Giezl - Interior Designer
Here we share our sofa dimensions size guide to help you select the right one for your interior design.
Standard Sofa Dimensions
Did you know there are standard sofa dimensions? It might sound surprising, but it’s true. Of course there may be slight variations across different types of furniture, but generally speaking most of the sofas available to buy have the same approximate measurements.
Once you know what these are, you can create a rough plan of your space, based on these dimensions. Because we’re kind, we’ve researched them for you.
The standard sofa dimensions range from 72″ to 96″ in length, 33″ tall and 32″ to 40″ inches in depth.
Sectional Sofa Dimensions
Where the left and right sections of the sofa are of equal lengths.
For example, if you’re looking at a typical 5 seat sectional with equal sides, this will usually measure in at 95 x 95 inches or 98 x 98 inches.
Depths from the back of the sofa to the front are usually between 36 to 40 inches.
Three seater sectional sofas measure in at lengths of 78 to 88 inches. Depths from the back of the sofa to the front are usually between 37 to 40 inches.
3 Seater Sofa Dimensions
Loveseat Dimensions
The Loveseat… You’re looking at measurements ranging from 48-72 inches wide and 36 inches deep.
Sleeper Sofa Dimensions
If you’ve run out of beds, and your friends are egging to stay over, having a sleeper sofa is the perfect practical solution. Not only will you experience its space saving benefits, but its dual function makes it incredibly useful as somewhere to lounge too!
Full Size Sleeper Sofa Dimensions
Queen Sleeper Sofa Dimensions
If you’re thinking bigger is better, then the next size up – the Queen, is available ranging from 75″ to 96″ inches with a mattress width of 58″ to 62″.
King Sleeper Sofa Dimensions
For a king sleeper sofa you’ll find the dimensions ranging from 84″ to 92″ with a mattress width of 74″ to 76″.
Coffee Table Dimensions
Always handy to note is the size of an average coffee table which can sit perfectly next to the sofa, or in front of it. The standard measurement of your average coffee table is 47 inches long by 27 inches wide. Now, time to get the kettle on!
How To Choose The Right Size Sofa For A Room
Before you begin to choose a sofa, think about scale… It may seem self-explanatory, but if your living space is small, having a huge sofa will dominate the space and make it feel overbearing.
Likewise, a small sofa will look disproportionate to the rest of the room if you have a larger living space. It’s also worth considering the ceiling height here too.
If the ceiling is high, you’ll want to find a long, wide and low-backed sofa to add visual interest to the space. If your room has a low ceiling, the opposite will apply.
Why not test out your 2D drawing skills, and draw the room out to scale? Include the rest of your furniture in your sketch to help you visualize how the room can be configured.
Remember to leave space to move around in the room, so factor this into your drawing to ensure you accurately represent the area you’re working with. There are even interior design programs that can help you visualize your space with the exact measurements of your room.
Then, the shape and character of your room…
You might not think it, but the shape of your space makes a huge impact on how big or small your sofa should be, and, ultimately, how well it fits in the situation.
You might live in an older property with stunning period features that deserve attention in their own right. The size you pick may be just as important as the sofa colors, especially if you’re working with a smaller floor plan.
Your sofa size should mold to your room’s existing features and character. That way it won’t look out of proportion with the rest of the space, and will actually help to enhance what’s already there. 
Have you thought about traffic flow?
And no, we don’t mean outside. You’ll need to consider how you, and others can freely move around the space. Your sofa shouldn’t be so large that it obstructs doorways or segments the space to inhibit movement. The last thing you want in your living space is to feel restricted and confined by your furniture.
Then, ask yourself, ‘What do I want from my sofa?’
The answer is obvious – a space to relax of course! However, there are different ways to relax, and it depends entirely on you, your home and your personal requirements.
Is your sofa meant to be a place where the whole family can congregate closely together? If so, a large sectional sofa might be ideal. Maybe you’re after a serene space where you can fully stretch out in front of the TV? Consider a long sofa with extra support.
Or, you’re simply after an elegant place where you can put your feet up and take a nap –how about a smaller chaise lounge?
Defining what you require from your sofa makes all the difference in how you find the perfect solution for your space.
Measure up
As you bring together your considerations to the scale and shape of your room, the movement of traffic through it, and your personal sofa requirements, it’s time to measure up.
You may have a sofa style in mind, or perhaps have even set your eye on a sofa that’s for sale! Measure up the area where your sofa is likely to go and put down some masking tape to get a sense of the width.
You could even draw out the size of your sofa onto plain paper, and cut this out, so you have a realistic idea of size. Then, walk around the imaginary sofa to check how much space you have for walkways, coffee tables etc. Read more about how to measure a sofa here.
Measuring up your room will help you to realistically consider the size, and (perhaps re-evaluate the) style of sofa you should be looking at, which will then help fine tune your options when it comes to your sofa search.
For more ideas check out our gallery of types of sofa fabrics here.
