cm and 46cm, and if you’re much taller or shorter than average, those decide whether the sofa feels right.
Read the leather description like a label
The word “leather” on its own tells you very little. Here’s what the common phrases usually mean.
| On the page | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Genuine or real leather | It’s real hide, but which layer? Top grain is the upper layer, and a listing that doesn’t say may be using a lower grade |
| Leather match or leather look | Is the leather only where you sit, with something else on the back and sides? |
| Bonded leather | Leather scraps pressed onto a fabric backing, which can peel over time |
| Faux or PU leather | No hide at all |
A good description names the layer, the animal, and how much of the sofa is covered. For example, our Natural Tan Chesterfield is listed as 100% top grain buffalo leather, left undyed, so it shows natural marks and shade variation. A dyed finish looks more uniform. Neither is better, but the page should say which one you’re getting.
Check the filling and the fire label too. UK upholstered furniture should carry a permanent fire safety label.
Find out how long it will really take
Delivery times vary far more online than in a shop, so look for the specific time on the specific sofa, not a general promise. On our site, in stock sofas arrive in 3 to 5 days and pre order sofas take 6 to 8 weeks.
If you need the sofa by a certain date, count backwards. A pre order sofa wanted by 20 December has to be ordered by about 25 October at the long end of the range. Also ask whether the count starts when you order or when it ships, and whether the date is a promise or an estimate.
Know the return terms before you pay
UK law gives you 14 days from receiving an online order to cancel it. What differs between sellers is who pays for the return and what condition the sofa must be in. Check three things: whether collection is offered and what it costs, whether the original packaging is required, and what happens if the sofa arrives damaged.
One condition catches people out. Some sellers, including us, make the buyer responsible for return costs if the sofa won’t fit through the door. Our refund policy sets out the exact terms, and any seller’s should be this easy to find.
Ask what arrives assembled
Some sofas come in sections or with feet and legs to fit, so ask before you order. Ours are fixed frame sofas with nothing to join, and you can email to confirm what needs doing on arrival. Plan for two people to carry it. Even the smallest weighs 76kg, and the 4 seater is 95kg.
On delivery day, inspect the sofa and note any visible damage with the courier before you sign.
Check it will get through your home
This is the check that costs the most when skipped. Doors test the smallest side of a sofa, while turns and stairs test the longest. Our three sizes share the same smallest side, 76cm high by 94cm deep, so your doorways matter the same for all of them. The length is what changes.
Measure the narrowest clear width of your front door and every internal door on the route, with the door open to 90 degrees. A sofa generally goes through on its back or end, so you need at least 76cm clear, plus a few centimetres for the carriers’ hands. Taking a door off its hinges usually gains a little room.
Then cut a strip of cardboard 76cm wide and as long as the sofa, and walk it through every corner and up the stairs. If it sticks, the real sofa will too. If your route is tight, a shorter sofa such as our 3 seater leather sofa at 221cm is much easier to manoeuvre than a 4 seater at 242cm.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to buy a leather sofa online?
Yes, if you check what a showroom would show you in person: measurements, leather description, delivery time and return terms. UK law also gives you 14 days from delivery to cancel an online order.
How can I tell if it’s real leather?
Look for specific words. “Top grain buffalo leather” names the layer and the animal. “Leather match”, “bonded leather” and “leather look” usually mean real leather on only part of the sofa, or very little of it. If the page doesn’t say, ask.
How long does a leather sofa take to arrive?
It depends on the seller and whether the sofa is in stock. With us, in stock sofas arrive in 3 to 5 days and pre order sofas take 6 to 8 weeks.
Does a leather sofa come assembled?
It varies. Ask the seller what needs doing on arrival, and whether feet, legs or sections need fitting.
What if the sofa won’t fit through my door?
Check the seller’s policy first, because many make the buyer pay the return costs. Measuring your doors and walking a cardboard strip along the route before you order avoids the problem.